The ground beneath the tall Midtown Manhattan building trembled violently, sending tremors through the underground chamber. Dust and debris cascaded from above, and the roar of collapsing earth echoed throughout the cavern. The army of ninjas surrounding Daredevil and his allies paused in shock, realizing that if the upper structure gave way completely, none would escape.
With a thunderous crash, the mud slab at the base of the elevator shattered. Gravel and rubble plummeted, sending the five leaders of the Shouhehui scrambling for cover. Several ninjas who were caught off guard were instantly crushed under the falling debris.
The defenders, including Daredevil, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and Luke Cage, watched in disbelief, relieved that the collapse was not as catastrophic as it could have been. Despite the setback, they knew they had to keep fighting.
At that moment, a figure appeared at the entrance of the newly formed chasm, descending with an eerie calm. He floated down gracefully and landed with an air of detached confidence.
"Who are you?" Alexandra, one of the five leaders, demanded with a hint of unease.
"Aizen Sōsuke," came the flat, dispassionate reply.
The voice was cool and unruffled, as if the speaker was discussing mundane matters rather than confronting a hostile army. Alexandra's gaze remained steady, but she couldn't ignore the odd calmness of the newcomer.
Xu Mo, disguised as Aizen Sōsuke, surveyed the scene with a hidden expression. He had used the Transformation Technique to conceal his true identity, knowing that his real self—an artist about to launch a new comic series—could not afford to be exposed. His comic, "Shinigami," was only in its initial episodes, with Aizen Sōsuke scheduled to appear much later in the series. Xu Mo's priority was to avoid detection by S.H.I.E.L.D. and protect his anonymity.
The arrival of the S.H.I.E.L.D. team, led by Natasha Romanoff and Coulson, was already in motion. Their presence was a game-changer, but Xu Mo had to ensure that he remained unseen by them. His objective was clear: assist the defenders without drawing unwanted attention.
Daredevil, whose heightened senses were attuned to the subtleties of the fight, recognized that Aizen Sōsuke was a pseudonym. He had seen the comic artist before and knew that Xu Mo was here to help. The Punisher must have played a role in bringing him into the fray.
Alexandra's eyes narrowed as she took in the appearance of the newcomer. "Dongying people?"
The term "Dongying" referred to Japan, hinting that Xu Mo's appearance was unexpected and foreign. Despite their initial surprise, Alexandra and the other leaders knew they had to react swiftly.
Ignoring Alexandra's question, Xu Mo moved forward with purpose. The ninja forces, armed with weapons like katanas and hammers, had already turned their attention to him. They aimed their weapons with deadly precision, targeting Xu Mo as their primary threat.
"It doesn't matter whether the dust removed is one or two or more," Xu Mo said calmly, his voice carrying a note of disinterest.
In the blink of an eye, Xu Mo activated Shunpo, a technique that allowed him to move with astonishing speed. He was suddenly in front of a ninja, who was caught off guard by the rapid approach. In a swift, fluid motion, Xu Mo's blade flashed. The ninja's weapon fell from his grasp, and he collapsed, unconscious and defeated.
The battle that followed was brutal and decisive. Xu Mo's katana sliced through the ranks of ninjas with ruthless efficiency. Each swing of his blade sent waves of sharp, precise strikes, overwhelming his opponents. The area soon became a grisly scene of carnage, with blood and dismembered bodies scattered across the floor.
The pungent smell of blood filled the air as Xu Mo continued his relentless assault. Within moments, a third of the ninja army lay defeated, their remains creating a horrifying spectacle. The crimson blood flowed in streams, a stark contrast against the dark underground environment.
"Life not commensurate with strength is just a waste," Xu Mo remarked coolly, raising his katana to flick off the excess blood. His demeanor remained detached, indifferent to the chaos he had unleashed.
The defenders, though momentarily stunned by Xu Mo's efficiency, quickly regained their focus. They had to make the most of this unexpected reinforcement. The remaining ninjas, still reeling from the sudden turn of events, faced a renewed assault from Daredevil and his team.
Outside, the night continued, with Natasha Romanoff and Coulson coordinating S.H.I.E.L.D.'s response. Natasha, her sharp eyes scanning the area, was ready to act. Coulson, alarmed by the appearance of the flying figure and the overall situation, prepared for further action.
As Xu Mo, the mysterious figure, and the defenders battled the remaining ninjas, the fate of Manhattan hung in the balance. The struggle below the streets of New York was far from over, and the combined efforts of all involved would determine whether the city would survive the impending catastrophe.