Facing Kakashi's charge, Sasori immediately controlled Hiruko, unleashing a barrage of poisoned senbon and shuriken.
With exceptional agility, Kakashi dodged most of the attacks. Those he couldn't evade were deflected by his chakra-infused kunai.
Unimpeded, Kakashi reached Hiruko in an instant, his kunai striking its neck with a sickening sound.
"Impossible!"
Kakashi was startled. His strike only left a shallow scratch.
Thanks to Yusuke's intel, Kakashi knew Hiruko was a puppet.
Ninjas generally perceived puppets as having strange abilities but weak bodies. Even defensive puppets had vulnerable joints.
"How can its defenses be so strong?" Kakashi wondered.
"Not bad, the new 'White Fang of Konoha.' You've inherited some of your father's prowess. But my puppet aren't easily broken,"
As Sasori spoke, dozens of black ropes with barbs emerged from Hiruko's sides, encircling Kakashi.
Kakashi retreated, slashing at the ropes with his kunai.
To his surprise, his lightning-charged kunai couldn't sever all the ropes; only a few were cut.
With his reflexes, Kakashi evaded the barbed ropes, but Sasori's resilience was impressive.
Using hardened and softening liquids provided by Orochimaru, Sasori upgraded his puppets. He created highly defensive kyōgu, and reinforced his mechanisms.
The ropes Kakashi struggled to cut were made of tough ox sinew treated with the softening liquid. Ordinary blades couldn't even scratch them; only Kakashi's lightning-charged kunai could sever a few.
"Time to get serious!"
Lightning chakra enveloped Kakashi, resembling the Fourth Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode. Kakashi called it "Lightning Body Technique."
The "Lightning Body Technique" was developed with Kabuto's assistance, better suited for Kakashi's physique than the Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
Unlike the Chakra Mode, "Lightning Body Technique" wasn't as violent, not enhancing strength or defense, only speed. Increased speed, however, amplified attack power, effectively increasing strength.
Seeing Kakashi's transformation, Sasori felt threatened.
Staring intently, Sasori suddenly lost sight of Kakashi.
"Damn it!"
Sasori's real body leaped from Hiruko's back. As he appeared, Kakashi's lightning-charged kunai pierced Hiruko from the side.
"So, your puppet is nothing special!"
Looking at the youthful Sasori, Kakashi said calmly.
The others were also surprised by Sasori's appearance, unaware that such a handsome youth was hidden within the grotesque Hiruko.
"Fine. With such skill, you'll make a fine addition to my collection!"
Sasori calmly produced a scroll marked with a 'ten.' With a bang, ten pale humanoid puppets appeared.
These were ten puppets capable of Wood Release. Their bodies were reinforced by Hashirama Senju cells, making them extremely durable.
Sasori invented a method to control puppets using chakra threads connected to a "regeneration core," freeing his hands for combat while controlling the puppets from a special puppet.
Leading the ten Puppets, Sasori charged at Kakashi.
Kakashi had fought many puppet masters, but Sasori was the only one who fought alongside his puppets.
Though Sasori was agile and skilled in taijutsu, he was no match for Kakashi in "Lightning Body Technique."
Seeing Sasori's reckless charge, Kakashi met him head-on. A flash of lightning, and his kunai was before Sasori.
Sasori, unfazed, grabbed Kakashi's kunai.
"Red Secret Technique: Chakra Suction!"
Astonishingly, Sasori used Red Secret Technique, absorbing the lightning chakra from Kakashi's kunai.
Deprived of lightning chakra, Kakashi's kunai only left a shallow scratch on Sasori's puppet.
Sensing the continued chakra absorption, Kakashi released his kunai and retreated. He risked having his chakra drained.
"A puppet made from a Human ninja's body? Combined with its durable body, it's difficult to defeat using ninjutsu or taijutsu."
Facing the formidable Sasori, Kakashi's mind raced, searching for a way to break through his defenses.
Before Kakashi could think further, the ten puppets attacked, each extending a wooden spike—activating the fatal "Nature Transformation" upon contact.
Kakashi could only rely on speed to evade while devising a counter-strategy.
While Kakashi was pressured by Sasori, the battle between Orochimaru and Deidara raged on.
Deidara was on the defensive. His explosive clay was powerful, but Orochimaru could use "Sage Transformation" to phase through attacks. Deidara had no counter.
Orochimaru was holding back; otherwise, Deidara would already be defeated.
As the situation grew dire, Sasuke, hidden behind the others, secretly activated a scroll using chakra.
This scroll was a signal for Itachi, to be used in emergencies.
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