The Battle Escalates

The instant the gigantic bomb fell, Gaara raised his hand. Countless grains of sand gathered into a giant palm that wrapped around the bomb, but its power was simply too terrifying. The sand palm was instantly swallowed by blazing flames.

The violent shockwave radiated across the Land of Wind's front lines. The Sunagakure ninja fared reasonably well, but the ordinary soldiers fled in panic, their faces pale. Those with slightly weaker constitutions bled from all seven orifices. Though they did not die, they had clearly lost all ability to fight.

The shockwave alone had caused such horrifying devastation, immediately revealing the vast difference between ninja and ordinary people.

Just then, rows of armored vehicles appeared at the front of the position, followed by a dense barrage of shells falling like rain.

Inside the airship, Chongji watched the Land of Wind's troops flee in disarray across the electronic screen, crying out in panic. He grinned. "My lord, look. This is far too easy."

Right Red also let out a sigh of relief.

No matter what, they could not lose this first battle. Otherwise, their so-called display of force would become a joke.

"Chongji, that's enough. Have your troops pursue them. This is only the beginning—don't use up all the shells. They were bought with Peach Country's money."

"Yes, I understand."

"Mm. I'll go back and report to His Majesty."

Right Red vanished in an instant. After returning to Peach Country, he immediately sought an audience with Shiraishi Yoshijo.

"Your Majesty, the Land of Wind held out under the artillery fire for only a few minutes before beginning to collapse. Within half a month at most, Chongji will definitely reach the Land of Wind's capital."

Shiraishi Yoshijo asked in surprise, "It went that smoothly? What was going on with the Land of