Chapter 63 - small figth
As we made our way toward the city exit, I knew that moving in such a large group would be risky. The tension in the air was thick, every sound around us amplified by the fear that gripped the citizens. The children clung tightly to their mothers, their wide eyes filled with confusion and terror. The women, too, were on edge, their whispers of comfort doing little to calm the storm of emotions. Even the men, though fewer in number, wore expressions of grim determination, fully aware of the peril we faced.
We moved quickly, our footsteps echoing through the narrow, dimly lit streets. The once vibrant city was now a shadow of its former self, the buildings dark and lifeless, their windows shattered, and their walls scarred by the recent chaos. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and fear, and every corner we turned felt like a step deeper into the unknown.
Suddenly, our path was blocked by a lone puppet, its form grotesque and unnatural. It stood in the middle of the street, its mechanical limbs twitching as if it were possessed by some malevolent force. The puppet's eyes glowed with an eerie light, and its body moved with a jerky, almost inhuman precision. Without hesitation, I destroyed it, my attack swift and lethal. The puppet shattered into countless pieces, the fragments scattering across the cobblestone street like broken glass. I barely spared it a glance, knowing full well that this was just the beginning.
Anrokuzan would have sensed the destruction of his puppet. There was no doubt he would send more after us. We were being hunted, and the realization hit me with a cold certainty. We couldn't afford to be reckless; every decision now would be a matter of life and death.
The remaining clone stood by my side, his expression equally determined. Together, we prepared for what was to come. I formed a Chidori in my hand, the crackling energy illuminating the dark alleyway with a harsh, blue light. The clone mirrored my actions, his Chidori sparking to life, ready to strike down any threat that came our way.
As we pressed forward, the main group continued to move swiftly through the city, led by the other two clones. They navigated the labyrinthine streets, taking hidden paths and shortcuts that would hopefully lead them to safety. The shadows of the tall buildings around us seemed to close in, casting an oppressive darkness that made every move deeper into the I like a step in Abyss.
The first real challenge came when a group of children stumbled over debris left behind by the earlier destruction. Their small legs were unable to keep up, and they fell to the ground, their cries of fear echoing through the narrow streets. The clone nearest to them reacted instantly, scooping them up with ease. But before he could move them to safety, more puppets appeared, their lifeless eyes fixed on the vulnerable group.
With a swift motion, the clone unsheathed a kunai and darted forward. The first puppet lunged at him, its bladed arm slicing through the air with a speed that would have been deadly to an untrained opponent. But the clone was faster. He intercepted the attack with his kunai, deflecting the blade and countering with a powerful kick that sent the puppet crashing into a nearby wall. The impact was so forceful that the puppet shattered into pieces, its mechanical parts scattering across the ground like discarded toys.
But there was no time to rest. More puppets were closing in, their movements synchronized and deadly. The clone moved with the agility of a seasoned warrior, dodging their attacks and striking back with lethal efficiency. At one point, a puppet managed to get close to one of the women, its clawed hand reaching out to grab her. The clone was there in an instant, his kunai flashing as he sliced through the puppet's arm, severing it cleanly before delivering a crushing blow to its head.
Meanwhile, the clone with the Chidori charged directly at the advancing puppets. His speed was incredible, but I knew he needed more. I quickly generated a small wind hurricane behind him, the gust of wind propelling him forward like a bullet fired from a gun. The air around him swirled and whipped, adding to the power of his charge.
The first puppet he encountered didn't stand a chance. The Chidori struck with devastating force, piercing through the puppet's chest like a hot knife through butter. The electricity from the Chidori coursed through the puppet, frying its circuits and causing it to explode into fragments, which scattered in all directions like vegetables in a mixer with the cap blown off. The clone didn't stop there. He spun around, his movements fluid and precise, cutting down puppet after puppet with his deadly technique.
But the fight was far from over. More puppets swarmed in, their numbers seemingly endless. The clone didn't falter, even as the odds stacked against him. He ducked under a puppet's swipe, his Chidori slashing across its torso in one smooth motion. The puppet staggered back, sparks flying from the gaping wound before it collapsed in a heap.
Another puppet tried to attack from above, its bladed arm raised high. The clone leaped into the air, meeting it head-on. The Chidori struck with pinpoint accuracy, piercing through the puppet's head and tearing it apart before it could even react. The clone landed gracefully, only to be immediately surrounded by more enemies.
Despite the overwhelming odds, the clone fought with a level of precision and ferocity that only a seasoned warrior could muster. He spun, kicked, and slashed, his movements a blur of motion. Each attack was calculated, each strike deadly. One puppet managed to get in close, but the clone twisted around it, his Chidori carving a path through its midsection and sending it crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks.
But the sheer number of enemies began to take its toll. The clone could feel the strain, the Chidori in his hand flickering slightly as his chakra reserves dwindled. He knew he couldn't keep this up forever.
As the battle raged on, the other clones continued to lead the citizens toward safety. The escape was perilous, but every second bought by the fighting clone brought them closer to freedom. At one point, they encountered a collapsed building blocking their path. The clone quickly assessed the situation and, with a surge of chakra, leaped over the rubble, carrying the children with him. The women followed, their steps unsteady but determined.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the main group reached the city exit. The large gates loomed ahead, a beacon of hope in the otherwise dire situation. But as they approached, more puppets appeared, blocking the way. The clone didn't hesitate. He threw himself into the fray, his kunai flashing as he cut down the enemies in their path.
But the fight was far from over. The puppets were relentless, and the group's path to freedom was still uncertain. With the puppets closing in from all sides, the battle was only beginning. I knew that I had to give them more time, more distance between them and the danger that pursued us.