"This technique is called 'Orochinagi: Youth Edition.'" Cloud muttered to himself.
He had refined the form of "Orochinagi" using the power of the Kusanagi Flame in an ingenious way, controlling the power to just the right level—sufficient for large-scale clearing without affecting the distant castle itself.
"Go forth—burn me a path!"
Cloud shouted, thrusting his right palm forward!
BOOM—!!!
A massive fan-shaped shockwave of golden flame, over twenty meters in diameter, roared forth like the wrath of a sun god, sweeping across the land before them!
The scene was spectacular beyond words!
Wherever the flames touched, whether low-level spirits or thick-skinned minotaurs, they were vaporized and evaporated instantly upon contact—not even time for a scream!
A scorched black "absolute safe zone" stretching several kilometers long and nearly a hundred meters wide was burned straight through the center of the monster legion, leading directly to the gates of Amakusa Castle!
One strike—burning ten thousand demons to ash!
"..."
Dead silence.
Everyone stood as if frozen by a spell, staring blankly at the still-smoking "VIP path," minds completely blank.
"Did... did I just see things?" a ronin murmured.
"Is... is this something a human can do? This is divine punishment!"
"Mommy, I want to go home..."
Haohmaru's jaw dropped, his sake gourd clattering to the ground, wine spilling everywhere without him noticing.
He felt like his prized "Tenha Fuujin Zan" was nothing but a child's toy compared to this.
For the first time, an expression called "fear" appeared on Genjuro's face. He silently picked up his sword, deciding never to casually challenge Cloud to a "duel" again.
Ukyo instinctively touched his chest, grateful he hadn't been stubborn to the bitter end back then.
Only Nakoruru wore an "as expected" expression.
In the KOF world, she'd personally witnessed Cloud doing even more outrageous things. This was just a light drizzle.
Ahem. Cloud lowered his hand as if he'd just done something trivial. "Path's open. What are you all standing around for? Waiting for the monsters to walk over and let you cut them? The buffet is open—go grab your share!"
"Oh... ohhhh!!"
"Charge!"
"For the Alliance Leader!"
The startled crowd erupted in unprecedented frenzied cheers, charging down that "VIP path" like they'd been injected with adrenaline, howling as they rushed toward Amakusa Castle. Morale had been cranked up to 1000%!
Watching their charging backs, Cloud nodded with satisfaction.
"Rimu, you go too." He turned to Rimururu beside him. "Stay close to your sister, and be careful. This is a test for you, and also a chance to grow."
"I... I..." Rimururu was still processing the shock of that world-destroying technique, her little face pale.
"Don't be afraid." Cloud patted her head, his tone gentle. "With me here, no one can hurt you. Go on, let those ugly monsters see what the ice sprite of our Divine Village can do."
This gentle encouragement, contrasting so sharply with that domineering display moments ago, created an intense gap that made Rimururu's heart pound uncontrollably.
"...Mm!" She nodded firmly, gathered her courage, and hurried to catch up with Nakoruru.
Having arranged everything, Cloud looked up at the top of the floating demon castle.
He could feel a powerful, malevolent gaze watching him from there.
"Alright, the small fry are cleared. Time to meet the BOSS."
Cloud's figure vanished from the spot instantly.
...
Inside Amakusa Castle, chaos reigned.
In the East, the "frenemies" Haohmaru and Genjuro had launched into a frenzied "kill competition," blade light and sword shadows flying, blood and flesh scattering.
In the West, Ukyo and Jubei were performing "the art of swordsmanship"—every strike precise, elegant, and deadly.
In the South, Gaira stood like a mobile fortress, drawing all fire, while Galford and his ninja dog Poppy buzzed around like the most annoying flies, shooting lightning and throwing shuriken everywhere, driving the monsters crazy.
The worst off was the North. Hanzo's ninja squad appeared and disappeared like wraiths, silent reapers harvesting monster lives in the darkness.
And our Rimururu, protected by her sister Nakoruru, gradually overcame her fear.
Watching her sister dance with the wind, weaving through the monster hordes, purifying those corrupted souls, her own courage ignited.
"Spirits of ice, grant me the power to protect!"
She summoned her courage and released a wave of frost, freezing a lizardman that had tried to ambush Nakoruru into an ice sculpture.
"Well done, Rimu!" Nakoruru turned and gave her an approving smile.
However, at that moment, a massive spider-like monster hidden in the shadows suddenly dropped from above. Its eight razor-sharp legs, like eight scythes, stabbed toward Rimururu before she could react!
"Rimu! Watch out!" Nakoruru's face went pale with shock. She tried to intervene but was already too late.
Rimururu squeezed her eyes shut in terror, her little face deathly pale.
It's over...
At that critical moment—
"I said, with me here, no one can hurt you."
A familiar voice seemed to come from beyond the heavens.
The next instant, a figure appeared in front of Rimururu.
He didn't even turn around—just casually threw a punch backward.
"Haoh Shoukou Ken!"
BOOM!
A massive energy sphere composed of golden "qi" exploded from his fist, slamming squarely into the spider monster.
The truck-sized monster didn't even have time to screech before being blasted into a rain of flesh by that violent energy!
Rimururu slowly opened her eyes. What she saw was that mountain-like, dependable back.
...
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