Kato Dan's Soul Possession Jutsu was far more terrifying than Hayate Sasuke's Infrasonic Shockwave.
While the Infrasonic Shockwave could silently disrupt an ordinary shinobi's hand seals, Dan's technique allowed him to steal lives without a trace. Defensive earth-style techniques like Earth Spear might block the shockwave, but the Soul Possession Jutsu ignored all barriers—even distance—invading the enemy's mind to control or erase their soul. It was a nightmarish ability.
The reason Bakuton no Shou (Explosion Release: Hunting) had been ambushed was that his own subordinates had already fallen under Dan's control.
Yet, despite its overwhelming power, the Soul Possession Jutsu had critical weaknesses.
Once activated, the user's soul left their body defenseless, requiring external protection. If the body was harmed—or worse, killed—during the technique, the user would perish.
Additionally, if the target's soul strength exceeded the user's, possession could backfire, risking counter-control or even chakra absorption.
A single misstep meant death.
That was why Dan hadn't immediately possessed Shou—both were quasi-Kage-level fighters. While Dan's soul was stronger, the gap wasn't wide enough to guarantee success, especially after he had already expended energy erasing several Iwa jonin.
Still, even without possession, the psychological impact was devastating.
Seeing their leader nearly assassinated, the Explosion Corps instinctively distanced themselves from each other, fearing their comrades might already be puppets lying in wait.
Their formation shattered.
"Push forward!"
Hayate Sasuke raised his hand, and nine mechanized puppets surged ahead, their massive executioner blades cleaving through Iwa's retreating lines.
The Explosion Corps were elites, each versed in Earth Spear—a technique that could shrug off most ninjutsu, even standard A-rank attacks.
But against the puppets' chakra-enhanced blades, their hardened skin shattered like glass.
A single slash was equivalent to a direct A-rank strike. Only a handful of Iwa jonin could withstand it. The rest?
One cut, and they bled out within minutes.
Yet the puppets weren't the main killers—they were breachers, tearing gaps for the Explosive Tag Battalion to exploit.
The battalion hurled kunai wrapped in explosive tags, detonating them even amidst their own puppets.
A few tags? The puppets tanked it.
But the shrapnel?
For the Iwa shinobi, it was a storm of death.
Unless they maintained constant Earth Spear—draining their chakra and slowing their retreat—they'd be riddled with holes.
Only the jonin could balance offense and defense. The rest?
Sitting ducks.
If not for Shou holding off four puppets single-handedly, the Explosion Corps would've been annihilated already.
"Damn Konoha rats!"
Shou's veins bulged as he watched his hard-forged unit being obliterated by sheer wealth.
Konoha's "Explosion Corps" didn't even use Bakuton—they just spammed explosive tags like they were worthless!
And yet…
His genuine Explosion Corps was losing to these knockoffs.
It was unacceptable.
But as his men fell like wheat before a scythe, Shou had to admit:
Money trumped skill.
No shinobi army should have this many explosive tags—unless Konoha was bankrupting itself for this battle.
But with Explosive Sword: Fūma fueling Konoha's "Fake Money Style", logic didn't apply.
Even the mighty Explosion Corps couldn't compete.
And with the Infrasonic Shockwave suppressing their techniques?
Total collapse.
Once morale broke, Dan's Soul Possession Jutsu became unstoppable.
He targeted the panicked, the wavering—possessing and executing them faster than the puppets could slaughter.
Watching this, Hayate Sasuke's eyes burned with desire.
"After this war… I'm learning that jutsu."
Compared to his stalled progress with the Flying Thunder God, the Soul Possession Jutsu suited him better. His soul strength should meet its harsh requirements.
Even if he failed, mastering it would boost his resistance—maybe even counter the Yamanaka's Mind Body Switch.
"Flank them!"
After chasing the Explosion Corps for miles, Hayate Sasuke swerved right, aiming to intercept Iwa's main force.
The right flank, anchored by the Five-Tails Jinchūriki, had stalled the Sannin's advance.
Now, Hayate's unit—just 200 strong, plus 300 makeshift reinforcements—would attempt what the Sannin couldn't.
But if they miscalculated?
The retreating Iwa army would crush them like bugs.