The coast where Lin Ze had transformed into the Azure Dragon and fought Kumogakure was now deathly silent.
Only the lingering stench of burning and blood in the air bore witness to the brutality of the battle that had just taken place.
Underground, the White Snake Sage's slightly enlarged body slowly stopped trembling.
Humanlike shock and awe showed on her serpentine face.
"Master's true Azure Dragon form... has grown stronger again..."
She had arrived underground long ago and had "seen" the overwhelming might of that thousand-meter dragon body. She had also felt the dragon might that made even her soul tremble faintly.
Clashing head-on with a Tailed Beast Bomb, killing the Third Raikage through sheer force, severing one of the Eight-Tails' tails, gravely wounding the Two-Tails...
Such feats were enough to chill anyone who knew the truth.
"Following a master like this might... truly be my opportunity."
The White Snake Sage mused inwardly, even developing a trace of ambition. If I devote myself to cultivation and draw on Master's power, could I one day soar through the heavens like that too?
She shook her enormous snake head, suppressing those stray thoughts.
For now, there was still business to attend to.
By the shore, the seven or eight surviving Kumogakure ANBU helped one another to their feet.
"That... that demon left?"
"Why didn't he kill us?"
Several ANBU looked toward the direction Lin Ze had vanished in, still shaken.
They had thought death was certain, but Lin Ze had merely glanced at them before leaving.
"Whatever the reason, we must return to the village immediately! We have to report everything that happened here to Lord Dodai and Lord Fourth Raikage A!"
The sole surviving ANBU Squad Captain gritted his teeth and spoke, fighting back his grief.
Yet, just as they were