"The target has appeared!"
In Huawan Town, Kakashi's expression was grim.
As soon as he spoke, everyone turned to him in surprise.
"Target?"
Dieyi Wasi murmured, her gaze sweeping the surroundings. A terrible premonition gripped her heart.
"Get out! Get out of here!" Kakashi bellowed as he charged toward the gate.
Before the team could react, a scornful snort came from the second-floor platform.
"Want to leave? It's too late."
A ninja in dark clothing spread his arms and leaped from the second floor.
With a thunderous crash, stones flew, and smoke and dust enveloped the area.
When the smoke cleared, the Night Clothes Ninja had twisted his body into an unnatural pose and stood up. His head seemed to have been broken, but then he rotated it 180 degrees and glared at everyone.
At that moment, something strange occurred!
Four purple curtain walls rose around Huawan Town, isolating everyone in the center.
"Damn it! It's a barrier technique!"
Hemao Kawasaki led the charge but was repelled by the purple curtain wall, rolling on the ground in pain with bloodied palms.
"A wolf from Putian set an ambush," Dieyi Wasi said calmly, even in the face of danger.
She glanced at Kakashi, who nodded in response.
"Kakashi, do you know something?"
"Focus on protecting yourselves and prioritize your safety. The mission comes second," Kakashi instructed coolly.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, he transformed into a cloud of smoke and vanished.
"Ah? Shadow clone?"
"???"
Everyone was stunned. Even the usually reserved Jia looked embarrassed at Kakashi's actions.
"Damn it! This bastard! He used a shadow clone to trick us while he stayed out of danger!" Tsurumao Kawasaki cursed, venting his frustration.
No one defended Kakashi now.
Dieyi Wasi, with a serious expression, pulled the impulsive Hemao Kawasaki and pointed forward.
"You two, now is not the time to blame the leader. We are in grave danger."
"Right. Let's handle the enemy first," came the calm response.
The team turned their attention to the mysterious Night Walker, who had removed his black hood and mask, revealing his true form.
Dieyi Wasi's eyes widened in disbelief.
The others' reactions were similar, for the figure before them was not a person at all...
It was a steel puppet!
The Night Walker regarded them with indifference, and a look of admiration seemed to flicker on its iron face as it spoke to itself.
"My Lord, I am honored to have received your mind and body techniques, allowing me to continue existing in this state. My wish has come true. I am willing to offer everything for the new world!"
"In that case, go to sleep peacefully."
A cold voice from Putian Wolf resonated through the iron puppet.
In the next moment, the Night Walker's demeanor changed. It exuded an oppressive aura, and its iron ball eyes glowed red, emitting a chilling glare.
"It's time for Konoha's ninjas to atone for their sins!"
The Night Walker—or rather, the "Wolf from Putian"—extended its hand and abruptly gestured towards the three-person team.
A horrifying explosion erupted from underground!
The battle commenced abruptly, filling Huawan Town with chaos as people fled in panic.
Dieyi Wasi, Hemao Kawasaki, and Jia leaped in different directions, and a massive explosion occurred at their former positions.
Flames surged from the ground, soaring more than ten meters high.
Hemao Kawasaki, drenched in cold sweat, steadied himself only to hear Dieyi Wasi's muffled shout through the flames:
"Be careful! Behind you!!!"
"What!"
Reacting from the explosion's disorientation, Hemao Kawasaki drew his ninja sword and blocked with a backhand motion.
With a clang, metal met metal!
A tremendous force struck from behind, sending Hemao Kawasaki crashing into a wall, his body dented. He gasped for breath, a chilling aura spreading beneath him.
"Damn it!!!"
Boom!
Another explosion erupted as dozens of explosive tags detonated beneath Hemao Kawasaki's feet.
A's eyes and hands moved swiftly, completing the seal in the nick of time.
Wood Release: Wood Wall
At the critical moment, a solid wooden platform emerged from under Hemao Kawasaki's feet, lifting him away and cushioning the explosion of the detonating tags.
Water Style: Water Stream Bullet Technique!
Meanwhile, Dieyi Wasi leaped into the air and used a water jutsu to propel Hemao Kawasaki to safety. She hurled dozens of shurikens at the distant Night Walker.
The Night Walker turned, unflinching, and stomped the ground with force.
A towering curtain of fire erupted from the ground to shield against the shurikens. At the same time, the Night Walker's figure left an afterimage and vanished.
Dieyi Wasi's pupils contracted as a strong wind whipped across her face. An iron hand suddenly gripped her throat, forcing her to cough up blood.
"Die Yi!"
Tsurumao Kawasaki roared from a distance, charging forward with a ninja sword. He executed an Iai style, concentrating chakra into the sword's tip.
Konoha Style・Wind Style・Vacuum Thrust!
A sudden gust of wind, sharp as a blade, sped toward the Night Walker's arm.
The attack was so swift that even Putian Wolf's keen perception couldn't react in time. The iron sheet on the Night Walker's wrist was dented and torn.
"It's not easy, Konoha's Jonin. That's why the sins you committed in the war are even more unforgivable!"
The Night Walker's eyes glowed red. Ignoring Hemao Kawasaki and Jia's pleas for help, he tightened his grip.
Before the towering Night Walker, Dieyi Wasi was like a fragile puppet, blood seeping from her mouth. After struggling weakly, she fell limp.
The Night Walker released her lifeless form, but something extraordinary happened.
Dieyi Wasi's body transformed into countless arcs of electricity, entangling the Night Walker's movements.
"Thunder Clone!"
From afar, Hemao Kawasaki saw this and was overjoyed, nearly crying out in relief. Jia also breathed a sigh of relief.
"You won't survive these trivial tricks."
Wrapped in electricity, the Night Walker's movements slowed but remained unharmed.
"Bored? How about this!"
Dieyi Wasi's figure materialized behind the Night Walker. She had been preparing this move for some time.
Lightning Release: Flying Thunder God Piercing!
A kunai with special symbols flew from Dieyi Wasi's hand, piercing the Night Walker's back.
The kunai easily penetrated the Night Walker's body, and the lightning illuminated his chest, with black smoke seeping from the iron gaps.
"Good job!!! Dieyi!" Hemao Kawasaki shouted in excitement.
A smile appeared under Dieyi Wasi's mask. Victory seemed to favor Konoha, but she couldn't smile fully.
From a distance, Fang Yuan observed the battle and shook his head.
"Destroying it from the inside is a clever tactic. But puppets lack pain, so negotiating with them is futile. Even if we defeat this puppet, it changes nothing. The real issue is the barrier."
Fang Yuan approached the purple wall and examined it. It was sealed tightly, even the roof had no gaps.
"What a brilliant design. The interaction between Fire Style and Wind Style creates a high-speed moving wind wall that accelerates the flames, appearing as a solid barrier."
"But if you touch it, your hand melts instantly."
Fang Yuan extended his hand and sighed as it turned to black ash within seconds.
However, after a silent recitation, his arm reformed.
Understanding the barrier's principle, Fang Yuan formed a general idea.
Yet, one question remained unanswered: for such a formidable barrier, where does Putian Yilang's enormous chakra come from?