Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 576 - 490: Jungle Ninja

Chapter 576: Chapter 490: Jungle Ninja

"It might be a suspicious ninja gang," Seeking Shadow looked toward the edge of Xijin Town, at the cat forest.

"Yes, those ninjas are hiding in the forest." Mr. Inubei said with conviction, "Wait for me to grab some gear."

If they could eliminate the despicable ninjas, they would be better able to protect the colonel. With this strategy in mind, Seeking Shadow and Rinne, who was lurking, followed him to see how he would return to his own home.

Mr. Inubei tread softly, not wishing to alarm his family; he put on a tactical vest and swapped for off-road boots, then reemerged, a large machete at his waist and carrying two submachine guns on his back.

They set off again, Seeking Shadow circled around the edge of the forest, then turned back, ready to continue analyzing the information at the hotel. Rinne, in her adjustment module, set her courage value to full, only then did Seeking Shadow catch up with Mr. Inubei’s pace, heading toward the dark forest.

Under the canopy of unknown forces, and with mysterious enemies lurking, Rinne found the signal to the outside world was cut off, which made her even more uncomfortable.

The deeper they went, the greater the likelihood of being attacked by ninjas; the forest isolated all man-made objects from within, leaving only the gloom and dimness.

Ancient trees towered, bushes were everywhere, and vines twisted all around, like plant-made nooses, the trunks in the dead of night showing no patterns, looking like black pillars.

Forests of this scale were rarely seen on other lands. Rinne looked around and up at the umbrella-like objects covering her, well aware they were massive tree canopies.

It would take at least 100 years unbothered by humans for the trees to grow this much. There is no place for human bravado here, the depths of the woodland, so deep that even vehicles could not enter; they could only proceed on foot.

Cross-country hiking is a science in itself, with neither Seeking Shadow’s mechanical feet nor Rinne’s tender soles suited for quiet movement through the woods.

We should have prepared earlier. Rinne thought. But so many unexpected things had happened. For now, only Uncle Inubei kept moving forward, Rinne hoped he could endure more thrown darts and kunai.

"...The forest doesn’t exist," Mr. Inubei panted, recalling his judgment; by then, they had walked 1500 meters, just entering a corner of the forest, "Think we’re fools? How could such a big forest spring up overnight..."

People were debating the truth. Rinne thought inwardly. Either they gloss over it, believing the forest has been there for a long time; or they must admit that supernatural powers exist, awakening the vitality of trees overnight by some ineffable means. To Rinne, the latter seemed the better choice, as mystical forces had always been hidden deep in history, watching over human civilization.

Entering a mystical realm, they needed to expand their manpower. Rinne scanned the traces around them. Just the two of them and a former gang member would not be enough to confront the ninjas in the woods. A seasoned Battle Witch could take down ninjas, but their combat power still fell short.

Mr. Inubei moved through the forest, retracing the paths he had known since he was young, only now recalling them from memory.

All the environments he remembered had changed, leaving only the guideline in the maze of memory; he skillfully arrived at the clearing where he played with friends during childhood, which now had no large concrete pipes, building debris, or bodies—just trees, big trees, as he leaned against the damp bark of one, silent.

"Ninjas are nearby."

Seeking Shadow sent Rinne a silent message, having noticed some scrapes in the woods, left by rapid movement.

Rinne scanned the nearby signal sources, finding nothing, which was normal, as ninjas often cultivated their own bodies, not relying on implants to enhance their combat abilities.

Maintain silence.

Not a word could be spoken; now that they had confirmed someone was active here, they couldn’t afford to spook them. Seeking Shadow quietly sent a message to Nidelaide and Hosoda Yoshiyuki, asking for their swift assistance, while also sending Rinne Nestor Corporation’s internal reference documents regarding the big forest.

After receiving the documents, Rinne read them carefully, and her expression changed slightly.

This was too strange.

No matter what, she had to do as instructed, or her life would be at risk.

She moved to a tree nearby, knelt on one knee, bowed her head, and looked straight at the ground, while her right hand was raised upward; she softly uttered a few characters in Secret Script, part of an ancient ritual seeking forgiveness and assistance from the forest.

After she had finished the incantation, she could almost hear the prolonged breath of the forest.

Then the wind began...

The breath of the forest took the form of a gale, sweeping through from the night sky, startling countless birds into flight, their leaves rustling loudly.

Mr. Inubei looked around, his amazement growing; how could there have ever been birds in Xijin Town? Now they flew in flocks through the night sky, like a lucid dream.

"There’s definitely something wrong with this place," Mr. Inubei could no longer describe his feelings in words.

"It’s okay," Seeking Shadow reassured while keeping a lookout.

Mr. Inubei was silent, not fearing the forest but a great change.

Ever since Nestor Corporation’s victory, everything he was familiar with had changed. The New Xisheng Group went from the onset of conflict to surrender in merely 50 hours, and whenever people thought of this fact, awe filled their hearts—the awe of an unknown and powerful force.

If Nestor Corporation could so easily topple a major company, they deserved to be the rulers and controllers of the Northern Archipelago.

The forest too was a change brought by Nestor Corporation, whether it turned from a stinky ditch into a forest or vice versa. As long as its transformation exceeded the comprehension of ordinary people, it incited fear. Yet, the curtain of the times was being drawn back, and the affairs of the world shifted unpredictably, presenting an ever-evolving challenge for the small mortals living among them.

Thinking this, Mr. Inubei stared at the surrounding trees and suddenly paused.

What’s going on? Why had he left his warm bed, his recently recovered wife, had not gone to buy a new kettle, had not taken out the trash for the house, but instead came here?

He had once been wild and untamed, but once he had settled down and started a business, he suddenly felt a tie to this cold, despairing world.

Mr. Inubei gazed into the dark forest and suddenly realized—why risk his life searching for the truth of the forest.

"I understand now," Mr. Inubei pressed his nose bridge, "I’m terribly sorry... This forest has existed since I was a child. I really had too much to drink earlier, got confused."

Don’t give in. Rinne had intended to emerge from the shadows to persuade him. But thinking of the countless times she had also compromised, she dismissed the thought.

She carefully observed the deep forest at night, with danger lurking everywhere, and killing intent without limit.

Rinne suddenly missed Shijin Mansion dearly.

Imagine if she weren’t in the depths of this damp, gloomy, and mysterious forest, but in the office instead, listening to Mr. Web Monitor lecturing on those precious technical files while sipping on a frosty cola, how comfortable would that be?

Everything requires a comparison, now that she found herself in peril, Rinne longed for Mr. Web Monitor and the colorful O life they led.

It was at that moment that a shuriken sliced through the night sky, abruptly aimed at Mr. Inubei’s heart.

Rinne sighed lightly, activated her subjective slow-motion implant, and swiftly erupted from the shadows, brandishing a dagger to deflect the shuriken. It changed direction in the air and quickly fell into the bushes, saving Mr. Inubei’s life.

"There are six ninjas!" Seeking Shadow yelled, his night vision goggles marking several red threats.

"Be careful, Uncle!" Rinne activated her magic power and ran up the tree trunk.

Mr. Inubei looked up at Rinne, then toward the swiftly moving shadows in the depths of the forest, his heart racing—ninjas! He fired two rounds at their shadows, not hitting with a single bullet, and then he turned tail and ran.

They’re too close! The ninjas were approaching rapidly, using the dense vegetation for cover.

In the presence of ninjas with deadly skills, one must be extremely cautious, but they regarded the teachings of Shinobi Village as the rule of life, with no possibility of violation. Having mingled for many years, an array of experiences flashed through Mr. Inubei’s mind. He stepped back quickly while shouting in a hoarse voice into the forest: "Hello! Nice to meet you! I am Mr. Inubei!"

"Hello, nice to meet you! Mr. Inubei, I am Bubble!"

"Damned rookie! Don’t greet like this during a melee!"

"Yi Ya—" The ninjas howled loudly, their speed slowed, giving Mr. Inubei a chance to escape.

Rinne’s heart skipped a beat, too many, more than she had imagined, six of them!

She fired rapidly at them. The subjective slow-motion implant buzzed in her mind, creating a heavy burden on her brain, which also reduced her shooting accuracy. The bullets deviated upon striking their ninja armor, failing to hit any vital points.

Seeking Shadow heard their voices, a combination of two men and four women. He quickly climbed up a tree to use it as cover while gripping the Shadow Kill tightly.

A ninja in a purple cloak soared up with a strange Yi Ya!! cry, his flying kick aimed at Seeking Shadow. Seeking Shadow quickly sidestepped, then swung the Shadow Kill horizontally, and the ion sword cut the ninja in half. His hot innards and body tumbled downward.

He fell to the ground, with a louder scream piercing the night sky.

"Ahhh! Goodbye forever!"

"Damn it!"

"Kill them!" Angry at the loss of a comrade, the ninjas surged forward with renewed effort.

Doubling their efforts, the ninjas’ speed surged, and Rinne could no longer track them.

Rinne and Seeking Shadow stood on branches of two different trees, their vision limited, making it even harder to maintain balance in the jungle.

These merciless ninjas...! Rinne felt an enormous pressure in the silence.

"Umiriririri!" A strong ninja emerged from a blind spot in their vision, leaping down from the treetop, swiftly aiming a kick at Rinne.

Rinne activated her subjective slow-motion device, and the ninja’s movements instantly slowed in her eyes.

She had never seen such a good opportunity to attack.

Rinne struck fiercely with her dagger toward the ninja’s heart.

Clang! The blade collided with his ninja armor and could not penetrate!

Damn it! Rinne tried to distance herself, but the invincible ninja descended with a high kick aimed at Rinne.

Bang!

Hit by the strong ninja! She felt an unbearable sharp pain in her back, the neural circuits along her spine cracked, she screamed, spitting out a mouthful of blood, and was kicked from the tree, falling toward the ground!