Starting with rogue ninjas, building the insect kingdom.

Chapter 201 Naval General Dina

Aburame Shicheng flew high in the sky, hiding and watching from above.

As the giant ship docked, the hatch opened, and a female officer slowly stepped down. She was about thirty years old, wearing light silver-gray armor, with a rapier hanging at her waist.

Unlike the other soldiers, she had a gem the size of a chess piece embedded in her shoulder, emitting a faint chakra fluctuation.

"Lady Dina, is this the Sacred Flower Island?"

A young soldier approached, his eyes filled with excitement.

Dina glanced at him and said calmly, "This is Giant Insect Island marked on the map. Remember, this isn't a trip, it's a mission."

"yes!"

The soldier immediately straightened his back and saluted her.

Dina stepped onto the beach, followed by more than thirty soldiers.

They stood in neat rows, their armor gleaming coldly in the sunlight. It was clear they possessed sophisticated alloy-working skills, and they held exquisite swords, muskets, and cannons.

"Move forward steadily."

Dina unfolded a sheepskin map: "There are three objectives: first, to collect sacred nectar; second, to gather insect eggs; and third, to capture slaves. Rewards will be given according to the merits of our efforts upon returning home."

A soldier exclaimed excitedly, "Sir, I heard that if we complete this mission successfully, we can be promoted to noble status?"

Dina glanced at him, a barely perceptible smile playing on her lips: "The capital is short-handed lately. As long as you are loyal, the king will not mistreat anyone."

The soldiers were instantly filled with fervor, shouting in unison, "We are willing to serve the monarchy! We are willing to serve the monarchy!" Their resounding oath echoed across the beach, startling a flock of seabirds.

In mid-air, Shisei Aburame stroked his chin, carefully observing the group of people.

They had almost no chakra fluctuations, and their physical abilities were comparable to those of primitive people.

He had originally thought the descendants of the lost civilization would be stronger, but now it seemed they were only relying on giant ships, armor, and advanced weapons.

The gap that Shisei Aburame was referring to was not in terms of training, but rather in the most primal genetic and racial differences, much like the near-crushing difference in strength between a ninja and an ordinary person.

Dina put away the map and waved her hand, ordering, "Let's go!"

The soldiers marched inland in two columns along the paths trodden by the primitive people. Their steps were synchronized, and the rustling of their armor startled the giant insects in the trees, causing them to scatter.

"Lady Dina," a soldier couldn't help but ask, "I heard there are giant insects on the island?"

"Yes." Dina continued walking, speaking to them in a very serious tone, "So be on your guard. These giant insects have never been domesticated, and they are ferocious. In their eyes, we are just food delivered to their doorstep. Remember, all giant insects are enemies."

Upon hearing this, none of the soldiers flinched; instead, they raised their weapons high, appearing ready to risk their lives.

Unbeknownst to them, the giant insects had no interest in ordinary humans, only reacting to those possessing chakra; to these insects, the humans before them were nothing more than insignificant worms. The only ones who would truly attack them were those insects drawn by the Regel Stone.

Aburame Shigeaki saw it clearly from mid-air. These people were indeed well-trained; even in any country on the mainland, they would be considered elite.

But here, their leader wasn't telling the truth at all. They didn't know what was truly hidden on the island, nor did they know they were just cannon fodder.

"Alright."

He landed gently on the treetop, and the stinky bugs scattered silently: "Let's see where your confidence comes from."

The procession moved forward for fifteen minutes.

The forest grew denser, and the light grew dimmer. Thick vines hung down, and occasionally a beetle the size of a palm crawled through the leaves. The soldiers grew increasingly tense, gripping their weapons and looking around.

"Maintain formation!"

Dina whispered, "Don't panic, it's just a regular bug."

As soon as she finished speaking, she realized that the insects on this giant island had already mutated and were abnormally large in size; there were no ordinary insects left.

Before she could think it through, a rustling sound came from ahead, and everyone immediately stopped in their tracks.

The rustling sound grew louder and closer, and the ground began to tremble slightly.

Immediately afterwards, a huge tentacle emerged from behind the bushes, as thick as an arm, with dense downy hairs at the tip.

"It's...it's a giant insect!" someone shouted in terror.

The next second, a huge creature charged out of the forest.

It was a giant insect with a jet-black shell, over ten meters long, with three pairs of blood-red compound eyes on its head. Its mouthparts opened and closed constantly, emitting a piercing hiss. Several smaller insects, equally ferocious and terrifying, were also crawling on its back.

"Form ranks!" Dina shouted, drawing her sword, but it was too late.

The giant insect was incredibly fast, charging into the ranks in an instant. One soldier was knocked away, his armor dented, and he coughed up blood; another soldier swung his sword, the blade scraping against the carapace, leaving not even a white mark.

"How is this possible? Our weapons can't even penetrate heavy armor!"

"Fire! Use heavy weapons!" Dina reluctantly gave the order.

Just then, the giant insect suddenly opened its mouth and spewed a ball of fire at them.

"ah--!"

Heart-wrenching screams rose and fell as dozens of people were engulfed in flames.

Dina was also stunned. According to previous intelligence, there were no fire-breathing insects on this island, unless... these insects had mutated and evolved.

"Retreat! Retreat!" she shouted, and kept retreating towards the back of the crowd.

As she stepped back, fear began to spread. Some people completely broke down, throwing down their weapons and turning to run. This escape caused the entire group to instantly collapse.

Seeing that the formation was about to completely collapse, Dina gritted her teeth, turned back, and swung her sword at the giant insect's compound eyes.

The sword flashed with lightning, piercing her in one strike, splashing green sap all over her. The giant insect let out a mournful hiss, violently shaking its head and slamming her heavily against the tree trunk.

"Cough cough..."

Dina struggled to her feet, only to find the giant insect had turned towards her, its mouthparts open, and a stench assaulting her senses.

It’s over.

She closed her eyes.

The expected pain did not occur.

A few seconds later, she opened her eyes and found the giant insect frozen in place, its three pairs of compound eyes turning blankly, as if it had lost its target.

The other soldiers also stopped screaming and collapsed to the ground unconscious.

Dina gripped her longsword tightly and looked around again, but where were the giant insects?

Only a few soldiers who were still conscious lay convulsing on the spot, crying out repeatedly, "Don't come any closer!"

"What... what's going on?"

Dina was completely stunned.

"It's an illusion."

A voice came from above.

She looked up abruptly and saw a man slowly descending.

The man wore a wide, white-gold robe, his skin was as white as jade, and his long, light green-blue hair shimmered faintly in the sunlight. Coupled with the transparent wings that constantly flapped on his back, he looked like a god descending to earth.