However, Sasori's smile had yet to fully spread before it froze on his face. With a bang, White Fang in the stone coffin turned into two halves of dried wood.
"Another Substitution Technique? Damn it, when did he...?" Sasori cursed as the scene of dust rising when the puppet attacked White Fang flashed through his mind. "Did he use that moment to cast it?"
"There!" His sharp gaze swept across the area and instantly locked onto a spot. His hands moved in rapid succession, and the "Spirit God" puppet charged out again, faster than most shinobi. It threw a punch at the sand in front of Sasori.
With a thunderous boom, a figure swiftly leaped out amid the aftermath. After a few bounds, he flashed into the distance and retrieved the short blade embedded in the ground.
Sasori sneered. "You used the opening attack to cast the Substitution Technique and draw my attention, while your real body quietly approached me underground in an attempt to ambush me. After being discovered, you could even instantly change direction and retrieve your weapon. Should I praise you? As expected of White Fang. Unfortunately, you're already at the end of your strength. This futile struggle will only worsen your pain."
"Is that so?" White Fang sneered. "I've been driven into desperate situations many times, yet I'm still alive today. A shinobi's battle isn't decided by words."
With a cold snort, White Fang charged at Sasori again. The short blade in his hand slashed through the air, sending a crescent-shaped lightning fang cutting forward.
Sasori controlled the "Spirit God" puppet, raising a hand to scatter the Lightning Style fang. In the next instant, it collided with White Fang once more.
This time, White Fang did not choose to evade or fight while moving. Instead, he