Resolving the Mutated Puppet!

Yuhi Kurenai let out a muffled groan, a trace of blood spilling from the corner of her mouth. "No. The enemy's chakra strength far exceeds what I expected. My genjutsu was broken."

Kawaki Aoba supported Yuhi Kurenai by the arm, his tone firm. "Sister Kurenai, rest for now. Leave the rest to Brother Asuma and me."

He turned to Sarutobi Asuma. "

"Brother Asuma, use Wind Release ninjutsu to create a distraction. I'll take the chance to slip behind the puppets and find their controller!"

Sarutobi Asuma nodded and swiftly formed hand seals. "Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"

A powerful gust burst from his mouth and swept toward the puppet swarm, sending many of the puppets staggering in all directions.

Seizing the opportunity, Kawaki Aoba pressed himself low to the ground and stalked toward the rear of the puppet formation like a cheetah. He gathered chakra beneath his feet, making as little sound as possible.

But just as he neared the edge of the puppet formation, a puppet concealed in the shadows suddenly lunged out. Its arm instantly extended like a whip, lashing toward him.

Kawaki Aoba's pupils contracted. He rolled aside to evade it, then slashed at the puppet's arm with the blade in his hand. Yet the instant the blade severed the arm, a large amount of silver liquid poured from the break. Upon hitting the ground, the liquid swiftly solidified into new puppet parts.

"Is this... a self-replicating puppet?"

Kawaki Aoba stared at the scene before him in shock. The puppet's lost arm regrew under the effect of the silver liquid, and it was even thicker than before.

He turned toward Yuhi Shinku in the distance and met his teacher's worried gaze.

Yuhi Shinku shouted at him, "Aoba, don't let that silver liquid touch you! It's Sunagakure's special