Chapter 54 - Battle Against the Soldiers

The village square was in chaos as General Gao's soldiers charged in, armored boots stomping against the dirt roads. There were at least thirty of them, each armed with spears and swords. Villagers screamed, running for cover as the troops swung their weapons, knocking over market stalls and tearing through anything in their way.

Raiden cracked his knuckles and stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Looks like we'll have to handle this ourselves."

Shinjiro grinned, stretching his arms. "I was getting bored anyway."

Ash nodded, fists tightening. "Let's end this quick."

Raiden vs. the Soldiers

One of the soldiers lunged at Raiden with a spear, but before the weapon could reach him, green lightning surged around his body. Raiden twisted to the side and slammed his palm into the soldier's chest.

"Thunder Palm!"

A loud crack echoed as a burst of electricity shot through the man's body, sending him flying backward into his allies. Three more rushed at Raiden from different angles.

Raiden ducked under the first strike and spun around, his fist charged with glowing green energy.

"Volt Knuckle!"

He uppercut the nearest soldier, the force launching him off the ground. Without missing a beat, Raiden turned and fired a bolt of green lightning from his fingertips.

"Storm Shot!"

The energy blast blasted through the second soldier's armor, knocking him flat. The third man hesitated, eyes wide with fear, before turning to run.

Raiden smirked. "Too slow."

He snapped his fingers, and a bolt of green lightning arced through the air, striking the soldier's back. The man convulsed before collapsing.

Meanwhile, Shinjiro was laughing as he dodged attack after attack. His Monkey Monkey Power let him move in ways that didn't seem human. He leaped over a soldier, flipped in midair, and landed on the man's shoulders.

"Too slow!" Shinjiro taunted before grabbing the soldier's helmet and slamming his head into the ground.

Two more came at him, but Shinjiro just grinned. He extended his arm, making it stretch unnaturally before wrapping around one soldier's waist.

"Ever been spun like a top before?"

With a sharp yank, he lifted the man off the ground and swung him around, knocking down five soldiers like bowling pins.

Ash wasn't as flashy, but he was ruthless. When a soldier came at him with a sword, Ash sidestepped and drove his fist into the man's stomach.

"Iron Fist!"

The soldier gagged before Ash grabbed his arm and flipped him over. Another came from behind, but Ash spun and kicked his legs out, sending the man crashing into a pile of crates.

More soldiers surrounded them, but the three of them stood their ground.

Raiden cracked his neck. "Who's next?"

But before the battle could continue, a horn blasted from the distance. The remaining soldiers suddenly froze, their expressions turning nervous.

Then, one of them shouted, "Fall back! Retreat!"

The troops scrambled away, dragging their injured comrades with them. Within moments, they were gone, leaving behind a wrecked village and frightened villagers.

Shinjiro stretched, looking disappointed. "Aw, I was just getting warmed up."

Raiden frowned, watching the direction the soldiers ran. "This isn't over. General Gao is definitely sending something worse next time."

Ash nodded. "Then we need to prepare."