Looking at the raging flames, despair appeared on the faces of everyone from Takigakure.
They had originally believed they were certain to win this battle, but never expected a complete reversal in the blink of an eye.
If such powerful reinforcements had already been killed, then they definitely had no hope of escape either.
It wasn't just the ninjas from Takigakure; even Kisame Hoshigaki, watching the battle unfold nearby, couldn't help showing some emotion on his face.
[Hmph... hmph... hmph...] As expected of the genius puppet master. Your tactics are indeed unpredictable.
After hearing Kisame's compliment, Sasori propped himself up and let out a light snort. "Precisely. Puppets are the eternal art. All who dare to scorn my art shall face the harshest punishment!"
What a shame... Mirai Uchiha must've turned to ash by now. I was actually hoping to make him into a Human Puppet...
Right after Sasori finished speaking, a mocking cold laugh emerged from within the flames.
Who said you've been reduced to nothing but dust?
The roaring flames parted, revealing Mirai Uchiha stepping forward slowly, enveloped in a blood-red form resembling a demonic god—Susanoo.
[Crack!]
With one stomp of its foot, the lower half of Sasori's body was completely crushed.
Seeing this, Sasori's eyes narrowed sharply, and his now-puppet-enhanced upper body began to rapidly launch various hidden mechanisms.
Senbon, kunai, flames, poison smoke...
The dense attacks surged forward like a wall, leaving barely enough space for even an ant to find cover.
However, facing this barrage of attacks, Mirai Uchiha made absolutely no attempt to dodge.
Susanoo directly appeared before Sasori and grabbed him tightly in its hand.
Such feeble attacks... Not even worth a flicker of interest.
As Mirai Uchiha spoke, Susanoo slightly tightened its grip.
[Crunch!]
A crisp cracking sound echoed, and Sasori's upper body was also crushed into pieces.
Once again, joy returned to the faces of Takigakure's ninja.
He's still alive!
This man in front of them is so strong. He didn't even sustain a single injury despite withstanding such attacks.
Since when did such a talented young man appear in the ninja world?!
After dismissing Susanoo, Mirai Uchiha held up something shaped like a jar—a fleshy membrane.
So this is the regeneration core?
It doesn't even have a brain, yet it maintains independent consciousness and produces remarkable amounts of chakra. And considering what Sasori said about puppets being eternal art, this regeneration core may offer a path to immortality through indirect means...
It's worth bringing back for research.
Mirai Uchiha coolly put away Sasori's regeneration core.
Orochimaru's team was still too small at the moment, and he urgently needed some research-focused ninjas.
Obviously, Sasori, Sunagakure's first genius puppet master, was a very suitable candidate.
Leaving aside everything else… Sasori was arguably the top expert in mechanical research throughout the entire ninja world.
It would be such a waste to simply kill someone like him.
[Ding! Congratulations, Master, on successfully obtaining the reward: Puppet Technique – Hundred Puppet Army.]
Ignoring the system prompt echoing in his mind, Mirai Uchiha fixed his gaze on Kisame Hoshigaki.
"Kisame, next up is you."
Upon hearing this, the shark-faced warrior Kisame raised Samehada in front of himself. "Never thought I'd actually hear my name from the legendary Mirai Uchiha himself. What an honor."
"But unlike Sasori, when it comes to one-on-one combat, I won't lose to anyone."
"Really? Then let me see what confidence you have."
Seeing the serious expression on Kisame's face, Mirai Uchiha lightly chuckled and began rapidly making hand seals with both hands.
Witnessing this, Kisame's lips curled slightly upward. "Water Dragon Bullet Technique again?"
"Using a water-style jutsu against me—how insulting!"
Correctly guessing the ninjutsu Mirai intended to use based on the hand seal gestures, Kisame immediately began making hand seals even faster: [Water Release: Great Shark Missile...]
Before Kisame could finish forming the final seal, suddenly a spear of earth erupted from the ground, instantly piercing through his liver.
Thud!
Kisame's body crashed heavily onto the ground. He stared at Mirai Uchiha in disbelief: "How could it possibly be Earth Release…"
Mirai raised his eyebrows slightly. "Water Release? What Water Release?"
Confused, Kisame asked, "The hand seals you just made were clearly for the Water Dragon Bullet Technique…"
He had studied Water Release techniques for years and was absolutely certain he couldn't possibly mistake the iconic hand gesture of the Water Dragon Bullet!
Hearing Kisame's words, Mirai suddenly looked as if he'd just figured something out.
He shook out both his hands. "I was just stretching my fingers earlier. Never actually meant to form any seals."
"So then, that previous technique…"
"Do you think ordinary people really use hand seals when using techniques?"
Mirai Uchiha lightly laughed, then clapped his hands together: [Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!]
[Water Release: Water Gun Technique!]
[Earth Release: Earth and Stone Dragon Technique!]
[Wood Release: Stocks Technique!]
"…"
After unleashing over a dozen different techniques in quick succession, Mirai said casually, "It's like summoning—you just say the name and it appears."
Finishing, seeing Kisame's utterly stunned expression, Mirai couldn't help laughing.
He had been wanting to pull something like this in front of the 'gullible guy' Kisame for quite a while now.
Reality proved his thoughts correct. Kisame's expression was just too priceless.
While Mirai Uchiha kept him occupied, Kisame had already regained his energy through Samehada's chakra absorption.
He stood up and placed Samehada horizontally in front of him.
"Shimatsuna~ There's no helping it!"
"You're too arrogant. In the middle of a battle, how can a ninja recklessly expose his secret technique like this?"
"I won't fall for your moves a second time."
After saying that, Kisame swung Samehada toward Mirai Uchiha. Mirai casually created a bone blade and began exchanging swordplay techniques with Kisame.
Once… Twice… Three times…
Kisame grew more and more excited.
It seemed Mirai didn't understand Samehada's nature, yet dared to challenge him head-on in blade combat!
At this rate, his opponent's chakra would soon be completely devoured by Samehada.
Drained Kisame couldn't help but sneer, "Mirai Uchiha, I've already told you—I'm different from Sasori-senpai. In one-on-one combat, I never lose."
"You must have already realized it by now—your chakra should be…"
Kisame suddenly stopped mid-sentence.
Spines extended from Samehada's handle, piercing straight through his palms.
Kisame lost his grip, and Samehada fell to the ground.
Then, Kisame heard a sound that shocked him beyond belief.
"Burp~~~"
Samehada actually opened its massive mouth and let out a satisfied burp—to everyone's shock!!!
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