Before long, Chōmei's voice echoed in Kazuyama's mind.
"Kazuyama, get ready. The Scale Powder I made is sure to attract plenty of good helpers."
"I even scouted ahead. From what I can sense, there's a particularly nasty poisonous insect in this area—just what you're looking for."
Without hesitation, Chōmei passed the Scale Powder to Kazuyama, who immediately scattered it into the air.
At the same time, he warned Tagorihime,
"Tagorihime, step back. Don't get caught in the Scale Powder."
"I have no idea if there are any side effects this time..."
The real concern was that Chōmei had been grinning the entire time, which sent a chill down Kazuyama's spine.
"Alright..."
"Then I'll just fly up for safety..."
Even Tagorihime sensed something was off. Without hesitation, she floated into the air and perched herself on a nearby tree.
The moment the Scale Powder spread, rustling noises filled the surroundings.
Soon, an unsettling sight unfolded—swarms of insects converged at Kazuyama's feet.
His fear of tightly packed clusters of creatures kicked in immediately.
Centipedes... scorpions... beetles... ants... an overwhelming variety of insects.
And scorpions?!
Kazuyama didn't even want to ask why they were here—he was just as confused as anyone.
"Holy shit, Chōmei! What the hell is this?!"
"Ahhh! A centipede touched me! This is horrifying!"
"I can't! I CAN'T! Get me out of here—fly me up NOW!"
Chōmei couldn't take Kazuyama's screaming any longer and finally unfurled his wings, lifting him off the ground. The noise subsided—somewhat.
But even he had underestimated just how badly Kazuyama and Tagorihime would react.
Kazuyama was already losing it, and Tagorihime's expression had turned grim.
After a long silence, she finally muttered,
"I hate insects..."
"Especially swarms of insects..."
Kazuyama nodded furiously in agreement, completely ignoring Chōmei's feelings.
Chōmei, feeling utterly betrayed, shot back,
"Insects are amazing! If these bugs had any real nutritional value, I'd be feasting right now!"
"You don't get it! Insects are beautiful!"
The Scale Powder kept working, and more insects kept arriving.
Kazuyama realized that if he didn't stop this now, he was going to lose his mind.
"Chōmei! STOP! That's enough!!"
Hearing Kazuyama's panicked, hysterical yell, Chōmei finally ceased his efforts.
Kazuyama stared at the writhing mass below him, feeling his skin crawl.
"Chōmei, hurry up and get these things in position."
"Have them ambush anything that moves. The moment they see someone—bite first, ask later!"
Using insects for ambushes was a crucial part of the plan. Their small size made them difficult to detect, and many of them carried potent venom.
Under Chōmei's command, the entranced insects began making their way toward the foot of the mountain, ready to lurk in wait.
However, a few dozen unusual-looking beetles remained behind, standing completely still.
"Huh? Chōmei, what's with these beetles?"
"Why are they still here?"
Chōmei chuckled and looked down at the beetles before launching into an explanation.
"You don't get it, do you? Let me educate you."
"These are tiger beetles, highly venomous insects. Their toxins are lethal—getting bitten causes excruciating pain, muscle paralysis, difficulty breathing, and if untreated, death."
"I was laughing earlier because I spotted them. These little guys are rare. Even in Takigakure, where insects are plentiful, you don't see many like these."
Kazuyama nodded, then relayed the information to Tagorihime, who raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"That venomous?"
"They don't look that dangerous..."
Chōmei then issued a command, and the tiger beetles scurried off, spreading out along both sides of the road.
"Kazuyama, it's done. Everything's in place."
"Good. On to the next one."
Snakes and insect infestations—two disasters orchestrated by Kazuyama—were beginning to take root along the Land of Earth's most critical roads.
For three full days, Kazuyama barely rested, dragging Tagorihime along as they flew from region to region, ensuring everything was set up as quickly as possible.
...
Half a month passed in the blink of an eye.
In Iwagakure, inside the Tsuchikage's office...
"Lord Tsuchikage, this is the fifth letter from the Daimyō's estate."
"Another merchant caravan in the eastern mountains has fallen victim to the crisis—another snake attack."
"The Daimyō demands we resolve this matter immediately."
A Jōnin from Iwagakure reported with a grim expression.
Ōnoki, the Third Tsuchikage, was a small elderly man, but despite being over sixty, he radiated the presence of a battle-hardened leader.
His brows furrowed as he listened to the report.
"Snakes, insects... Five incidents in just a week?"
"Is this a natural disaster, or something orchestrated?"
"Have we sent anyone?"
At a loss for answers, he could only address the matter as best he could.
The Jōnin nodded but looked troubled.
"We've already deployed personnel, but manpower is stretched thin. We only managed to send Chūnin and—"
"Lord Tsuchikage! Bad news!"
Before he could finish, another Jōnin burst in, holding a report.
"Speak! What happened?"
Ōnoki, sensing trouble, ordered him to explain immediately.
The next words made his headache intensify.
"The two squads dispatched to deal with the snake and insect infestations have returned."
"Eight operatives in total—two Chūnin, six Genin."
"Five are dead."
"One was poisoned and has been sent to the hospital."
A heavy silence fell over the office. Floating in midair with his hands behind his back, Ōnoki's eyes gleamed with thought.
"Send word to the front lines—have Kitsuchi bring back a force and handle this personally."
"Make sure this situation is resolved immediately."
"And find out who's behind this!"
"I'll grind them into dust with my own hands!"
"I don't want to see another letter from the Daimyō on my desk!"
Ōnoki's furious voice echoed through the office.
...
Meanwhile, in a town somewhere in the Land of Earth, Kazuyama was indulging in a hearty meal when a pleasant system notification popped up before him.
(100 Chapters Ahead)
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