I can't retreat. There's nowhere to retreat to.
Damian took a deep breath and pushed down every stray thought, along with the instinctive fear that had flared at the sight of such a powerful enemy.
Thunder Breathing raced through him. Chakra surged in time with its distinctive rhythm, and yellow lightning burst from his body again, denser and brighter than before.
He slowly assumed Thunder Breathing's opening stance, holding his short sword across his body with its tip aimed straight at DeathMeramon. His gaze was as sharp as a leopard poised to pounce.
Just then, a small, soft, slightly cool hand gently caught the sleeve at his sword wrist.
Damian stiffened.
Anya looked up at him. Her voice still trembled with fear, but she tried to speak clearly.
"Be careful, Second Son. It wants to burn you to ashes."
Through mind reading, she had caught a fragment of DeathMeramon's malicious thoughts.
Damian did not look back. He turned his hand and laid his warm palm over the little hand gripping his sleeve, giving it a firm squeeze.
"I know. Find somewhere to hide."
On a remote street elsewhere in Kirigakure, Moegi, the Jonin leading Konoha's group, was fighting a hard battle.
Though she was an experienced Jonin, even she felt the pressure of the endless tide of Digimon pouring from the Darkness Gate.
She specialized in Wood Style and Genjutsu. Now she held several DemiDevimon fast with tough vines while using Genjutsu to disrupt an Ogremon's senses.
"Wood Release: Thorn Kill Technique!" Moegi formed Hand Seals. Vines shot from the ground, hardened in an instant, and sprouted thorns that crushed the trapped Goblimon.
Before she could catch her breath, two swift Candmon lunged at her from the flank, while a Devidramon overhead spat a glob of acid!
"Tch, they