MTLNOVEL Chapter 361: Resolution
"How can there be so many? How is this possible? Unbelievable!"
High above, strong winds blew, bringing with them heavy moisture.
Aboard the floating craft, Michiru Mei was squeezed between Tao Yu and Sun Shiyu, her face full of shock as she looked down at the group of Colossal Titans below. They seemed to be moving sluggishly, but their pace was actually swift, and they had already reached the edge of Paradis Island.
She had agreed to impart the basic knowledge of Ninjutsu, as well as all of her own Ninjutsu techniques, on the condition that Tao Yu and the others would assist her in gathering intelligence.
It wasn't about fighting the Titans head-on, but rather about helping to plan their path to facilitate evasion and relocation.
For now, the Land of Water was unwilling to give up the lush land they had acquired.
Moreover, in Michiru Mei's view, helping Marley overcome this crisis could also be seen as a way to win people's hearts to some extent.
Hidden Mist Village was facing a similar problem to the new Development Zone; they were short of hands!
Even though the population of the Land of Water was not small, it would take a long time to colonize Marley, and currently, the land was easy to control only because the Tybur family and Marley's upper echelons had thrown in their lot with them.
Helping them with this Titan crisis was meant to win their loyalty.
"I have understood the situation, so please take me back so I can make the evacuation arrangements," Mei said.
Michiru Mei was a genius capable of mastering both Lava Release and Boil Release bloodline limits, and in terms of theory, she could be considered a top student.
While on the floating craft, she had taken out pen and paper and was quickly calculating.
She listed various formulas, simplified the map, and predicted a rough direction of their movement.
Just as they had flown back and landed, she called out to Tao Yu without waiting for a response, immediately summoned the leading Jonin, took out the map that she had already drawn with many markings, and laid it out to explain.
In this time of crisis, she displayed an unexpectedly calm demeanor, commanding with orderly precision.
This caught the casually looking-around Sun Shiyu's attention, her beautiful eyes lighting up.
A commanding talent!
That was indeed quite rare.
She didn't disturb Michiru Mei, waiting for her to finish all her arrangements, and even waited until Ao had taken the scouting platoon over to the water surface to monitor the Titans' movements.
Only then did Sun Shiyu speak up gracefully,
"Miss Michiru Mei is very capable. I wonder if you'd be interested in joining our gathering place."
Explore more at My Virtual Library Empire
There was no disguise in this headhunting, as sometimes directness was necessary in Abyss.
These words made Michiru Mei pause for a moment.
But no doubt, it was a recognition of her capabilities, prompting her to gracefully stroke her hair and smile,
"I appreciate Miss Sun's generous offer, but my life's goal is to revive my village, so I regretfully must decline your kind invitation."
"No problem, having one's own convictions is a good thing."
Sun Shiyu wasn't too concerned, knowing well that among the Chosen Ones, there were even more stubborn individuals, so it was natural for her to face rejection.
She even suspected that Michiru Mei might be a Chosen One.
If it were earlier times, when there were fewer or no Chosen Ones, she might have used some tactics, but now that there were enough Chosen Ones, there was no urgent need for more.
Chosen Ones are often stubborn, and a melon forcibly twisted off its vine is not sweet.
By now, Sun Shiyu had also learned about some situations regarding the Ninja.
To her, they seemed like perfect partners!
Even better than assigning tasks to Pioneers!
Currently, there was no unified currency, and the Shinobi Village did not demand Yuan Force like the Pioneers.
However, some usable Yuan Force items, or other similar resources, could be traded or commissioned normally!
Just like the three Martial Arts Worlds, they would be managed by the locals, but the Development Zone could guide the cultivation of Yuan Force plants and periodically harvest the Yuan Force that they couldn't use, while the remaining plants could still be eaten by the locals. Additional food or necessary goods could be given to them, harvesting with minimal expense.
For the Ninja, they would surely find the most suitable way to maximize value!
"I can't stay here for too long, are you going to follow me back or stay here to learn and come back later?"
Sun Shiyu tilted her head and glanced at Tao Yu, then lowered her voice and said,
"This woman is not bad. If you have the chance, lure her back, knock her out, implant a mental seed in her so she'll only think about your duck neck..."
Tao Yu was about to say something, but upon hearing these ruthless words, he was stunned.
Miss, are you aware of what you're saying?!
"Hmm~, alright, just kidding, no need to overdo it."
Seeing Tao Yu's dazed expression, Sun Shiyu covered her mouth and giggled flirtatiously, like a sly fox.
"I'll stay and learn for a while. Judging by the positions of the surrounding fragments, they're probably on the other side of the Frozen World 01 and if they continue in that direction, they'll also connect to Rainforest World 02. I will look for an opportunity to check out Rainforest World 02; their Ninjutsu seems quite interesting, and I want to see what else their world has to offer..."
"Good, the Development Zone is also focusing on Rainforest World 02 right now and is concentrating forces there. Shiqing and I might be stationed there to take charge, but we won't go too deep easily. You should prioritize your safety above all else,"
Sun Shiyu briefly updated Tao Yu on the latest developments.
After Tao Yu defeated the Water Dragon Bullet and rapidly used it himself, she knew that her little man's strength had indeed grown significantly. Not only was he efficient and lucky in mining resources, but he also had the capability to explore deeper.
"I'm really afraid of dying," Tao Yu said. "Could you trouble yourself to take Little Black over there for me? I need him."
"No problem," she responded. "Remember my words, you're allowed to think of her as a meal replacement, let her think of you and... mmm~"
Before Sun Shiyu could finish her sentence, Tao Yu embraced her and sealed her lips with his.
But the next moment, she was the one initiating the kiss...
…
Watching the wealthy young woman rise into the air and quickly fade into the distance, Tao Yu touched his lips, seemingly still savoring her lingering fragrance.
Even someone as formidable as her exercised extreme caution when it came to exploring fragments of the Abyss, only being bolder when coming to pick up Tao Yu. This showed that anything abnormal could happen at any time within the Abyss.
As a manager, she was responsible not just for her own safety but also for that of her family.
With so many resources vested in her, it was the necessary choice for her to make.
That's why she couldn't be away from her post for long. She and Sun Shiqing were like the Pillars of Heaven in the new Development Zone. It might be alright if they didn't show up for a couple of days, but they couldn't afford to be missing for long. Even if they did nothing, their mere presence greatly unified the Development Zone.
Tao Yu then picked up pace from the direction of the beach, heading toward the estimated route of the Colossal Titans.
Since he was there to learn, and to ensure that Himejima's teachings were heartfelt, he would help out as much as he could.
At this moment, Tao Yu also saw various fireworks signaling in the sky.
Given the current situation, it seemed that the Ninja World had yet to introduce radios during the Third Ninja World War, although the technology within the Shinobi Village was always so enigmatic...
Boom~
The most dazzling red fireworks erupted over the sea, which must mean that the Titans' tracks had been spotted.
"I have no idea how those things managed to cross the sea..."
However, Tao Yu soon discovered that these Colossal Titans crossed the sea at a speed even faster than their pace on land!
They actually swam over!
With the mechanical movements beneath their feet, they seemed to move rapidly near the water's surface, probably due to the similar density to water.
And because of their immense size and numbers, they stirred up huge waves, making them extremely noticeable!
Soon after, more guiding flares rocketed into the sky.
Whether Marley's own armed forces, joined by two thousand ninjas, could manage a timely evacuation remained uncertain.
"Do what we can, and leave the rest to fate..."
Tao Yu wasn't fixated on saving everyone, only doing what was within his power...
…
Rumble rumble~
Before the marching Colossal Titans, all houses were flattened, and even the most robust fortifications crumbled without resistance.
They appeared to be tireless perpetual motion machines, relentlessly moving forward.
Even as the ninjas from the Hidden Mist Village and Marley's armed forces rapidly evacuated the disaster zones under Himejima's command, they couldn't manage to evacuate everyone.
Still, many Marleyans met their end under the Titans' feet.
But to have gotten this far was already the Hidden Mist ninjas' greatest effort.
"It really is a force like a natural disaster..."
Himejima watched the line of Titans pass by with a somewhat dazed expression. One was nothing special, ten were not much either, and even a hundred or a thousand could be dealt with.
But tens of thousands...
There was a hint of sigh in her eyes.
They had done their best. The main issue was that some people were just too stubborn. They wouldn't believe in the danger until they felt the Titans' tremors themselves. Otherwise, more lives could have been saved.
"Don't worry too much. We've dealt with smaller Pure Titans before. Once they leave this world's fragment, they'll lose that regenerative ability and should gradually sink into the endless ocean,"
Tao Yu casually reassured, knowing that Himejima was worried the Titans might find their way to the Land of Water. But the likelihood of that was slim, the command had already been given...
"I thank you, Mr. Tao, for your assistance. Our previous promise still stands, and now I am about to return to the village to report, bringing the information about the Abyss. If Mr. Tao is willing to come with me, it would be more than welcome,"
First expressing her gratitude, Himejima then extended the invitation.
"No problem, I'd like to see the situation there for myself. Besides, I might soon need to hire your services to make my way to the World of Avatar..."
Tao Yu considered that he would likely need to use the ships and personnel of the Land of Water when traveling to the World of Avatar. If he could have a couple of elite teams along for support, that would be ideal.
Now that he could absorb the Qi of Heaven and Earth, adapting to the air in the World of Avatar wouldn't be an issue. It remained to be seen whether the ninjas had their own methods.
But even if they couldn't adapt, that was fine. It was meant to be just an added luxury. The main thing was to transport him there.
The reputation of the formal Shinobi Villages for mission completion was unimpeachable, and their discipline was high; they lived for their missions.
This was a rarity in other worlds.
As for the reward, the Life and Death Jade dropped by Shi Zhixuan was actually quite suitable. For ninjas who prized attack power but had low health, it was hard to refuse such an item...