Puppet Substitute! Cold Companions and the Battlefield Shift

"Enough."

Sasori's voice turned cold.

The mechanisms on the Third Kazekage Human Puppet's back unfolded, and puppet arms sprang out from both sides of its body, densely covering the sky above the alley in the blink of an eye.

Every mechanical arm carried blades, poisoned needles, and hidden weapon ports as they closed in on Kakashi layer upon layer.

"Thousand Hands Manipulation."

The black mass of mechanical arms pressed down from every direction, sealing off all of Kakashi's escape routes.

The Iron Sand Needle Rain had yet to disperse when the puppet arms joined the encirclement.

The mechanisms completely sealed the space, intending to shred the target through sheer numbers.

Kakuzu watched the technique, his voice low.

"Sasori is getting serious."

But Orochimaru's gaze rested on Kakashi.

"So, Kakashi-kun, just how much are you still hiding?"

Kakashi's breathing finally grew heavier.

The chakra drain from the Sharingan, the intense upkeep of the Chidori Blade, and the strain on his body after repeatedly evading the Iron Sand Needle Rain all crashed down on him at that moment.

But he did not stop.

He gripped his kunai in reverse, his left Three Tomoe eye locking onto every gap between the mechanical arms while the lightning in his right palm surged wildly.

The cry of birds erupted from his entire arm and the space before him.

"Lightning Cutter!"

Blue-white lightning illuminated the alley as Kakashi compressed his chakra into a long blade of thunder.

Countless mechanical arms twisted toward him in a killing assault.

Kakashi took a step forward, lightning bursting in every direction.

The first row of puppet arms was sliced apart in an instant.

The blades of the second row shattered before the Lightning Cutter.

Before the poisoned needles of the third row could fire, the high heat of Lightning Release