Battle Against Scorpion

(This is the author speaking, up to chapter 124. Those who don't like my writing in the main text can skip this. Thank you for your support so far.

These are my personal preferences, whether it breaks immersion is up to the individual. I hope you find more excellent books.

Regarding Scorpion's strength, this is purely Josuke's personal opinion, not the author's or the official setting. If you call me ignorant, can't I also say you didn't read carefully?)

The outer shell was shattered by the combined attack of Josuke and Sakura.

Although it could be repaired, it still affected Scorpion's attack.

Scorpion emerged from the puppet's shell.

He casually threw off the Akatsuki Organization's cloak.

Damn.

Josuke was shocked. Taking off the cloak revealed a corpse.

Scorpion's body had been modified into a puppet body, but Josuke didn't understand why Scorpion, after being so heavily modified, was still killed by two stabs.

Gah.

He didn't care about the details.

Josuke unleashed Multiple Shadow Clones.

Scorpion summoned more puppet ninja. They were all different in appearance, but without exception, they were all powerful in life.

Each of Josuke's clones formed a Rasengan. At Josuke's command, the clones and the original rushed towards Scorpion.

Scorpion used the Third Kazekage Puppet to wield Iron Sand.

The Iron Sand acted like guided missiles, precisely striking Josuke's clones.

The other puppets were not idle either. The puppets and clones grappled, resulting in mutual destruction. Josuke's Rasengan also destroyed two puppets.

"Aminos."

Josuke blinked back behind him.

Scorpion's defense was impenetrable, leaving him no openings. He could only destroy Scorpion's puppets to threaten Scorpion's true body.

The only reason he could expose Scorpion's true form before was likely Scorpion's underestimation.

His own Chakra had also been depleted by two-thirds. Two or three more Raikiri and he'd be exhausted.

It was either a swift victory or a tactical retreat.

But a true hero wouldn't flee from battle~

"Sakura, I'll leave the rest to you for now."

Sakura nodded.

"Josuke-kun, you should rest too. Oh, and be careful of the poison from Scorpion's puppets."

Your beloved Chiyo stepped forward at this moment.

Josuke's performance just now had truly amazed her. Such a brilliant display, this was the ninja of Konoha.

Talent emerged in waves, a galaxy of stars.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't envious.

But now was not the time to dwell on such things. Chiyo released her puppets. Scorpion trembled slightly; they were his parents...

Scorpion sneered.

He controlled the Third Kazekage.

He used Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wall.

He created a sturdy wall of Iron Sand to block enemy attacks.

Magnet Release: Iron Sand Pillar.

He created a pillar of Iron Sand to violently strike the opponent.

The Iron Sand Pillar flew towards Sakura. Sakura dodged it, but the Iron Sand Pillar, like a guided missile, turned and charged at Sakura again.

Josuke, from the rear, activated his cursed mark.

Using the cursed mark, he unleashed Fire Style: Dragon Flame Bullet (Alright, this isn't my original creation, but I wrote a lot of filler here before, so I decided to bring it back. Okay.)

Several dragon-headed flames collided with the Iron Sand Pillar, creating booming explosions.

The Iron Sand Pillar, scorched by the high temperature of the Dragon Flame Bullets, transformed from a solid object into a red liquid.

From solid Iron Sand to liquid, anyone who studied chemistry knows this, hehe.

Scorpion was surprised. Was it broken just like that?

But before he could ponder much, several more Dragon Flame Bullets struck the Iron Sand Wall. Another huge explosion sounded, and a massive opening was blasted through the sturdy Iron Sand Wall.

Sakura's Monster Strength punch followed closely behind.

This is the moment I've been waiting for!!

The Third Kazekage's hands transformed into blades and stabbed towards Sakura. Die!!

Die.

What?

Sakura was shocked, to be defeated like this.

"Ding!"

The Kazekage puppet's attack was blocked by Chiyo's controlled puppet, and Chiyo joined the battlefield.

Scorpion narrowed his eyes slightly, realizing he had to get serious.

Several scrolls were spread out on the ground behind him.

Hundreds of puppets of various appearances appeared behind Scorpion.

"Secret Red Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets!"

Scorpion, in his puppet-human state, used the scrolls to summon hundreds of puppets wearing red robes to join the battle. Each puppet used a different weapon, and their movements were controlled by chakra threads emitted from the "Core of Reincarnation."

So strong.

But, I'm stronger.

Josuke smiled.

Just as he had guessed, Scorpion's strength was at most that of an elite Jonin plus.

The S-rank was definitely inflated.

If you, Scorpion, call for reinforcements, then I, Josuke, can too.

He pressed one hand to the ground, and a barrier appeared.

"Summoning Technique!"

Bang!

An orange toad appeared before them.

"Huh?"

Gamakichi scratched his head.

"Why did you summon me?"

Gamakichi scratched his head. He had just been enjoying a delicious bug feast with his good friend Gamata-tsu, only to be summoned by Josuke the next second.

Josuke scratched his head apologetically and pointed to Sakura and Chiyo, who were fighting Scorpion ahead.

"Can you use Water Style: Bullet Bomb?"

Gamakichi thought for a moment.

"Yeah, but it's far less powerful than my dad's."

Josuke: ...

It should be fine.

"It's okay, it's okay, can you try shooting those puppets?"

Gamakichi nodded and formed hand seals.

"Water Style: Bullet Bomb!"

A Water Style: Bullet Bomb, much smaller than Gamat-bunta's, flew towards the most densely packed area of puppets.

It directly blasted apart several puppets.

"Good job, Gamakichi!!"

Josuke almost jumped for joy.

"Ahem, how about you and I stay here and use long-range Ninjutsu to bombard the puppets?"

"No problem, Josuke. You need to be quick, though. I have to get home for dinner."

Josuke was speechless.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

"Water Style: Bullet Bomb!"

Several Great Fireballs and Bullet Bombs flew towards the puppet swarm, blasting them into disarray.

On the main battlefield, thanks to Josuke's support from the rear, the pressure was greatly reduced.

Coupled with Chiyo tying up Scorpion's ace puppet, the Third Kazekage.

Scorpion was being pushed back steadily.

Defeat seemed inevitable.

At this moment, Scorpion suddenly exposed a flaw.

Chiyo seized the opportunity and slashed at the Kazekage puppet.

When the puppet couldn't dodge in time, one of its arms was severed.

Chiyo pressed her advantage, but then—

A fodder puppet nearby fired a cold arrow.

"Pfft."

It struck Chiyo's right shoulder.

"You fell for my trap."

Scorpion said coldly. His cold arrow was coated with a potent poison; without his antidote, death or severe injury was inevitable.

"Grandma Chiyo!!"

Sakura cried out anxiously.

After dealing with the troublesome puppet, Sakura hurried to Chiyo's side and took out the antidote she was holding.

But then—

Magnet Release: Sand Iron Pillar!!

Sakura was sent flying directly backward.

The antidote was also knocked to the ground and shattered.

"No!!"

Before Sakura could finish speaking, she was slammed into the wall by the Sand Iron Pillar.

She had at least broken several ribs.

"But it wouldn't have worked on Sakura anyway, huh?"

Josuke quipped from the side.

"Sakura can heal, so you can't kill her by doing that."

Just as Josuke had predicted, Sakura used the Hundred Healings Technique and instantly recovered from her injuries.

Though she was covered in dust.

Meanwhile, Chiyo, despite being hit by the cold arrow, continued her assault as if nothing had happened.

Scorpion, puzzled, asked, "Why aren't you affected at all?"

Chiyo smiled.

She casually pulled out the cold arrow.

"You didn't think you were the only one who had modified yourself, did you..."