"Hm?"
Hearing the sudden roar, Fujikawa's sharp eyes darted in the direction of the sound.
Tread. Tat. Tat.
At the same time, a Rock Shinobi swiftly leaped through the trees, stopping before Fujikawa.
"What happened?" Fujikawa asked.
"The explosive tag trap we set at the village entrance has been triggered."
"Let's go check it out."
"Yes, sir!"
Outside the Village
A deep crater marred the once-smooth road, with thick smoke rising in layers, obscuring the view. For a few tense moments, nothing was visible—until the smoke gradually dispersed.
At the center of the crater stood a massive ice sphere, as tall as a person.
Crack. Crack.
The ice slowly fractured before shattering completely, revealing Saigoji Youmu and Konan inside. They were unharmed, protected by the icy barrier.
However, their expressions were far from pleasant.
"Brother Youmu, what just happened?" Konan clutched the hem of Saigoji Youmu's clothes tightly, her voice laced with fear. The sudden explosion had clearly shaken her.
Saigoji Youmu's face darkened. "We must have stepped into a ninja's trap."
Had he not reacted swiftly, both he and Konan would have been injured.
"Are there enemies nearby?" Konan instinctively moved behind Saigoji Youmu, seeking protection.
"Don't worry, Konan. Nothing will happen."
While reassuring her, Saigoji Youmu's eyes scanned the surroundings. It wasn't long before his gaze locked onto a seemingly unremarkable spot ahead.
"Come out."
Silence.
No one responded.
Saigoji Youmu's expression remained calm, but a hint of cold amusement flickered in his eyes. "Stubborn fools."
Bending his knees slightly, he pressed his left hand lightly against the ground.
Boom!
A sharp icicle, as thick as a man's torso, shot up violently from the earth.
"Agh!"
Saigoji Youmu glanced at the top of the icicle, now dripping with fresh blood. His gaze turned even colder.
"If you don't come out now, the next attack won't be as merciful." His voice was calm but carried a chilling menace.
As if on cue, the ground ahead trembled. Moments later, Fujikawa and three other Rock Shinobi emerged from the earth, their concealment now useless. They knew that further hiding was futile.
"Earth Release: Underground Fishing Technique? Not bad." Saigoji Youmu commented lightly, unfazed.
Fujikawa, still wary, narrowed his eyes at the mysterious swordsman. "Who are you?" His voice was steady, but tension filled the air.
"Are you from Kirigakure? Does kirigakure also intend to involve itself in this war?"
Saigoji Youmu raised an eyebrow at Fujikawa's accusation. "Kirigakure?"
A moment later, realization dawned on him, and he almost found it amusing.
"They think I'm a member of the Yuki clan?"
It was an understandable mistake. The Western sword he had drawn yesterday was Acedes' weapon—a relic from an entirely different world.
Esdeath, the youngest and most powerful general of the Empire in Akame ga Kill, was a believer in the survival of the fittest, a warrior whose ice abilities could freeze an entire battlefield. And now, having drawn her weapon, Saigoji Youmu possessed all her powers—not the weakened version from the anime, but the terrifying force from the original manga.
With time, he would fully master this strength.
It was no wonder that, in the world of Naruto, Fujikawa mistook his Demon Manifestation - Demon Essence for Ice Release. After all, in this world, only members of the Yuki clan or Haku had displayed the ability to wield such ice techniques.
"You don't need to know who I am."
As he spoke, Saigoji Youmu extended his right hand. Ice elements swirled around him, coalescing into a pure ice longsword.
His expression darkened. "You just need to know that you won't leave here alive."
If these Rock Shinobi had never provoked him, he wouldn't have spared them a second glance. But now that they had become enemies, there was no reason to let them live.
Leaving them alive would only bring future trouble—something Saigoji Youmu had no patience for.
"Earth Release—"
Fujikawa felt a cold sweat drip down his back. His survival instincts screamed at him, and he reacted on reflex, forming a hand seal at blinding speed.
"Earth-Style Wall!"
Boom!
Several thick, towering walls of earth shot up from the ground, forming a defensive barrier between him and Saigoji Youmu.