When Raize and Laffey emerged from the spatial gate, they found themselves deep in a mountain forest. After the gate behind them slowly closed, they both scanned their surroundings.
A vampire ninja village existed nearby. In this desolate region, the ninja village was hidden within a powerful barrier.
"Laffey, fly up first. Once you see anyone, launch indiscriminate fire immediately."
Raize turned and spoke to Laffey. She nodded, and a blue ring of Wisdom Cube energy flashed beneath her boots. The petite Laffey instantly broke free of gravity and soared into the sky.
Raize revealed a cold smile and looked ahead. He had already learned about the barrier from the memories of the vampire ninjas. Now it was time to give them a proper greeting.
After all, they had attacked his home. How could he not return the favor at their doorstep?
Buzz!
Raize raised his right hand and aimed forward, opening his palm. Behind him, condensed energy materialized into two golden arms that extended flexibly to either side of his palm and began resonating at a special frequency.
Countless small, multicolored energy spheres gathered densely in his palm like bubbles, rapidly forming a high-density, massive black-and-purple energy sphere.
The interior of this sphere vibrated at extreme speed. It should have been unstable and detonated instantly, yet it was forcibly contained by Raize's absolute domain and precise control.
[Tailed Beast Bomb]
Raize prepared to present his enemies with a piece of "art" as a greeting, to express his goodwill.
---
Within the vampire ninja village, located deep in the mountains and forests and concealed by a massive barrier, lived over a thousand vampire ninjas. Their numbers had once been several times greater, but more than a century of internal strife had drastically reduced their population.
Both men and women were strikingly beautiful and handsome. With their long lifespans, some civilians toiled for survival, while others were trained as combatants, the vampire ninjas responsible for fighting.
Internal chaos still plagued the village, and the reformist faction had no intention of giving up.
The elders believed that as long as they obtained Eu's power, replenishing their numbers would be easy. Perhaps then the vampire ninjas would become one of the world's top powers.
While subordinates worked themselves to exhaustion, the upper echelon and so-called elders did nothing but argue in meetings, leveraging their seniority and influence to secure benefits.
Accustomed to such power, they fabricated lofty discussions, all for the sake of wasting time attacking rivals and gaining greater benefits for themselves.
"Sigh, has there been no word from the vanguard team yet?"
A middle-aged man wearing traditional Japanese clothing knelt calmly on a cushion, his gray-white long hair tied back, sipping hot tea as he listened to reports from his subordinates.
This time, the reformist faction had obtained that information first. The conservatives had not yet reacted. They planned a surprise operation to fulfill their long-cherished ambition.
He dreamed of obtaining Eu's power and her flesh and blood. Though a long-lived species, even vampire ninjas had limits. He did not want to die. He wanted to continue enjoying his power and status. If he could gain Eu's strength and the immortal blood of their origins, he would stand at the pinnacle of the world and gain even greater authority.
"Our information indicates that the one accompanying her possesses considerable strength. A clash is inevitable, and we cannot succeed immediately."
The reporting ninja remained outside the room, kneeling on one knee. Assassinations were always a concern. The clear voice reached the man's ears without error.
"If that is not enough…"
He took a deep breath, set down his teacup, and spoke calmly.
"Then dispatch every ninja we can mobilize. We must act before the conservatives—"
Boom!
A deafening roar erupted as an overwhelming surge of energy tore through the village barrier with ease. The shockwave swept across the entire settlement.
Even the elder's residence was obliterated. The door representing his authority, along with the building itself and his dignity, was reduced to dust.
The subordinate outside was instantly killed by the destructive blast.
"Enemy attack!"
Alarms echoed throughout the devastated village. This explosion, filled with brutal artistry, claimed countless lives.
Both conservatives and reformists suffered massive losses. The vampire ninja population plummeted again, edging ever closer to extinction.
"Damn it, what madman dares attack our village!"
A bloodied, disheveled figure emerged from the ruins, roaring with fury and killing intent.
The elder's crimson eyes glowed as he surveyed the cratered village. His eyes filled with blood as he took in the devastation.
This was the greatest catastrophe the vampire ninjas had ever faced. Their village, reduced to ruins in an instant. How could he not go mad?
He moved swiftly, gathering surviving fighters. Seeing their leader alive, they regrouped and charged forward with murderous intent.
They sensed an unfamiliar presence radiating undisguised hostility. The conservatives would never use such self-destructive tactics. This could only be an external enemy.
The reformists encountered the equally enraged conservatives. Red eyes met in hostile silence.
The leaders exchanged cold snorts. Now was not the time for infighting. The invader had to be eliminated.
Countless families had been destroyed. Many ninjas stared at the ruins of their homes and the corpses of loved ones, desperate to tear the invader apart.
Thud.
A wave of killing intent swept the entire village like a tsunami. Everyone felt as if countless needles pierced their bodies.
Gulp.
Moments ago they sought revenge. Now most began trembling.
From the dense smoke ahead, a towering, muscular man emerged, shrouded in a blood-red aura of killing intent, golden eyes blazing like headlights.
He advanced at a steady pace through the ruins.
Sunlight poured down behind him, casting his powerful figure into a blurred silhouette.
The executioner had arrived.
The village had already suffered catastrophic losses from the opening Tailed Beast Bomb. Now it lay in ruins, bodies of patrol ninjas scattered and broken in pools of blood.
The thick stench of blood stimulated the vampire ninjas, hardening their expressions into ferocity.
All eyes locked onto the approaching figure.
The young man radiating overwhelming killing intent was Raize.
As they recognized him, the reformist elder stiffened for a split second. Raize noticed it clearly. In that instant, he saw surprise flash through the man's eyes.
Tap.
The heavy footsteps echoed like blows to their hearts. Faces darkened as they stared at him.
Though they sensed how dangerous he was, they could not stand idle after their village had been destroyed and countless comrades killed.
"Sir, why have you attacked our village?"
A conservative elder glared at Raize, fury barely contained. The explosion had taken countless lives. He demanded an answer.
Silence.
Raize did not reply. His burning golden eyes shifted to the elder, noting the guards around him.
He slightly raised his arm.
Boom.
With a punch thrown through empty air, the sound barrier shattered effortlessly.
"What—"
The elder's instincts screamed danger, but his body could not react.
The invisible punch struck his face. The impact twisted his features in slow motion, his eyes bursting from their sockets.
Splatter.
His head exploded like a balloon.
Brains and blood sprayed across nearby ninjas.
"Elder…"
A female ninja closest to him stood frozen, an eyeball tangled in her hair, staring at the headless corpse still spurting blood like a fountain.