Chapter 953: Chapter 55: Declaration of War (Part 2)
Maki felt he should take the upcoming battle seriously rather than continue to underestimate and demean the military leadership of the Land of Demons from a purely strategic standpoint.
Thus, the latter half of the night passed very quietly.
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Before the sun rose, the troops under Ayane stationed in the great forest of the Land of Demons had already risen early to avoid wasting the early morning air raid time and began to enjoy their breakfast.
The fifty ninjas responsible for the morning air raid were now uniformly seated inside a makeshift tent, sitting in front of their designated dining spots. Each spot had fresh white bread, jam, salad, milk, and hot canned meat, making for a rather rich and nutritionally balanced meal.
They quickly devoured the food and then headed to the warehouse, picked up the aircraft with their assigned numbers, strapped it on their backs, pulled the switches, making their backs fit snugly against the aircraft, as if they were one.
Their body’s meridian system also resonated with the functional system within the aircraft, making it easier for them to control these flying devices.
Then they proceeded to the launch platform.
It was a small, silver-white metallic plaza laid out on the ground, having a mechanical texture.
There were five flight tracks set up on the plaza. At the start of each track, there was a large metal launcher attached to the track, which could supply energy to the aircraft that lost power, maximizing their energy replenishment in the shortest time.
Fifty people needed to be launched in ten batches.
Without much hesitation, the ninjas of the Land of Demons equipped with the flying devices stabilized themselves on the launchers. The roaring sound of machinery and air whispered in their ears—although not loud, it made those who heard it feel a slight tremor throughout their bodies.
As their silhouettes were launched like lightning from the launchers, sparks and currents appeared on the track, and those figures vanished from the track, beginning their ascent into the high skies.
A gentle airflow swirled around the aircraft. Assisted by the ninja’s robust physique, the violent friction with the atmosphere was barely noticeable, almost painless.
Each pilot who ascended into the high skies then adjusted their posture, skillfully balancing themselves in the air. The entire maneuver, a high-difficulty operation, was completed in under three seconds.
This balancing technique was something they had already mastered during their training, not requiring much thought to execute, like an instinct engraved in their bodies.
At this time, the first rays of sunlight also rose in the east.
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Nibbling on somewhat cold and hard rice balls or having Soldier Rations Pills to fill their stomachs, the less time the Hidden Sand troops spent eating, the better when isolated and far away.
Last night’s air raid had already shattered their traditional perception of ninja combat, leaving a profound psychological scar.
Although the Hidden Sand showed impressive fighting spirit against that air raid, it could only be considered an even battle, ultimately succeeding in repelling the aerial battalion from the Land of Demons.
To prepare for another possible air raid at any moment, naturally, dining time became more compact.
Although the taste of rice balls and Soldier Rations Pills wasn’t particularly enjoyable, they could quickly fill one up, leaving no room for other considerations.
Most importantly, they couldn’t leave Windmill Town, their ’shelter’, at this time.
If they lost the cover of structures within Windmill Town, on the vast plains, their formations could easily be disrupted by the air forces of the Land of Demons, making them live targets in the sky.
This is why Maki chose not to withdraw but to hold Windmill Town firmly.
With the advantage of Windmill Town’s covers, they could still contend with the air combat forces of the Land of Demons, and losing such advantageous terrain would be catastrophic.
Moreover, after last night’s air raid by the Land of Demons, Maki had grasped their air combat capabilities. Though their firepower was fierce, it was not unbeatable.
As long as they effectively utilized nearby covers, the enemy’s bombing capability could be significantly reduced.
While most Hidden Sand ninjas were having breakfast, suddenly a familiar mechanical humming sound approached from afar, closing in on their ears.
The Hidden Sand ninjas quickly finished all the food in their hands, then moved to their respective positions, and looked up at the sky.
Sure enough, small black dots were swirling in the sky against the backdrop of the morning light, rapidly closing in on the skies above Windmill Town.
Through the reports from the Perception Ninjas, Maki also learned that the morning raid from the Land of Demons consisted of the same fifty personnel as last night.
Maki frowned, for some reason, feeling that something was not quite right.
But at this moment, he didn’t have time to think much, immediately connecting via radio to organize the combat-ready Hidden Sand Ninja to launch arrows carrying explosive tags into the sky.
The combat scene mirrored that of last night, the difference being that the Hidden Sand’s response was more acute than the previous night, and Maki grew increasingly adept at commanding the Hidden Sand ninjas in battle.
Once familiar with the enemy’s attack pattern, all that remained was to find the gaps in the opposing formations.
As Maki looked at the fifty ninjas of the Land of Demons circling in the sky, the tension in his heart slightly eased.
A hole opened on the lower side of the aircraft’s flank, the dark glow exuding a cold aura.
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