...This can't be a dream, can it? [Jhin] actually came to attack our Grass Hidden Village...
The voices of the Grass Ninja trembled, and cold sweat seeped from their palms clutching their weapons. Some pinched themselves hard, hoping to wake from this nightmare.
"Don't, don't panic! Maybe it's just an impostor disguised by Transformation Technique!"
"But that Ninjutsu... it's exactly like the move that destroyed the Konoha gate, according to rumors..."
Fear spread through the crowd, but it was accompanied by suspicion. After all, how could that legendary being appear in such a small Village?
The leading Jonin swallowed, forcing himself to take a step forward. His legs were weak, but he had to brace himself and speak.
"Who, who exactly are you, sir? Why invade the Grass Hidden Village? This is an act of war!"
He prayed desperately in his heart, please, it must be a fake... or a hallucination or a nightmare! Why me, of all people, have to encounter such a thing?!
"[Jhin] Menma."
These three short words made the leading Ninja's knees buckle, almost causing him to fall to the ground. He gritted his teeth, forcing himself to continue the negotiation.
"I, I understand... But... as far as I know, [Jhin]'s goal is to deter war through military might... Our Grass Hidden Village hasn't been involved in any diplomatic conflicts recently..."
Menma tilted his head slightly, his gaze beneath the mask coldly sweeping over everyone. "...Of course. If you want to provoke war... you should know the precedents."
The threat in his words was self-evident. Everyone recalled the rumored intelligence—the fate of the Kumogakure delegation.
"So this is just a warning deterrence." Menma slowly raised his hand, "At least... I haven't taken anyone's life yet."
"Then... what exactly is your purpose, sir...?"
The leading Jonin's voice was as dry as sandpaper.
"The Uzumaki Clan's Bloodline."
This answer instantly froze the air. The color drained completely from the Jonin's face.
"...What?"
"Your Village is hiding a mother and daughter of the Uzumaki Clan." Menma's voice came through the mask, carrying an undeniable sense of oppression, "Hand them over. Do as I say, and no one needs to die today."
Uzumaki Bloodline?! The Jonin's mind raced. How could such confidential information be leaked? Had [Jhin]'s pawns already infiltrated the Village?
He suddenly remembered the rumor—when [Jhin] first appeared, he took a Ninja of the Hyuga Clan. Now he's targeting Uzumaki Clan members... Is this organization collecting Bloodline Limits?
A commotion began in the Grass Ninja crowd. Whispers spread like a plague.
"What a joke..."
"They're our 'medical kits' after all..."
"Without them, what will we do if we get injured on missions...?"
Everyone's face was filled with resistance. Ever since acquiring the mother and daughter, the Grass Ninja had no worries when performing missions—if they got injured, they would just take a bite and be healed in a flash. This convenience had already given them a taste of sweetness.
Now they have to give them up? To cut off someone's source of income is like killing their parents.
Gradually, the eyes of some Grass Ninja began to change. Once the seed of doubt was planted, it would take root and sprout.
"Maybe..."
"What if it's fake...?"
"Anyone can wear that mask..."
They exchanged glances, reaching a silent consensus. Perhaps... this "Menma" was just an impostor coveting the Uzumaki Bloodline?
Menma quietly watched the restless Grass Ninja before him. The whispering, the gradually fierce gazes—they were using greed to convince themselves, using profit to numb their fear.
"It seems... some people don't want things to end simply."
The Grass Ninja froze for a moment, before they could react.
A tangible killing intent suddenly erupted, pouring out from Menma like a dark tide, instantly engulfing the entire space. The air seemed to solidify, and even breathing became a luxury.
Fear descended.
The Grass Ninja standing in the front row suddenly buckled at the knees, falling directly to the ground. His pupils contracted to pinpricks, and the scene before him began to distort—he saw himself impaled through the chest by a black Spiral Wheel Ring, his internal organs mangled, blood gushing from his mouth.
"Ugh... ugh ah..."
He wanted to scream, but his throat felt as if it were clutched by an invisible hand, only able to emit suffocating whimpers.
The Ninja next to him was even worse; his pants suddenly became wet, warm liquid flowing down his thighs, but he was too preoccupied to care about such humiliation—because scenes of his own beheading constantly flashed before his eyes, his head rolling to the ground, and he could even see his headless body slowly falling.
"No... don't..."
Some began to gag uncontrollably, others frantically clawed at their faces, trying to wake from the illusion.
Even the leading Jonin was frozen in place, his teeth chattering violently, making a clattering sound. Although his reason told him it was all an illusion, his body believed it implicitly.
If I act... I will die... I will truly die... His knees hit the ground heavily, and he gasped violently like a dying fish. Cold sweat drenched his back, his heart pounding so frantically it felt like it would burst.
Under the shroud of this killing intent, everyone saw their most gruesome deaths. Some were burned to charcoal, some were torn to shreds, and others had their Chakra drained alive, turning into mummies... The most terrifying thing was that they could clearly feel—this was probably not a threat or intimidation, but a premonition.
Menma slowly took a step, and the Grass Ninja scattered like a disturbed ant colony, retreating frantically, some even tumbling to the ground due to weak legs.
"Now." His voice was eerily clear in the dead silence, "No one wants meaningless sacrifices, do they?"
No one dared to answer.
No one dared to breathe.
In the face of this absolute terror, even thinking became a luxury.
This skill is truly useful.
Menma secretly praised the system's reward in his heart. The effect of "Top-tier Intimidation" far exceeded expectations—the Grass Ninja, who had been restless moments ago, now all had exceptionally "clear" eyes.
However, the act still had to be completed.
He slowly raised his hand, palm facing upwards. Dark Chakra seeped out like viscous liquid, twisting and coiling in the air, gradually condensing into a horrifying sphere.
Spiral Wheel Ring.
An ominous dark glow circulated on the surface of the sphere, and the surrounding air emitted faint popping sounds due to energy overload. Occasionally, sparks of Chakra would splash onto the ground, instantly creating honeycomb-like holes in the earth.
"Ten minutes."
Menma's voice was terrifyingly calm.
"Bring the Uzumaki Clan members here. Otherwise..."
He slightly tilted his palm, allowing the dark sphere to slowly rotate at his fingertips.
"When I come to find them myself—the Grass Hidden Village will disappear from the map forever."
These words were like a bucket of ice water splashing on the stunned Grass Ninja, waking them up. They looked in horror at the light-devouring sphere, finally fully recognizing reality.
"Quick! Quickly bring that woman and her daughter here!"
The leading Jonin roared hoarsely, his voice completely distorted.
"Now! Immediately! At once! Everyone move!"