Sasori of the Red Sands was not merely a genius puppeteer. He was also a genius at making poisons.
Nearly all his weapons were coated with poisons of his own making.
Their composition was so finely balanced that even the slightest exposure would cause the poison to take effect gradually, ending in an agonizing death.
The process often lasted around three days.
What was more, there was virtually no cure. Ordinary medical ninja were completely helpless against it.
Unwilling to give up, Kankuro crawled toward Sasori of the Red Sands, trying to stop him.
Sasori of the Red Sands did not even spare him a glance. He swung his tail back and sent Kankuro flying.
"I suggest you stay still. Slow your blood circulation, and you might live a few days longer," Sasori of the Red Sands said coldly. Then he turned to Gaara. "One-Tail, you're my target this time. You'd better not struggle. It'll spare you a great deal of pain."
Seeing his companion collapse beside him, Gaara's eyes blazed with fury.
"How dare you hurt Kankuro! I'll kill you!"
Gaara lost all reason and sent a mass of sand surging toward Sasori of the Red Sands to crush him.
Hiruko opened its mouth wide and instantly spewed a torrent of Poison Needles.
"Hiruko: Needle Eight Waves!"
Thousands of Poison Needles shot out every second. The dense barrage easily pierced the sand and struck Gaara's Shield of Sand.
Although his sand defended him automatically, Hiruko's Poison Needles were absurdly fast. Gaara dared not take any chances and dodged as many as he could.
Cold sweat streamed down Temari's back as she stood nearby.
"A barrage this dense... even Gaara's absolute defense can barely handle it! How can this opponent be so terrifying?" Temari hurriedly unfolded her fan.
**"Wind Release: