Only after the flames dissipated did everyone snap out of their daze, staring blankly at the mangled lump of iron on the ground before mechanically turning to look at Yamei.
"Cough, cough... Well... I didn't know it would be this powerful either!" Yamei scratched his head.
This was his first time using this ninjutsu! He had gotten carried away and failed to control the amount of Chakra...
"..."
Everyone fell silent. What did he mean, he didn't know it would be this powerful!?
Did he have to be so discouraging!?
"Cough, cough... Well... let's hurry into the fortress and rescue Naruto!"
Only Yūhi Kurenai had been somewhat mentally prepared and did not remain shocked for long. She quickly spoke up, drawing everyone's attention back.
Everyone rushed into the fortress, only to find it completely empty. It was not until they reached the top floor that they discovered a massive chamber had vanished.
"This is bad! Shikamaru and the others are in danger!" Everyone immediately realized what had happened and rushed out of the fortress.
Before long, they found Shikamaru and his group lying unconscious on the ground.
After waking them up, Shikamaru said helplessly, "Rank and Timsi were rescued. That old man was taken with them too."
"Oh, right. Naruto was with them as well."
"Shino, Kiba, can you track them?" Yūhi Kurenai hurriedly asked.
"Akamaru can smell their scent." Kiba nodded.
Shino said, "My insects can continue tracking them too."
"Good! Let's catch up to them!"
Everyone knew how urgent the situation was. Led by Shino and Kiba, they quickly gave chase.
Inside a massive underground cavern, Heide, Timsi, and the three female knights slowly walked in. Several soldiers followed behind them, along with the bound Naruto.
"You bastards! Let me go already!" Naruto struggled and roared continuously.
"Naruto, just stay put. Once I become stronger, hand over those energy-using techniques of yours, and I'll take you with me to build a perfect nation." Heide soothed Naruto.
"Keep dreaming! I'll never agree to that!" Naruto snarled in refusal.
What ideal nation? After reading the little red book Yamei had given him, Naruto knew all those so-called ideal nations were nothing but lies!
Heide did not care. He was very interested in Naruto's mysterious ninjutsu and in the power known as Chakra, but Naruto refused to cooperate.
However, once he obtained the power of the Gelel Stone vein, whether this brat cooperated or not would no longer be up to him!
Heide looked at Timsi, then at the old man behind him. "Thanks to you, Timsi, our ideal nation will soon succeed."
"It is my duty, Lord Hyde," Timsi said respectfully.
Heide nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze to the old man. "Then I'll have to trouble you to activate the Source of Life."
The old man remained silent, his gaze falling on Timsi. "He needs to come with me."
Heide nodded at those words, signaling Timsi to follow the old man.
The two walked up to a pillar at the very front, and Heide's expression grew increasingly excited.
"So it was here!"
Suddenly, several voices rang out, freezing his smile. He turned around and saw Yamei and the others arriving.
"You're Naruto's companions, aren't you?" Heide asked unhurriedly.
"You're Heide?" As the commander of this mission, Kakashi stepped forward.
"Hehehe, I didn't expect you to arrive so quickly." Heide sighed helplessly. "I had planned to come find you after obtaining the Source of Life."
Since he was interested in Naruto's techniques, he was naturally interested in Yamei and the others as well.
But then, a smile appeared on Heide's face. "Still, you came at just the right time! It saves me the trouble of looking for you!"
Rumble!
As he spoke, the ground suddenly shook, drawing everyone's attention over. The pillar where Timsi and the old man stood began moving forward, breaking away from the corridor.
"What are you doing!?" Timsi glared at the old man, his expression ugly.
"I will never allow you to awaken the Source of Life! I'm going to destroy it!"
As he spoke, the old man stomped his foot. The enormous pillar, carrying both him and Timsi, sank into the ground, while a heavy stone slab slid over it once more.
Heide's expression changed. He hurriedly pulled a book from his clothes and flipped through it several times. "There's no method recorded here for destroying the Source of Life!"
Heide viciously threw the book to the ground, then slowly walked over to the massive stone slab and smashed it apart with a single punch.
"Deal with them quickly and follow me!" With that, Heide and several soldiers behind him jumped into the deep pit.
"Damn it! Stop him!"
Kakashi cursed under his breath. Just as he was about to leap into the pit as well, a massive bolt of lightning crashed down before them, forcing everyone back two steps. They looked grimly toward Rank and the others.
"Your opponents are us."
Rank, Camilla, and Feng Wai, the three female knights, transformed into humanoid monsters and stood before them with cold smiles. Several soldiers behind them watched like tigers eyeing prey.
Rasengan!
The violent energy drew everyone's attention. Naruto sent a soldier beside him flying with a Rasengan, then quickly ran to Kakashi and the others.
Rank, now in the form of a gorilla, flashed her eyes as lightning crackled around her body. A Charge Barrier suddenly appeared around her!
Thunderclap Lightning Flash!!
The instant Rank attacked, Camilla spread her wings and took off, releasing pink smoke behind her!
The last female knight, Feng Wai, was not to be outdone. In her wolf-like form, she unleashed waves of sound from her mouth:
Sonic Roar!
The coordinated assault of the three caught everyone off guard.
Kakashi immediately unleashed Wind Release ninjutsu, constantly blocking the mist while evading the lightning strikes. He lifted his forehead protector, revealing his Three Tomoe Sharingan.
"Sasuke, Naruto, Choji, work with me to deal with Rank!"
"Okay!" Sasuke and Naruto gripped their kunai and nodded.
Expansion Jutsu!
Choji's body suddenly enlarged as he fiercely collided with the charging Rank!
Meanwhile, Ino, Hinata, Sakura, and Kiba faced Feng Wai!
With the Byakugan's powerful perception and Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu disrupting their opponent, they fought with ease.
On the final battlefield, Shino controlled his insects alongside Shikamaru to encircle and attack Camilla in the sky!
Yūhi Kurenai instantly broke Camilla's genjutsu. Just as she was about to take Camilla down directly, Yamei's voice rang out beside everyone's ears.
"You handle things up here. I'll go down and stop them."
Hearing Yamei's words, everyone present relaxed.
With Yamei going down, they only needed to focus on dealing with these three enemies.
Kakashi and Yūhi Kurenai also eased up their attacks somewhat!
This was valuable practical combat experience. It would be such a waste to miss it, and it was the perfect chance to temper these youngsters!
Before you continue