Time to Die

Kakashi burst upward from beneath the earth, channeling Lightning Release chakra into his short blade to enhance its cutting power.

The blade gleamed with blue light, carrying the might of a thunderbolt toward Sasori of the Red Sands's vital back, and he swung it with all his might.

This was an attack launched from a blind spot, the deadliest kind of sneak attack.

Not far away, Obito, who had been standing in place, felt his stunned face flush with euphoria, and his suspended heart finally settled.

That guy Kakashi, making me worry over nothing.

Further back, Rin also gripped the kunai in her hand, a trace of hope welling up in the depths of her eyes.

To the two of them, this backstab could be called a perfect surprise attack. With this kind of extremely close-range slash, there was simply no possibility that Sasori could block it; the battle was decided!

Yet in a split second, the situation turned sharply!

With his back to Kakashi, Sasori had already sensed that fierce edge, yet not a trace of panic appeared on his face.

The moment before the short blade was about to touch his back, he exerted silent force with his feet, turning his body sideways in an extremely eerie manner, as if he had completely anticipated the trajectory of this slash.

While evading, a flash of pitch-black cold light slid from his sleeve, landing steadily in his right hand.

Clang!

A piercing sound of metal clashing rang out.

A kunai infused with Wind Release chakra thrust out, precisely intercepting Kakashi's short blade.

The explosive Lightning Release and the sharp Wind Release collided fiercely, the two chakras violently counteracting each other and kicking up a wave of air that instantly blew away the fallen leaves scattered around.

Kakashi's pupils constricted, and