The sun hung low in the sky, casting an orange glow over the horizon as the Pillar Clans drew closer. Taiyo, standing at the edge of his territory, remained calm. His mind was already anticipating the coming battle. He knew the leaders of the Pillar Clans would try something bold, but he was prepared for any move they would make.
Rin and the others stood behind him, nervous but trying their best to keep their resolve. They weren't warriors, and they knew little of the ways of battle. Taiyo had given them only one task: to fortify their defenses and stay out of sight when the time came. There would be no need for them to fight. He would handle it alone.
"Master Taiyo, the scouts have confirmed it," Rin reported, her voice trembling slightly. "They're coming."
Taiyo nodded, his expression unreadable. "Good. Let them come."
---
At the same time, on the outskirts of the Eclipse Clan's territory, the leaders of the Pillar Clans gathered in silence. They were a formidable force—each one a master in their own right. Their armor glistened in the fading sunlight, and their weapons were as sharp as their resolve.
Among them was Kazuki, the leader of the Iron Wolf Clan. His sharp eyes scanned the area, taking in every detail. He knew they were walking into a trap, but there was no choice. Taiyo had challenged them, and to ignore it would show weakness. And yet, something about the way Taiyo had called them out gnawed at him.
"We're walking right into his hands," Kazuki muttered under his breath, but his words were drowned out by the eager voices of the other clan leaders.
"We attack at dawn," one of them declared, drawing his sword. "We'll crush this upstart and take back what's ours."
Kazuki remained silent. He knew better than to rush into battle without understanding his enemy. Taiyo was not like the others they had fought before. His return had been a shock to everyone, and the destruction of the Demon Beast Clan was proof of his unmatched power. But what concerned Kazuki more was the method by which Taiyo fought. Rumors of his Singularity technique had already spread, but few had lived to speak of it.
"If we're to win, we must act with caution," Kazuki finally said, drawing the attention of the other leaders. "Taiyo has lured us here for a reason. He's expecting us to strike, but we need to understand what we're up against first."
One of the more aggressive leaders scoffed. "You're overthinking this, Kazuki. He's just one man. We've got twenty clans at our disposal."
"And that's exactly why he's waiting," Kazuki shot back. "Taiyo isn't foolish enough to take on all of us head-on. He's planning something."
Before any further debate could unfold, a low rumble echoed through the air. The sound of footsteps—steady, deliberate, and powerful. Taiyo had arrived.
---
Taiyo's appearance on the battlefield was nothing short of imposing. Dressed in his simple black robes, a quiver of arrows strapped to his back, he moved with the grace of a predator. His face was calm, but his eyes burned with an intensity that sent shivers down the spines of those who dared to meet his gaze. He stood alone, unflinching, as the combined forces of the Pillar Clans assembled before him.
Kazuki stepped forward from the group of leaders, eyeing Taiyo carefully. "You're bold, Taiyo, I'll give you that. But do you really think you can stand against all of us?"
Taiyo's lips curled into a slight smile. "I don't need to stand against all of you. Just long enough to show you the difference between us."
The leaders bristled at his arrogance, but Kazuki remained calm. He knew there was more to Taiyo's confidence than bravado. "We'll see soon enough," Kazuki said, gesturing for the others to prepare.
The air grew thick with tension as the Pillar Clans positioned themselves. Swords were drawn, and qi flared up like wild flames. Taiyo remained still, his hands resting by his sides. He didn't need to make the first move. He was waiting for them to reveal their true intentions.
One of the more impatient leaders couldn't wait any longer. With a roar, he charged at Taiyo, his qi-infused blade gleaming as it cut through the air. The other leaders watched, curious to see how Taiyo would react.
In a blur of motion, Taiyo's hand reached for his quiver, and before anyone could blink, an arrow was notched and fired. The sound of the arrow cutting through the air was sharp and piercing, like a scream of defiance. In an instant, the charging leader was stopped in his tracks, his sword clattering to the ground as he fell, an arrow lodged deep in his chest.
The silence that followed was deafening. The other leaders stared in disbelief. They hadn't even seen Taiyo draw his bow.
"Impossible," one of them muttered.
Kazuki's eyes narrowed. "That was no ordinary arrow…"
Taiyo lowered his bow slightly, his voice calm. "That was a warning. If any of you still believe you can face me, step forward."
But none of them moved. The display of power had rattled them more than they cared to admit. Kazuki clenched his fists. He had suspected Taiyo was powerful, but this was something else entirely.
"You've heard of my Singularity technique," Taiyo said, his voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "But what you haven't seen… is the true form of my power."
Kazuki's heart raced as Taiyo notched another arrow. This time, the air around him seemed to shift, growing heavy with an overwhelming force. The leaders of the Pillar Clans watched in horror as the qi around Taiyo condensed, swirling around the arrow in his hand.
"Behold," Taiyo said, his voice low but filled with an undeniable authority. "Heaven Defying Arrow....Death Of Angels "
With a swift motion, Taiyo released the arrow. The sky above seemed to split as the arrow soared, leaving a trail of darkness in its wake. It was as though the heavens themselves had been torn apart by the sheer force of Taiyo's qi.
The leaders could only watch as the arrow descended upon them with unimaginable speed. In that moment, they realized the truth: Taiyo was no ordinary opponent. He was a force of nature, one that even the combined might of the Pillar Clans could not hope to contain.
Taiyo wiped out 98% of the Pillar clan's Front force, only 2% could go back and report it to the elders..
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