Boom! Boom! Boom!
Massive explosions echoed throughout the entire area surrounding the entrance of a huge cave. Shockwaves shook the ground beneath everyone's feet, while small rocks tumbled from the surrounding cliffs. Thick clouds of dust rose in every direction, obscuring the battlefield for several seconds before gradually dispersing.
"Alright. Most of the puppets have been destroyed. You may advance."
Thorn spoke in his usual calm tone after wiping out the majority of the stone puppet army surrounding the path leading to the cave. His voice came from a high position above the assault team.
"Thank you, Master."
Hinako replied as she looked toward the now-open path he had created. She quickly turned toward the rest of the village warriors behind her and spoke firmly.
"Let's go. We need to finish this quickly and make full use of the opportunity my master has created for us."
"Yes, Lady Shinji."
The group rushed forward at full speed. Hinako remained in the center, her eyes carefully scanning their surroundings. Thorn's attack had opened the way by destroying most of the puppet army, but the area was still far from safe.
As soon as they advanced, more stone puppets began forming at scattered points along the path, emerging from among the rocks in an attempt to stop them. Yet every single time, blue arrows descended from the sky and shattered them before they could come close enough to threaten the team.
That continuous cover from above allowed the group to advance rapidly toward the cave entrance, which became clearer with every step they took. It was a vast, deep opening that swallowed the light itself, while a strange cold wind drifted from its depths.
The moment they approached the entrance, an enormous wave of fire burst from within the cave and rushed toward them at incredible speed. Countless blazing flames surged toward the group.
"Watch out, Lady Shinji !"
A middle aged warrior standing close to her shouted. He instantly leaped in front of her, summoned a massive chakra axe into his hands, and swung it in a perfectly controlled circular motion, dispersing the wall of flames before it could reach them. The intense heat lingered around them for a few seconds before fading away.
"Thank you, Uncle."
Hinako said as she steadied her breathing.
"It's nothing, my lady."
The warrior replied as he resumed his battle stance, his eyes never leaving the cave entrance.
At that moment, six figures emerged from the cave and from concealed positions around its entrance. Four young men and two young women.
One of the young women clicked her tongue in frustration.
"Damn it. Our surprise attack failed."
One of the four young men stepped forward, preparing for battle as he addressed the others in a firm voice.
"Come on. Don't let your guard down. We must carry out our master's orders and eliminate these pests. Remember your instructions."
"Understood."
Everyone answered simultaneously.
In the next instant, all six disappeared from their positions at the same time, charging directly toward the village warriors. The village fighters also vanished with the same speed as they rushed forward to intercept them.
Boom! Boom!
Explosions and violent collisions erupted across the battlefield. Clashing chakra illuminated the area with countless colors as rocks flew through the air and the ground cracked beneath the relentless exchange of attacks spreading before the cave.
Hinako stepped back while carefully observing the fierce battle before her, her eyes filled with unwavering focus as she searched for the perfect opportunity to intervene and support her comrades against the demon's followers. Chakra gathered within her hands as she patiently waited for the exact moment to unleash the sealing technique she had spent the past year mastering under Thorn's guidance.
At the same time, she felt a sense of relief when she realized that the warriors of her village were truly capable of holding their own against opponents of this level. Their months of relentless training had genuinely transformed them on the battlefield.
Without taking her eyes off the battle, she quietly murmured as chakra continued to gather within her palms.
"Master's training... really did change us."
She could see the proof with her own eyes. The people of her village, who only a year ago had been ordinary warriors with limited abilities, were now fighting on an entirely different level.
------------------------------------
If you are enjoying this work and would like to read the upcoming chapters , you can access the advanced chapters on P*atreo*n.
P*atreo*n :Aaron4dicard
I publish several chapters there before they are released here, you can join through the link p*artre*on/Aaron4dicard Thank you to everyone who reads and supports the work.