There is a consensus in the Ninja World: a Puppet Master's strength comes from the strength of his puppets.
In the eyes of the two, Sasori was indeed a top-tier Puppet Master, whether it was his grasp of various timings, his exquisite control techniques, or that most troublesome poison!
Kakashi and Zabuza worked together to kill the puppet Hiruko.
During the battle, Kakashi remained vigilant because his Sharingan couldn't see the opponent's Chakra threads, which made Kakashi somewhat uneasy.
It wasn't until Kakashi cut Hiruko in half that the weight on his mind finally lifted.
After all, the frailty of a Puppet Master's true body is a recognized fact among Ninja; Kakashi's father had taught Kakashi this as well.
However, Kakashi and Zabuza didn't expect that they weren't facing an ordinary Puppet Master, but Sasori of the Red Sand, whose true body was the strongest puppet!
The moment the two had just dealt with Hiruko and relaxed, a massive flame shot towards them.
Zabuza immediately controlled the water to form a Water Formation Wall, blocking it briefly, then quickly jumped away to dodge.
Meanwhile, Kakashi, with his back to Sasori, only managed to shout "Danger!" before being engulfed by flames.
Sasori immediately began to reduce the flames; after all, if it melted, he wouldn't be able to use it.
After dodging the flames, Zabuza looked at Kakashi's figure with a hint of regret.
After all, they had just fought side-by-side, and he thought Kakashi was a pretty decent guy.
However, as the flames burned, Kakashi's figure dissolved into a flash of electricity, disappearing and quickly coiling around Sasori's body.
Kakashi held a kunai to Sasori's neck and said coolly.
"From the beginning, when I couldn't see your Chakra threads, I guessed your true body must be hidden within the puppet. Nothing you do can escape this eye of mine!"
While showing off, Kakashi also thought of Obito, then dismissed it, saying coldly.
"It's over!"
Zabuza clearly hadn't expected Sasori's true body to be hidden within the puppet, but he didn't think it was his problem.
Although neither of them said anything, they had actually been secretly competing, and Zabuza was a bit disgruntled about losing a round on the surface.
It's all because you have that Sharingan; the Uchiha Clan is truly blessed!
After Kakashi's words fell, a slightly teasing voice said.
"Is that so?"
Regarding Sasori's unwillingness to lose and his attempt to struggle, Kakashi warned.
"It's best to surrender, don't think..."
"Clink ~"
Kakashi hadn't finished his threat when he saw Sasori's head begin to rotate. Kakashi, who had no concept of mercy, directly intended to cut off Sasori's head with his kunai.
However, the crisp sound of the kunai breaking and Sasori's perfectly intact neck momentarily shocked Kakashi.
It was normal for the huge Hiruko to house a true body, but this slender figure before him also showed no Chakra threads.
Kakashi had already assumed this was his true body, but he didn't expect it was still a puppet!
Sasori's neck rotated 180 degrees, and he opened his mouth, spitting out several senbon at Kakashi.
Those dark purple senbon were clearly not to be touched; if one were to accidentally graze him, he would likely be dead instantly.
Kakashi couldn't afford to think about anything else. He quickly retreated while forming hand signs, using Chidori to stimulate his body cells and narrowly dodging Sasori's attack.
At this moment, Kakashi was completely drained, like a soft-legged shrimp.
Multiple Shadow Clones, various Nature Transformations, plus one Lightning Blade and one Chidori, Kakashi's Chakra was completely depleted.
Zabuza didn't take the opportunity to mock Kakashi, as the pressure was now on him.
A Water Dragon Jutsu flew out again, but this time, what Sasori spewed from his hands was no longer fire, but water.
Fire Release is countered by Water Release, but when both are Water Release, it's a matter of who has more water.
Kakashi, unable to participate in the battle, stared intently at Sasori, unable to find where the Chakra threads controlling the puppet were.
Looking at Sasori's clearly modified body, a thought appeared in his mind.
This guy couldn't have modified himself into a puppet, could he!
With his mind opened, Kakashi immediately recalled the information he had encountered in the Anbu; after all, Sasori's appearance was too deceptive.
Initially, Kakashi hadn't thought of Sasori, but now understanding, Kakashi shouted loudly.
"You are the mysteriously disappeared genius Puppet Master of Hidden Sand Village, Sasori of the Red Sand?"
Although it was a question, his tone was full of certainty.
"Oh? You actually recognized me, but it doesn't matter."
Sasori calculated the time, intending to speed up, and at the same time, he looked at the Shadow Clone with great apprehension, truly unable to understand why Uchiha Tomoki hadn't made a move.
In the end, he could only guess wildly, it seemed the relationship between the Uchiha and Konoha Village might be even worse than rumored!
But Yuuki's inaction just made things easier for him, so Sasori didn't delve deeper into the reason.
The reason why the Shadow Clone wasn't making a move at this time was, in truth, because he was afraid of pain and death.
The previous operator made Yuuki extremely distrustful of the Shadow Clone Technique, but the result was still an oddball.
Shadow Clones more or less inherit some of the original's personality; at this moment, the Shadow Clone only wanted to survive a bit longer.
Fighting? No fighting, absolutely not!
Moreover, this Shadow Clone didn't even have Hellfire, so he really didn't want to participate in a high-level battle.
As for what to do if Kakashi and Zabuza died?
Not to mention their relationship wasn't close enough for him to sacrifice himself to save them, even if he did save them, the fame and gratitude would go to the original, and he would get nothing.
Let whoever wants to save them save them; he had already called for help, what more could he do!
As for truly dying, then so be it; the blame would fall on the original anyway.
Being a clone is tough and tiring, and you don't get any benefits, but at least you don't have to take the blame!
Therefore, regarding the current battle, the Shadow Clone had been watching with a 'eating melon' mentality, confident that Sasori wouldn't escape.
Don't let Kakashi and Zabuza's earlier boasting make them seem impressive; in reality, the team was full of hidden talents; at the very least, Kisame was stronger than Zabuza.
Sasori confirmed that the Shadow Clone had no intention of making a move and immediately activated his ultimate technique.
"Red Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets!"
Looking at the Shadow Clone again, just to be sure, Sasori finally relaxed.
After all, almost no one was unaware of Yuuki's information, and Sasori was truly worried that the Shadow Clone would set him back to square one with a single fire attack.
Ignoring the Chakra-depleted Kakashi, Zabuza, who was still playing with water against Sasori, looked at the three-digit number of puppets and the long sword in his hand.
After thinking about it and realizing he had no chance of winning, Zabuza quickly retreated to Kakashi's side, scooped up Kakashi, and ran towards the Shadow Clone.
"Lord Yuuki, please make a move!"
The Shadow Clone screamed inwardly as the two rapidly approached.
Don't come over here!
But the Shadow Clone clearly didn't have the ability to make his wishes come true. He looked at Zabuza, who was still approaching.
Without the slightest hesitation, he turned and ran!
He ran! He chased!
Seeing this, Sasori naturally wouldn't let go of the good catch he had. With the momentum of a hundred people, he began to pursue.
He ran! He chased! They chased!
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