"The Sacred Lord"!
The name slipped into everyone's ears like an icy venomous snake, instantly wrenching the newly relaxed atmosphere taut!
Asuma immediately held his Chakra Blades across his chest and barked, "Protect the doctor! Prepare for combat!" He stepped forward, shielding everyone behind him, his gaze locked on the fox-masked man with the sinister aura.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio immediately took combat stances as well. Shikamaru's shadow quietly spread, Choji's body swelled slightly, and Ino focused her mental energy, trying to sense their opponent. A colder, denser mental barrier violently repelled her, drawing a muffled groan and draining the color from her face.
Ling's icy gaze settled on the "Sacred Lord" as well. His senses were sharper than Ino's, and he could clearly feel the vast, chilling chakra within the man. It was unlike that of any enemy he had faced before, carrying an air of something... ancient and decayed. Every one of those black-clad guards was also far stronger than the Kirigakure rogue ninja they had encountered earlier-at least Special Jōnin level!
"Oh? Quite alert, aren't you?" The "Sacred Lord" seemed utterly unconcerned by Asuma's hostility. His gaze swept over them with interest from behind his mask before settling on Ling once more. His voice carried an unsettling admiration. "Water power of incomparable purity, capable of cleansing even the ancient resentment within the Thousand-Draw Stone... perfect... absolutely perfect! Far more valuable than these cold stones!"
Ling really was his target!
"Who exactly are you? What do you want?" Asuma demanded in a low voice, trying to buy time to think of a countermeasure. Their enemies were numerous, their strength unknown, and their leader unfathomable. The situation was dire.
"What do I want?" The "Sacred Lord" chuckled, his voice hoarse and distorted. "To welcome the return of the 'divine bloodline,'