Once the dust settled completely, Yukino and Narumi realized the extent of the destruction they had caused. In doing so, they had drawn the attention of the Water Nation's warriors. Within a minute, 40 armed protectors surrounded them, their stances firm and unyielding.
Yukino's eyes widened in shock. "How did they get here so fast?"
Narumi, as nonchalant as ever, shrugged. "I didn't think you were this thick. They're using a teleportation art."
"We're outnumbered! What do we do?" Yukino asked, panic creeping into his voice.
Narumi extended his arm toward Yukino, his tone calm and composed. "Grab my arm."
Yukino hesitated for a brief moment before gripping Narumi's arm.
"Teleportation Art," Narumi uttered, and in an instant, the surroundings blurred.
When they reappeared, Yukino looked around in confusion. "Where are we? And why didn't we just turn ourselves in? Now we're fugitives!"
Narumi rolled his eyes. "Do you always talk this much?"
"I just think being wanted by your nation isn't going to help us on our mission," Yukino shot back.
Narumi smirked, brushing off the concern. "So, where to next? Should we start with the Fire Nation?"
Yukino furrowed his brow. "I mean, it's close, but how do we even get there?"
"I've gone on missions to the Fire Nation plenty of times," Narumi said, his tone almost dismissive. "But there's this one girl there I absolutely hate. Ugh, just thinking about her makes me tired."
Curious, Yukino tilted his head. "What's her name?"
Narumi sighed, clearly annoyed. "Suki Hotaru. She's so serious. We ran into each other once on land untouched by any of the five great nations. I thought about buying her food, but she was colder than ice. We've met a few other times, both in my land and hers, and she's always the same—cold, like... colder than me."
Yukino suppressed a chuckle, thinking to himself, How can anyone be colder than you, Narumi?
Narumi shook off the thoughts and gestured ahead. "Let's keep moving. Anyway, we've got to get through the Eight Gates of Hell first."
Yukino froze, his face pale. "The... Eight Gates of Hell?" he stammered, his voice trembling with fear.
Narumi gave him a sideways glance, smirking slightly. "Yeah. Don't worry. It's only as bad as it sounds."
Here's the revised version with the correction:
After days of traversing through all kinds of terrain and weather, enduring sleepless nights, Yukino and Narumi finally arrived at the entrance of the Eight Gates of Hell. Beyond it lay the open land of the Fire Nation.
The Eight Gates of Hell was no place for outsiders. Intense heat waves pulsed through the air, and the path was guarded by the elite warriors of the Hotaru Clan, protectors of the Fire Nation.
As Narumi and Yukino stepped forward, ten warriors emerged from the shadows, their fiery presence a clear warning. One of them stepped forward, his voice stern. "Turn around and leave while you still have the chance."
Yukino hesitated, taking a step back. But before he could move any further, Narumi tilted his head downward, then snapped his arm out, blocking Yukino's path.
"You came all this way to my nation seeking answers," Narumi said, his voice low and intense. "Are you going to quit now? The only reason I'm helping you is because I have no home in the Water Nation. No one there likes me."
Yukino looked up at Narumi in disbelief, his heart heavy with the weight of Narumi's words. It was the most vulnerable thing Narumi had ever said to him. Without hesitation, Yukino nodded. "You're right."
Narumi's eyes darkened as he stepped forward, determination radiating from him. Taking a deep breath, he whispered, "Seven Seas Art of Kazumiki." But before the art could be unleashed, Narumi first summoned Jiao.
The great water serpent materialized, its coiling body and fierce presence dominating the battlefield. Narumi's immense Xyra coursed through his veins, resonating with Jiao. Together, they unleashed a devastating strike, their combined power overwhelming the ten warriors in a single, fluid motion.
Yukino stood frozen in shock, his eyes wide. "Who... who really are you, Narumi?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Narumi turned back, a faint grin playing on his lips. "Let's keep moving. It takes a whole day to get through the Eight Gates of Hell."