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"Y-Yes, that's right!"
One of the villagers swallowed nervously and spoke in a low voice.
"This thief is very strange. They only steal food. Money, clothes⊠even tools are untouched."
"Only food?"
Uchiha Lie raised an eyebrow. A suspicion immediately formed in his mind.
Human thieves steal valuables.
Demons steal sustenance.
He had seen similar cases before. A wealthy merchant once complained that his kitchen was constantly robbed. At first, they blamed servants. Later, when guards were placed inside, they discovered the culpritâ
A starving Rat Demon.
Lie had eliminated it without much effort.
"Take me to the house that was robbed most recently," he said calmly.
"Yes, my lord!"
The two villagers bowed quickly and led him deeper into the village.
---
The Poor Household
Most of the villagers were working in the fields.
Only a few children in torn clothing played by the roadside.
They stared curiously at the katana at Lie's waist.
Soon, they arrived at a worn wooden house.
Several thin children stood in front of it. Their eyes were cautious, yet filled with curiosity.
Lie lifted the grass curtain and stepped inside.
The room was bare.
Straw mats.
A broken wooden table.
A few empty jars in the corner.
He closed his eyes briefly and extended his perception.
There it wasâ
A faint but distinct demonic aura lingering near the corner.
Weak.
Uncontrolled.
Small demons in this world often lacked the ability to conceal their demonic energy properly. Residual traces remained wherever they stayed.
In contrast, powerful demons who could assume human form left almost no trace unless actively fighting.
Lie stepped back outside.
"You don't need to search for a human thief anymore."
The two villagers looked up anxiously.
"It wasn't a person. It was a demon."
"D-Demon?!"
Their faces turned pale.
In this era, involvement with demons rarely ended well for ordinary people.
"My lord⊠pleaseâŠ" one of them stammered, clearly wanting help but afraid to offend a wandering samurai.
Lie waved dismissively.
"Relax. Since I encountered it, I'll deal with it."
The two villagers nearly dropped to their knees in gratitude.
"We will prepare a reward immediatelyâ"
"No need," Lie interrupted calmly. "You likely have nothing worth taking."
Without waiting for further thanks, he followed the residual aura and left the village.
---
The Valley of Dog Demons
With chakra enhancing his movement, Lie crossed forests swiftly.
Soon, he reached a steep valley.
Perched atop a tree at its entrance, he scanned the area.
His eyes narrowed.
There wasn't just one demon.
There were many.
"InterestingâŠ"
Logically, demon groups that settled together had stable food sources.
Why were they stealing grain from humans?
More importantlyâ
They had not harmed anyone.
Only food had been taken.
"That's unusual."
Still, they were weak.
Even if something unexpected was happening, they posed no real threat.
Lie canceled his wandering samurai transformation.
His Edo Tensei body appeared fully.
Cracked pale skin.
Cold eyes.
He walked openly into the valley without hiding his presence.
His aura alone was enough to suppress lesser demons.
The valley was surprisingly peaceful.
A river flowed gently.
Caves dotted the cliff walls.
On the ground below, many dog-like demons moved about on two legs.
They wore patched clothes.
Some washed items by the river.
Some sorted dried herbs.
Others carried bundles on their backs.
The bundles were oddly shaped.
Bulky.
Strange.
Lie's arrival did not go unnoticed.
"A human Demon Slayer!"
"Run!"
Panic erupted instantly.
In less than a minute, every demon vanished into the caves.
Tools lay abandoned on the ground.
Half-finished baskets.
Polished stones.
Wild fruit scattered.
The lively scene moments earlier became completely silent.
Lie stood there, somewhat amused.
"So timid."
He raised his voice.
"Come out. I just want to ask questions. I won't kill you."
Only the echo answered him.
He could sense them hiding just inside the cave entrances.
Watching.
Waiting.
"Fine."
His eyes turned cold.
Hand seals formed quickly.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique."
A massive fireball burst from his mouth.
It tore across the valley floor.
River water hissed into steam.
Pebbles glowed red from heat.
"Boomâ!"
The fireball slammed into the cliff.
Flames exploded outward.
Shrubs ignited.
Smoke filled the valley.
Firelight painted the caves in violent red.
Lie's voice rang out clearly.
"One who can speakâcome out now."
"Or I burn this valley to the ground."
Silence.
Thenâ
A trembling voice echoed from one of the larger caves.
"M-My lord! Please spare us! This little demon is coming out!"
From the shadows, a small dog-like demon slowly stepped forward.
He bowed deeply, shaking.
Behind himâ
Lie sensed something else.
Not hostility.
Not hunger.
Butâ
Fear.
And something resembling⊠desperation.
Lie's eyes narrowed slightly.
Perhaps this situationâ
Was not as simple as stealing food.
And for the first time since arrivingâ
He felt something more than boredom.
Something closer to curiosity.
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