As the raging flames burned fiercely, despair filled the faces of the Takigakure shinobi.
They had believed the battle was already won, yet in the blink of an eye, everything had reversed completely.
Even their strongest reinforcements had been slaughtered—what hope did they have of escape now?
Not only the Takigakure shinobi but even Kisame Hoshigaki, who had been observing from the side, couldn't help but show a complicated expression.
"Heh... As expected of a genius puppeteer. His tricks are truly impossible to guard against."
Hearing Kisame's praise, Sasori propped himself up and scoffed, "That's why puppets are the true eternal art. Anyone who dares to underestimate my craft will receive the harshest punishment!"
"What a shame. Mirai is probably reduced to ashes by now. I was considering making his body into a human puppet..."
Before Sasori could finish speaking, a mocking laugh echoed from within the flames.
"Who are you saying is reduced to ashes?"
The blazing inferno split apart, revealing Mirai, encased in a blood-red, demonic figure.
Crunch!
The demonic figure stomped down, crushing Sasori's lower half into dust.
Sasori's eyes narrowed at the sight. His puppet-modified upper body immediately unleashed a barrage of weapons.
Senbon, kunai, fire, poison gas—
A dense storm of attacks rushed forward like an impenetrable wall, leaving no room for even an ant to slip through.
Yet, Mirai made no attempt to dodge.
His Susanoo closed the distance instantly, seizing Sasori in its grasp.
"Too weak. This isn't even enough to make me interested in dodging."
With a slight squeeze, the sound of shattering wood rang out—Sasori's upper body was crushed.
Once again, joy erupted on the faces of the Takigakure shinobi.
He was still alive!
This man was unbelievably strong. Even after taking such an attack, he remained completely unharmed.
When did the ninja world give birth to such a powerful young man?!
Dismissing his Susanoo, Mirai picked up a flesh-like core resembling a jar.
"So this is the Core?"
"It lacks even a brain, yet it possesses its own consciousness and can generate remarkable chakra. And based on Sasori's claim that 'puppets are eternal art,' it seems this core might even grant a form of immortality…"
"Definitely worth taking back for research."
Casually stowing away Sasori's Core, Mirai thought about how his team under Orochimaru was still too small. He desperately needed more researchers.
And as Sunagakure's greatest puppet master, Sasori was a perfect candidate.
There was no doubt—when it came to mechanical research, Sasori was likely the top expert in the entire ninja world.
Killing him outright would be a waste.
[System notification: Congratulations, Host! You have successfully plundered the ability: Puppet Technique - Performance of a Hundred Puppets!]
Ignoring the system's message, Mirai turned his gaze toward Kisame Hoshigaki.
"Kisame, you're next."
Hearing this, Kisame hoisted Samehada in front of him.
"I never expected to hear my name from the renowned Uchiha Mirai. What an honor."
"But unlike Sasori, I never lose in one-on-one combat."
"Oh? Then I'd love to see where that confidence comes from."
Seeing Kisame's serious expression, Mirai chuckled and began weaving hand signs at high speed.
Watching closely, Kisame smirked. "Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu, huh?"
"Casting a Water Release jutsu in front of me? You must really underestimate me!"
Having recognized the hand signs for Water Dragon Bullet, Kisame immediately formed his own seals at an even faster pace.
"Water Release: Great Shark Bullet—"
Before he could complete the jutsu, a sharp earth spike suddenly burst from the ground, piercing his liver.
Thud!
Kisame crashed onto the ground, his face filled with disbelief. "Earth Release...?"
Mirai raised an eyebrow. "Water Release? What Water Release?"
Kisame's eyes widened. "The seals you just formed were clearly for Water Dragon Bullet!"
Having studied Water Release for years, Kisame was certain—there was no way he could've misidentified those signs!
Hearing this, Mirai's expression suddenly lit with realization.
He casually flexed his fingers. "Oh, that? I was just stretching my hands. I wasn't actually forming seals."
"Then just now…"
"Who seriously uses hand signs to cast jutsu?"
Mirai chuckled, then clapped his hands together.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!"
"Water Release: Water Gun Jutsu!"
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
"Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs!"
"…"
After rapidly displaying over a dozen different jutsu, Mirai smirked.
"Isn't this just like calling out attack names in a game?"
Seeing Kisame's utterly dumbfounded expression, Mirai couldn't hold back his laughter.
He had been waiting for this moment—the chance to mess with "Honest Man" Kisame.
And, just as he expected, Kisame's reaction was priceless.
While Mirai was having his fun, Kisame, using Samehada's healing ability, had already recovered.
He stood up, once again gripping Samehada firmly.
"You're far too arrogant. A true shinobi never reveals all their tricks before a fight is over."
"I won't fall for the same trick twice."
With that, Kisame swung Samehada at Mirai.
Mirai responded by forming a bone blade in his hand, engaging Kisame in a swordfight.
One clash. Two clashes. Three—
The longer they fought, the more excited Kisame became.
It seemed Mirai was unaware of Samehada's special properties—he was actually engaging in a direct sword battle!
If this continued, Samehada would soon drain all of Mirai's chakra.
Kisame couldn't help but sneer. "I told you—I'm different from Sasori. I never lose in one-on-one combat."
"Surely you've realized by now? With Samehada's absorption, your chakra must be nearly—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
Samehada's handle had suddenly sprouted spikes, stabbing straight into his hands.
Kisame lost his grip. Samehada dropped to the ground.
Then, he heard something that shook him to his very core.
Buuurp~
Samehada had actually opened its maw and let out a satisfied belch!!!
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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