"This is the legendary Graal vein, with endless energy pouring into my body. This is the feeling of power!"
Aided by the Graal Stone on his body, Hyde continuously absorbed energy from the Graal vein. His previous noble demeanor had completely changed, replaced by a red-eyed vampire with black, vertical pupils, and several red spheres floating behind him.
Not only Hyde, but the three female knights also benefited. Those who were supposed to transform using the power of the Graal Stone found their bodies undergoing involuntary mutations under the nourishment of the vein's energy.
Among the female knights, Camila, whose skin was fair and features the most delicate, grew a pair of bat wings from her back. The ears, previously hidden by her chestnut-colored long hair, also transformed into beast ears.
Feng Wai, whose face had always been fierce, found her hands covered in fur, gradually showing wolf-like characteristics. Fortunately, her good looks had not yet turned into a wolf's head.
Rank, who was notoriously short-tempered, had directly transformed into a giant black ape monster. The armor he was wearing was torn open, his body enlarged several times, and his chest was like two large watermelons, the size of two Narutos' heads.
"What's going on? Why have they all turned into monsters?"
Naruto instinctively took two steps back, standing closely beside Sasuke.
The caravan elder, who was examining Timsi's injuries, said grimly, "They have absorbed the power of the Graal vein and mutated. Naruto, be careful, their strength is completely different from before!"
Bathed in the vein's power, Hyde opened his red, black pupils and sneered at Naruto and the others, "To build a beautiful ideal nation, please die with honor!"
Hyde waved his hand casually, and a vast green energy mixed with electric arcs surged towards Naruto.
"Careful!"
Naruto and Sasuke dodged, but as soon as they evaded Hyde's attack, Camila's giggling voice reached their ears, "Lord Hyde told you to die, didn't you hear him?"
Several air blades were swung from Camila's bat wings, their sharpness no less than ordinary C-rank Wind Style ninjutsu.
On the other side, Rank, who could no longer hold back, gathered lightning between his hands and, along with Feng Wai, who had transformed into a werewolf, unleashed lightning and sonic attacks on Naruto and Sasuke.
Rumble!
The stone chamber shook again, filled with dust and smoke. The ceiling also collapsed further, revealing more of the vein's core.
Ding! The "No Harm in Smoke" rule triggered!
A pair of crimson chakra arms suddenly extended from the smoke, swatting away all three female knights. Then, an arc of electricity flashed in the smoke, and a pair of scarlet eyes fixed on Hyde, who was flying in the air. With a flicker of his figure, he appeared behind Hyde.
"Chidori!"
Hyde's expression remained unchanged. He even crossed his arms, looking at Sasuke mockingly. The red spheres behind him instantly transformed into a retractable stone pillar model and struck at Sasuke.
Three black tomoe flickered. A red glow streaked through the air. The Sharingan's dynamic vision captured Hyde's attack direction. Sasuke's body twisted in the air in a strange posture, dodging the stone pillar's attack. The Chidori in his hand was then pressed against Hyde's chest.
In an instant, countless electric arcs coursed through Hyde's body. Hyde's mocking expression froze on his face, a look of disbelief flashing in his eyes.
How could this be? Just two little ninja brats, why do they possess such combat power?
Crackling, Hyde was hit by the Chidori. The metal armor on his chest was pierced, and his chest was charred black. He fell from the sky onto the ground.
"Well done, Sasuke!"
On the other side, Naruto, using the Nine-Tails' chakra, was crushing the three female knights. But before they could rejoice, a large amount of green energy overflowed from the vein and was absorbed by Hyde and the others, their injuries recovering at a visible rate.
"This, how can we fight this?"
Sasuke landed on the ground, breathing heavily. His chakra reserves were not as large as Naruto's, and today, after using Chidori and the Sharingan multiple times, he was nearing his physical limit.
Hyde, recovered by the vein's power, his expression darkened. He admitted he had underestimated the strength of these so-called ninjas, but it ended there.
"I admit your strength is not bad, but it's only that. You must die today!"
Hyde was a smart man. He knew where his advantage lay. As long as the injuries were not fatal, he could instantly recover using the vein's power, completely avoiding a head-on confrontation with Naruto and Sasuke and exhausting them to death!
The battle continued, but Hyde and the others changed their tactics, using the endless energy of the vein to deplete Naruto and Sasuke's stamina and chakra. The scales of victory seemed to tilt towards Hyde.
"Naruto, destroy the Graal Stone in his hand, otherwise he can absorb the vein's energy indefinitely!"
The caravan elder, supporting Timsi and hiding in a corner, shouted loudly.
"You old immortal, do you think that will work?"
Hyde did not hesitate. He swallowed the Graal Stone he had previously retrieved from Timsi's chest. He knew his advantages and disadvantages. This was an opportunity he had pursued for years, and he would never give Naruto and the others a chance!
The battle continued. More and more rocks fell. The Graal vein above was clearly visible, and the stone chamber was in ruins. During the fight, an instrument resembling a control console was destroyed by the aftermath of the battle, causing the entire stone chamber to shake and collapse.
"What's going on? Is that the real vein passage?" Hyde instantly understood and looked maliciously at the old man in the corner on the ground. This old guy was truly cunning.
Naruto and Sasuke also approached the caravan elder to inquire about the situation.
"Grandpa, what exactly happened?"
The caravan elder said in fear, "The key to the vein gate has been destroyed, and the seal has been released. The Graal vein is about to go completely berserk!"
Sasuke was speechless. Why didn't this old man explain clearly from the beginning? What a hassle!
"What will happen then?"
"Half the continent will be destroyed!"
"..." Even Naruto was speechless. If he had told them earlier, wouldn't they have fought more carefully?
It seemed this old man didn't think highly of them and was afraid Hyde would find out about the real vein key.
"Damn it!"
The vein's power continued to leak, and the entire underground palace began to collapse. Hyde and the others also felt the pressure. If they stayed here, even with the Graal Stone, they would die.
"Is there any way to stop it, old grandpa?" Naruto asked urgently.
The caravan elder shook his head, his voice lost, "It's useless. No one can stop the vein from going berserk. We will all die."
Timsi's eyes moved suddenly. He looked at the formations on the ground on the other side. "Since that's the real passage, what are the formations on the ground?"
The caravan elder sighed, "Those are formations for ancient summoning techniques, capable of summoning a rift in space and time, sucking everything within range into a bottomless void."
"But it's too late. The battle just now has damaged a corner of the formation. Even repairing it would take a lot of time!"
"How could this be!"
Rumble!
Rocks continued to collapse, and the Graal vein churned, as if centuries of suppressed resentment were being unleashed. The immense energy seemed to make the entire continent tremble.
At this moment, Sasuke pointed to the area closest to the vein's core at the very top and said uncertainly, "What is that? A woman?"
At the core of the Graal vein, space was torn open. A peerless beauty, her body covered by long hair, floated out of the spatial portal. Her beautiful eyes sparkled as she looked at the massive Graal vein core, unable to resist swallowing. She licked her lips almost imperceptibly.
So much food!
All for this baby! No, all for this empress!
Almost led astray by Lin Yu, Kaguya floated in the air, looking coldly at the people below. She said coldly, "From now on, everything here belongs to this empress. Who opposes?"
"..."
Upon seeing Kaguya, Naruto and Sasuke immediately became obedient children, standing properly in place. For some reason, every time they saw Kaguya, they felt a sense of oppression in their hearts.
However, there were still some who were not enlightened.
Rank, transformed into an ape-like creature, roared at Kaguya in a gruff voice, "Who do you think you are? Everything here belongs to Lord Hyde, and the vein was found by Lord Hyde. Just because you say so..."
*Splat!*
A fine ape head rolled to the ground. The cut on its neck was perfectly smooth, and traces of black flames clung to the wound.
*Tap, tap, tap...*
A red-haired youth walked out of the shadows, holding a pitch-black katana. wisps of black flame coiled around the blade, flickering occasionally, appearing exceptionally eerie and terrifying.
"So, you were the ones making all the noise."
Lin Yu's face was stern as he looked up. His originally gentle and refined features appeared demonic under the illumination of the black flames and the Mangekyo Sharingan. With another swipe of his hand, the speed was so fast that his movements were imperceptible.
By the time everyone reacted, Lin Yu was already behind Feng Wai, and a head with a look of horror was sliding off Feng Wai's fiery body.
The pitch-black katana was unstained by blood, or perhaps the black flames had consumed it.
But Camila clearly didn't care about bloodstains. Seeing the suddenly appearing young man point his katana at her, her legs trembled uncontrollably. Her delicate and fair face became pitiful. The armor, damaged by the battle, revealed some of her fair skin.
Camila deliberately lowered her body, hoping to show Lin Yu more. She said seductively, "Spare me, please. I'll do anything you want."
Lin Yu's voice was low and ethereal, "What a shame. Today, I am Lin Zhan Mei!"