Trust As Always!

Her fingers rapidly formed seals as she shouted, "Genjutsu: Mist Technique!"

A faint mist rose around her, shrouding the enemies within it.

The spear-wielding ninja lost his sense of direction for a moment, his movements slowing.

"Nice job, Kurenai!"

Asuma seized the chance and rushed forward, driving his Chakra Blades straight at the man's chest.

But just as he was about to strike, a dark shadow darted out of the mist and blocked his attack.

It was a small puppet covered in spikes, which nearly pierced Asuma's arm.

"Damn it, these puppets are a real pain!"

Asuma gritted his teeth, stepped back, and readjusted his stance.

Yuhi Shinku's gaze swept across his disciples, and he nodded to himself.

Though Kurenai and Asuma were young, their coordination was becoming increasingly seamless.

However, the true threat was still the puppeteer before them.

He could sense that the other man's chakra fluctuations were gradually intensifying. Clearly, he was preparing some kind of killing move.

"Trying to stall for time?"

Yuhi Shinku sneered and hurled the short blade in his hand straight at the puppeteer's face.

Almost at the same instant, he formed seals with both hands and shouted. A massive fireball erupted from his mouth, sweeping toward the puppets with blistering heat.

The puppeteer reacted swiftly. With a slight twitch of his fingers, a puppet moved in front of him, its sharp rotating blades slicing through the fireball.

Yet the fireball's aftermath still set the surrounding trees ablaze. In the flickering firelight, the puppeteer's face finally came into view—a pale visage wearing a strange smile.

"Konoha's ninja really do have some skill."

The puppeteer's voice was low and hoarse, carrying a hint of mockery. "But this game has only just begun."

Yuhi Shinku did not respond. His gaze locked onto the puppeteer's hands.