Naruto: The Scourge

In a world where light exists, darkness inevitably follows. The dazzling neon lights captivate people, yet beneath the extravagant veneer lies an ever-growing hunger for desire.

At the entrance of an alley, Ye Zi silently stood, his cold gaze scanning the crowd passing under the glow of the lights. His tall figure blocked the shadows behind him, and if one listened closely, they could hear muffled cries of pain and the sound of fists striking flesh from deep within the alley.

Half an hour earlier, following the leader's orders, Ye Zi had intercepted a group of slightly drunk men, dragging them into the depths of the alley.

The purpose was obvious—extorting money from these well-dressed men.

This prosperous city catered to every human desire, but its festering darkness could shatter any naive dream. Those drawn to its allure might meet either fortune or misfortune.

"Ye Zi, the boss is calling for you. I'll take over here," said a red-haired youth with an arrogant expression, patting Ye Zi's shoulder.

Ye Zi glanced at him briefly, nodded slightly, and walked deeper into the alley without saying a word.

The red-haired youth smirked, a hint of disdain flashing in his eyes as he watched Ye Zi leave.

"A guy like him, coming from that place, thinks he can box?"

Retracting his gaze, the youth looked at the bustling streets under the city lights and muttered coldly, "What a pity. We'll lose one of our frontline pawns soon."

It seemed he had already envisioned Ye Zi's fate—not crippling injuries, but death.

As Ye Zi walked further, he could hear laughter mingled with cries of pain. His brows furrowed, and he quickened his pace.

Dim lights along the alley walls cast a faint glow, illuminating the grimy ground. The poor visibility was just enough for Ye Zi to avoid stumbling over unseen obstacles.

After turning a corner, the desperate pleas for mercy became unmistakable.

A burly man with a scarred face sat atop a pile of junk, smoking a cigarette. Not far in front of him, three men in suits were cornered against the wall by a group of thugs, enduring punches and kicks.

Through the dim light, Ye Zi's cold eyes caught sight of a companion holding three bulging wallets, along with watches and gold chains. Despite having secured their loot, they continued beating the men, seemingly just to satisfy their pointless thirst for violence.

Ye Zi had anticipated this outcome when he entered. He was accustomed to his companions stirring up trouble even after achieving their goals. He neither approved nor opposed it.

After all, what did these three men have to do with him?

With just a glance, Ye Zi shifted his focus away and approached the scarred man sitting on the junk pile. "Boss, you called for me?"

"You want to box?" The man exhaled smoke and glanced at him indifferently.

"Yes," Ye Zi replied firmly, meeting the man's calm gaze.

The man smirked slightly, instinctively touching a gruesome scar on his chest. "Even I couldn't last against a single opponent in the ring."

"I have to do it," Ye Zi said resolutely.

The man hesitated at Ye Zi's determined tone but then said, "I'll recommend you tomorrow. You'll be in the ring the day after."

His eyes suddenly turned icy. "If you back out after I recommend you, I'll make your life worse than death."

Ye Zi's heart tightened, and he nodded heavily, signaling his understanding.

The man's gaze softened slightly.

"Once you're in the ring, someone has to die. Let's hope it's not you."

Ye Zi clenched his fists involuntarily, releasing a muffled sound through his nose. He understood the rules here—it wasn't just underground boxing; it was a death match for entertainment. Entering the ring meant death if you lacked the skill. There was no escape.

If he had a choice, he wouldn't set foot in such a hellish place. But he had no choice. He needed money—lots of it—for medical expenses.

This was the only way to gather a substantial amount of money in a short time.

"Wait for me... Xiao Rui," Ye Zi silently vowed.

Two days later, the much-anticipated death match took place in the underground arena of the city's largest entertainment venue.

The venue featured a ring enclosed in steel, bathed in bright light, making it resemble a cold, oversized birdcage.

While the ring was brightly lit, the audience seats were shrouded in darkness, revealing only faint silhouettes.

Suddenly, an exhilarating tune filled the arena, igniting the crowd's enthusiasm. Wave after wave of cheers rose in unison with the music. The death match was about to begin.

The announcer enthusiastically introduced the popular fighters with a dramatic flair. With every highlight, the crowd erupted in deafening roars.

The audience comprised the wealthy and powerful, relishing the opportunity to indulge their darker impulses in the shadows of the arena.

When Ye Zi was introduced, the announcer let out a derisive laugh.

"Let's see if this 16-year-old rookie can land a punch on Ghost Bear's adorable face!"

The audience burst into laughter.

"Alright, let's cut to the chase. Welcome the fighters to the ring!"

With a creak, the iron gates on both sides of the ring slowly lifted, revealing the entrances.

Ye Zi emerged from the passageway, his heavy footsteps echoing as he stepped into the steel birdcage. Looking straight ahead, he saw a hulking figure over two meters tall bending to enter the ring.

Judging by size alone, this was a one-sided fight. To the audience, it was merely an appetizer.

Anger simmered in Ye Zi's eyes. As he stepped into the ring, he realized he had been set up. As a newcomer, he shouldn't have been pitted against such an experienced opponent. But even knowing this...

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