Blood Over the Corpse

The Land of Fire has earned a reputation for colorful forest and vast woodlands. Lively acres filled from east to west with wildflower so far a different variety. Creating vivid waves of beauty whenever the wind blew across the fields. Such scenery could easily lead to one forgetting the brutal murderers and heartless assassins who cared for nought. The mesmerizing fields overwhelmed memories of savage wars and the hundreds lost during bloody battles. One particular plot of land had grown into a Kigiku field which was surrounded by a dense forest. A forest of thick trees which blocked a majority of the bright sunlight attempting to kiss the earth. However, wildlife seemed unfazed by the slight darkness beneath the wide branches. They continued playing and singing alongside the wind, occasionally running into the Kigiku field and disturbing masses of birds. Either way, the Land of Fire possessed a serenity rarely seen during eras of war. Almost creating the undeniable calm before a ravaging storm.

Regardless, citizens of the Land of Fire lived an ignorant life due to a lack of fear and a powerful trust in their guardians. Shinobi who dealt with public criminal activity transformed the country into an externally peaceful nation, unlike the neighboring country located across the sea. However, there existed a powerful darkness located inside the Land of Fire which surrounded its habitants in ignorance. Those who operated the darkness dealt heavily in trafficking narcotics and humans throughout different countries; with larger syndicates holding powerful ties and treaties with governmental officials of both the Land of Fire and surrounding countries. With its prime location in the center of a large land mass, the Land of Fire became an infamous hub for those using its highways for evil. Unfortunately, the Land of Fire's status as a shinobi world superpower made it difficult for lesser nations to truly stand against the shadow coasted by its flames of passion.

On the contrary, countries equal in both power and status possessed the military strength and aptitude to combat this darkness. The shinobi villages often banded together to stand against the evils which haunted this world. However, complete trust in one another was a virtue rare in the world of shinobi. Resulting in various countries using their own darkness to combat neighboring nations. One such individual was the head of a criminal syndicate situated nearby. His influence stretched beyond the boundaries of Kusagakure and reached deeply into the Land of Fire and even touched upon the Land of Water. Causing his head to become a battle between the two nations, who desired the upper hand in the nonphysical war of information gathering. Just in case one nation decides to abandon the previously set treaties or act selfishly, countries continuously gathered potential weapons for this war.

"Who the hell are you?!" A voice boomed. Through the shadows of the thick forest ran a middle aged man drenched in sweat and panting heavily. His feet pounded against the earth rapidly while he darted forward, in fear of the even quicker approaching darkness. He occasionally saw the glow of lavender eyes as they latched onto him. A silent demon who pursued him without remorse, ignoring how loud his prey roared or the questions he asked. The poor elder felt like he had become game for a sick individual unaffiliated to a specific village. Or so he thought, for the demon wore nothing but black clothing, a mask, and a blank headband. "I have to escape this place, I can't see where I'm going. If I can make it to the field up ahead I stand a better chance against whoever this maniac is." The poor victim persuaded himself. A man who went from simply enjoying a trip to a nearby auctioning manor to escaping for his life. He felt his legs buckling under stress but continued onwards towards the bright light of the forest clearing. When he finally emerged through the opening, he felt a swift explosion of warmth followed by immediate numbness as light engulfed him.

"Am...Am I dead?"

He laid in the field of golden flowers with multiple punctures alongside his spine. He felt extremely heavy from the silver senbon embedded deep within each point, effectively removing his ability to move a muscle. However, beyond the fear brought upon by paralysis was an even greater terror created from not exactly understanding the source of this strike nor the situation. The punctures even robbed his ability to effectively ask a question. Instead, he watched silently as black boots stepped within his vision alongside the sound of a kunai being called forth. During the moments leading to his perceived last seconds, the criminal mastermind recalled the hundreds of lives he was responsible for. The thousands of screams and gallons of tears shed before him alongside the victims he personally claimed. Perhaps this retribution was deserved...But at least he would die in such a beautiful field of golden flowers.