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A faint hum resonated through the air.
As Sarutobi Ryo executed the technique, chakra coursed through the barrier, illuminating intricate runes one after another. Each layer of protection shattered under his expertise, a testament not just to his strength but also his intellect.
Born as the heir to Sarutobi Hiruzen's legacy as a "Ninjutsu Doctor," Ryo possessed immense talent. A Ninjutsu Doctor was someone proficient in nearly all of Konoha's techniques—except for bloodline limits and clan-exclusive jutsu—granting them unparalleled versatility on the battlefield.
Though still young, Ryo had already achieved the rank of Jonin. He had not yet reached his father's legendary status, but his potential was boundless. Mastering all seven chakra natures, it was only a matter of time before he stood on equal footing with his father.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed through the corridor. Yamanaka Hui and Baiyun Yeshan rushed back.
"Master, we have trouble! As expected, the enemy is from the Blood Mist!"
The Hidden Mist Village, infamous for its ruthless brutality, was also known as the "Village of Blood Mist." Their barbaric graduation ritual—forcing students to fight their comrades to the death—had forged some of the most savage warriors in history. They were not just ruthless toward their enemies but also to their own kind.
In terms of sheer individual combat prowess, the Blood Mist shinobi ranked among the strongest in all five great nations.
Ryo didn't reply. His focus remained locked on the final stages of breaking the barrier.
Then, something changed.
His right eye reacted.
A peculiar sensation spread through it, as if his vision had sharpened. Suddenly, every single rune in front of him became crystal clear—even those that would normally require a magnifying glass to discern.
Fascinating...
A realization dawned on Ryo. This so-called "Will of Fire System" wasn't as simple as it seemed.
Whoosh!
Kunai sliced through the air. Yamanaka Hui and Baiyun Yeshan had already engaged the enemy. The sounds of battle reverberated through the corridor.
"There are too many of them!"
With a sharp shing, Baiyun Yeshan unsheathed his blade. Wind chakra coiled around the edge, crackling with power.
"Wind Release: Vacuum Sword!"
A series of crescent-shaped air blades tore through the passage. The first Blood Mist ninja barely managed to deflect two strikes before the third one shattered his weapon and carved a deep wound into his chest. With a thud, his body collapsed to the ground.
But the enemies didn't even flinch.
Like beasts in a frenzy, they trampled over their fallen comrade's corpse without hesitation, using it as a stepping stone to press forward.
These guys are insane.
Then—
A sharp whistle filled the air.
Kunai rained down. The trailing smoke at their ends made Yamanaka Hui's eyes widen in horror.
"Detonating tags! Get back!"
Yamanaka Hui reacted instantly, sprinting to safety. Baiyun Yeshan barely managed to dodge before a deafening explosion engulfed the corridor.
Boom!
The underground structure trembled violently. Old and neglected for years, the walls cracked, the ceiling crumbled, and debris rained down. Darkness consumed the passage as dust clogged the air.
"Damn lunatics! Do they not care if they bring the whole place down on themselves?!"
Yamanaka Hui coughed through the dust, his voice thick with frustration. In the pitch-black void, vision became useless.
But for Sarutobi Ryo, it was different.
Even Ruri, who had remained silent until now, glanced at him in the darkness, sensing something was off.
At that moment, a notification flashed in Ryo's mind:
[Fallen leaves return to their roots... The true Will of Fire!]
A second prompt followed:
[The Will of Fire System... New functions are loading.]
[Loading complete.]
[Night Vision Module... Activated!]
Suddenly, the darkness vanished.
His vision cleared as if it were broad daylight.
Ryo blinked in astonishment. His right eye had transformed into a powerful sensory tool, revealing every detail of the underground chamber. The heat signatures of every living being glowed like distinct beacons—even a small, trembling rat in the corner emitted a faint warmth.
"Interesting..."
For the first time, Ryo began to suspect that this Will of Fire System wasn't a mystical power—it felt more like advanced technology from another era.
Time to put it to the test.
The barrier runes on the sarcophagus pulsed one final time before fading into nothingness. The last trap had been disabled.
Without hesitation, Ryo turned away from the tomb and stepped into the corridor.
"Master?" Yamanaka Hui called out, confused by Ryo's sudden departure.
But Ryo was already in motion.
Beyond the tomb, the Blood Mist shinobi fumbled in the darkness, struggling to relight their torches. They had no idea that death was approaching.
Just as they struck their flints—
A dark silhouette materialized in front of them.
In a heartbeat, Ryo assessed their numbers. His night vision functioned like a thermal scanner, highlighting every enemy in vivid detail.
"One, two, three..."
His voice echoed through the passage.
The Mist ninjas froze, their skin prickling with unease. Before they could react—
BOOM! Ryo's fist drove into the first enemy's chest like a battering ram.
The force sent the shinobi flying, but his body didn't explode like weaker foes might have. Ryo's brows furrowed.
So even a full-powered punch isn't enough to instantly kill them? As expected of Blood Mist shinobi, their durability is far above average...
Adjusting his approach, Ryo shifted targets. He no longer aimed for the torso. Instead—
Crack!
His next punch slammed into the side of an opponent's head.
The impact was akin to a sledgehammer caving in rock. The shinobi's skull fractured instantly, his eyes rolled back, and blood gushed from his orifices as he crumpled like a lifeless puppet.
"!!"
But instead of fear, their comrades became even more aggressive.
In an instant, they reignited their torches and braced their blades.
Ryo, however, had already anticipated this.
He backed up, forming seals at lightning speed.
"Water Release: Water Wave!"
At first glance, the technique seemed unimpressive—merely a basic C-rank jutsu used for training and extinguishing fires.
But here, in the depths of the underground passage, its purpose was clear.
The wave crashed forward, drenching the torches and plunging the corridor back into darkness.
And in this darkness—
Sarutobi Ryo became the hunter once more.