Shortly after Genjuro Kibagami joined, another unexpected "visitor" arrived at Kamui Kotan.
He was a handsome young man with blonde hair and blue eyes, dressed in American-style ninja garb, accompanied by a ninja dog named "Poppy." This was the ninja from America—Galford.
He'd followed Hattori Hanzo's trail here, and upon hearing about the "Amakusa Subjugation Alliance," decided to join in the spirit of "defending world peace and justice" (and wanting to show off in front of the world's strongest fighters).
Cloud naturally welcomed such volunteer "labor" with open arms.
With this, the "All-Star Dream Team" for subjugating Amakusa was finally assembled!
Alliance Leader: Cloud
Core Fighters: Haohmaru, Tachibana Ukyo, Genjuro Kibagami, Yagyu Jubei
Support Personnel: Nakoruru (navigation), Rimururu (ice mage), Kafuin Gaira (tank)
Special Forces: Hattori Hanzo (intel + assassination), Galford (harassment + cuteness)
This lineup was impressive enough to make any feudal lord tremble.
After two days of rest at Kamui Kotan, once everyone had adjusted to peak condition, Cloud finally issued the order for the general offensive.
"Target: Shimabara—Amakusa Castle!"
"Move out!"
The mighty procession departed from the Divine Village, heading south.
This time, with Nakoruru serving as a "human GPS," Haohmaru never got the chance to demonstrate his "talent for getting lost."
They swept through everything in their path. Any monster that dared block them was crushed like a mantis trying to stop a chariot before this "bulldozer" of elite swordsmen.
Finally, on the evening of the third day, they reached their destination—Shimabara.
What appeared before them was a scene straight from hell.
The earth had turned charred black, devoid of any vegetation. The air reeked of sulfur and blood.
And at the center of that desolate wasteland, a massive, malevolent castle floated eerily in mid-air.
Surrounding the castle was a dense, seemingly endless legion of monsters, swarming like a tide to protect the fortress at their center.
This was Amakusa Shiro Tokisada's lair—Amakusa Castle!
"Whoa, this setup is even more impressive than Rugal's aircraft carrier." Cloud whistled at the sight.
The other alliance members, gazing upon this scene that looked like the Demon Realm had descended, showed no fear whatsoever.
Because at their very front stood that man.
The man in the black martial arts outfit, whose build wasn't particularly imposing, yet seemed capable of holding up the entire sky.
Cloud's presence was like a steadying anchor, calming everyone's hearts.
They believed that as long as this mysterious, powerful Alliance Leader was with them, even this hellish scene before them would eventually be trampled underfoot.
The setting sun's dying rays painted Amakusa Castle and the sea of monsters below in an ominous blood-red.
The air reeked with a mixture of sulfur, blood, and resentment, so thick it made their throats dry.
The howls and roars of tens of thousands of monsters combined into a "demonic cacophony" that could drive ordinary people insane on the spot.
Yet in front of the Amakusa Subjugation Alliance's formation, the atmosphere was surprisingly relaxed.
"So, Alliance Leader Cloud," Haohmaru asked casually, sword over his shoulder, "what's the plan? Do we all charge in together for a center breakthrough, or split up for a multi-point assault?"
"Do you even need to ask?" Before Cloud could respond, Genjuro nearby had already flashed a bloodthirsty smile. "Obviously we go for the strongest ones! Whoever takes Amakusa's head is the greatest under heaven!"
"What's the rush?" Cloud waved his hand, adopting a "pre-battle rally" posture. "Everyone, first I need to emphasize discipline. This operation is codenamed 'Clean Plate Operation.' Our policy is: don't let any experience points escape, don't waste any drops."
Everyone: "???"
They didn't understand, but it sounded impressive.
Cloud cleared his throat and began his "tactical deployment": "Alright, jokes aside. The battle plan is simple—just three steps."
"Step one: I, as your brilliant and mighty Alliance Leader, will use a technique that descends from the heavens... well, a map-wide attack from the sky, to clear you all a VIP path straight to the castle gates."
"Step two: You, as my reliable teammates, charge down that path! The castle is divided into four zones—East, West, South, North—each guarded by one of Amakusa's four Demon Generals. Haohmaru, Genjuro—you two take the East. No fighting each other—compete to see who can cut down their Demon General faster."
"Ukyo, Jubei—you take the West. Use your technical fighting advantages. Gaira, Galford—you take the South. One tanks, one harasses. Everyone else follows Hanzo to the North to cut off Amakusa's reinforcements."
"Step three, the most important step." A confident smile curved Cloud's lips. "While you're enjoying the feast below, the main course at the top of the castle—Amakusa Shiro Tokisada—I'll handle personally. Anyone have objections to how we're dividing this cake?"
This deployment was logical, with clear division of labor, fully considering everyone's strengths. More importantly, the most dangerous, critical task was shouldered by Cloud alone.
This level of commitment earned everyone's complete respect.
"No objections! All hail the Alliance Leader!"
"We'll follow the Alliance Leader's arrangements!"
"Excellent." Cloud nodded with satisfaction. "Then here comes the appetizer!"
He slowly raised his right hand, aiming at the black tide of monsters before them.
Everyone held their breath, eager to see how this mysterious Alliance Leader would "clear a VIP path."
A golden flame began rapidly condensing and compressing in Cloud's palm.
At first, the flame was only fist-sized, but the energy contained within made the surrounding space begin to warp slightly.
Even Haohmaru, a pure physical fighter with little sensitivity to energy, felt a soul-deep burning sensation and trembling.
...
Get 20+ chapters ahead on - P.a.t.r.e.o.n "RoseWhisky"