"Heh, your perception isn't bad."
A dark figure slowly emerged from behind the dead tree.
The newcomer was draped in a black cloak, his curly dark green hair barely visible beneath it. A Kirigakure forehead protector rested on his forehead—
With a deep slash through the middle.
The cut divided the Mist Village's symbol into two, a clear sign of defection.
A ninja who had completely severed ties with his homeland.
Normally, rogue ninjas were relentlessly hunted down by their former villages.
Only the strongest managed to survive.
Simu casually stuffed his hands into his pockets, curling his lips into a mocking grin.
"Oh no, how terrifying. A traitor from Kirigakure."
Rather than getting angry, the man laughed loudly at Simu's nonchalant attitude.
"Kid, I have to admit—you've got guts. Strolling into the underground gold exchange all by yourself?"
He shook his head with exaggerated pity.
"Too bad for you. You ran into me today."
The man pulled back his cloak, revealing his bandage-covered arms.
A massive red scythe, almost as tall as Simu himself, gleamed bloodthirstily under the moonlight.
His eyes shone with a crimson glow as he flashed a twisted grin.
"Hahahaha! Boy, are you so scared you pissed yourself already?"
He swung his scythe, its sharp edge reflecting the dim light.
"I am the underground bounty hunter, Wild Scythe—Jinmaru Wuye!"
"An A-rank rogue ninja wanted by Kirigakure!"
"In the black market, everyone knows my name!"
Simu sighed, pulling his hand—warm from his pocket—out to scratch his short hair.
"Oh no, how terrifying. The great Kirigakure traitor, Jinmaru-sama."
Jinmaru Wuye let out another crazed laugh.
"HAHAHAHA! Glad you know your place!"
Only now did Simu notice something odd about the man.
The corners of his mouth were ripped open—stitched back together with thin black threads.
He looked like a clown straight out of a horror cartoon.
Simu clicked his tongue.
"Damn, you're a real freak. Creepy as hell."
Rather than being offended, Jinmaru Wuye burst into wild laughter.
"Hahahaha! Yes! Freak! That's me!"
With a flick of his wrist, the deadly scythe slashed downward, sending a chill through the air.
"A freak who's about to slice you apart!"
Simu scratched his head, sighing in mock distress.
"Oh man, it even rhymes. What are you, an underground rapper?"
His words left Jinmaru Wuye momentarily confused.
But the next moment—he grinned even wider.
He liked this kid's style.
Which meant...
"I HAVE TO EAT YOU!"
With those words, he vanished from sight.
The only sound was the rustling of leaves—
Then, the scarlet scythe appeared right behind Simu!
Jinmaru Wuye's eyes darted back and forth across Simu's exposed neck, as if carefully selecting where to cut first.
To him, this clueless brat was nothing more than a plaything.
A temporary distraction in his otherwise boring life.
"What terrifying speed… so, have you made your choice?"
Simu turned his head—his calm, golden eyes meeting Jinmaru Wuye's.
Jinmaru Wuye cackled.
"HEHEHE! GO TO HELL!"
With a sudden twist of his waist, he swung the long-handled scythe down in a deadly arc!
"HAHAHAHA! I GOT YOU!"
The razor-sharp scythe cleaved Simu in two!
But—
Why were there so many glowing particles spilling from the wound?
Jinmaru Wuye's expression stiffened.
Something was wrong.
Simu turned around—his body still split in half.
He raised both hands with an exaggerated shrug.
"Wow, what a powerful attack. I almost died."
Jinmaru Wuye's eyes widened in shock.
Simu raised ten fingers.
"Now then…"
"Finger Pistol: Barrage!"
The air distorted for a brief moment.
Ten compressed air bullets blasted forward at point-blank range!
Each attack was as fast as a bullet—aimed straight at Jinmaru Wuye's chest!
Jinmaru Wuye barely had time to react.
"...Impossible!"
But his instincts—honed from countless battles—kicked in at the last second.
At the very moment the air bullets fired, he twisted his body in mid-air!
Still—
Five of the ten Finger Pistols pierced through him.
Blood splattered into the air.
His shoulder, abdomen, and side were all riddled with holes.
Jinmaru Wuye gritted his teeth.
Stepping off a nearby tree branch, he quickly retreated, widening the distance between them.
Meanwhile—
Simu's severed body was already reforming before his eyes.
He dusted off his chest, shaking his head.
"Man, that was close. I almost died."
Jinmaru Wuye's deranged grin finally faded.
His beast-like instincts screamed at him.
This opponent…
Wasn't normal.
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