"Damn it!"
Naruto destroyed several terracotta soldiers with a Rasengan, but more surged forward, leaving him exhausted.
He had always used the human wave tactic against others.
Now, being on the receiving end of it, he finally understood how annoying this tactic was.
"It's endless!!"
Naruto shouted dissatisfiedly, but his movements were not slow.
Around him were his Shadow Clones.
It was a human wave versus human wave situation.
Clearly, Naruto was at a disadvantage.
"Hah! Hah!"
Lee could destroy a terracotta soldier with every punch and kick.
Although he couldn't use Ninjutsu, his Taijutsu, which surpassed his peers, gave him a more direct and simpler destructive power.
These puppets seemed sturdy and strong.
But their slow speed and rigid movements were their fatal flaws.
Against immobile targets like villages and towns, their destructive power would be astonishing.
But against agile Shinobi, no matter how many there were, they were just slow-moving targets.
If it weren't for protecting Shion, Koyuki, and the cameraman, they wouldn't be in such a difficult position.
Fortunately, although the terracotta soldiers seemed endless, the end of their army was now in sight.
They were about to escape the encirclement.
On the carriage, Shion had also learned what had happened from Koyuki.
While she was asleep, the carriage had entered the Land of Swamps.
It was at that moment that terracotta soldier armies began flanking them from both sides, and the battle erupted.
Fortunately, the few present were quite skilled. Except for Sakura, who was a bit weaker, dealing with these terracotta soldier puppets was nothing.
And Moryo's guiding intent was too obvious; the flanking terracotta soldiers didn't actually cause them trouble, merely stubbornly made them follow the predetermined route.
"Moryo is already here!!"
Shion's expression became grave.
She felt a bit flustered inside.
As the Miko, all she knew was how to seal Moryo.
Since she was little, her mother Miroku had ordered other practitioners not to teach her any sacred arts.
So, she didn't know how powerful she really was.
Currently, perhaps only Takumi knew how much power lay dormant within Shion.
This was something even Neji, with his Byakugan, hadn't detected.
Because this power was sealed by Miroku, ready to be activated at the crucial moment, allowing Shion to unleash her power and eliminate Moryo.
Yes, Miroku had long seen through the fate of the Miko.
She didn't want her child to share the same fate, so she used her power to create a bell to protect Shion.
With this bell, Miroku's power could protect Shion.
And at the critical moment, it could unleash the hidden Miko power within Shion and eliminate Moryo in one fell swoop.
However, Miroku's intentions were good, but reality wouldn't unfold as she imagined.
If things followed the normal course, without external interference, Shion's ultimate choice would be to use her power to perish together with Moryo.
And her death would also represent the end of the Miko lineage.
When Moryo revived years later, the Shinobi World would face an Moryo with no opponent.
Miroku wanted to protect her child, but the final result wouldn't be as she hoped.
After all, Miroku was already dead; she couldn't calculate that far into the future.
Fortunately, Shion was not fighting alone.
By her side were many willing to fight for her.
Including Takumi.
But Takumi's thoughts were very simple.
He just found Moryo's existence troublesome.
The seal being broken from time to time would always cause some disturbance.
It would be easier to just eliminate it directly.
That would save a lot of trouble.
Having broken out of the encirclement, the group didn't stop but continued their rapid advance.
Only after they could no longer see any trace of the terracotta soldiers behind them did they gradually slow down.
"Should we stop and rest?"
The non-stop journey had captured a lot of battle footage. The Director was satisfied but also felt a bit tired and wanted to rest.
"No."
Takumi shook his head in refusal. "The enemy certainly won't give us time to rest. Those terracotta soldier puppets will continue chasing us. Our only choice is to keep moving."
"I see."
The Director gritted his teeth. "Then let's continue."
"But don't worry too much."
Takumi said. "We'll split up here. Director, take Koyuki and the others to the opposite side of that volcano and film it from there."
He pointed to the volcano in the distance. "The next battlefield will be inside the volcano. It's not convenient for filming in there, and I might not be able to protect you all well."
"But then the battle scenes..."
The Director was reluctant. He knew that would be the final battle.
In a movie, the final battle was undoubtedly the crucial finishing touch.
"Don't worry. I'll take the cameraman uncle with me. He'll be responsible for filming our entrance. As for the fight inside, I'll handle that."
Takumi said with a smile.
"But you're not a professional cameraman..."
The Director hesitated, his words filled with distrust of Takumi.
Regarding Takumi's strength as a Shinobi, having personally directed two of his movies, the Director had no complaints.
But when it came to professional matters like filming...
"Don't worry, I have experience."
Takumi said with a smile.
Of course, the contributor of that experience was naturally Tokubetsu Jonin, Yuhi Kurenai.
"Alright then."
After thinking for a long time, the Director had no choice but to resignedly nod.
"Sakura, you're responsible for protecting the crew."
Takumi turned and instructed Sakura. "Moryo's target is Shion-san. You shouldn't have problems over there, but if something unexpected happens, immediately use the signal flare. I'll come as fast as I can."
"Understood!"
Sakura nodded.
They were on a mission now, having just been through a fierce battle, and she was showing her qualities as a Shinobi.
Although she was jealous and quick-tempered, she was still a qualified Shinobi.
"Good, I'm counting on you."
Takumi nodded, then went to the carriage window and said to Shion, "Shion-san, we're not far from our destination, but the next part of the journey is too dangerous, so we'll have to reduce the number of people going forward."
"I understand."
Shion nodded and immediately got out of the carriage.
"Wait."
Koyuki stopped Shion and, under her puzzled gaze, took out something like a protective charm. "I got this from a shrine not long ago. Although you're a Miko and don't need these, please take it anyway."
Her eyes were full of worry. "Please don't let anything happen. I still want you to take me around the Land of Demons."
"Don't worry!"
Shion looked at the protective charm in her hand, was stunned for a moment, then suddenly broke into a big smile. "I will definitely come back safely!"
Takumi didn't know what the two had discussed in the carriage before, but seeing their relationship so harmonious now, he felt a sense of comfort inside.