Mei was deeply concerned about the figure hidden in the enemy's words.
Suddenly, she had a premonition: if they couldn't eliminate the true mastermind behind the scenes, even if Mist Hidden managed to get through this crisis today, in the future, they would fall into an even greater danger because of that person.
"Quickly settle this—first take down that octopus-head in front of us. If possible, spare his life and force him to reveal the mastermind's identity and whereabouts!"
A fleeting thought flashed through Mei's mind. She raised her hand and whipped out a water stream.
Meanwhile, Mangetsu Hōzuki and the other three also coordinated with Mei's movements, launching a pincer attack on Tuogen.
However, faced with such an assault, Tuogen merely waved his hand casually. The water whip in Mei's hand transformed into a normal water stream and flowed into Tuogen's palm. Then, with a "bang," it struck the back of Mangetsu Hōzuki's twin swords—Pike and Flounder—that he had set up in front of him.
Following that, Tuogen's wings fluttered lightly, and he soared into the sky.
"Although we can control water to attack, any water will ultimately submit to the ocean."
"And I am the embodiment of the ocean!"
"Domain expansion, 'Wave Rhyme Horizon'!"
A surging, majestic curse energy instantly constructed an unimaginable scene.
Sunshine, a sandy beach, rows of palm trees, and an endless sea!!!
"What is this?"
"No way… Is this a illusion? Dispel!"
"This feeling… Is everything before me real? No, I don't believe it!"
"What kind of power can instantly transfer us to the seaside? I only know that the Flying Thunder God Technique of the Hidden Leaf Village can do that!"
Mangetsu Hōzuki and the other three Mist elites all stared with expressions of shock and disbelief.
Even Mei was momentarily dazed and lost focus.
"Illusion? Teleportation? Stop using such ridiculous excuses to soothe your inner fear."
"In fact, you all already know the real answer, don't you?"
"This… is my power transformed!"
After transforming, Tuogen's speech became more articulate, and even his personality seemed to shift.
No longer timid and cowardly, but arrogant and conceited!
"Even if what you say is true, so what? Today, only one side will be able to walk out of here alive."
Mei raised her hand to fix her slightly messy hair, emanating a terrifying killing intent.
"Whether you are the embodiment of the ocean or not, you will kneel at my feet. Do you understand, octopus-head?"
Tuogen floated above the ocean, arms crossed in front of him, expression calm, neither happy nor sad.
But one strange, grotesque fish-shaped after another appeared out of thin air behind him.
A bloody army surged!
"Fear the ocean, humans."
Puff!
A fish monster instantly vanished, and Mangetsu Hōzuki felt a wave of heat on his face.
He turned his head and saw that a companion's neck had been bitten through, leaving only one side of flesh still connected to the head.
His eyes widened, as if he wanted to say something, but finally, he collapsed to the ground, powerless.
Until that person's tragic death, Mangetsu Hōzuki hadn't even seen how the enemy launched the attack!
In this domain, every shikigami summoned by Tuogen was guaranteed to hit, and they didn't just come straight at the enemy slowly—they appeared suddenly beside them in a blink, then launched their attack!
Teleportation + guaranteed hit!
What's the difference between this and hacking through with cheats?
...…
Outside Mist Village, the rat-headed man hiding somewhere used his "eyes" left outside to oversee the entire battlefield.
Seeing the commander and the strongest among the humans being dragged into Tuogen's domain one after another, he knew this battle was already a foregone conclusion.
Unless the enemy still had a more powerful trump card that they hadn't yet revealed.
But by now, the Mist ninjas were in chaos, and no new surprises had appeared. It was clear that those humans had run out of tricks.
Moreover, they still had his own special-grade curse spirit not yet to act!
Surely, those mutated rats aren't all of his power, right?
"It's time for the harvest. My children have suffered heavy losses this time. They must feast well on the remaining prey."
Muttering to himself, the rat-headed man immediately opened his eyes and extended his sharp claws upward.
To ensure his safety and the success of his plan, he directly hid underground!
Even if Mangetsu Hōzuki immediately sent people to search for him, they would be hard-pressed to find him, and in the end, he would still be devoured by the swarm of rats.
But just as he wagged his tail and hadn't gone far, a crimson moon soared rapidly toward him!
The rat-headed man quickly leapt aside and hid to the side.
With a "bang," the grotesque, bloody March Scythe plunged into the ground.
"No wonder it took so long to find you—you've been hiding underground, you nasty, disgusting rat."
Dressed in new-style school uniform, Hidan strolled out, lightly pulling the rope at his waist. The Bloody March Scythe flew back into his hand.
Then, two more figures emerged from different directions, surrounding the rat-headed man in the middle.
It was Shiji and Tobi, who had arrived a little later.
Seeing himself ambushed, the rat-headed man's expression darkened instantly, but at the same time, his ferocity flared. His eyes turned blood-red, limbs on the ground, baring his sharp teeth, showing a savage look.
"The situation over there doesn't look good—we've wasted quite some time. We'd better deal with this damn rat quickly."
Shiji was a little anxious—not because he was worried about Mei and Mangetsu Hōzuki, but because he feared the remaining curse spirits wouldn't be enough to kill!
Those were precious curse soul points!
Damn, why did they act so quickly?
And he didn't even get to react.
Damn it!
Just as Shiji reached for his sword, Hidan, the master, spoke directly.
"Leave this nasty rat to me. I'll sharpen the Bloody March Scythe with this guy."
Though he didn't know exactly how Shiji did it, after a quick test on the way here, Hidan was now full of confidence and eager to show off.
Using a stinky rat to sharpen his weapon was just perfect!
"Are you sure? This guy looks a bit disgusting, but his strength shouldn't be weak—probably much stronger than that bald, four-eyed curse spirit back then."
Anyone who heard that, Hidan's eyes lit up even more.
That incident where the four-eyed curse spirit was dismembered and embedded in the wall had been his lifelong pain—he hadn't forgotten to this day.
Now, he finally had a chance to prove himself again!
Seeing that Hidan wouldn't listen no matter what, Shiji could only shake his head helplessly. "Be careful not to turn the tide and don't be careless. Forget it, Tobi, you stay too. With you around, I feel more at ease."
____________________
For more advance chapters visit my patreon
patreon.com/kane45
Tier: 10$ Casual Reader - +20 Advance Chapter
20$ Intermediate Reader - +40 Advance Chapter
40$ Expert Reader - +80 Advance Chapter
Update: "Monday to Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day"
"Saturday and Sunday - Off"