"Aoba!"
Seeing Aoba wounded, Shinku's heart ached. He sprang to his feet and rapidly formed hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation!" A massive torrent of flames burst from Shinku's mouth and surged straight toward the Third Kazekage.
The fiery torrent was hotter than any Fire Release Shinku had used before. Even the rocks scattered across the sand began to melt.
"Great Fire Annihilation?"
A trace of disdain flashed through Sasori's eyes. "Before Iron Sand, Fire Release is meaningless."
The Third Kazekage waved his left hand, and the Iron Sand in his palm condensed into a massive Iron Sand shield before the torrent of flames.
The fire crashed into the Iron Sand shield but failed to damage it in the slightest. Instead, the shield absorbed some of the heat.
"How is that possible?"
Despair flashed through Shinku's eyes. His chakra was already depleted; he could no longer use any powerful Fire Release ninjutsu.
Clutching the wound on his shoulder, Aoba slowly rose to his feet. He could feel that the Iron Sand was also laced with poison—and it was even more potent than the neurotoxin from before.
His vision began to blur, but his gaze remained fixed on Sasori and the Third Kazekage.
"Give up. You no longer stand a chance."
Sasori's voice was cold. "Kawaki Aoba, Shinku, becoming my works of art is your only fate."
A faint smile curled Aoba's lips. He slowly raised his right hand, palm facing Sasori. His voice was slightly hoarse, yet exceptionally clear. "Sasori of the Red Sands, you say art is eternal. Then do you know what true eternity is?"
Sasori furrowed his brow slightly, his tone puzzled. "What do you mean?"
"True eternity isn't cold puppets, nor is it an immortal body."
A glimmer appeared in Aoba's eyes. A faint stream