Fang Yuan's petite body moved through the ruins, his three-magatama Sharingan granting him extraordinary observational prowess. In his slowed-down vision, he spotted a piece of warped iron sheet beneath the debris and a smirk played on his lips.
The explosion's shock had rendered Putian Yilang's soul feeble, and the puppet he had possessed had been melted and evaporated. In a desperate bid, Putian Yilang had fled to the edge, clinging to a piece of iron sheet. However, the devastation left the surroundings a desolate wasteland, and Putian Yilang lacked the strength to move much further.
Just as he was about to rest, a six-year-old child suddenly appeared in front of him, sneering as he picked up the weakened wolf.
"It's you who did this!!!" Putian Yilang exclaimed, his sharp mind immediately connecting the dots.
Fang Yuan laughed. "Haha. Quite impressive. It seems the fireworks weren't enough for you." He tapped the iron sheet, sending it crashing into Putian Yilang's face.
The wolf glared at Fang Yuan with hatred, his eyes filled with a murderous intent. "What do you want from me?"
Fang Yuan replied coolly, "I want you."
"Me?" Putian Yilang was taken aback, struggling to understand why a child would be interested in him. He suspected that he was dealing with a pervert.
"I want your skills, your talent, and your loyalty," Fang Yuan continued, his tone turning cold. "Otherwise, you will die."
The threat was direct and uncompromising. Putian Yilang, who was used to dealing with threats, found himself at a loss. A child no older than six was now dictating his fate.
"How can you be so sure you can kill me? You must know me well from hiding in the shadows. If I wish to leave..."
Before Putian Yilang could finish, Fang Yuan interrupted with steely resolve. "You can try."
Putian Yilang was left speechless. Ignoring the threat, he attempted to use his senses and abilities to relocate. His magic worked, and he found himself on a large rock nearby. Looking back disdainfully at Fang Yuan, he was about to make a mocking comment when an astonishing sight unfolded before him.
Fang Yuan merely flicked his finger at the iron plate, and to Putian Yilang's horror, his face reappeared before him. He was forcibly brought back.
Determined to end this, Fang Yuan formed a seal with his right hand and used the Water Prison Technique. Small bubbles enveloped the iron plate, expanding into a vacuum zone that isolated Putian Yilang completely.
"Do you still think I can't kill you?" Fang Yuan's voice was inaudible due to the vacuum, but Putian Yilang could read his lips.
The wolf fell silent. He had not anticipated such a clever tactic from the child in front of him. Trapped like a fish on a chopping board, Putian Yilang was at Fang Yuan's mercy.
Fang Yuan released the bubble, having gambled on this last chance. If Putian Yilang had chosen to escape, Fang Yuan would have been powerless to stop him.
"Shall we talk now?" Fang Yuan inquired, waiting for a response. Seeing Putian Yilang's face remain visible, Fang Yuan knew the matter was likely settled.
"You wish to take revenge on Konoha, don't you? Are you willing to be stuck like this, half-human, half-ghost?" Fang Yuan pressed. "The Konoha ninjas you faced are not all dead. Your sister may still be in danger, and her information has been exposed. She will soon be hunted by Konoha and forced to live a life on the run."
Mentioning Putian Kanon's sister struck a chord with Putian Yilang, causing him to react.
"What do you want me to do?"
"It's simple. Just give me everything you have. You are merely a ghost of failure. What you cannot achieve, I can," Fang Yuan declared, his voice unwavering.
Putian Yilang, whether from seeing Fang Yuan's capabilities or simply not wanting to die, eventually agreed. His sole request was to see his sister again. She was his only remaining family, and he wished to watch over her for the rest of her life, even if only as an omnipresent ghost.
Fang Yuan issued a stern reminder. "Remember, you are already dead. You can only observe her, but not interact. This is for her safety. I will handle external threats."
He then presented a wooden crow he had carved. "This is a wooden crow I made for you. Its wings are flexible, and you can stay inside it for now."
Putian Yilang examined the crow closely. "When did you carve this?"
"Since I saw your body," Fang Yuan replied.
"Did you start paying attention to me from then? How frightening," Putian Yilang said, realizing Fang Yuan had anticipated everything perfectly from the start.
"Go now. You don't have much time left. I have other tasks for you," Fang Yuan directed, pointing him in the right direction before vanishing using his instant body movement technique.
The possibility of Putian Yilang escaping was not considered. This was the art of control. The more complex Fang Yuan's strategies were, the more intrigued and bound Putian Yilang would become.