The blackened chain snaked across the ground, trailing ahead through the forest, a haunting path that only Yami could see through the power of his Kusarigan. His own golden chains, threads of fate connecting him to this dark energy, stretched from his eyes, shifting and pulsing as they tangled with the darker chain. Each link was a faint pulse, like a heartbeat—ominous and alive, pointing them deeper into unknown territory.
Yami walked forward, his Kusarigan sharpened, scanning the area as he trailed the chain's shifting path. Rei followed closely, her senses equally attuned, though she couldn't see the chain Yami traced. The silence pressed down on them as they walked, and even the wind seemed to hold back, whispering only in fragments.
After what felt like an eternity, they emerged into a small clearing. The moonlight cast a silver glow across the area, illuminating a single house that sat quietly, tucked away in the dark forest. The structure was humble, with age-worn wood, a thatched roof, and soft candlelight spilling from the windows. An old man stood outside, his posture relaxed but his gaze sharp, as if he had been waiting for them.
He raised a finger to his lips, motioning them to be silent, and gestured for them to come inside.
Exchanging a look, Yami and Rei approached cautiously. Yami's Kusarigan still flickered, chains spiraling in his vision, but he sensed no immediate threat from the old man. They entered the house, and he led them to a small, dimly lit room where a fire crackled in the hearth. Shadows danced across the walls, and the warmth provided a brief reprieve from the strange chill of the forest outside.
"Sit," the old man said, his voice low but calm. He settled himself into a worn chair across from them, his eyes narrowing as he took in their faces.
Yami and Rei sat down, their postures alert, ready to react to any sign of danger. The old man studied them for a long moment, his gaze settling on Yami's eyes—the subtle glow of his Kusarigan.
"Only the Shiyume Clan possesses eyes like that," he said in a soft, knowing voice. "And the Kurozai Clan's fire…" His gaze shifted to Rei, recognizing her at once.
Rei bristled, her hand subtly resting on her sword's hilt. "Who are you, and what do you know of us?"
The old man gave a faint smile, leaning back into his chair. "I know many things about the clans that rule these lands. But that's not why you're here, is it? You've come to understand the darkness in Yurikasa, the source of the monsters that plague these woods."
Yami nodded, his Kusarigan still active, watching the faint chains of fate swirling around the old man. "There's a forbidden jutsu at work here. The creature we faced had chains binding it to an unknown source."
"Yes," the old man replied, his gaze darkening. "That was the doing of the Naguyoto Clan. They are an elusive clan, believed to have perished long ago, yet some of their remnants remain, lurking in the shadows. The Naguyoto hold an ancient and terrible power—a forbidden jutsu that allows them to create twisted creatures of malformation."
He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "The Naguyoto use the essence of life itself, blending souls and warping the forms of the unwilling. The monsters you've encountered are unnatural, abominations created by a process they call Soul-Binding. They take the bodies of the fallen, combining them with fragments of spirits to create monstrosities that obey their command."
Rei's expression shifted to horror as she absorbed his words. "They use… people… to make these things?"
The old man nodded gravely. "Indeed. And not just any people—they seek out those with strong ties to power, often from notable clans." He fixed Yami with a piercing look. "The Shiyume Clan, and the Kurozai. Both of you carry bloodlines the Naguyoto would covet for their twisted experiments. You are key targets because of your names."
Yami's expression hardened, his mind racing. He had thought they were dealing with rogue shinobi or bandits, not a clan resurrecting forbidden techniques.
"Why haven't the higher villages intervened?" Yami asked. "Surely they would notice such disturbances."
The old man's face grew grim. "Most people who stumble upon the Naguyoto's work don't live to report it. Those who do are often considered mad, their tales dismissed as delusions. The Naguyoto are skilled at covering their tracks, weaving illusions and traps to disguise their work. They've kept their secrets well-hidden for decades."
Rei clenched her fists. "We can't let them continue. Whatever they're planning, it has to be stopped."
The old man nodded, his gaze softening as he looked at them both. "You may be young, but I see strength in you, courage. Perhaps you can end this curse that haunts Yurikasa. But be cautious—they have eyes everywhere, and they will be watching you."
The two stood, preparing to leave. Yami glanced at Rei, a shared understanding passing between them. They had come here on a simple mission, but it had turned into something far darker, far more dangerous. They couldn't leave without confronting the horrors lurking in these woods.
As they turned to leave, the old man's voice stopped them.
"Oh, one more thing," he said, a hint of amusement in his tone. He chuckled, the sound low and unsettling, filling the room. "The Naguyoto have a way of finding those who seek them. And if they want you… they'll come."
The room fell silent as his laughter faded, leaving an air thick with tension and foreboding. Yami's Kusarigan caught a faint trace of the old man's chain, and for the briefest moment, he saw it pulse with the same dark energy he'd sensed in the creature outside. But just as quickly, the vision faded, leaving only the dim glow of the fire.
Yami and Rei glanced at each other, a silent agreement passing between them. Without another word, they stepped outside, the chill of the forest seeping into their bones once more. They knew that the path ahead would be fraught with danger, and the old man's warning echoed in their minds.
As they walked through the clearing, Yami's Kusarigan revealed the chain once more, trailing off into the distance. It led deeper into the forest, into the heart of darkness where the Naguyoto waited.