Can these chains actually interfere with the Regeneration Core?
It had to be said that Shiraishi, hailing from the same Hidden Sand lineage, possessed an extraordinary understanding of puppetry and Regeneration Cores.
Even for a powerhouse like Sasori, most of his methods and tactics had been accounted for in Shiraishi's calculations and deductions.
Thus, although the battle with Sasori was sudden, Shiraishi was able to adjust his strategy quickly and strike with a decisive, incapacitating blow.
Trapped within the enclosure of the Fairy Lock, Sasori's expression remained icy, devoid of any emotional shift. "I have no desire to see that old woman again."
As his words fell, a massive tide of black Iron Sand surged forward. While Shiraishi manipulated his silver sand to block the wave, the black sand suddenly condensed into a sharp blade, piercing directly through Sasori's own heart.
This unexpected turn caused Shiraishi to hesitate for a split second. However, he immediately noticed a massive amount of chakra threads shifting within the Lihuang Mirror, transferring Sasori's chakra energy.
Already a semi-human puppet, Sasori—under the immense pressure of Shiraishi's assault—finally took the final step. At the moment his original heart shattered, he funneled all his chakra into a spare puppet body.
As the specialized Regeneration Core within the scroll absorbed the energy, a unique sealing formula activated, completing the total transformation into a Human Puppet.
Sasori was truly the Sand's most brilliant puppet master; his understanding and application of the Lihuang Mirror were the closest to the Second Kazekage's perfection, and in some ways, he had already surpassed it.
Though the exterior resembled Shiraishi's mirror, many of the internal mechanisms had been recalibrated to become the ultimate auxiliary unit for Sasori.
Suddenly, a legion of puppets, commanded by the mirror, lunged frantically at Shiraishi.
No! Sasori isn't dead!
Realizing Sasori's ploy, Shiraishi used his Whirlwind Blade to shatter the puppets in front of him, only to see more of them swarm forward with suicidal fervor.
The pink Fairy Locks shot out again, impaling numerous puppets as the battlefield descended into absolute chaos.
While Shiraishi was occupied by the puppet army, one crimson-haired Human Puppet slowly lifted its head, blinked its eyes, and retreated from the battlefield alongside the Third Kazekage puppet and a few other vital units.
Sasori knew he couldn't stay. The blueprints for the Lihuang Mirror were already in his possession, and while it was a pity to leave the distraction here, he realized he needed to understand the nature of those strange pink chains before he could resume his plan to capture "Black Mist" Shiraishi.
The Siege of the Sand
Outside the Hidden Sand Village, the atmosphere was one of sheer terror. With the massive barrier reversed, the village found itself trapped within its own defense for the first time in history. Panicked looks spread among the Sand ninjas.
"Prepare for battle!"
Ebizo, Ryoko Yamaji, and Rasa appeared on the battlefield. As a swarm of Leaf ninjas charged from the canyon ridges, Ryoko acted first, manifesting a pair of giant sand hands that swiped across the terrain.
However, a powerful Fire Style jutsu instantly dispersed Ryoko's attack. Uchiha Zhan appeared beside her with a Body Flicker, his kunai striking out like a viper.
Ryoko's chakra threads shot out, catching the kunai in mid-air, while the sand at Zhan's feet rose to bind him.
As the current head of the Yamaji family, Ryoko was formidable; her perfect blend of sand control and puppetry had created a unique style of ninjutsu.
But Zhan's Body Flicker was eerily unpredictable. He unsheathed his tachi, which erupted into a stream of flames.
Uchiha Style: Halo Dance (Kenyuen)!
Using a small tachi to channel fire into a blade of flames, this was a fire-attributed nintaijutsu with wind-like cutting properties. Zhan's combination of wind and fire shattered the surrounding sand.
Having been a member of the Anbu for years, Zhan's intel was limited, and Ryoko found herself struggling to keep up with his speed and Genjutsu-enhanced movements.
Elsewhere, amidst violent explosions, Ebizo manipulated the Earth Release: Square Formation, creating massive earthen giants. But a sharp blade of Wind Style sliced through the air, effortlessly toppling the giants.
Looking at the bandaged old man leaning on a cane, Ebizo chuckled. "Danzo, you old fox. Shouldn't you be dead in a ditch somewhere in that state?"
"Ebizo, and yet you still draw breath."
As old rivals from previous wars, the two locked into a fierce exchange of high-level Wind and Earth Style techniques that ravaged the battlefield.
On the outskirts of the canyon, the Leaf's offensive was relentless. Despite the Sand's desperate resistance, the sheer gap in numbers was overwhelming. The Sand was being pushed back foot by foot.
"The canyon line is falling!"
The Sand's canyons were steep and usually held off invaders for hours, but the Leaf's assault was too coordinated. Combined with the morale-shattering barrier reversal, the Sand defenses began to crumble.
Leaf ninjas poured in, overwhelming the defenders with a variety of secret techniques and powerful Kekkei Genkai. Even without Minato Namikaze, the Leaf's collective strength was crushing the Sand.
"Sealing Team, ready!"
A dozen members of the Leaf Sealing Team arrived at the top of the canyon, carrying massive scrolls. At Shikaku Nara's command, they initiated their seals.
This is...
Vast amounts of vegetation began to sprout violently from the ground around the village, spreading like a green plague. As the earth trembled, the Sand ninjas stared in disbelief.
"The First Hokage's Wood Style..."
Before the First Hokage's death, the Second Hokage had prepared a supply of Wood Style techniques and cells, most of which were sealed into these scrolls for future emergencies.
This was the hidden depth of the Leaf—an arsenal of forbidden jutsus and secret scrolls that no other village could match. To adapt the desert terrain into a forest suitable for Leaf tactics, Shikaku Nara had requested the use of these rare, one-time-use scrolls.
The frenzied growth of trees uprooted the foundation of the Hidden Sand. As massive forests manifested within the desert capital, the Sand Village fell into a state of absolute crisis.
"Tenmon ( correction: it's tenmon, not hiashi), let's move."
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, gazed at the village. He quickly changed into his battle attire and, alongside the current head of the Hyuga clan, Tenmon Hyuga, charged directly into the heart of the Sand.
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