[Ajamu POV]
Killing the demons and monsters wasn't the real challenge—it was evacuating the civilians from the city. Not everyone was willing to listen to my shadows, especially the farther they moved away from the gate. I couldn't blame them; who would trust a stranger claiming the city was under attack and demanding evacuation? Some civilians had to be forcibly removed, and a few tricks were employed along the way.
But that wasn't all I had to contend with. The king of this country began assembling his army, regrouping and advancing toward the gate. Realizing it was impossible to evacuate the entire city in time, I ordered Uzu and his unit to use sealing techniques to lock down an area encompassing several streets around the gate. This would create a secure zone where my army could face the invaders without worrying about civilian casualties.
Most of my forces were still engaged in dealing with the endless waves of demons. It seemed the real enemy army was finally mobilizing, as the influx of weaker demons dwindled significantly. I needed to regroup and reorganize my troops into battle formations to prepare for the next phase.
Then there was Tsunade. Stubborn as ever, she refused to leave the battlefield entirely. She agreed not to engage directly, acknowledging my warning that these foes were far beyond her level. However, she insisted on staying close enough to heal me if necessary, ensuring I wouldn't fall in battle. No matter how much I tried to convince her otherwise, she stood firm.
Her determination baffled me. Why was she so willing to risk her life for someone she'd just met? She was undoubtedly remarkable—a great person, perhaps the only woman I could see myself taking interest in—but there was something mysterious about her that I didn't have time to unravel right now.
Once the initial wave of demons ceased pouring through the gate, I gathered my shadows and began planning our next move. I divided my army into five main groups, each led by Asura, Tobi, Madara, Gaku, and his wife, with two Commandments assigned to support each group.
As the demons emerged from the gate, I observed their ranks forming at the end of the line. The seven elite royal guards were easy to identify—not only by their overwhelming auras but also by their imposing stature and crimson full-plate armor. Each stood at least seven feet tall, reminiscent of Igris from the Solo Leveling world before he became a shadow. Each guard appeared specialized in different weapons or magical abilities, exuding an aura of lethal precision.
[Tsunade POV]
Watching the demons pour out of the gate, I knew immediately that this fight was far beyond my capabilities. The bloodlust emanating from the demon army was suffocating. But it didn't last long—Ajamu's army wasted no time allowing the enemy to fully form up. Jutsu after jutsu rained down upon them, showcasing every element imaginable. And that wasn't all—I noticed combinations of elements amplifying one another, creating devastating attacks.
Ajamu clearly wasn't underestimating the enemy. The demon army responded swiftly, their mages raising a barrier to absorb the onslaught. Though the shield cracked under the pressure, one of the red-armored mages stepped forward, his aura flaring momentarily. In an instant, the shield repaired itself, freeing the other mages to unleash their own retaliatory magic against Ajamu's forces.
[3rd Person POV]
Within a dome sealed off from the rest of the once-peaceful city, a fierce battle unfolded between two armies. Outside the dome, the citizens had been evacuated, while the kingdom's human army desperately attempted to breach the barrier to confront an enemy they clearly weren't equipped to handle. Inside, the first exchange of attacks had already taken place, and now the demon army launched its counteroffensive.
Suddenly, four powerful figures advanced to the front lines of the shadow army. They formed hand seals in unison and declared: "Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!"
The ground erupted with massive trees—abnormal ones that not only absorbed the incoming attacks but also surged forward, crashing into the demon army's magical barrier. The barrier shattered, scattering the demon forces and eliminating weaker enemies in the process.
This blatant display of power infuriated the Demon Royal Guard. Four of them drew their weapons, while others unleashed torrents of magical attacks. Fireballs and colossal slashes tore through the air, colliding explosively with the advancing forest. The resulting booms shook the battlefield as the trees—and the earth beneath them—were obliterated.
Or so it seemed.
Had the four commanders halted the assault themselves? Either way, the ranged exchange signaled its conclusion. From the rear of the demon ranks emerged their commander—a towering behemoth standing ten feet tall, clad in sinister, dark armor. His helmet radiated an oppressive aura, and the mere sight of him sent shivers down the spines of even his own troops.
His voice boomed across the battlefield, dripping with disdain: "To think the Demon King's army would struggle because of some measly trees." His words spiked fear among the demon soldiers and royal guards alike. "Advance! Kill them all in the most painful ways possible, and bring me the heads of those four and the Guardian. Or when the Demon King arrives, I'll inform him of the trash heap you call an army. ADVANCE!"
With that command, the entire demon army surged forward, led by the remaining royal guards. They plunged into the dense forest, heading straight for the shadow army.
Of course, this development aligned perfectly with Ajamu's strategy. By creating the forest, he ensured his ninja-based forces gained a significant advantage. That's why he instructed his four commanders to halt the growth of the forest once it reached the enemy lines—to draw them deeper into the confrontation.
However, despite the tactical edge, Ajamu remained acutely aware of the disadvantages his army faced. While he commanded strong powerhouses, the overall quality of the opposing army surpassed his own. Moreover, the heavily armored demons—many of whom seemed enchanted with protective magics—posed a serious threat, as his soldiers lacked experience fighting such resilient adversaries.
This left Ajamu in a precarious position.
[Ajamu POV]
Facing this predicament, I scoured my inventory for solutions to bolster my army. Fully equipping them wasn't feasible at the moment, but I found something else: magical scrolls functioning like buffs in games. These items came at an astronomical cost, but desperate times called for desperate measures. I purchased and activated several scrolls, granting my army temporary enhancements.
[You have used (Blessing of Strength), (Blessing of Intelligence), (Blessing of Agility), (Blessing of Senses), (Mass Bless Armor), (Holy Aura), and (Shining Weapon).]
[Temporary Effects: +150 STR, AG, INT, and SENSE; +300% Armor Effectiveness; +100% HP Restoration Speed for Player and Increased Hit Points for Shadows; Additional Holy Damage Added to All Attacks, Effective Against Demons.]
The effects coursed through me, empowering both myself and my forces. A 150-point boost in stats alone equated to a 25-level increase, and the additional holy damage coupled with accelerated HP restoration was ideal against demons.
Ajamu: 'This should even the odds and give us a decisive advantage.' Turning to my army, I issued my final orders: "Follow the plan. Do not underestimate your enemies. Maintain formation and SLAY THEM ALL. ADVANCE!"