The air in the dense forest grew tense as thirteen ninjas surrounded Haruki and Yuki. Their movements were fluid, nearly imperceptible as they darted between the shadows. Haruki tightened his grip on his dagger, his eyes scanning their attackers.
"Stay close to me," Haruki said, his voice firm.
Yuki nodded, her hands trembling as she readied her wand. "I'll try to keep up."
"Try harder," Haruki said, dashing forward as two ninjas lunged at him.
Haruki met their attacks head-on, his dagger moving in precise arcs as he deflected their strikes. Sparks flew as steel clashed against steel. He spun to avoid a slash aimed at his neck, countering with a quick strike to the attacker's ribs. The ninja staggered, but Haruki didn't stop. He twisted, slashing across the second ninja's arm before landing a clean cut across their chest.
Meanwhile, Yuki struggled to keep up with the ninjas' speed. They moved like shadows, weaving through her spells with ease. One ninja closed in, their blade gleaming under the faint sunlight filtering through the canopy.
"Focus, Yuki!" Haruki shouted, darting between her and the attacker. He blocked the strike aimed at her with his dagger, sparks flying as the blades met. "You're leaving yourself open. Use your spells to cover me!"
Yuki gritted her teeth and raised her wand. "I-I'm trying!" Her voice quivered, but she summoned her courage. She pointed her wand at the ground, muttering an incantation. A burst of water erupted from the earth, forming a slick surface beneath the ninjas' feet.
One ninja slipped, and Yuki capitalized on the opportunity, sending a fireball hurtling toward them. The flames engulfed the ninja, leaving nothing but ash.
"Nice one!" Haruki said, glancing over his shoulder.
But his moment of distraction cost him. A ninja appeared behind him, their blade slashing across his back. Blood sprayed, and Haruki stumbled forward, coughing.
"Dammit!" Haruki growled, clutching his side. He turned to face his assailant, only to be met with a brutal kick to his face. The impact sent him sprawling, blood dripping from his nose.
Another ninja rushed at him, but Haruki rolled out of the way just in time. He wiped the blood from his mouth, his expression hardening. "Alright… no more holding back."
He leaped into the air, his body twisting with precision. "Angel's Assault: Rising Hurricane!"
Haruki spun mid-air, his dagger glowing with Zetsu energy. He came down like a whirlwind, his blade slicing through four ninjas in a single, seamless motion. Their bodies fell to the ground, lifeless.
"Four down," Haruki muttered, landing gracefully. "Nine to go."
Yuki took a deep breath, steadying herself. "I've got this," she whispered. Her wand crackled with electricity as she aimed it skyward. "Thunderstorm Barrage!"
Bolts of lightning rained down, striking five ninjas in rapid succession. The air smelled of ozone as the lightning pierced their armor, leaving them charred and motionless.
Haruki grinned. "Not bad, Yuki."
But before he could say more, a ninja slipped through the chaos, their blade grazing Yuki's cheek. Blood trickled down her face as she gasped, stumbling back.
"Damn it!" Haruki shouted, lunging forward. He threw his dagger with pinpoint accuracy, the blade embedding itself in the ninja's heart. The attacker fell to their knees, clutching the weapon as life drained from their body.
Haruki dashed forward, retrieving his dagger just as another ninja closed in. This one was faster, their fists striking with precision. Haruki blocked a punch aimed at his ribs, retaliating with a quick uppercut. He followed up with a spinning kick, knocking the ninja off balance.
"Hand-to-hand combat?" Haruki smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Let's see what you've got."
The two exchanged blows, their movements a blur. Haruki ducked under a roundhouse kick, delivering a brutal knee to the ninja's stomach. As they doubled over, he drove his dagger upward, severing their spine.
"Three left!" Haruki called out, panting.
Yuki wasn't idle. She pointed her wand at one of the remaining ninjas, her eyes narrowing. "Lightning Spear!"
A crackling spear of electricity formed in her hand, and she hurled it with precision. The bolt pierced the ninja's chest, leaving a smoking hole where their heart had been.
The last two ninjas hesitated, glancing at each other before charging. One of them targeted Yuki, their blade slashing through the air. She sidestepped just in time, her movements fluid despite her earlier hesitation.
"You're not getting me that easily," Yuki said, her voice cold. She raised her wand, summoning a torrent of fire. The flames swirled around her, forming a fiery barrier that forced the ninja to retreat.
With a flick of her wrist, the flames condensed into a fireball, which she hurled at the ninja. The explosion sent them flying, their body limp as it hit the ground.
The final ninja lunged at Haruki, their blade gleaming. Haruki sidestepped, grabbing their wrist and twisting it. The ninja cried out in pain as Haruki drove his dagger into their chest, finishing them off.
Yuki collapsed to her knees, breathing heavily. Her hands trembled as she looked at the blood on her face and hands. "I… I killed them," she whispered, her voice shaking.
Haruki knelt beside her, placing a hand on her shoulder. "It's not easy," he said softly. "But you did what you had to. You saved us."
Yuki nodded slowly, wiping the blood from her face. "I'll be fine," she said, her voice steadier.
Before they could catch their breath, the ground shook. A deafening roar echoed through the forest as the lion-tiger hybrid emerged from the shadows, its golden mane glowing in the dim light.
Haruki stood, gripping his dagger tightly. "Here we go again."
The chapter ends.