Coastal Waters, Land of Fire Border
Boom! Boom! Boom! The sky erupted in fiery chaos as explosive tag rounds rained down, their iron cores wrapped in detonation seals detonating with concussive force. Ye Liangnai and the Cloud ANBU scattered, their movements a blur as they leaped across the churning sea, dodging the barrage. But their small civilian vessel wasn't so lucky—blasts tore it apart, splintered wood and debris sinking into the frothing waves.
Ye Liangnai's eyes narrowed, his mind racing. They're targeting the ship. This just got messy. He vaulted backward, landing on a patch of water less ravaged by the cannon fire, his chakra anchoring him to the surface. The rounds that missed their mark struck the sea, sending geysers of water skyward, the shockwaves tossing several Cloud ninja into the air. Some vanished beneath the waves, their fates uncertain. All the skill in the world means nothing if you can't find footing.
"Damn it, they're aiming for our ship!" Orui growled, his realization belated but furious, his massive frame tensing as he scanned the enemy.
A chorus of mocking laughter erupted from the pirate warship. "Thought the Cloud ninja were hot stuff, huh? Just a bunch of overhyped landlubbers!" a pirate captain sneered, his voice carrying over the water. "Don't even know the first rule of naval combat: protect your ship. Pathetic—all flash, no substance!"
"Exactly!" another captain chimed in, grinning. "Keep the cannons firing! Multi-angle strikes—box them in, shrink their space!"
A commanding voice cut through the jeers, deep and authoritative, issuing from the rear of the pirate fleet. "Maintain pressure. Don't let up." A dragon-prowed warship emerged, its sleek design cutting through the waves. At its helm stood a refined man in ornate robes, his presence radiating control, his right arm bare and muscular. Beside him was a lean, rugged figure—Yuta, the rogue ninja they'd come to capture.
"Captain's here with his ninja crew!" a pirate shouted, the crew's eyes blazing with fanatic zeal. "Let's go, boys! Show these Cloud punks what's what—ninja ain't special!"
"The seas are ours!" another roared. "They're just sheep waiting for slaughter!"
The pirates' morale surged, their war cries echoing as they readied for battle.
"Yuta!" Orui's bellow was a mix of rage and recognition, his glare fixed on the rugged man beside the pirate captain. That's our target.
Ye Liangnai's mind worked quickly, assessing the situation. Yuta's cozy with the captain—mixing in high society, huh? No wonder the pirates won't hand him over. His chakra reserves were decent but not infinite. Taking out this mob wouldn't be too hard, but breaking through to grab Yuta? That's the real challenge. The pirate warships dominated the open water, their cannons and numbers a formidable advantage. And the captain—something about his calm authority set Ye Liangnai's instincts on edge. He's no pushover.
Orui, oblivious to strategy, roared, "You traitor!" and prepared to charge, his temper overriding sense.
"Stop!" Ye Liangnai snapped, planting himself in Orui's path, his eyes hard.
Orui's face contorted, his voice a snarl. "What's your deal, kid? Think you can order me around?" His fists clenched, ready to shove Ye Liangnai aside if he didn't explain fast.
Ye Liangnai's tone was sharp, unyielding. "Charging in now is suicide. You think you can just waltz through and grab Yuta solo? You'll be a sitting duck for their cannons." He gestured at the warships, their barrels tracking them. "Your defense is tough, sure, but without chakra, you're nothing. You gonna burn out and die before the real fight even starts?"
Orui's eyes blazed, his pride stung, but Ye Liangnai's logic was ironclad. "What's it to you, punk? Get out of my way!" He lunged forward, intent on bulldozing through.
A flash of lightning stopped him cold. Tian Xin appeared, his katana wreathed in crackling electricity, its edge hovering at Orui's throat. "He's right, and you know it, Green Beast," Tian Xin said, using Orui's codename. "We're a team—act like it."
Tian Xin's gaze flicked to Ye Liangnai, a glint of approval in his eyes. "Fire Style and Water Style squads, advance—target the lead warship. Everyone else, wait for an opening, then tear through their formation. Eliminate all hostiles."
"Yes, sir!" The ANBU snapped into action, their movements coordinated despite the chaotic sea.
Orui, fuming but cowed by Tian Xin's authority, stepped back, his glare promising retribution. Ye Liangnai ignored him, his focus on the enemy.
On the dragon-prowed ship, the pirate captain issued his own orders, his voice calm but lethal. "Don't let them use Fire or Water Style freely. Assassination unit, prepare to strike—show them our strength." Over a hundred ninja—none below Chunin rank—grinned wickedly, their bloodlust palpable. "Yuta, you and I stay ready to reinforce. They're only twenty-strong, but they're Cloud ninja. Stay sharp."
Yuta nodded, his expression deferential but smug. "Understood, Boss." His eyes scanned the sea, a cold smile curling his lips. "These fools think they can hunt me? They're centuries too early."
"Water Style: Water Shockwave!" Three Cloud ninja wove seals, and massive water columns erupted beneath the pirate ship, slamming into its hull with bone-rattling force.
"Fire Style: Fire Rain!" Four others followed, their seals summoning a crimson sky. Fireballs plummeted like meteors, aiming to engulf the enemy vessel in flames.
Ye Liangnai watched, his expression a mix of admiration and caution. "Impressive, but they won't let us have it that easy." His perception array pinged—a wave of rogue ninja surged from the pirate ship, their killing intent so thick it was almost tangible. These guys live for blood.
The pirates countered swiftly. A hail of reinforced arrows—coated in chakra for extra punch—screamed through the air, forcing the Cloud ninja to dodge or deflect. The rogue ninja closed in, their blades and jutsu ready to exploit any gap.
"This is gonna be a pain," Ye Liangnai muttered, his hand resting on his katana. The combination of artillery, ninja, and the sea's unpredictability tilted the odds against them. Time to get creative.