Bird Tribe; Princess Abihime

On the tenth day after leaving Dog Demon City, Chiyo had ventured deep into the Vast Mountain Forest in the southeastern part of the Western Country.

This area had once lain at the edge of the Flying Moth Demon's territory. Mountain ranges stretched endlessly, ancient trees towered overhead, and the air was thick with the damp scent of moss and faint remnants of Demonic Power.

Chiyo did not hurry onward. Instead, he used his senses to investigate the fluctuations of the Ley Lines and traces of Demonic Power along the way.

The afternoon sunlight was broken into fragments by the dense canopy, scattering across the ground blanketed in fallen leaves.

Just as Chiyo stepped across a stream, a piercing shriek and the clash of weapons rang out in the distance.

He paused. His Rinnegan silently opened, his gaze piercing through layer after layer of forest to see what was happening three miles away.

In a clearing among the trees, two groups of demons were locked in fierce battle.

One side consisted of Bird Demons with wings on their backs and light armor on their bodies. Armed with spears and bows, they circled nimbly through the air and swooped down to attack from time to time.

Their feathers came in many colors, but the leaders all bore golden markings, clearly marking them as the tribe's elite.

The other side was made up of agile Cat Demons, their claws gleaming coldly beneath the sunlight.

They excelled at using the terrain and shadows to launch ambushes from unbelievable angles. Every pounce came with a shriek that tore through the air.

"The Bird Tribe... and the Mountain Cat Tribe?"

Chiyo narrowed his eyes slightly.

When the Flying Moth Demon invaded the Western Country, the Bird Tribe had joined the Flying Moth Demon's demon army