"It has begun."
White Zetsu gazed at both Nagato and Saitama, his voice reaching them both at once. A wistful expression crossed his face, as though mourning the suffering that war had inflicted upon the world.
With countless clones spread across the battlefield, he witnessed everything firsthand and learned of the outbreak of localized conflicts the very moment they began.
Today, Amegakure was free from its usual rain. Rare sunlight bathed the entire village.
Yet within its borders, all was eerily silent—no one dared brave the streets to bask in the rare warmth of the sun.
War loomed overhead like a dark cloud hanging over the lives of ordinary people.
Even though everyone understood clearly what this war was for,
when faced with it directly, an uneasiness still stirred deep within their hearts.
"Then let us prepare to move out. We will begin by eliminating any infiltrating forces within our territory."
Saitama glanced sideways at Nagato and found the latter staring coldly into the distance, the Rinnegan swirling with endless secrets in his eyes.
"Notify everyone immediately—proceed according to plan!"
After a long silence, Nagato fixed his gaze on White Zetsu, who stood nearby waiting for orders.
"Understood."
There was a hint of excitement in his tone.
White Zetsu then sank into the ground and vanished.
Quickly, changes swept across Amegakure Village.
Chakra in the air surged with new intensity. Distant winds howled louder, and the faint sounds of many moving bodies echoed through the silence.
The power of this village had begun mobilizing!
"Orochimaru's Impure World Legion is holding the Frontline Battlefield steady, buying us enough time to go after the Nine-Tails."
"The moment we strike, enemy forces will redirect their attention—we need to make sure the pressure on the frontline stays strong."
"Then let White Zetsu take the first step. End this quickly—today is when we get all the answers we've been waiting for."
Nagato and Saitama exchanged words, deciding everything within seconds.
After working together to defeat Black Zetsu, the two had naturally grown closer.
"No problem."
A flicker of crimson flashed within Saitama's eyes. Three tomoe gradually formed and began to slowly rotate.
A strange, pulsing energy rippled around him.
He had been longing for this day for far too long—it was time to bring all disputes to an end.
"I'll personally handle capturing the Nine-Tails. What do you think?"
Nagato stared toward Konoha's direction as he made the proposal.
"Do as you wish. I'll ensure the mission succeeds. Don't underestimate our opponent either, or you will suffer the consequences."
Saitama gave a slight nod in response.
Failing to capture the Nine-Tails during the previous invasion of Konoha had always weighed heavily on Nagato's mind. This time, he was determined to finish what he had failed to accomplish before.
As for Saitama, this was just a minor matter.
If he went after the Nine-Tails alone, he wasn't entirely confident he'd be able to pull it off.
But if Nagato chose to intervene, he would gladly clear the battlefield for him.
"This time, I won't hold back either."
With an extremely serious tone, Nagato threw out those words before turning and walking away.
His coat fluttered gently in the breeze, his silhouette standing tall and unwavering as he departed.
All of this will end soon.
Approaching it with unshakable determination—that is the mindset of a true victor.
Saitama didn't move, even though Nagato had already left.
Instead, he casually sat down on a rocky outcrop beneath him, gazing down at everything below.
That he had made it this far was not even something he himself had expected.
The level Obito had once reached wasn't something he himself might have definitely attained.
But now, after tremendous effort and sacrifice, he had not only matched Obito's strength but refined it further into perfection.
Simply put, he had broken free from being just someone else's tool.
To unify the entire Shinobi World, eradicate warfare and conflict, and establish a completely unprecedented order of peace—such a goal may seem impossible at first glance, yet there was still room for action.
As long as the person carrying this vision remained alive and possessed power beyond what the world could resist,
then through generations of gradual change, peace would eventually become the norm.
I've also got another idea:
Gradually diminish the overall combat strength in the Shinobi World, making sure that those who wield ninja powers could no longer ignore the will of ordinary people.
In such a world, although ninja abilities still existed, they wouldn't be enough to separate ninja from commoners as two entirely different classes of beings.
Therefore, global governance and development would become better integrated.
Of course, these were just Saitama's passing thoughts for now.
Putting them into practice required deeper and more thorough consideration.
But that's a problem for another day.
After all, gathering the nine Tailed Beasts wasn't complete yet, and one final great challenge remained.
The Sage of Six Paths still somehow existed in the world—would he oppose Saitama's actions?
This was a matter deserving deep reflection.
From Saitama's memories, although the Sage had died, he had merged with the chakra of the entire Shinobi World, achieving a certain kind of immortality.
And through the ongoing rebirth cycles of Indra and Asura, he indirectly shaped the entire evolution of the Shinobi World.
Even now, if he wished, he could step out of the Pure Land and return directly into the real ninja world.
"Still hanging around?"
White Zetsu appeared again, a faint smile on his face, interrupting Saitama's wandering thoughts.
Among everyone present, he alone remained relaxed, finding moments of leisure even in chaos.
His job was simply to connect multiple parties and share critical intelligence across key locations; he never engaged directly in combat.
For him, this mission was extremely easy.
"I'll leave soon. You heard what Nagato said earlier, right? Tell those White Zetsu Clones to prepare for action. Stir things up behind enemy lines and keep their forces occupied."
"Understood. They've already been lying in ambush and are ready to strike anytime. Plus, I've hidden within the enemy ranks several small 'gifts' capable of causing massive damage. When the timing is right, they'll launch their attack too, giving you the opportunity you need."
White Zetsu grinned widely, lips curling upward excitedly, clearly eager to issue commands and witness the ninja's reactions.
"Hmm."
After hearing White Zetsu's words, Saitama ceased his questioning.
Everyone in the Akatsuki had their own responsibilities. As long as each person focused on their assigned tasks, everything would proceed smoothly.
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave first."
White Zetsu glanced at Saitama, who was gazing into the distance, before slowly sinking into the ground.
Although he appeared idle, the tasks awaiting him were no fewer in number.
Unnoticed by Saitama, Konan stood silently in a corner, watching him with an indifferent expression.
Not long ago, Nagato's body had experienced some unexpected changes.
The life force that had been continuously drained for years from overusing the Rinnegan seemed to have mysteriously surged back—and even far surpassed its usual limits.
His physical condition had improved dramatically too, to the point where he almost looked… robust?
Such a word had never applied to Nagato before, but now…
Clearly, this had something to do with Saitama.
Konan's expression turned slightly complicated. She couldn't help admitting that her previous prejudice against Saitama had clouded her perception.
From their recent conversation with Nagato, she knew Saitama truly was a reliable comrade—one whose ideals aligned closely with theirs.
Then from here on out, we'll progress together.
A thought like that suddenly surfaced from deep within her mind.
Whoosh—
Her entire body transformed into countless paper scraps flying toward other parts of the village.
Her mission was to accompany the Amegakure ninja unit responsible for tracking down and eliminating roving enemies inside the Land of Rain. With Ame's ninja forces so weak, it was the only viable strategy.
And her presence alone significantly raised the ceiling for this unit's effectiveness.
Just as Konan disappeared, Saitama gave an expression of mild surprise in her direction. But all he saw were several pieces of paper fluttering through the air.
He didn't need to think twice—he immediately recognized that they belonged to Konan.
Regarding Konan herself, Saitama held genuine appreciation for this woman.
Moreover, her power could tip the balance of an entire war—making her a true nuclear weapon within the Akatsuki.
In some ways, she was even more dangerous than himself or Nagato.
...
"I heard Sunagakure has practically mobilized their entire force this time. Sasori, don't you want to go visit some old acquaintances of yours?"
Kakuzu and Sasori walked side by side, their footsteps squelching loudly against the muddy path.
Kakuzu's words clearly carried hidden meaning.
"There will be opportunities. But before that, let's complete our current mission first. The Leader's temper isn't as mild as he appears."
Sasori's delicate, handsome face remained calm, his amber eyes fixed firmly on a valley ahead.
Their task was to intercept the Konoha Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon.
Thanks to White Zetsu—an existence akin to cheating.
As soon as they entered the Land of Rain, the unit broke off from the Main Force. To them, hiding was pointless—like glowing red dots on a radar screen.
"We're approaching the location White Zetsu mentioned. Get ready for battle. Let's give these Konoha ninja a nice little surprise."
Kakuzu's mouth curved upward beneath his mask. His emerald-green eyes stared forward just like Sasori's.
"The enemy consists of about five hundred ninja. However, according to White Zetsu's intelligence, they recently split into dozens of smaller squads. Konoha really knows how to make the most of a surprise attack. I just wonder how strong these people really are?"
Sasori kept his hands hidden within his wide sleeves, his gaze gradually turning deeper.
"The captain first glanced toward the front before giving instructions to another nearby ninja beside him."
"A ninja with a tanto strapped to his back spoke to their squad leader."
"Jiantai, scout the situation ahead."
A ninja named Jiantai received the order and immediately raised his hand toward the nearby plants, and instantly swarms of insects burst out from his body, flying forward.
They were a full squad of four, each handling roles like combat, reconnaissance, and medical support. They could retreat or advance as needed.
This was also the standard configuration for a Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon.
"Very quickly, Jiantai received feedback from his insects and immediately reported the collected intelligence to his teammates."
"Animal activity naturally drops this season; this should be normal. Move ahead first, take cover in the woods to regroup briefly, then continue advancing."
After thinking briefly, the captain fully trusted his teammate's scouting results, then issued further orders.
Thus, the group of four resumed moving forward swiftly, like four shadows racing at high speed.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The forest was vast and thickly covered with foliage, so the moment they entered, the temperature suddenly dropped slightly.
The air carried a smell of decaying leaves, but for ninja, these conditions were already routine.
Hiss—
However, before the four could relax and find a place to rest, numerous [Black Threads] suddenly shot up from underground.
These dark strings appeared abruptly and were hard to detect due to their ability to blend in with the light.
"Watch out!"
The captain reacted first, quickly activating his Substitution Jutsu by flipping his hands.
Crack—
The threads piercing through his body passed through a wooden log instead. He reappeared on a branch not far away.
His shoulder had slight scratches.
He was the most experienced among them, which allowed him to react in time.
Unfortunately, the other three teammates weren't so lucky.
The chunin who previously identified the terrain, as well as the one possessing Medical Ninjutsu abilities, remained frozen mid-movement. Their bodies were pierced through multiple points by the black threads bursting from below ground and were then pinned helplessly to the spot like marionettes controlled by strings.
Blood dripped down the threads from their wounds while their eyes widened in shock at the sudden attack.
They died instantly — as if they'd never existed.
Compared to the others, the Aburame clan ninja, though slower to react, still managed to get struck through his shoulder and chest.
However, after paying a certain price, the Aburame clan ninja still managed to evade the ambush in the shadows. He transformed into a swarm of insects and scattered elsewhere, unlike his two teammates who died on the spot.
"There's an ambush!"
The moment he landed, his expression turned grim.
His insects had completely failed to detect any trace of the enemy—that was the most dangerous part.
Whoosh—
The squad leader landed beside Jiantai, joining him in scanning their surroundings.
"Heh, didn't expect you to survive that attack."
Kakuzu's voice came from the side, followed by his figure stepping out from his hiding spot.
That Black Cloak Bearing Red Clouds made the two surviving ninja feel extremely uneasy.
The true nature of the Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon was always unknown—just like now, as they faced an enemy whose strength far surpassed theirs.
"Kakuzu!"
The squad leader clearly had more experience and immediately recognized this Akatsuki member who had appeared.
"You're the seventh group I've encountered today, so…"
Standing in the shadows, Kakuzu was cloaked in darkness, making his emerald-green eyes gleam eerily.
"Run!"
At the exact moment Kakuzu started speaking, the squad leader took action.
Fighting such an opponent head-on would be foolish, especially since their condition wasn't good to begin with.
Shwoosh! Shwoosh!
The two fled instinctively in opposite directions, increasing their chances of survival.
"Wasted effort!"
Kakuzu also vanished instantly from his spot.
Just as his words reached their ears, his fists were already before them.
At that moment, the two had only taken two steps forward.
[Boom! Boom!]
Two loud explosions rose through the forest,
accompanied by the collapse of several trees.
"Ugh…"
The squad leader's chest was crushed inward, blood continuously spewing from his mouth. In no time, he had completely lost his breath.
The Aburame clan ninja also collapsed into a deep pit, swarms of panicked bugs hastily crawling out of his body, emitting piercing screeches.
With their host gone, they too would soon perish once the chakra inside their bodies disappeared.
"This much noise won't go unnoticed. Time to move."
After finishing off this Konoha squad, Kakuzu casually picked up their corpses and tossed them into nearby bushes before walking toward the next ambush point.
Supported by information from White Zetsu, he partnered with Sasori of Red Sand to set up ambushes at different entry points of this forest, eliminating the so-called Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon one by one.
So far, none of these opponents have posed any real trouble.
Though their skills aren't bad, against absolute power, they simply aren't enough.
After dealing with this batch, he planned to move again and continue ambushing the enemy.
Anyway, backed by White Zetsu's intelligence support, the enemies' locations seemed as if marked clearly on a map.
"I wonder how Sasori is doing?"
As he walked, he thought to himself.
"Captain Kakashi, the enemy seems to be an Akatsuki member. Should we retreat first?"
A Byakugan ninja warily signaled Kakashi while pulling out his tanto, afraid Kakashi might not recognize the identity of their opponent.
"[Jade Maiden]... Sasori of Red Sand."
Kakashi murmured softly.
This was the identity of the enemy.
At the same time, a faint electrical surge crackled across his body, and the blade of the White Fang Tanto began to emit a soft glow.
He had three teammates by his side. With himself making four, he believed this battle could be fought.
"Check the surrounding environment first. We can give it a try."
No sooner had Kakashi made up his mind than he acted.
Although they had narrowly dodged the enemy's previous attack, that assault had clearly been half-hearted. The enemy's true strength must have been far greater than what they had shown.
"Byakugan!"
The Byakugan ninja clenched his teeth and immediately scanned the area.
When the captain gave the order, there was no hesitation.
Everyone trusted Kakashi's strength; as one of the brightest young talents, he really could turn the tide.
"There's only one enemy in the area."
Quickly, the Byakugan took in everything within its range, confirming that there was only one enemy present at the moment.
"I'll take the first step. If the enemy proves too strong to resist, fall back immediately."
Kakashi pointed the tip of his blade toward the red-haired ninja.
Although the opponent looked slightly younger than expected, he was certain this was the Sand Village's rogue genius.
"I think I've figured out who you are now—white hair and that tanto. Heh, quite a strange fate indeed."
Sasori's first move was a surprise attack using numerous poison needles.
Previous enemies had been shot full of holes without any defense against such an assault, but this time the white-haired ninja blocked everything with Earth Release.
Initially thought to be just a capable jonin, further observation revealed something new.
"Who are you to Sakumo Hatake?"
Sasori frowned deeply, already pulling out a scroll from behind his back with his left hand and holding it up.
As Sasori stared at Kakashi, the more he studied him, the more the boy reminded him of someone from his past.
"It is indeed my father."
Kakashi narrowed his eyes. He didn't know why Sasori was asking, but he had no reason to hide either.
Could the enemy have held a grudge against his father?
But something didn't add up—Sasori's age didn't match with that timeline.
"Perfect. Then I'll kill you and turn you into one of my prized collections!"
Sasori released the scroll held between his fingers, letting one end fall freely. A large kanji character "Seal" appeared on the scroll's surface.
Puff—
A puff of white smoke burst into view.
A puppet sealed inside the scroll had appeared.
[The Four-Tails Jinchuriki — Roshi!]
"This puppet feels like a living beast of chakra!"
As soon as Han emerged, Kakashi and the three other ninja behind him were slightly startled.
Could puppets actually emit such a mighty aura?
This was completely different from all the other puppets they had seen before.
"Though those past events mean nothing to me now, they did occur. Sakumo Hatake is gone. Now, his son shall pay the price!"
Swish—
Sasori leapt backward and extended pale blue chakra threads from his fingertips, connecting them to various joints of Roshi.
"Scatter!"
At the same time, Kakashi issued the order.
The three figures behind them instantly leapt backward to nearby positions, while one of them gripped his weapon tightly and charged forward.
A Chidori Current surrounded his body, accelerating his sprint even further until blurry afterimages filled the air.
Boom—
A thin layer of red chakra covered Roshi's body, radiating intense heat that spread into the surrounding air.
He pushed off the ground with one foot and launched himself toward Kakashi.
At the same time, his right fist suddenly expanded, forming a massive flaming rock fist blazing with fire.
In the blink of an eye, the White Fang Tanto collided with Roshi's fist.
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
A shockwave exploded outward.
The direct clash between Chidori Current and Lava Release crackled violently.
Zzzt—
Kakashi pressed both hands against the hilt, his expression growing slightly tense.
Indeed, no one under such a reputation was simple.
He had thought a puppet master like Sasori wouldn't be too difficult to handle, but even the very first puppet brought out already made him feel pressure.
Whoosh—Whoosh—
He forcefully shoved away the oppressive force from the puppet, then pushed off the ground with one foot. The Chidori Current on his blade compressed further.
If he wasn't mistaken, this puppet was none other than Roshi, Iwagakure's Four-Tails Jinchuriki!
So were all the Jinchuriki who lost their tailed beasts to Akatsuki meeting such a fate?
A chill ran through him. Kakashi raised his blade and slashed downward with precision.
Swish—
Chakra surged from the blade, morphing midair into a whirlwind of lightning before solidifying into a radiant blue-white Chidori sword.
"[Lava Release - Marble Shield!]"
Sasori deftly moved both hands. Chakra threads controlled Roshi, pulling him back first, then his feet struck the ground upon landing, shattering it into countless fragments.
From beneath, scorching magma erupted.
Facing Sasori's countermeasure, Kakashi remained expressionless.
Once the sword fully sliced out, he naturally crouched low, pushed off the ground with his right heel, and dashed forward as a blur.
The blade was held horizontally at waist level, all chakra completely suppressed, making it look just like an ordinary sword.
At this moment, the magma erupting from beneath Roshi instantly solidified into a wall, blocking the 'Blade Wave' from Kakashi's initial strike.
Boom—
Even a Lava Release technique seemed unable to stop Kakashi's blade.
Upon contact, it was immediately severed.
The cut surface was smooth and flat, still gently steaming where red-hot magma oozed from within.
Though it failed to stop Kakashi, it did buy some time for Roshi to retreat.
Undeterred, that flash of blade light struck the ground, splitting the earth in two. The fissure continuously extended forward, chasing after the retreating Roshi.
But before Sasori could continue manipulating Roshi, his eyes suddenly narrowed.
Because during this brief opening, Kakashi had already closed in on Roshi at close range.
Boosting Chidori Current to stimulate his body cells, he sharply increased his speed. The blade, relying solely on inertia from his momentum, smoothly slashed outward.
This was Kakashi's style of combat.
[Lightning Release: Ichiya].
That was the name he had given to this technique—[Lightning Release: Ichiya].
Crackle—
Sasori's reaction was fast, but the distance between Elder Roshi and Kakashi was just too short.
Everything became irreversible.
With a flash of blue-white light, his control over Elder Roshi was instantly severed.
Bang! Bang!
The bisected Elder Roshi fell to the ground, and the chakra threads connecting him to Sasori were also cut by the blade.
At that moment, Sasori's face flickered slightly—he knew he had underestimated this Konoha ninja.
Tap! Tap!
Kakashi, having landed a successful strike, didn't stop moving. He shifted his gaze toward Sasori, who stood behind Elder Roshi.
Puppet masters were inherently fragile.
In battles against them, as long as you located their true bodies and focused attacks there, everything became simple.
It was rare nowadays to see a puppet master like Sasori who actually exposed his real body.
Perhaps it was out of confidence in his own strength—but Kakashi wouldn't let such an opportunity slip through his hands.
"Hmph!"
Sasori narrowed his eyes and raised his arm with a cold snort.
Elder Roshi falling so quickly was indeed due to his own carelessness, but Kakashi's attitude—like someone already claiming victory—felt mocking.
Was he being looked down upon? Was he implying that this puppet master wasn't even worth taking seriously?
[Scroll jutsu—Blazing Inferno!]
He pressed his other hand behind his back, and immediately afterward, a black hole appeared on his palm aimed at Kakashi.
"Watch out, Captain!"
The Byakugan ninja behind spotted the surging chakra within Sasori's body. Realizing his opponent was preparing a major move, he urgently shouted toward the charging Kakashi.
Boom—
Before his words even finished echoing, flames burst from Sasori's palm.
The temperature of these flames surpassed that of ordinary Fire Release techniques—the surrounding space seemed to tremble slightly from the heat.
And Kakashi's figure was swallowed entirely by the inferno.
"Damn it!"
One of the other ninjas punched the nearby tree in frustration before turning his gaze to the other two.
To stay or to flee—this second must decide everything.
Though cruel, it was simply the reality.
To a ninja, the mission always comes first.
Captain Kakashi had taken such a powerful blast head-on—he'd be gravely injured even if he survived.
If they scattered now, perhaps one or even two of the three might survive. But if they stayed, they'd all likely die.
"Wait!"
The ninja standing alongside the Byakugan user had already begun stepping forward to assist, only to be blocked by an arm held out.
"I'm going to save Kakashi. Jinxiong, surely you're not thinking about running away?"
The intercepted ninja unrolled a scroll, looking confused at his companion's hesitation.
"Just keep watching."
The Hyūga ninja calmly gestured for his comrade to wait.
Just now, he too had thought Kakashi couldn't have reacted in time. But in the final instant, he noticed Kakashi forming the seal for [Shadow Clone].
The one engulfed by flames was merely a [Shadow Clone], while the real one…
"Is he dead?"
Sasori frowned and stared at the flames ahead, his palm still spewing flames nonstop.
Although he had attacked suddenly, someone capable of killing Roshi in an instant shouldn't go down this easily, right?
Yet, he did see his opponent get hit directly by the flames.
Had he let his guard down after so easily destroying his puppet?
Huff—
A thin trail of black smoke rose from the hole in his palm where the fire had erupted.
The flames had burned out.
His gaze swept toward where they landed.
There was nothing left but a charred patch; Kakashi had seemingly been turned to ash.
Remaining alert inside, Sasori glanced at those distant Konoha ninja and noticed they seemed somewhat panicked too.
"I won't believe that the son of Sakumo Hatake could be killed like this so easily!"
Slowly reaching behind him with his left hand, he grabbed another scroll while casting a sidelong glance downward.
[Earth Release: Inner Decapitation Technique!]
[Scroll technique—High-Pressure Water Gun!]
Almost simultaneously, as Sasori aimed his palm downward, something unexpected burst up from beneath the ground.
Boom—
Two arms shot out of the earth and clamped around Sasori's feet, while at the same time, the small opening in his palm sprayed a jet of white water.
Zzzzt—
The high-pressure water stream acted like a sharp blade, slicing straight into the ground—and the two hands gripping his feet stopped dead on the spot.
"Now... huh?"
Sasori abruptly twisted his body, quickly redirecting his palm toward what lay behind him.
But his reaction was half a beat too slow.
Puff—
As the water struck the ground and Sasori relaxed slightly, the earth less than half a meter behind him exploded suddenly.
Kakashi leapt out.
In his hand crackled a powerful technique—
[Lightning Cutter!!]
At that moment, half of Kakashi's face bore darkened burns, already blistered in places.
Yet his expression remained determined. His left hand gripped his right wrist tightly while his right hand pulsed with Lightning Release chakra.
"So it was a clone! Sneaky bastard!"
Before Sasori could fully turn his body, Kakashi's hand was already pressed against the back of his neck. A meaningless smile crept across Sasori's lips—he knew there would be no chance to retaliate now.
Crrrsh—
A flash of white light streaked through the air as Kakashi's arm sliced clean through Sasori's neck.
Before the eyes of his three teammates, he completed an incredible counterattack, slicing off Sasori's head and leaving body and head parted completely.
But only those watching from the sidelines truly understood just how narrow and dangerous that margin had been.
Still, one couldn't help but admit—he truly was Kakashi Hatake?
Konoha's Little White Fang!
"Huff… huff…"
Landing on the ground, Kakashi squatted halfway, panting heavily.
Just two meters ahead, a headless corpse lay there, its severed surface blackened—had the blood evaporated from the heat?
Kakashi paused for a breath, then seemingly realized something. Ignoring his exhaustion and injuries, he immediately sprang backward.
Zzzzt—
Over there, Sasori's severed head suddenly opened wide, unleashing countless tiny black poisoned needles outward.
Needle marks pockmarked the ground where Kakashi had stood.
Nearby plants visibly withered and turned yellow.
Tsk—
Kakashi landed and skidded backward, leaving two deep gouges in the earth.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh—
The other three ninja arrived just in time to back up Kakashi.
They saw Kakashi was hurt. The enemy they'd assumed dead still looked dangerous. In unison, they closed ranks, flanking him protectively.
"Captain, are you alright?"
The Hyūga ninja activated his Byakugan, eyes locked on Sasori's body as he questioned Kakashi.
"I'm fine. Be careful—this guy seems to have turned himself into a puppet."
Kakashi had ruled out the possibility that the Sasori before them was an ordinary puppet. This was the only explanation left.
"Understood."
The three around Kakashi nodded together, their apprehension of Akatsuki members growing even deeper.
Turning oneself into a puppet—just hearing about it was already horrifying.
Who in their right mind would do such a thing?
And this Sasori, who seemed decent enough in appearance, was exactly that kind of person.
"Heh, your reflexes are pretty quick!"
The headless body found its own head and pressed it firmly onto the neck.
Sasori's voice echoed once more.
"You... tsk..."
Kakashi glared coldly at the enemy. His face mask had long been burned away, leaving burn scars across his face.
He stayed alert, unwilling to act recklessly.
"Game time's over. You've truly angered me now. As a final mercy, I'll leave your corpse intact for easy conversion into a Human Puppet!"
Sasori shook his head sideways a few times. His expression gradually twisted into madness.
The delicate appearance paired with exaggerated expressions created a deeply unsettling contrast, sending chills down the spines of Kakashi's four-man squad.
"Start preparing to retreat. I'll try my best to buy everyone some time."
Noticing that Sasori somehow held two scrolls in his hands without anyone noticing, Kakashi stepped forward slightly and murmured to his companions.
"Captain!"
"Kakashi!"
The faces of the three hardened.
"Perhaps staying behind means we still have a chance to fight. My Gentle Fist technique can help tip the odds."
As he spoke, the Hyūga ninja slowly took up the Gentle Fist stance.
Kakashi hesitated, glancing at the others from the corner of his eye. None of them showed any sign of leaving.
Maybe he could give it another shot?
He sensed the remaining chakra in his body and began forming a rough plan.
"There's something on the left side of his chest—looks like a heart, but not quite."
The Hyūga ninja announced, initially assuming it was the opponent's heart. But after careful observation, he realized it wasn't quite that.
It appeared to be the enemy's core component, functioning much like a human heart.
Everyone instinctively looked, though clothing blocked the view—the chest externally showed no difference from a normal person's.
"Worth noting."
Watching the ninja squad show no intention of retreating, Sasori's mouth stretched into an exaggerated grin.
Boom! Boom!
Two scrolls in his hands burst open with puffs of white smoke, revealing the figures of two puppets.
Terumi Mei and Han, the Five-Tails Jinchuriki.
Because they had been turned into puppets, both showed slight differences compared to their living forms.
However, Kakashi and the others quickly identified both of them.
Mei was naturally easy to recognize, while Han from Iwagakure had frequently crossed paths with Konoha shinobi. After all, during the Third Great Ninja War, he had been a major enemy force, so the Konoha shinobi remembered him well.
Splash—
As the two puppets appeared, Sasori stepped onto a nearby rock and smoothly shrugged off his coat.
Click!
A small hatch popped open on the right side of his chest, shooting out countless chakra threads that connected to the two puppets.
"This might be a problem."
Kakashi suppressed the pain from his wounds as a layer of Chidori Current crackled around his body.
"That's probably it, right?"
At the same time, without clothing covering him, he noticed what lay on the left side of Sasori's chest.
A cylinder labeled with the word "Scorpion."
"Get ready. I need you guys to block the puppets for me."
Now that he'd decided to stay and fight, Kakashi didn't hesitate to take charge.
This time, learning from the previous attempt, as long as there was an opening, there would definitely be a chance to kill the enemy.
He just hoped his three teammates could keep the puppets busy long enough for him to get his shot.
"Roger!"
They all took a deep breath and started focusing their chakra.
"Wait!"
Already lifting slightly on the heel of his foot, Kakashi heard the Hyūga ninja suddenly speak again.
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