Continuous bombardment rained down without pause across a one-kilometer radius.
The earth shook violently. Flames roared, then burst outward under the force of the explosions.
The thunderous noise sent birds and beasts fleeing in a panic, convinced the world was ending.
The caves collapsed into rubble, which was scattered by the blasts.
Sasuke stared blankly at the scene before him.
"The ground... It's like a thousand-layer cake, being blown apart layer by layer."
After just a few minutes of nonstop bombardment, the floor of Ryūchi Cave had been blasted down by half a meter. Winding tunnels were already visible beneath it.
If they went down to search in person, who knew how long it would take to navigate such a complicated network of tunnels? Add a few genjutsu, mazes, and traps, and one careless step could land them right in the Snake Sages' clutches.
First, Tagorihime and Orochimaru had joined forces to ambush him. Then Ryūchi Cave and Kumogakure had worked together to abduct people.
"After all that back and forth, we're practically old friends..."
Lin Qing watched the venomous snakes burning beneath the explosions and flames.
"Let's get a little more familiar, then."
Just then, a massive snake's head, covered in diamond-shaped markings, emerged from beneath the ground.
Its name was Aoda. He was one of Ryūchi Cave's younger generation, and his main job was guarding the entrance.
After slithering up from underground, Aoda carefully studied Lin Qing and the other man, his snake eyes full of caution.
"One brat."
"And a man carrying a greatsword... No mistake. That's Lin Qing."
After Tagitsuhime had fled back, Aoda had gotten a bad feeling.
It was only a matter of time before Lin Qing came looking for them.
He'd heard about Lin Qing's exploits so far. The White Snake Sage might