The night had descended quickly, the moon shrouded behind thick clouds, its light barely cutting through the mist. The small village of the Land of Waves was still, the only sounds the lapping of water against the shore.
The battle had ended. Zabuza was dead.
It had been quick—too quick for most to comprehend. A series of precise moves, Asmodeus had carefully worn Zabuza down. The once-feared swordsman, a man who had struck terror in the hearts of so many, now lay lifeless, his sword broken, his ambitions dashed.
Asmodeus stood over him for a moment, his expression unreadable. He wasn't pleased, nor was he angry. Zabuza had been an obstacle, and now, he was gone. The tactical precision with which Asmodeus had handled the fight was almost cruel in its efficiency, but it had been necessary. He hadn't just defeated Zabuza; he had dismantled him piece by piece.
The body of the fallen warrior was now a pawn—one that would be added to Asmodeus' collection.
Meanwhile, Haku, her form still shrouded in mystery and grace, stood at a distance. There was no defiance in her posture anymore—just resignation. The battle had already been lost. She had tried to intervene, but the outcome was inevitable. Zabuza's death was her failure as much as his.
Kakashi and the rest of the team had made their way over, still shaken by the battle. Sasuke, though silent, seemed to be processing the events, his sharp eyes always watching, always calculating. Naruto stood with a mixture of disbelief and guilt, unable to fully understand the gravity of the situation.
Tazuna, looking at the corpse of the once-feared assassin, couldn't find the words. The entire situation felt unreal.
As Asmodeus stepped away from Zabuza's body, his eyes met Kakashi's. There was no word exchanged, but Kakashi understood. Asmodeus had done what needed to be done. There was no glory, no victory parade, just the silent aftermath of another life taken.
"Take her back to the village," Kakashi said softly, his voice not quite betraying his exhaustion. "We'll let the Hokage decide her fate."
Asmodeus didn't react. He only turned slightly, his cloak fluttering in the faint breeze. He had done what he came to do.
And with Zabuza's death, he would gain something far more valuable than just his life.
The group was silent as they made their way back to the village. Asmodeus walked slightly ahead of the group, eyes scanning the path ahead, though his mind was elsewhere. He hadn't forgotten Zabuza, not yet. He still had unfinished business.
As the others spoke amongst themselves, catching their breath, Sasuke stealing glances at Kakashi, Asmodeus slipped away. He feigned a need for some air, making an excuse to step off the path. No one noticed.
Moving swiftly but quietly, he crossed the dense forests of the Land of Waves, the scent of the sea growing fainter as he neared the grave of the fallen swordsman. The place was still, untouched by the ongoing drama, the moonlight finally breaking through the clouds, casting a soft glow across the tombstone that marked Zabuza's final resting place.
The silence was suffocating, but Asmodeus embraced it. This was his moment.
He knelt before the grave and placed his hand on the earth. His fingers grazed the ground with reverence, but not for the warrior who lay beneath. His focus was on the power that could be harvested.
"Devour," he whispered, his voice low, barely audible over the rustling of the trees.
A dark mist enveloped the grave. Asmodeus' body shuddered as he absorbed Zabuza's essence, his soul, his strength. The darkness swirled around him, entering his body through his skin, his veins. It was like drinking the very essence of a storm.
His status screen appeared, materializing in front of him like a ghostly reflection.
**[Devour Complete] **
<---Stats--->
Strength- [694678]
Speed- [275310]
Chakra Control- [139741]
Chakra- [335679]
<---Skills--->
Water Style – Water Dragon Jutsu (Zabuza's Element), Hidden Mist Jutsu (Zabuza's Technique), Bloodlust Aura
Master Swordsman (Zabuza)
<---Talents--->
▸ Silent Killing Mastery Zabuza's unparalleled skill in moving unnoticed, striking swiftly and silently. He can eliminate targets without leaving a trace.
▸ Water Style Affinity Exceptional proficiency with Water Release techniques, especially suited for creating large-scale attacks or manipulating the environment.
▸ Enhanced Reflexes Zabuza's reaction time and ability to process threats are beyond the normal ninja. He can respond to danger in the blink of an eye.
▸ Swordsmanship Expertise Master of the sword, particularly the Kubikiribōchō, with an unbreakable bond to his weapon. His strikes are precise, fast, and lethal.
▸ Tactical Camouflage Able to blend into his surroundings, using the environment to his advantage. Zabuza can become nearly invisible in mist, shadow, or darkness.
▸ Keen Situational Awareness Zabuza can read and predict the flow of battle, adjusting his strategies quickly, making him a dangerous opponent in both one-on-one combat and larger skirmishes.
▸ Chakra Flow Mastery Exceptional control over his chakra, allowing for efficient use in battle and to power his Water Style techniques.
▸ High Pain Tolerance Zabuza can push through debilitating injuries, maintaining focus and combat effectiveness even when severely wounded.
<---Bloodlines--->
-None.
<-----Closed----->
Asmodeus allowed himself a brief moment of silence as the power surged through him, feeling the familiar coldness of the new abilities settling inside him. This was just the beginning. The taste of power was intoxicating, and Zabuza's death had been nothing but a stepping stone to something greater.
Asmodeus Called Status.
<-----Panel----->
Name- [Asmodeus]
Age- [12]
Sex- [Male]
<---Stats--->
Strength- [1.08Mil]
Speed- [470,620]
Chakra Control- [179,482]
Chakra- [471,358]
Battle Power- [LowRank-Root Anbu]
<---Skills--->
<-Devour-> Just Touch An Dead Body and Say Devour. Simple.
<-Ninjutsu->
1-Fire Style: Phoenix Fire Jutsu (C-Rank) – Rapid small fireballs for mid-range combat.
2-Earth Style: Mud Wall (C-Rank) – Defensive technique.
3-Shadow Clone Jutsu (B-Rank) – Can create 1-2 clones efficiently.
4-Water Style – Water Dragon Jutsu (A-Rank) [Zabuza's Element]
5-Hidden Mist Jutsu (A-Rank) [Zabuza's Technique]
<-Taijutsu->
1-ANBU Close-Combat Form (Modified Leaf Style) – Fast, flowing strikes for quick takedowns.
2-Basic Silent Takedown Technique – Standard ANBU close-quarters assassination move.
<-Kenjutsu->
1-Basic Tanto Proficiency – Skilled with the standard ANBU blade for quick kills.
<-Utility Techniques->
1-Chakra Suppression Technique – Masks chakra signature.
2-Wire Trap Deployment – Lays stealth traps with explosive or capturing effect.
<---Talents--->
▸ Stealth Movement Expert
▸ Quick Tactical Adaptation
▸ Solid Chakra Suppression
▸ Mid-Level Trap Mastery
▸ Silent Killing Mastery
▸ Water Style Affinity
▸ Enhanced Reflexes
▸ Swordsmanship Expertise
▸ Tactical Camouflage
▸ Keen Situational Awareness
▸ Chakra Flow Mastery
▸ High Pain Tolerance
<---Bloodlines--->
-None.
<-----Closed----->
He was Satisfied.
But it wasn't enough.
Not yet.
Asmodeus stood, his hand lingering on the gravestone for a moment longer before he turned. His cloak swirled around him, and he moved faster than the eye could follow, slipping away into the darkness as silently as he had come.
Back in the village, Kakashi's eyes narrowed as he looked at Asmodeus walking back toward the group. His mind was racing. Something about the way the boy moved, the calmness in his eyes, the way he carried himself—it was different. Asmodeus had grown, far faster than anyone could have expected.
He had noticed it during the fight with Zabuza. Kakashi had never once seen someone handle a fight like that. Not a Genin. Not even an Anbu at Asmodeus' age.
The kid was calculating. A master strategist.
"Could he really be this strong?" Kakashi murmured to himself, though no one could hear him.
His mind shifted, and the fear crept in slowly. Asmodeus had done the unthinkable: he had defeated Zabuza. Not by overpowering him, but by dismantling his every move. He'd been toying with him. There was something darker about Asmodeus now. Something that had changed the way he approached combat.
Kakashi glanced at the boy, now walking toward the group with an almost disinterested look. Asmodeus hadn't said anything—he had never said much. And yet… there was an overwhelming sense of power emanating from him.
"If this kid goes rogue…" Kakashi thought, his gaze lingering on Asmodeus for a moment longer than necessary. "What could we do to stop him?"
Sasuke's eyes, too, were fixed on Asmodeus, though his expression was more confused than anything. He hadn't said anything to anyone, but there was a seed of doubt now growing in his chest.
The battle had shaken him. No, it had terrified him. He had seen the way Asmodeus had fought—like an experienced warlord, with a calmness that was… unnatural.
His thoughts raced. Was this how people saw him? Was this the path he was headed down? If Asmodeus could reach this level of power at such a young age, then where did that leave Sasuke? What did that mean for his own future?
It was a question that would haunt him for a long time. A seed of fear had been planted.
End of Chapter 8