Don't Believe Excuses, Only Look at Results!

"Strange?"

Asuma frowned, his gaze swiftly sweeping over the three puppets behind Zheng.

Though the puppets' movements were precise, there was always a subtle sense of discord, as if their master were forcibly suppressing some kind of flaw.

Asuma's instincts told him that Aoba's words were not unfounded, but before he could think further, Zheng spoke again.

"Konoha ninja always love talking tough."

Zheng's voice was low and cold, laced with mockery.

He slowly raised his right hand, his five fingers slightly spread as chakra threads flickered in and out of view at his fingertips.

"You think a little cleverness like this can buy you time? Ridiculous."

Before his words had even faded, Zheng abruptly swung his right hand, and the three puppets moved at once.

They moved so fast that their paths were nearly impossible to follow. Sand-iron blades sliced through the wind with piercing shrieks, hurtling straight toward Aoba and Asuma.

Deep furrows were carved into the sandy ground as dust billowed up, obscuring the two men's vision.

"Aoba, fall back!"

Asuma shouted as he sprang forward. The Chakra Blades in his hands swept out a dazzling arc of light.

The blade light collided with the sand-iron blades, sending sparks flying as the harsh screech of grinding metal rang across the wilderness.

Asuma's movements were swift and decisive. Every slash carried the resilience and resolve unique to Konoha ninja, yet fine beads of sweat had already formed on his forehead. Clearly, that exchange had cost him considerable stamina.

Aoba gritted his teeth and forced himself to his feet.

His chest still throbbed faintly, but his gaze only grew sharper.

Rather than joining the battle directly, he swiftly scanned his surroundings, trying to find a weakness in Zheng.

Years of combat experience told him that although Zheng appeared imposing