The usually lazy-looking "Infinite Magic" showed little concern on her delicate face.
Behind her stood a beautiful blonde woman dressed in the ceremonial attire of a priestess.
She was the Fourth Seat of the Black Scripture — "Sacred Hymn."
A gentle yet powerful melody flowed from her lips.
As the song echoed across the battlefield, golden magical light began to shine across the bodies of the Slane Theocracy's knights.
Their strength and physical abilities surged dramatically.
With their power enhanced, the knights crushed the ninja shadow clones before them.
Under the cover of Infinite Magic's spell bombardment, they successfully closed the distance and engaged the Iwagakure ninja in close combat.
At the same time, the hymn strengthened the power of magic itself.
The blazing pillar of fire grew even stronger, reaching Morning Star-level power.
The water barrier that had blocked it earlier lasted only a moment before being completely evaporated.
The flames continued surging forward.
Just as the defensive line was about to collapse—
An elderly Iwagakure elder, dressed in red robes, suddenly appeared before the advancing flames.
He formed hand seals rapidly.
In an instant, he summoned a massive Earth Dragon.
The dragon roared as it charged into the fiery pillar.
The two forces collided in midair, producing a violent shockwave that shook the entire battlefield.
Seeing this, Infinite Magic curled her lips into a faint smile.
With the support of Sacred Hymn, her strength had already reached the level of an Abnormal — the Morning Star tier.
Within Iwagakure, aside from Tsuchikage Han, there were very few who could truly match her.
Raising her staff again, Infinite Magic continued chanting.
Another magic circle appeared above the battlefield.
This time—
A massive bolt of lightning crashed downward toward Iwagakure's defenses.
The ninja reacted instantly.
"Lightning Release — Lightning Shield!"
Hundreds of ninja combined their chakra, forming a massive electric barrier that successfully blocked the destructive lightning strike.
However, focusing so many ninja on defense created gaps in other areas of the battlefield.
Against the relentless assault of ten thousand magic casters, Iwagakure's forces gradually began to struggle.
Meanwhile, the knights continued charging fearlessly.
Their sheer numbers began to take a toll.
Even elephants could be killed by swarms of ants.
Soon, the Iwagakure ninja began to suffer real casualties.
"Tsuchikage-sama…"
The strategist beside Han spoke carefully.
"Should we continue using this as training?"
For a village like Iwagakure, which lacked deep reserves of manpower, some losses were acceptable.
But excessive casualties would harm their future recruitment efforts.
With the ninja world now increasingly open and connected through transportation networks and teleportation arrays, villages competed for talent.
If Iwagakure developed a bad reputation, foreign ninja would refuse to join them.
Even local ninja might leave for other villages.
But Han remained calm.
"Do not rush."
"This battle has only just begun."
His gaze fixed on Infinite Magic and Sacred Hymn, his expression turning serious.
He had fought the Black Scripture, the Theocracy's most elite force, once before.
They were not enemies to underestimate.
Carelessness could lead to disaster.
"Send in the Explosive Unit."
"It is time to show the world Iwagakure's strength."
The Explosive Unit was one of Iwagakure's most carefully cultivated trump cards.
Under Han's command, ten elite Jonin, each possessing power comparable to veteran hero-level fighters, leapt from the defensive lines.
Their target—
The two Black Scripture members.
Seeing them approach, Infinite Magic grew serious.
She swung her staff sharply.
A powerful magical barrier appeared before her and Sacred Hymn, blocking the ninja's advance.
The ninja immediately retreated a step.
Their hands moved through seals once again.
Moments later—
A combination of Five Nature Release techniques erupted across the battlefield.
The coordinated attack shattered the magical barrier.
Sacred Hymn's song suddenly rose in pitch.
At the same time, Infinite Magic rapidly cast several instant defensive spells, followed by magic designed to restrict the ninja's movements.
Just then—
A small young man in green clothing appeared.
He carried a slender rapier, stepping casually out from the side of the knight formation.
Without hurry, he thrust his blade toward one of the elite Jonin.
"Too slow."
"For opponents like this…"
Slash.
Before the ninja even realized what had happened—
The rapier pierced straight through his throat.
The elite Jonin died in shock, unable to use even half of his strength.
This man was the Second Seat of the Black Scripture — "Time Turbulence."
"Damn it!"
Han's eyes darkened.
Borrowing the power of the Tailed Beast chakra within him, he shot forward like lightning toward the battlefield.
Meanwhile, as one elite Jonin fell, Infinite Magic began casting lightning spells again.
Three elite Jonin quickly responded.
"Lightning Release — Earth Flow Lightning!"
Massive lightning currents surged from their hands toward Infinite Magic.
But more members of the Black Scripture stepped forward.
The Third Seat, a middle-aged man wearing a heavy mage robe known as "Four Elements," countered the attack with his own magic.
Together with Infinite Magic, he blocked the three elite Jonin and immediately launched a counterattack.
The Fifth Seat, a beast summoner whose appearance resembled Clementine, summoned more than a dozen magical beasts—each possessing power at least equal to Special Jonin.
The beasts lunged toward two elite Jonin.
The Sixth Seat, a heavily armored Holy Knight, wielded a massive lance and suppressed another elite Jonin completely.
The remaining three elite Jonin were targeted by the Tenth Seat, "Strongest Human," and the Twelfth Seat, "Heaven and Earth."
Within moments—
Another elite Jonin fell.
"Enough!"
In such a short time, two elite Jonin had already died.
Even Han felt a surge of anger.
A massive wave of chakra erupted from his body.
The members of the Black Scripture immediately felt the pressure.
"Tsuchikage-sama," a voice called out.
"Soldiers fight soldiers."
"Generals fight generals."
"Your opponent is me."
A long spear blocked Han's path.
Its terrifying aura forced Han to halt instantly.
"Boil Release — Unmatched Strength!"
Steam erupted from Han's body.
In an instant, his chakra reached boiling point, dramatically amplifying his physical strength.
His muscles expanded under the pressure of the steam.
When he threw a punch, the air itself seemed ready to tear apart.
His fist crashed toward the God-Kin Captain of the Black Scripture.
The captain did not attempt to clash directly.
But neither did he step aside.
He shifted his footing calmly.
The spear in his hands flashed like silver lightning.
It struck like a dragon, aiming directly at Han's side with incredible speed.
Han frowned.
He twisted his body sharply, releasing a burst of steam that pushed the spear's trajectory slightly off course.
Then he struck the ground with immense force.
The earth split open, forming a deep trench as dust exploded into the air.
The God-Kin Captain avoided the attack with graceful movement.
His spear withdrew like a snake—
Then lunged forward again like a tiger descending the mountain.
The spear tip aimed straight for Han's heart.
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