Liuyu smiled.
He looked at the Adjuchas kneeling on the ground, then at the restless Hōgyoku Fragment in his hand.
"It seems..."
"The game has only just begun."
The Adjuchas remained kneeling where it was, its scarlet eyes fixed on Liuyu.
Liuyu raised a hand and traced his fingertips through the air. Intricate reiatsu runes condensed at his fingertips, glowing an eerie Azure.
"Bakudō #99: Kin, second movement: Hundred Linked Bolts."
Humm-
Dozens of reiatsu chains materialized out of thin air and instantly wrapped around the Adjuchas.
The ends of the chains drove into the ground, pinning it firmly in place.
The Adjuchas let out a low growl and tried to struggle, but the sealing power imbued in the chains left it unable to move.
"Orochimaru," Liuyu said evenly.
"Here!" Orochimaru appeared beside him in an instant, his golden snake eyes locked on the sealed Adjuchas. Even his breathing quickened.
"Take it and study it." Liuyu waved a hand. "I want to know how it evolved, and... whether the process can be replicated."
"Understood!" Orochimaru excitedly licked his lips and formed hand seals to perform the Summoning Technique.
A massive python emerged from the summoning circle, opened its mouth, and swallowed the Adjuchas along with its seals.
"I will give you a preliminary report within three days." Orochimaru bowed, then vanished.
Uchiha Ryūha turned to survey the devastated battlefield.
The Gillians still stood guard around the edge of the ring, like silent statues.
Inside the ring, the last few dozen allied shinobi had given up resisting. They slumped on the ground, waiting for death with vacant eyes.
"Clean it up," Liuyu ordered Haschwalth.
"Yes." Haschwalth bowed slightly, drew his sword, and walked toward the ring.
Liuyu spared no further glance for those whose fate was already sealed and walked slowly