CHAPTER 276: CHAPTER 276: EVEN CHIYO CAN’T SAVE YOU, MARK MY WORDS!

Kurenai Yūhi’s strength and taijutsu might not be the most exceptional, but with her mastery of genjutsu came an acute perception and a meticulous eye for detail.

And she had noticed something earlier.

Shisui’s full-force strike had only managed to leave a narrow scratch on Sasori’s puppet — enough to tell her that its defensive capabilities were anything but ordinary.

So she set herself a clear goal for this battle —

Break this turtle shell.

Kakashi and Shisui deliberately coordinated their movements with hers, constantly drawing the puppet toward Sasori himself. Sasori, in turn, fought while steadily retreating, a haze of poisonous mist filling the air.

When a lion hunts a rabbit, it still uses its full strength.

Sasori didn’t underestimate or toy with them just because Kakashi and the others were young. Aside from not deploying the Third Kazekage puppet, he had otherwise brought out nearly his full arsenal.

Each wave of about twenty puppets attacked in flawless coordination, forcing Kakashi’s team to expend chakra without allowing him to engage in person unless absolutely necessary.

This was the way of a puppet master.

Yet, he had overlooked Kurenai Yūhi —

Or rather...

He simply hadn’t taken her that seriously.

And besides...

During the fight, Kakashi had intentionally used a Water Release technique, followed by Shisui’s Fire Release. The air was now thick with steam.

The already overcast sky grew even darker.

As Sasori fought and fell back, Kakashi suddenly flickered to the top of a tree, both hands gripping a pair of Lightning Blades.

Thunder roared.

Blinding white lightning danced atop the treetop.

Sasori frowned in puzzlement—

But in the next instant, he felt it — the surge of overwhelming natural power.

A bolt of lightning, like a dragon, tore down from the clouds.

Gara!

A deafening crack split the air.

The blinding lightning lurched from the heavens, drawn straight toward Sasori by the lightning radiating from Kakashi’s blades.

Sasori instantly abandoned his puppet control and leapt away.

If that lightning struck him, he’d have no choice but to abandon his current body.

Although his body was no longer flesh, it was his most meticulously crafted puppet form. Replacing it would mean a severe drop in combat ability.

Not to mention, he carried on him important puppet scrolls.

But...

As he gave up controlling several puppets and focused on escaping—

A figure darted out from the side.

"Die!"

Kurenai charged in.

Several of Sasori’s puppets spat hidden weapons from multiple openings — but by now, Kurenai no longer cared.

Monster Strength!

Chakra surged from her fist in a violent gale.

The gust swept away hidden weapons and poison mist alike, unable to touch her. Even if the cost was torn muscles—

The result was worth it.

One strike, and the surroundings were left in ruin.

Dust choked the air, the ground lay split and scarred — the battlefield made it seem Sasori had taken a heavy hit.

But...

Kurenai didn’t linger after landing her blow; under the cover of Shisui’s Great Fireball, she withdrew swiftly. Yet, as the fire engulfed the area—

Within the flames, a black wall of sand iron rose.

"You’re impressive — worthy students of Kanda Kyōichi. I admit, you’re troublesome... and worthy of joining my collection. Now... die!"

In the next moment—

Sasori of the Red Sand burst from the flames.

All the puppets he had previously abandoned now sprang to life, each moving with deadly precision. Dozens swarmed in perfect formation.

Most terrifying of all was the strange puppet at his side—

Kakashi drew a sharp breath, shock flashing in his eyes.

This lunatic...!

He had turned the Third Kazekage into a puppet — and preserved his Kekkei Genkai.

Puppet arts like this...

Just like Orochimaru’s forbidden experiments — utterly insane.

No wonder he defected.

Kakashi looked to the sky.

The Kirin couldn’t be guided anymore.

That last strike had only landed because Sasori was moving slowly; now that he’d revealed his true form, his speed was several times greater.

Worse still, Kakashi’s chakra was nearly spent.

I wonder how things are going on Kyoichi-sensei’s side... Can Minato-sensei get here in time to help...?

Kakashi sighed inwardly, then his gaze sharpened.

The enemy was strong, their teachers hadn’t arrived yet — but since Kyoichi-sensei had named him captain—

He had the duty to protect the others.

Kakashi drew his blade and leapt from the tree, aiming for the puppets behind Sasori.

Sasori was ready for him.

He’d already paid once for underestimating Kurenai — he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.

The instant Kakashi appeared—

Several puppets burst from underground.

At the same time—

Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!

Magnetized iron spikes flew at Kakashi. Feeling his blade jolt, he instantly knew something was wrong. He sheathed the Lightning Blade and leapt back—

But Sasori had already locked onto him.

A relentless storm of attacks came, aimed at suppressing Kakashi and preventing him from using that terrifying Lightning Release technique again.

Shisui guarded Kurenai as she treated her torn arm, then tried to go to Kakashi’s aid—

Only to see a cloud of iron sand close around him.

Inside, countless iron spikes sprouted.

Iron Sand World Method!

"Kakashi!"

Shisui’s eyes widened.

He knew Magnet Release could manipulate metal — in the face of iron sand, blades and ninja tools were severely restricted, and Kakashi’s strongest skill was kenjutsu...

This was bad.

Kakashi can’t possibly—?

"One down. As for you— I’ll kill you later. I’ll make you watch your comrades die with your own eyes... and let you taste the deepest helplessness and pain."

Sasori sneered.

The iron sand outside dispersed. Kakashi had dodged most of it, but he was still badly injured, several spikes pinning down his movements.

In truth...

Had he not blasted part of the sand away with Chidori Current, and relied on his taijutsu skill to evade the worst of it, he’d already be dead.

Trapped, Kakashi’s lips moved with effort — Run.

Sasori’s gaze shifted toward Shisui and Kurenai—

But he also glanced at Kakuzu’s side of the battlefield.

That guy... really had managed to tie down Kanda Kyoichi.

"If he says he once fought the First Hokage, maybe it’s not all talk. He’s got the strength to back it up. Your teacher’s stuck — he can’t come save you. Too bad... but you’ll make fine additions to my eternal collection."

With that, his puppets rose into the air once more, encircling Shisui and the others.

And then—

His expression froze.

Chakra fluctuations?

That brat can still use ninjutsu?

He turned toward Kakashi— only to see his iron sand crumble to dust.

The change was so sudden, he didn’t even understand what had happened.

When the sand cleared—

"Kanda Kyoichi? No... you’re still fighting Kakuzu, aren’t you?"

Sasori could still sense Kyoichi locked in battle with Kakuzu — he hadn’t left that fight.

Then who—?

"Kakashi, sorry... almost too late. Take a break."

Kyoichi fell silent for a moment.

Minato Namikaze... really unreliable sometimes.

He summoned a slug, glanced at Kurenai, then ignored Sasori entirely and vanished.

"Sensei!"

Shisui’s voice shook with relief.

He’d thought Kakashi was a goner — but Kyoichi had made it back in time.

"Kurenai, treat him."

"Yes!"

With her teacher here, Kurenai no longer felt the slightest worry.

With Kyoichi present, Sasori or Kakuzu were nothing to fear.

"Sasori of the Red Sand — even Chiyo can’t save you today. I said it!"

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