The aftershocks of the explosion shook the cliffs. The blast shattered the rocks, and gunpowder-scented debris rolled down the mountainside, crashing into the dry earth of the canyon.
Stone fragments of all sizes rained from the sky and tumbled one after another into the blood-red pool. The splashes soon disappeared into the clouds of dust.
The deafening rumble echoed through the canyon, as if sounding the call to battle.
The blazing fire swept through the smoke and raced toward the cave lined with fangs.
"Fire Release!" someone said softly from within the pitch-black cave.
Tetsuya, who had been quietly watching everything, responded from inside the cave.
"Water Release: Wild Water Wave!"
A torrent of water gushed from the cave and shot into the sky.
The surging water and the Fire Dragon crossed paths in midair. The hissing sound of evaporation rang in their ears as smoke began to blanket the entire canyon.
Tetsuya, carrying a long blade, led his clan members out of the cave. They concealed themselves in the blood mist and hurried to the battle site they had chosen long ago. He gazed with satisfaction at the dense fog obscuring their vision. It had been made using their special chakra.
He knew the Sharingan well—or rather, he knew every kind of dōjutsu in the Shinobi World.
With smoke this thick, ordinary Sharingan users would have no chance of making out their figures.
The coolness of the hilt constantly reminded him not to let his guard down. They had gained the upper hand for the moment, but there was still a long way to go before they could break free of their cage. Standing in the canyon and gazing at the steep cliffs, he murmured, "We still have a long way to go before we can escape this cage."