Playing with Needles?

"Sigh, I really don't understand what that guy is thinking!"

Stepping out of the tent, Chiba couldn't help but look back, her face filled with indignation.

So what if he fought someone from the Sword of Slaughter? He's fought someone from the Flames of Life and Death before, and he even beat up the leader of the Shadow Skull. What's there to be afraid of!

"What should we do?" Nuolin looked at Chiba.

"I don't know, what can I do?" Chiba asked her in return.

"I don't know, but you know what to do," Nuolin said.

Chiba really wanted to complain, "Wow, sis! Shouldn't you be the one leading me through the missions? After we got kicked out, you didn't make any arrangements? Or did you never even think about this in the first place?"

The longer Chiba spent with Nuolin, the more she realized that Norin was actually expressionless and a bit of a ditz. Most of the time she was expressionless, and sometimes a faint expression would appear on her face, but it was so subtle that it made her seem aloof to others.

But if you look closely into her eyes, they're not so cold. They can be a bit dull and slow, but sometimes they're incredibly lively.

For example, when Tianna was so angry she couldn't speak, she gave Tianna a timely chance to save face.

The method was a bit extreme; they practically put a knife to someone's neck.

"Should I go talk to the captain again? I don't know what's wrong with him today! He'll probably be fine tomorrow," said Tianna, who came out with them.

Chiba shook his head and said, "Thank you, Tianna, but I don't think it's a problem with your captain's condition. Perhaps he didn't want us to die here, which is why he let us go."

"So, will you abandon this mission?"

Chiba looked at Nuolin. He actually wanted to give up on this mission, but it depended on whether his senior sister would agree.

However, the latter was also looking at him, her cold expression now appearing somewhat innocent. They both stopped in their tracks, and an eerie silence fell over the surroundings.

Although Nuolin maintained the same expression, her face seemed to say, "Leave the task to me, you handle the rest."

I suppose her younger sister usually plays the role she's in now...

Sigh, it seems she's determined to finish this task...

After a long pause, he shook his head and said, "We'll set up camp nearby and scout the area. If you decide to launch a full-scale war, be sure to let us know."

Tianna nodded and said, "I'll arrange your accommodations first, then I'll go back and try to persuade the captain."

Chiba shook his head again. "We can take care of the accommodation. You should go back and talk to your captain. We won't give up on this mission. Cooperating will be most beneficial to the war effort."

Tianna smiled and said, "Alright, I'll head back now."

"Um!"

Tianna didn't follow them any further, but turned and walked towards the main tent. Chiba then led Nuolin away from the Magic Council's position.

As they walked, they looked around at their surroundings. They had come from the forest, and naturally, they were returning to the forest they had come from.

The battleground was located south of the forest, and the main battlefield between the Magic Council and the Sword of Slaughter was also in the south. However, there was a small town to the west of both battlegrounds, and it was this town that kept the Magic Council from launching a full-scale war.

They had actually requested a week ago that someone be sent to arrange for the townspeople to leave, but there had been no response, so it had been delayed until now.

However, Chiba believes that many in the so-called upper echelons have some kind of shady dealings with the Dark Guild, as evidenced by the deals made by the Flames of Life and Death in the kingdom.

Is the real world as simple and beautiful as depicted in anime? In a kingdom, among its kings, ministers, and officials, who doesn't have a vested interest?

It is precisely because of so many conflicting interests that the higher-ups have been hesitant to make a decision, and even more so, have not allowed them to launch a full-scale attack.

Chiba found a relatively secluded spot and used Wood Release to create a small house.

A hint of surprise appeared in Nuolin's eyes; she had never seen a house built so quickly before.

But just as the two were about to enter the house, something unexpected happened!

On the snow-covered earth, beside a large tree, a strange distortion suddenly occurred. Accompanied by a whooshing sound, an extremely thin needle shot towards the two of them at lightning speed!

"Bite!"

Nuolin had already drawn her sword at some point, and with a swift movement, she blocked the long needle.

Chiba: "???"

He was completely bewildered; he had no idea what was happening when Nuolin suddenly drew her sword, nearly scaring him to death.

Sparks flew as the long needle struck the sword. The girl's gaze sharpened, and with a flick of her wrist, she deflected the needle.

"Boom!"

The long needle struck a nearby tree, blasting a large hole in the thick trunk, making Chiba's face twitch. She thought that if her senior sister hadn't drawn her sword in time, that hole would probably be on her body.

"Someone's there," Nuolin whispered.

Her whole body tensed up, radiating a sharp and undisguised sword intent.

Chiba put down the package, and his Chakra coalesced into the shape of Rasengan. His entire body was then covered in high-temperature lava.

The opponent is a mage skilled in stealth and whose attacks are extremely swift. I can only first apply a layer of damage reflection armor to myself, and then throw a ball at him.

The two sides remained deadlocked for a long time. Suddenly, Nuolin swung her sword in one direction, and the sword energy whistled out.

Chiba clearly saw a faint ripple in the direction the sword energy was aimed at.

With his Sharingan activated, he dashed off in that direction, the Rasengan in his hand spinning rapidly until it formed the shape of a blue Chakra needle.

But the needle kept spinning, which was extremely strange.

You dared to ambush me with a needle? Come and taste my needle!

"Go!"

While running wildly, Chiba aimed at the direction where the illusory fluctuations appeared, and then surprisingly threw the "Spiral Needle" in his hand!

That's right! Throw it out!

This is the complete Demon Flash.

The Spiral Needle flashed by with incredible speed, disappearing into the snow in the blink of an eye, and then unleashing a violent explosion!

The Chakra unleashed a massive, hemispherical shockwave, snapping eight or nine trees in the vicinity in half!

A humanoid figure appeared, but rolled out from its concealed state. Chiba Demon Flash aimed at roughly the same spot where he appeared.

The speed of the Demon Flash was simply too fast; even when he fled at top speed, the Rasengan exploded near him in an instant.

However, the fact that he escaped a fatal blow in such a short time demonstrates his remarkable speed.

"Whispering sound!"

The figure cursed under his breath. Although it hadn't hit him directly, the power of the bullet formed from the Demon Flash still affected him, leaving his back covered in blood. He couldn't help but glance back at Chiba, then channeled his magic and vanished once more.

Nuolin pressed on, unleashing another sword strike that severed several trees, but no one appeared.

"Disappeared..." Nuolin stopped and looked at Chiba.