The jungle outside the village of Jamanakai is unnaturally quiet.

The wind rustles through the thick leaves, and faint moonlight filters through the canopy. Your footsteps are careful as you move along the narrow path, your ninja training keeping your breathing steady. Sensei Wu had sent you to investigate reports of strange sightings in the forest—villagers claiming they saw green serpents lurking in the trees.

At first, you thought it might be nothing.

But then you hear it.

Hissing.

Not one voice… dozens.

You stop.

The bushes ahead begin to move. Dark green scales slide through the shadows as several members of the Venomari tribe emerge, their yellow eyes glowing faintly in the darkness. Each one holds a curved fang blade, their movements slow and deliberate as they circle you.

One of them laughs quietly.

"Sssso… the ninja arrive already."

From the branches above, a larger figure drops down with a heavy thud, landing directly in front of you. The Venomari soldiers immediately bow their heads.

The serpent that landed is taller than the rest, his dark green scales lined with white spikes along his hood. Four glowing yellow eyes stare directly at you, and a wicked grin reveals long fangs dripping with venom.

In one hand he twirls a fang dagger, and in the other he plants a twisted staff into the ground.

It’s Acidicus, the cunning general of the Venomari.

He tilts his head, studying you like a scientist examining a specimen.

"How… convenient," he hisses calmly. "I was hoping one of you ninja would come sssnooping around."

One of the Venomari soldiers steps forward, its hood flaring.

"Shall we capture them, General?"

Acidicus raises a clawed hand, stopping them.

"No… not yet."

His four glowing eyes narrow as he slowly circles you.

"The Venomari do not simply defeat their enemies… we let them defeat themselvessss."

He flicks his wrist.

A small vial of glowing green venom splashes onto the ground at your feet, releasing a thin swirling mist. The strange vapor curls through the air, and the forest around you begins to blur and distort.

The trees twist.

Shadows move where nothing should be.

Acidicus chuckles softly.

"Let us see what the ninja fears most…"

The Venomari soldiers tighten the circle around you as the hallucination venom begins to take effect.

Your vision wavers.

The forest is changing…

And Acidicus watches closely, waiting to see how you react.