A shrill alarm rang out within a small fortress.
"Enemy attack!!"
The panicked shout of the sentry ninja greatly displeased the veteran Chunin in command.
"What's going on?" the commanding Chunin roared. If a powerful ninja had launched an attack, the Genin standing watch would have died without making a sound. Anyone he could see who still had time to sound the alarm could not possibly be an expert.
Then what the hell was he afraid of?
"Sir, sir, come up and look! So many, so many!"
The Genin's terrified voice cracked, making the Chunin's scalp tingle as well.
"Damn it. If there's no danger, you're finished."
As he spoke, the Chunin leaped up several steps onto the elevated watch post. Then he turned and followed the sentry's gaze—and immediately sucked in a cold breath, freezing in place at the edge of the post.
The unchanging black mud of the Land of Rain was being swallowed by gray-green waves. This flood was spreading toward the small fortress at the speed of galloping horses.
As the flood flowed over rocks, it formed bulges. Plants standing well above the ground collapsed with a crash after the flood passed over them, instantly submerged. The bulges visibly sank lower and lower before quickly flattening completely.
They were insects. A flood made of gathered insects.
The sharp-eyed Chunin quickly recognized the flood's true nature. Forcing himself to calm down, he ordered his subordinates to prepare for battle.
"Can anyone use Fire Release? No? Damn it, prepare torches."
"Bring out all the stored oil, and the poison too. Scatter every bit of poison immediately. Move, move, move!"
Suddenly recalling something, he grabbed the Genin on the watch post and pulled him down, dragging him all the way to the corner of the wall before giving a