The wind by the riverbank carried the smell of gunpowder, mixed with the sweet aroma of takoyaki. It smelled strange and pungent.
The monsters called "dregs" were nothing like the uniform mechanical soldiers from before. They were twisted lumps of flesh. Some had arms longer than their legs; others had three lidless eyeballs perched on their heads. Their only common trait was a nauseating hunger, and they were all headed straight for Kiyomi.
"Quit spacing out!" Kawaki kicked one of the charging monsters in the face. Its face caved in like mud, but it showed no sign of pain. Instead, it opened a mouth split all the way to its ears and tried to bite Kawaki's lower leg.
Kawaki clicked his tongue. His right hand hardened in an instant, turning into a massive spike that impaled the thing on the ground. "Disgusting. Even its blood is black."
Kiyomi gripped the red blade of light and lowered her stance slightly. The techniques Sasuke had taught her flashed through her mind—not to resist, but to guide.
A stench swept toward her from the side.
Without looking back, Kiyomi swept the blade of light behind her. Red light cut through the air with a crackling hiss. The monster that had tried to ambush her was cleanly severed at both arms. Instead of blood, white smoke hissed from the wounds as high-density Chakra burned its cells.
"Wind Release: Gale Palm!" Boruto dropped from the air, and the gust from his palm sent two monsters trying to surround Kiyomi flying into the river.
Two enormous splashes erupted across the water, disturbing the floating lanterns. The paper boats bearing people's wishes capsized in the current, soaked through, and sank into the dark riverbed.
"My lantern," Kiyomi murmured.
"I'll fold you another one later. Right now, our