"I know!"
Yuhi Shinku shouted as he formed hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" A massive fireball burst from his mouth and swept toward the puppets before him. "These puppets fear fire. I'll use the flames to force them back—make the most of this time!"
Sasori of the Red Sands's gaze turned slightly cold. His fingers moved rapidly, and the puppets before him immediately retreated in orderly fashion. At the same time, another puppet emerged from a scroll and blocked the fireball. His voice carried a trace of impatience. "Konoha's Fire Release is still as troublesome as ever.
"But this much fire isn't enough to harm my puppets."
Taking advantage of the opening created by the retreating puppets, Kawaki Aoba accelerated again, drawing ever closer to Sasori of the Red Sands. He said in a low voice, "Teacher, he's controlling a new puppet. His Chakra threads will be disrupted for an instant—I'll strike then!"
"Good! I'll create another opportunity for you!"
Yuhi Shinku gritted his teeth as Chakra gathered once more. "Fire Release: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique!"
Countless tiny fireballs sprayed from his mouth, flying densely toward the swarm of puppets. "Aoba, now! His attention is all on the flames!"
Sasori of the Red Sands frowned and controlled his puppets to rapidly swing their arms, blocking the Phoenix Sage Fire attack. He snapped, "Don't waste your effort. Your Fire Release can't break through my puppets' defenses! Once I deal with these flames, it'll be your turn to die!"
Aoba's eyes sharpened as he caught the subtle fluctuations in the Chakra threads at Sasori of the Red Sands's fingertips. He abruptly raised his hand, sending a shuriken infused with Wind Release Chakra slashing toward those transparent threads. At the same time, he shouted, "Teacher, keep him occupied! I've got the