[A/N: Jeez, you guys make doubt my own work and make recheck... So many comnts about chp 781 being short when it is 1,550 words long (without the a/n at the bottom). The comnts made think that I uploaded half a chapter or sothing 😫]
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"Heh, I didn't think I'd run into Sasori of the Red Sand here. What an honor."
Fujin was genuinely happy. He couldn't even hide the glint in his eye! The last ti they t, Sasori had given Fujin quite a gift. Fujin had even traded so of it with Hiruzen and got his hands on a very useful rank S jutsu. Even though he still wasn't very comfortable with handling the other puppets, there was no reason to decline another generous gift. He couldn't help but wonder whether Sasori would give him the legendary puppet of the Third Kazekage during their second eting!
A chill passed down Deidara's spine as he shivered involuntarily and wondered, 'I have never seen such a passionate gaze. Why is he staring at Sasori in such a manner? It's almost as if he found so great treasure!'
Sasori, despite having changed his body to a puppet, imdiately lost his temper. Needless to say, he had already connected the dots when Zetsu reported Fujin's abilities. However, he never imagined that Fujin would look at him in such a brazen manner on their second eting. There wasn't a hint of doubt in his mind that Fujin wanted to steal more of his clones.
He cursed, "It was you wasn't it, Suzuki Fujin? You are the one who stole my puppets!"
The Konoha ninjas, who were following Fujin, were dumbfounded. None of them ever imagined that their commander would be accused like this by a rogue ninja. Konomi wondered, 'What in the hell? He stole puppets from Sasori? Is that even possible? No wonder he is so angry. I can feel his bloodlust.'
To the surprise of the Konoha ninjas, Fujin imdiately replied aggressively, "Bullshit! This is the first ti I have seen you. Don't try to sully the reputation of Konoha ninjas without any proof."
Fujin's words confused the Konoha ninjas. They wondered who was lying. While they would normally believe their commander, they saw no reason for Sasori to make such a ridiculous lie. Even Deidara was confused. He thought, 'Such a passionate response, it almost makes believe him. However, what was the glint in his eyes earlier? No, Sasori should be the one telling the truth. Still, to steal his puppets… What a lunatic!'
Unlike the confused fellows, Sasori was even more enraged. Not only had Fujin humiliated him by interfering with his mission, defeating his puppetry and stealing his invaluable puppets, but he also refused to take credit for any of those achievents! For a mont, Sasori wasn't sure what was more humiliating.
A dozen puppets suddenly appeared around Sasori, and he said, "It doesn't matter whether you lie or not; I'll refine you into my next puppet."
Seeing the puppets, the Konoha ninjas beca slightly nervous. Sasori may have gone rogue over a decade ago, but his reputation still remained. No one wanted to deal with his countless, unpredictable and poisonous traps. Thankfully, Fujin ordered, "Retreat. I'll handle these two. Don't co close to our battlefield."
The Konoha ninjas nodded and imdiately retreated. While so were worried for Fujin, the ones who saw him fight in the arena were confident in his abilities.
Deidara put his hands in his bag and began eating clay with the mouths on his hands while looking at the retreating ninjas. However, before he could make a move, Sasori said, "Let them go. We can't afford any distraction against him."
Deidara frowned and asked, "Wouldn't it be better if we forced him to protect his weaker allies?"
Sasori answered, "No, he isn't soft like the recent generations of Konoha ninjas. He is as ruthless as their older generations."
Sasori moved a few fingers, launching several poisonous needles at Fujin. However, a breeze appeared, blocking them with ease. Soon after, Fujin expelled large amounts of chakra, imdiately transforming into winds.
Sasori and Deidara retreated while Sasori warned, "Don't underestimate him and be careful of those winds. If you enter its range, you'll die."
Deidara was surprised. He didn't expect Sasori to control his anger so easily and have such a high opinion of Suzuki Fujin despite being humiliated seconds ago. While Sasori was undoubtedly angry, he clearly recalled how useless his puppets were against Fujin's technique. It was the first ti in his life that he had been defeated so easily. As such, Sasori treated Fujin as his greatest enemy instead of with disdain.
The Wind Domain took form as Fujin moved forward. Several Wind Blades flew towards Sasori and Deidara as Fujin asked loudly, "You wouldn't run away after accusing , would you Sasori?"
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'Lava Release: lting Apparition jutsu'
'Water Release: Great Waterfall jutsu'
On the high seas, two supercharged jutsus clashed. The Mizukage faction ninjas breathed a sigh of relief. They were fighting against the rebel forces when Terumi i suddenly appeared on the battlefield and unleashed a massive wave of lava at them. They were completely caught off guard. Fortunately, before the lava could reach them, an equally strong Water jutsu stopped it.
i turned her head and said, "Mangetsu, I didn't expect you to be here."
Mangetsu chucked, "Yeah, I was on my way to the main battlefield when I had a feeling that sothing was off. To think you would appear on this battlefield. If you win here before the main battlefield is settled, you could move these forces to flank our main army. A nasty maneuver indeed." �
i sighed and asked softly, "Why do you keep serving the Fourth Mizukage, Mangetsu? His reign has caused nothing but pain to Kirigakure. Join forces with . Together, we could settle the war quickly and end the suffering of our people."
Mangetsu grabbed Shibuki and replied, "Not only have you betrayed the village, but you are also trying to convince to do the sa. Why don't you stop this pointless resistance and surrender? It'll bring peace to the country. Besides…"
A smirk appeared on his face as he asked, "Do you think Lord Fourth is that weak?"
i's expression beca dark. She knew very well how strong Yagura was. No one in Kirigakure had the strength to defeat a perfect Jinchuriki. The rebels had avoided him so far. However, they would eventually have to face him to win the civil war. But that was an issue for later.
On this sea, Terumi i, the strongest ninja in the rebel camp, and Hozuki Mangetsu, the strongest ninja after the Fourth Mizukage in the Mizukage faction, faced off in an epic battle.
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"This is all very convenient. I'll eliminate the two of you at the sa ti." In an inn, Jiraiya faced off against Uchiha Itachi and Hoshigaki Kisa to protect Naruto and Sasuke. Two of the strongest ninjas in Konoha were confronting a pair of Akatsuki mbers each at the sa ti!
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'Shit! We're completely outmatched! If this continues, we'll be wiped out! Even Orochimaru-sama could be captured by Kumogakure. If that happens…' Kimimaro analyzed grimly as he coughed blood.
Darui was extrely strong just by himself and was supported by two Elite Jounins. However, it was Yugito who made Orochimaru's subordinates feel helpless. A near-perfect Jinchuriki was too strong for them. Even at his peak, Orochimaru wouldn't take her lightly.
To make matters worse, 36 more Kumogakure ninjas had joined in the battle. While they lacked in strength, they took away the nurical advantage of Orochimaru's subordinates and put them at a heavy disadvantage even in this aspect. In just a couple of minutes, four of Orochimaru's subordinates had sacrificed their lives.
'Dance of the Seedling Fern!'
Kimimaro dug his right arm into the ground and sprouted a bone forest around him! Thousands of blades of bones rose from the ground, piercing several Kumogakure ninjas. Due to her massive form, even the cloak around Yugito was pierced.
Kimimaro huffed as he said, "I'll stall them, Orochimaru-sama. You must escape."
Orochimaru imdiately left with the rest of his subordinates. Had Kimimaro been in good condition, there was so hope of him making it out alive. Unfortunately, his condition had only worsened after Rasa's final blow. Even without this battle, he didn't have much ti left to live.
Orochimaru could only sigh at how rapidly he kept losing his most reliable subordinates. Kabuto, Guren and the Sound Four, all had died due to his plans of attacking Konoha! And now, Kimimaro was about to join them.
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'How did we go from hunting that snake to fighting this monster? My art has no effect on him… The birds just explode whenever they enter those winds. Even the shockwaves of the explosions don't reach him. I suspect that he might repel even the C4 Karura!' Deidara sighed helplessly.
[A/N: Latest chapter : The Most Valuable Resource!]
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