Chapter 9

Ashidon and his team rose early and prepared themselves for the long journey. As they waited on the outskirts of the camp and watched everyone go about packing up Katto spoke up. "Are you worried about Sumari and the others?"

Ashidon sat beside Katto and idly played with the kunai. Katto's question brought him up short and he paused for a moment before he continued playing with the Kunai. He didn't speak and the silence hung between them.

"They are experienced jonin, you should trust in their ability. Things have been easy with your help, but don't forget that they have been doing this since the beginning of this war. So don't worry, they'll be waiting for us and we'll go back to doing what we do." Katto spoke with assurity, not at all doubting his words.

"I hope you're right." Was Ashidon's reply.

Eventually the commander appeared before them with his retinue. "We are ready, you may lead the way."

"Understood, as we discussed last night we'll coordinate with the other scout teams to relay messages back and forth as needed." Ashidon replied, he and his team moved out with other scout teams following behind them.

Ashidon's job was to ensure the path was clear while the main force advanced. They made good time and managed to travel a third of the distance in a few days. As they neared the end of their trip Ashidon thought on his progress thus far.

'So I've nearly unlocked all my core abilities. I have the IBM, which is just a clan mutation. Similar to the Kaguya clan's increased bone density and bone manipulation. Next, the ability to absorb souls and create constructs with them. The black ghosts, my main ability, though I should really find time to design other forms besides the crow. Then there's the void smoke and the ability to see souls. Just one more core ability to unlock and then from there I can get creative with what I've got.'

Ashidon smiled just thinking about the possibilities. He couldn't wait to further explore his limits. As he was deep in thought, he felt the connection he had with one of his crows suddenly disappear. This put him on high alert as that meant one of his crows was destroyed.

He didn't have any crows with him at the moment, only his two black ghosts ever at his side. That meant that the crows he left with the other team were fighting. Ashidon slowed his pace and considered the situation. After careful thought he looked towards Katto who noticed his change in mood.

"One of my crows was destroyed, I believe that they are engaging an enemy force."

"If that's the case we should hurry." Katto replied.

Ashidon simply shook his head. "We can't, the main force would be left without it's eyes and ears. Puting the main force at risk for possible ambush for one scout team is unacceptable."

"Then what do we do?" Katto asked.

"We are close to the campsite, if they are in battle that means that the enemy is near that site thus compromising the security. Here's what we'll do, I can track my crows location, I'll leave you in charge of leading the scout teams while I rush over to their location."

"Captain, you are the leader of this operation, you can't be the one to go ahead, especially alone." Katto objected.

"I'll take full responsibility, just follow my orders. I'll be moving out, inform the commander of the situation." Having given his commands, Ashidon rushed forward. He leapt up high into the air and was caught by one of his black ghosts. With a flap of its wings they shot off in the direction of the remaining crows.

The black ghosts' flying speed was tremendous as they soared through the skies. Ashidon focused on his link with the crows and the ghosts simply went where he directed. 'At this speed I should be able to make it to them in no time at all.

As they neared, Ashidon felt a sudden surge in power coming from the remaining crows. It felt as though they were being stuffed with power and he could tell they were near bursting. His link with them fraying, he urged the black ghosts to move faster. 'I need to hurry, at this rate the crows will be destroyed and most likely the team soon after.'

The black ghosts pushed themselves even harder, sensing their creators urgency. They made great time and Ashidon could tell that they were close. Just then however, the link with the remaining crows snapped. 'It's just up ahead.'

Ashidon had the black ghost that carried him release him and he dived towards the ground. He came in fast and he could see the battleground below. A decent amount of stone nin lay dead while his team looked completely haggard. As if they were on death's door. He watched the remaining stone nin draw closer to finish his team off. Just before they could he landed before Sumari. Without wasting any time he tapped into the power he had been storing and masses summoned dozens of crows.

In his haste he failed to regulate the flow of power and as the crows were created they shrunk by five inches but became more durable. They soaked up the IBM as it flowed out of him and the excess was used to bolster their abilities. Once they took shape they also became visible, however Ashidon was yet to notice this. At this moment his two black ghosts landed beside him and Ashidon commanded his crows to kill.

What proceeded next was a massacre, the stone nin were outnumbered and with the added strength of the crows they were hard pressed to destroy them. Not to mention the shock of facing an army of, to them, demons. The enhanced crows also seemed to fight with an entire order of magnitude ferocity that outright frightened the stone nin. Even Ashidon's team were unsettled by the unmitigated slaughter.

Ashidon just stood and watched, he was not one to go into the fray. He was physically weak so the best place for him was the rear. Still, he looked on with a cold furry, he felt nothing for the lives of these people. To him they were simply something to be destroyed.

So focused was he on watching the carnage that he failed to realize a single stone nin had escaped. So terrified by what he saw, the apparent glee of the crows practically liquified the bowls of the man. All he could think about was returning to his allies to report what he had witnessed.

When it was over and all the stone nin lay dead in various forms of mutilation. As if some macabre ritual, Ashidon finally turned to check on Sumari. As he reached out to support her she flinched back and fell. As she did so she lost consciousness. Ashidon quickly moved to catch her and gently laid her down. He looked at the others and spoke. "I made it in time, you did good work lasting this long. You can rest now."

With his words, the two men simply fell back in exhaustion. Losing consciousness the moment they hit the ground. Ashidon surveyed the scene one more time before gathering his team and heading back to the main force.