Akuma stood with the other younglings at the entrance of the Demon Forest, the air thick with tension and the musky scent of blood and decay. The fallen angel overseeing the ceremony, a towering figure with charred wings and a permanent sneer, stood before them, arms crossed.
"Listen well, you wretched brats," the angel spat. "This forest is filled with demon-cursed apex predators. blood-fanged ravens, and things that will rip you apart just for breathing too loudly. You must kill them while searching for a contract. The insects, parasites, and demonic vermin will judge if you are worthy. If they reject you, they will eat you alive. Oh, and one more thing—killing your fellow competitors is allowed."
Akuma broke the fourth wall, turning his head slightly to the reader. "This feels a lot like the Forest of Death from Naruto. I wonder if there's going to be some Orochimaru wannabe slithering around."
Snapping back, he barely had time to react before his cousin, a smug, pompous brat, laughed and pointed at him. "Nice sword, dumbass. You think that fancy little blade will save you?"
Akuma sighed, rubbing his temple. "I see why Mom hates their side of the family..."
Before the angel could announce the start, the main family younglings whispered among themselves, throwing glances his way. Akuma sharpened his gaze, already expecting what would happen next.
The moment the gates opened, Akuma bolted, dashing towards the forest's edge. His instincts screamed as he heard footsteps rushing behind him—five younglings, their expressions twisted with malice.
"Our parents told us to kill you, hybrid bastard!"
Akuma considered using Sun Breathing for a moment but shook his head. "Nah."
In a single motion, he drew his sword. A flash of dark steel gleamed in the air. Heads rolled, and their bodies collapsed in the dirt, twitching as the life left their eyes. The forest floor drank their blood greedily, as if it had been starved for it.
"Tsk," Akuma muttered, flicking the blood off Vindication Rapier. "They didn't even put up a fight."
With no time to waste, he continued his sprint towards the far edge of the forest, where he spotted a cave nestled between jagged cliffs. He skidded to a stop just before entering, his senses tingling.
With a smirk, he reached out to a nest of demonic spiders, carefully plucking them and setting them at the cave's entrance. "You guys do your thing and web this place up. I'll pay you in free meat later."
The spiders clicked in response, scuttling into place.
Satisfied, Akuma ducked into the cave, rolling out his makeshift bedroll and letting out a deep breath. The first day was over, but he knew the real test had just begun.
"A week of this, huh?" he muttered to himself, closing his eyes. "Better hope none of these idiots have a Sharingan..."