Revolving Water Prison

"Your subordinates or yourself—let's see how you choose."

The Dark-Faced Special Jonin wore a look of triumph, sneering inwardly. Even if his target tried to use his own men as shields against these senbon, it would be useless.

These were Mechanical Senbon, capable of piercing even a Crow Puppet with ease—mere flesh and blood stood no chance.

He had schemed and waited for this opportunity. Sacrificing one subordinate for a successful ambush was a price he was willing to pay.

The Dark-Faced Special Jonin's eyes gleamed with ruthless cruelty. To maximize the ambush's effectiveness, he had exploited a blind spot and even included his own subordinate in the attack.

Rock Wolf's death was worth it—all for Sunagakure!

"Captain, you—ah!"

Before the words could finish, a scream rang out.

Thud, thud, thud...

The Rain of Senbon, launched from Umino Sasuke's blind spot, pierced through the Bald Chunin and continued unabated toward Sasuke and the other three.

"Such ruthless cruelty."

Murderous intent flared in Sasuke's eyes. To ambush him, this man had used his own subordinate as bait—utterly despicable.

Stopping at nothing to achieve his goal—typical of a Sand Ninja, born from the harsh desert. Their methods rivaled those of the Blood Mist.

"Too bad you think I didn't see this coming."

Sasuke sneered inwardly. Under the perception of his Sonic Radar Technique, every hidden move was nothing but futile effort.

The Dark-Faced Special Jonin had released Chakra Threads to secretly take control of his dead subordinate's puppet. Sasuke had known all along. If not for his wariness of that Black Ant Puppet, he would never have ordered a retreat or moved to Tejudo and the others' side.

The only thing he hadn't anticipated was the Dark-Faced Special Jonin's sheer venom—using his own subordinate as bait and including him in the attack.

"Captain, don't worry about us—run!"

Tejudo's face was filled with despair. Countless senbon reflected in his eyes, leaving no escape. So dense was the Rain of Senbon that they couldn't possibly dodge it. Their captain was strong—maybe he still had a chance.

If he chose to save them, he'd be dragged down and die with them. Captain, don't be foolish—flee now!

"Ah..."

Xiao Xiao stood frozen in terror, utterly overwhelmed by the sudden assault.

"Xiao Xiao, I like you!"

Inuzuka Ryo, seeing Xiao Xiao facing lethal danger she couldn't handle, instinctively stepped forward, spreading his arms to shield her from the oncoming Rain of Senbon.

But how could his slender frame fully block Xiao Xiao's massive, round body? At best, he could cover her vital spots.

Given the penetrating power of the Rain of Senbon, such a sacrifice was likely futile.

Still, dying after finally voicing the confession he'd never dared to make—Inuzuka Ryo had no regrets.

"Running away alone isn't my style."

Sasuke had moved to the Three Youngsters' side precisely to guard against this Black Ant Puppet. Now that danger had come, how could he abandon them and flee alone?

Besides, this Puppet Mechanism Technique: Rain of Senbon had a coverage radius of over ten meters—far beyond the maximum jump distance of the Substitution Technique.

Using the Substitution Technique would be pointless.

Only a high-level Body Flicker Technique might evade it.

Unfortunately, he only knew the basic Body Flicker Technique, which was even less practical than the Substitution Technique.

The Mission Merit Points needed to exchange for a high-level Body Flicker Technique rivaled those of a C-rank Ninjutsu. After trading for a C-rank Water Release and a basic Summoning Scroll, his points were nearly gone. He had no way to learn a high-level Body Flicker Technique.

But he wasn't panicked—he had another plan ready.

"Water Release: Water Prison Technique!"

Sasuke's fingers flew, forming five seals per second. Blurring afterimages flickered as he completed the seven seals: Snake, Ram, Horse, Rabbit, Ram, Horse, Rabbit.

Instantly.

Splash...

A Water Dragon surged into the air, forming a hollow sphere that enveloped Sasuke and the other three.

"Watch out!"

Gekko Yoru, forcing back the Hedgehog-Haired Jonin with his blade, saw Sasuke and the others using Water Release: Water Prison Technique to defend against the sudden ambush and was stunned.

He knew full well that the C-rank Water Release: Water Prison Technique was just a low-level restraint technique—how could it block the terrifying penetration of the Rain of Senbon?

Shouldn't they be using Water Release: Water Wall for defense?

Had this patrol chunin panicked and used the wrong jutsu in his haste? Or did he simply know no other Water Release defensive techniques?

It was over.

Without someone to hold off that Special Jonin Puppet Master, how could he alone stand against these Sand Ninja?

"A mere Water Prison Restraint Technique, trying to block the Rain of Senbon? What a delusion!"

The Dark-Faced Special Jonin was smug, his heart full of mockery. This Puppet Mechanism Technique, personally designed by Elder Chiyo, was nearly equivalent to a B-rank attack jutsu when used in close-range ambush. Its coverage and piercing power were terrifying.

A mere C-rank Water Release restraint technique, trying to stop this attack—did he think he was Konoha's God of Water, Senju Tobirama?

Although the binding water prison before him appeared somewhat large, how much could its defensive power actually increase?

It could manage to block some ordinary kunai and shuriken, but to withstand the Puppet Mechanism Technique personally designed by Elder Chiyo—absolutely impossible!

Just as the Rain of Senbon pierced through the bald chunin and continued unabated, about to strike the binding water prison—

"Rotate!"

"Revolving Water Prison!"

Umino Sasuke abruptly clasped his hands together in the Tiger Hand Seal, chakra surging within him, accelerating the rotation of the binding water prison. The centrifugal force redirected the vast flow of water, which would have spread toward the hollow center, outward to the periphery, preventing internal suffocation while amplifying the prison's rotational force.

Splash, splash...

The binding water prison spun faster and faster, even stirring the surrounding air into a small tornado.

"What? An Advanced Water Release Nature Transformation!"

The Dark-Faced Special Jonin's heart tightened at the sight. Someone had actually cultivated a C-rank Water Prison Technique to this level?

Judging by this display, wasn't it a modified version of Water Release: Water Wall Technique?

No, this was no Water Release: Water Prison Technique—it was clearly a perfectly toned-down Water Release: Water Wall Technique, with the hand seals simplified to just three. This man must be a master of Water Release.

"Despicable—another Tactical Deception!"

The Dark-Faced Special Jonin analyzed the situation and once again recognized the despicable nature of this ninja before him. He was constantly employing Tactical Deception, with nothing genuine at all.

If not for the subtle clues leaked during the earlier battle, all the overt intelligence would have been false—mere Tactical Deception meant to mislead him.