Anrokuzan Would Never Harm Rōran!

Steam burst from the elevated pipelines, and white mist covered half the street.

A pallid puppet hung upside down beneath a pipe, its two rusted serrated blades scraping out a piercing shriek as they chopped straight toward Sara's head.

Naruto did not even look back. His right foot shattered the paving stones as he launched himself forward and kicked the puppet squarely in the chest.

Clang!

The puppet smashed hard into the pipe, making even the thick metal pipeline sway.

After landing, Naruto shook his numbed foot, his face darkening.

"What kind of Iron Shell turtle is this? Its shell's harder than rock."

A huge dent had caved in the puppet's chest plate, yet the ghostly blue lights in its eye sockets merely flickered.

It braced itself against the ground with twisted limbs, its joints clicking as it lunged at Sara again.

That did it. Naruto quickly formed hand seals.

"Multiple Shadow Clone Technique!"

A row of white smoke exploded through the narrow street, and more than a dozen Narutos instantly filled the gaps between the steam pipes.

"Get it! Tear it apart!"

Fists, knees, and shoe soles came crashing down all at once.

The puppet's serrated blades were knocked away first, followed by its arms, shoulder armor, and half its head.

By the time the white smoke cleared, only scattered parts remained on the ground, and the blue lights had gone out completely.

Naruto had barely caught his breath when dense clicking came from the pipes overhead.

Seven or eight identical pallid puppets crawled out of the pipe openings, their limbs pressed to the metal walls as they skittered forward. Their blue eyes locked onto Sara in unison.

"Why are there reinforcements too?!"

Naruto grabbed Sara by the wrist and turned to run. "Run!"

The two of them plunged