Anya had just arrived at Konoha's border when she sensed an extremely powerful chakra fluctuation nearby. Activating her Sharingan and Spirit Transformation Technique simultaneously, she launched the Warhawk Puppet in that direction at high speed.
The spiritual form barely approached before being scorched into mist, warping the space around it. Through the Sharingan, it appeared as though a crimson dragon were roaring.
"This… is the Eight Gates, the Death Gate."
This was one of the most viral clips she'd ever seen on short-form video platforms in her past life—a rare battle that truly got Anya's blood pumping. It was a legendary clash that proved how perseverance could shine even in a world ruled by bloodline limits and raw talent.
What was that saying again? Once the cheaters and pay-to-win players were gone, the grindset king finally had his moment to shine.
So, is this Emperor Guy going all out? No, it's his father—Might Duy. The opponent really is them.
Observing remotely through the Spirit Transformation Technique, Anya realized what kind of battle was taking place below.
Faced with Might Duy's assault, Hozuki Kisaragi immediately used the Hydrification Technique to protect everyone.
But this usually effective technique suffered catastrophic consequences against the [Evening Elephant]. The water-formed body vaporized instantly under the impact of the red steam. Kisaragi didn't even have time to scream before he was erased.
This scene completely stunned the remaining six ninja.
Without hesitation, three who were hiding turned and fled immediately.
The remaining three failed to escape in time and stood no chance against Might Duy with the Death Gate open. At this moment, whether they were elite jonin or members of the Seven Swordsman of the Mist, none could resist—even the strongest fell after a single blow.
Still having strength to spare, Might Duy locked onto one member of the fleeing trio and charged straight toward him.
The one being pursued was none other than Fuguki Suikazan—the mastermind behind this attack on Konoha. Sensing the deadly presence chasing behind him, he immediately betrayed his allies: "Mist Anbu, come out now! Eliminate the enemy!"
Previously hidden within the jungle, the Anbu forces emerged as one and charged directly at Might Duy.
Watching from above, Anya muttered under her breath, "Braving the Death Gate and charging anyway—truly courageous. Fuguki Suikazan... You won't escape!"
[Evening Elephant!]
Might Duy's vitality was nearly exhausted. Facing swarms of enemies, he summoned one last surge of passion for this final assault. Each punch shattered the air like an elephant's stomp, sending seismic shockwaves rippling through space. As his speed increased, so did the force behind each strike. When he threw the final blow, the surrounding space twisted violently, and an overwhelming pressure left every Anbu frozen in place, watching helplessly as death neared. Before the actual wind of his punches reached them, their masks shattered first.
High above, Anya gave the Anbu a quick glance before preparing to chase down Fuguki Suikazan—but suddenly froze in midair.
As the mask shattered, a familiar face entered his vision. Among the Anbu ranks appeared Anya, her long crimson-brown wavy hair flowing behind her. Her tall, elegant figure left an unforgettable impression at first glance.
"It's that woman. Damn it, what is she doing here?"
If [Evening Elephant] had hit properly, even a Kage-level expert would have died — and she was far weaker than them.
In desperation, Anya didn't have time to think. Her Mangekyo Sharingan activated instantly, a massive black Susanoo enveloping her entire body, and a demonic blade materialized in her hand.
"Dojutsu, Setsuna."
Anya infused the massive chakra within her body into the blade, channeling the dojutsu Setsuna before hurling it toward the [Evening Elephant] blast.
"Boom... Boom..."
The black long blade collided head-on with the air cannon. The sword held for only a second before shattering completely. However, that one second was enough. Anya's Susanoo flapped its wings, flying at a speed that transcended space and time to reach Terumi Mei's side. She swiftly pulled her into her arms just in time to take the final blow from Might Duy.
"Bang..."
Cracks spread across the black Susanoo, on the verge of collapse. Struck by [Evening Elephant], Anya and Terumi Mei both spat out mouthfuls of blood. They spun backward through the air for five hundred meters before finally stopping. Terumi Mei immediately lost consciousness from the impact, while the rest of the Mist Anbu were reduced to ashes in that single strike, as if they had never existed in this world.
Might Duy, after unleashing this attack, had his life force completely extinguished. His body resembled burnt-out firewood, blackened and with ruptured blood vessels, silently collapsing to the ground and departing from this world.
Blood streamed from Anya's eyes as she coughed up more blood, easing the pressure in her chest. After regaining some strength, she stubbornly picked up Terumi Mei and left the battlefield.
Inside a cave near the border of Konoha, green chakra illuminated Anya's hands as she pressed them against Terumi Mei's chest, performing treatment. Although she had taken the final blow from Might Duy's attack for Terumi Mei, Mei's body was still severely injured, with dozens of broken bones and intense external trauma. Fortunately, she was unconscious at this moment. If she were awake, the pain would gradually creep in — starting from the skin, then the muscle, and finally deep into the marrow. Given the severity of her injuries, the intensity of the pain could be easily imagined. Yet, what was most agonizing wasn't even the excruciating pain itself since pain can eventually pass and heal. What truly tormented people most was the unbearable itch that came with healing — maddening enough to make you claw down to the bone.
The only comforting fact was that Terumi Mei was currently not in mortal danger — her life had been saved.
After completing the initial treatment, Anya reset all of Terumi Mei's fractured bones. With a chakra-infused scalpel, she carefully sliced along the collar of Mei's clothes, cutting away all the fabric. Purplish bruises appeared across her once flawless body, every injury clearly displayed before Anya's eyes.
Anya observed thoroughly without letting her gaze stray, then pulled out a medical scroll from her backpack and began dressing Terumi Mei's wounds from the head downward. Soon, she was completely wrapped like an ancient mummy, head to toe.
During this repeated process, Terumi Mei softly moaned, and her emerald-green eyes finally opened.
Her eyes fluttered open, and the first thing she saw was a man wearing a Konoha Anbu mask standing in front of her.
The scene from not long ago appeared in her mind. Terumi Mei clearly remembered that it was him who had saved her. A gleam flickered across her eyes as she spoke in a calm, cold tone: "Remove your mask."
Anya turned away, ignoring her.
"Oub," Terumi Mei shouted, "Don't pretend. I know it's you. Who else but a Konoha ninja would risk so much to save me? Don't think I can't recognize you just because you're wearing a mask."
"Ahh." Anya sighed, then sat back down, removing the mask. Beneath it was a smooth, fair face, long hidden from view. His thick, sharply arched brows lifted slightly. His dark, deep eyes contrasted with his cold, thin lips. Compared to a few years ago, he had become even more ruggedly handsome.
Faced with Anya's striking good looks, Terumi Mei found herself momentarily speechless.
Only then did she hear Anya sigh and say, "Now, besides spitting in my face, what else can you do?"
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