Beneath the glaring sunlight, a breeze tinged with murderous intent rose across the desolate land.
"Clack, clack..."
The breeze swept sand and gravel across the battlefield, striking the crimson pillars that had stood there for who knew how long. The sound they made was like the tolling of a death knell, counting down the moments until the shinobi present met their end.
An eerie atmosphere shrouded the entire battlefield. Whether they belonged to the Cloud Ninja group led by Namuie or the Rock Ninja group led by Nanli Hu, everyone looked frightened and dared not move rashly.
They stood rooted to the spot, bodies rigid. Even as beads of cold sweat rolled down their foreheads, none dared raise a hand to wipe them away, afraid that the slightest movement might attract that man's attention.
Aizen gazed at the Cloud Ninja with a faint smile in his eyes. Yet Namuie felt no warmth in it—only profound indifference.
Minato, Ulquiorra, Sasori, and Hyuga Sotsugu stood respectfully behind Aizen as he approached the Cloud Ninja.
Namuie looked at Aizen, then glanced at the grim-faced Cloud Ninja behind him. His expression darkened as he answered Aizen's earlier question.
"I can't answer that... not as a Cloud Ninja."
Namuie spoke hurriedly, nearly holding his breath, then watched the man before him tensely for his reaction.
Aizen gave him an amused glance, his eyes showing that he understood. With a faint smile, he said,
"Never mind. Whether you joined for my sake or to resist the alliance between the Rock Ninja and Sand Ninja, the fact is, another Cloud Ninja has joined in."
"That saves me quite a bit of trouble."
"Since the Cloud Ninja have chosen to get involved, then I'll see what they're capable of when the time comes... After all, I hear the