Without needing a reminder, Bell Cat had also detected the scent of rodents and headed deeper inside with a glum expression.
As a cat of the new era, it had always upheld elegance and aspired to become humanity's master. It preferred fresh, live fish for its meals. What if eating those rats lurking in the dark made it sick?
But it had no choice. A cat's life was rarely its own. Along with losing its freedom, it had gained a whole host of troubles.
It advanced into the darkness step by step, and sounds of fighting soon erupted beyond their sight.
The battle between the two ninja beasts made the surrounding rock tremble, sending small fragments tumbling down.
Bell Cat was no weaker than a jonin, so a rat capable of holding its own against it for so long drew some attention from Zou Hyuga and Oto. A ninja beast that could survive in this environment was certainly not to be underestimated.
While the battle continued, Zou Hyuga led Oto toward the earth vein node. The natural energy here had almost condensed into droplets. As soon as he entered the node, he felt violent natural energy washing over his body.
Standing here, he could sense the flow of natural energy much more clearly.
Like rivers linked into an underground network, it stretched outward. With his eyes closed, Zou Hyuga felt as though he could see the natural energy of the entire planet.
Zou Hyuga opened his eyes again without losing himself in that illusion.
He stepped back out of the node's range and said to Oto, "Oto, can you seal this node? Or seal the chakra inside it into your own body?"
Oto Uchiha paused, then hesitated for a moment before saying, "I can try."
Standing nearby, she could already