My Rules Are Rules

Watching how everything unfolded, Orochimaru cursed internally. 'Idiots.

'Brainwashed by that ridiculous Will of Fire. Don't they understand that in war, mercy is a luxury we cannot afford?'

Just as Orochimaru was about to intervene, a look from Luo Lei stopped him in his tracks.

From the crowd, an ANBU with a cat mask stepped forward with a trembling voice: "L-Lord Luo Lei, as ANBU vice-captain and deputy commander, you must respect the Hokage's guidelines. The battle is won; massacring prisoners will only tarnish Konoha's name."

"Exactly!" exclaimed another ninja. "We are Konoha, the greatest village. We have to be above such barbaric acts!"

A Jōnin shouted: "Lord Luo Lei, you've done more than enough. Let us handle the prisoners. It's our duty to maintain Konoha's honor."

"The Will of Fire guides us," proclaimed a Root ninja, his voice laden with conviction. "Killing prisoners would contaminate it."

As voices rose, some in silent support, others in grandiose declarations, the tension in the air became palpable. Every ninja seemed convinced that they, and only they, understood the true meaning of being a Konoha shinobi.

The smile on Luo Lei's face remained intact. "Oh, interesting,"

He recognized this ANBU Jōnin as one of Hiruzen's carefully placed pawns in ANBU, a loyal lackey. Memories flowed: how this same ninja, after the Sakumo incident, had actively instigated accusations against his master.

'Haven't you learned anything from Danzō?' he thought, his smile widening. 'I just crushed Sunagakure, and you're already jumping to attack me? Are you so eager to prove your loyalty... or perhaps you think I fear killing my own?'

Originally, he had planned to wait until returning to Konoha to clean up ANBU, but this impatient ninja was serving him the opportunity on a silver platter.

The ANBU Jōnin, misinterpreting Lei's silence, adopted a presumptuous tone: "Deputy Commander Luo Lei, you should go rest!"

In his mind, he rejoiced. He was sure that Luo Lei wouldn't dare act against a fellow Konoha ninja in public. After all, he represented the Hokage himself, and his actions were backed by established rules.

'No matter how deeply you hide,' he thought, his heart brimming with envy and resentment, 'you won't be able to escape justice.'

He had always considered himself superior to Luo Lei, even when the latter held the title of vice-captain. Luo Lei's sudden ascension, thanks to his mysterious Kekkei Genkai, had only intensified his hatred.

'Sakumo fell for his mistakes', A malicious smile curving his lips under the mask. 'And you will be no different."

Observing this ANBU with amusement. A dangerous gleam appeared in his eyes as he responded:

"Go rest? Sure, sounds good." His tone was casual, almost friendly. But then, it acquired a sharp edge. "But before I go, let's make something clear..."

He took a step closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming.

"You," he pointed at the ANBU "and everyone else who thinks they can question me, need to understand something fundamental." He paused, his eyes glowing red. "I don't follow anyone's rules but my own."

His voice rose, laden with authority. "My decisions, my actions, are the law here! Do you understand?"

Before anyone could react, his eyes exploded with energy.

FZZZZT!

The ANBU Jōnin barely had time to register his confusion.

His mind, unable to process the betrayal he was experiencing, froze. He didn't expect Luo Lei to dare attack a fellow Konoha ninja, especially in front of so many witnesses. Didn't he fear the Hokage's wrath?

BOOM!

The ANBU's body exploded in a cloud of blood and vapor. Without even having time to understand why he was dying.

"Die, all of you!" roared Luo Lei.

What followed was carnage.

"Lord Luo Lei, plea-"

FZZZZT! SPLAT!

A Root ninja's words were abruptly cut off as his head vaporized.

"No! We're from Kono-"

BOOM!

Another ANBU exploded from within, his blood boiling from the intense heat of Luo Lei's vision.

One after another, the Konoha ninjas who moments before had expressed their disagreement fell. Some were split in half, others disintegrated in the air, leaving only silhouettes of ash on the ground.

"My memory is excellent," he declared, his burning eyes scanning the battlefield. "Question me, and you'll pay the price."

"We didn't mean-!" a ninja cried out in fear.

FZZZZT!

His body burst into a shower of blood and viscera before he could finish the sentence.

The air filled with screams of agony and the nauseating smell of burnt flesh. Ninjas who moments ago boasted of their morals and honor now begged for their lives, only to be silenced by the relentless beams.

________

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