Chapter 6: The Silent Reaper
Nightfall draped the war-torn land in a cloak of darkness. The wind howled through the valleys, carrying with it the scent of blood, smoke, and decay. In the heart of a hidden stronghold, Hikaru stood before a table lined with blueprints, vials of toxins, and dismantled prototypes of his latest invention.
Across from him, one of his operatives knelt, awaiting orders.
"The target?" Hikaru asked, his voice calm.
"A squad of Iwa jonin stationed near the border. They're fortifying their supply routes, expecting another attack from Konoha," the operative replied.
Hikaru studied the map. The location was deep within enemy territory—difficult to reach, but not impossible. If this worked, he would prove that war could be fought without a single battle, without the shinobi even realizing they were being hunted.
He picked up a small metallic canister, inspecting the mechanism. Inside was a refined nerve agent, one that evaporated into the air upon release.
"No survivors," he said simply, handing the canister over. "They must believe it was an accident or a natural cause."
The operative nodded and disappeared into the shadows.
Hikaru turned back to his monitors. Across the screen, intercepted messages from Konoha, Suna, and Iwa painted a picture of growing confusion. Shinobi were vanishing without a trace, their bodies found untouched, no wounds, no battle signs—just lifeless corpses with no explanation.
He leaned back in his chair. Fear is the sharpest blade.
A chime echoed through the room—another report coming in. Hikaru opened the file and smirked.
The Iwa squad had been found dead at sunrise. No one knew why. No one knew how.
Just as planned.