As Hidden Sand's other Kage-level combatant, though Ebizo was only among the weaker Kage-level fighters, his mastery of puppet techniques allowed him to control five puppets at once. Alone, he held back three Elite Jonin from Hidden Rain while still having enough strength to support others from time to time. The battle was temporarily deadlocked.
Chiyo swept her gaze across the battlefield. Seeing that the Hidden Sand ninjas, led by Ebizo, had temporarily halted Hidden Rain's advance, the knot in her chest finally loosened. In terms of numbers alone, Hidden Rain utterly overwhelmed Hidden Sand.
But the quality of ninjas from a major nation spoke for itself. Hidden Sand ninjas of the same rank were practically crushing their Hidden Rain counterparts, and many Hidden Sand ninjas were even fighting one against two or one against three.
Now at ease, Chiyo prepared to take the initiative. The fingers of her right hand twitched slightly, and a Blue-Faced Puppet, a Horse-Faced Puppet, and a red-haired female puppet shot out at once, swiftly surrounding Hanzo.
Puppet Technique: Assault!
The female puppet wielded two massive blades and brought them down heavily upon Hanzo. Hanzo swung his chain, wrapping it around the two blades and blocking the strike before countering with a slash from his kusarigama at the female puppet.
But Hanzo was facing three of Chiyo's puppets.
The Blue-Faced Puppet beside him extended two iron whips from its head, catching Hanzo's attack. Under Chiyo's control, it then spun its body, extending the iron whips once more to continuously bind and lash Hanzo.
Puppet Technique: Bind!
Seeing Hanzo trapped for the moment, the Horse-Faced Puppet, which had been waiting all this time, opened its huge mouth under Chiyo's control. A chakra cannonball slammed directly into Hanzo's face.
Boom!!!
The violent explosion echoed across the battlefield.