"Water Release: Great Water Arm Technique!"
Hozuki Mangetsu's right arm swelled rapidly, unleashing immense force as it smashed the puppet in front of him to pieces.
Chiyo's wrinkled face remained impassive.
"Performance: Human Body Puppet Technique..."
Invisible Chakra Threads quivered, raising the Mist Ninja corpses from the ground and manipulating them into a shield in front of her.
Hozuki Mangetsu grimaced and had no choice but to pull back his half-thrown Great Water Arm.
He was unwilling to destroy the bodies of his comrades.
"The Mist Ninja have some impressive young talent..."
"Young people as promising as you."
A trace of emotion crossed Chiyo's face. By comparison, the Sand Ninja not only had limited high-end combat strength, but also lacked promising young talent.
Even the Mist Ninja, who spent all day in internal strife, had young people like Terumi Mei and Hozuki Mangetsu, both brimming with potential.
Among the current generation of Sand Ninja, Baki was decent, but still far from the top tier.
Hozuki Mangetsu ignored Chiyo's words and drew the Twin Blades: Hiramekarei, cutting all the Chakra Threads around his comrade.
That way, he wouldn't be held back while fighting.
"Release!"
Hozuki Mangetsu swung his twin blades, and a solidified ball of Chakra formed before hurtling toward Chiyo.
Chiyo thrust out one hand, transforming it into a modified puppet arm that raised a defensive barrier and blocked the attack.
An explosion erupted. Chiyo emerged from behind the barrier completely unharmed, then immediately set her puppets on another attack.
Hozuki Mangetsu was equally undaunted.
The Hozuki Clan's Hydrification Technique gave him tremendous confidence. Though his resources couldn't compare to those of an established veteran like Chiyo, his ability to survive was even greater.
Their fierce battle flattened an entire stretch of forest. The power of their Ninjutsu and weapons