The wind swept across the wasteland, kicking up a layer of dust.
The last batch of ninja had already retreated into the distance. The once-crowded battlefield was now left with only scattered rubble and deep craters. Broken weapons lay strewn along the edges of gullies, occasionally clinking softly when the wind blew them together.
Chiya stopped beneath that rift and looked up at the two people within it.
Kaguya hovered on the other side.
The two were not far apart. If either of them came under attack, the other would have enough time to intervene.
Chiya slowly drew Futsu no Mitama.
Nine star patterns glimmered across the blade.
"Ready."
Kaguya raised both hands, and gray bone spikes extended from her palms.
Chiya nodded, and the eye on his forehead opened.
The golden light surrounding the two men began to slowly fade.
The first things to move again were their fluttering sleeves. Then, the tall man lifted his foot and continued forward.
With a single step, he passed through the rift.
Then he suddenly turned his head!
Kaguya!
White bone spikes were already before him!
The man immediately twisted aside. The bone spikes grazed his chest, tearing open his robe before flying straight into the distance.
His companion behind him rushed out at the same moment.
As soon as the two left, the rift was covered in golden light again. The thin man glanced back, and his expression changed at once.
"Behind you!"
Before the tall man could turn around, a blade was already slashing at his neck!
Chiya appeared almost right beside him.
The man reacted with astonishing speed, dropping low as the blade swept over his head and sliced off part of a curved horn.
At the same time, his fist smashed forward viciously!
Chiya thrust his left palm