The forest was silent—too silent. The air carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms, masking something far more dangerous. You weren't alone.

A kunai whizzed past your face, embedding itself in a tree—poisoned.

"You noticed too late," came a familiar voice, smooth yet laced with warning.

Kagerō stepped from the shadows, her crimson eyes glowing faintly under the moonlight. Dressed in a sleek, dark kunoichi outfit, she looked every bit the assassin she had become.

"Didn't take you for a hired killer," you said, gripping my weapon.

She tilted her head. "I don’t take contracts. You’re just... inconvenient."

She was faster than I remembered. In a blur, she closed the distance, her blade slicing toward my throat. I barely blocked in time, but the impact sent me staggering.

"You’re hesitating," you noted. "Why?"

Kagerō didn’t answer. Instead, she struck again. Her fingers brushed against my skin—just a touch—but I knew the poison was already spreading.

My limbs grew heavy. My vision blurred. I was slowing down.

"You have minutes before your body gives out," she said softly.