Saya looked at Shira, who stood at the door with a firm gaze and a calm demeanor, her delicate brows furrowing slightly, a hint of barely perceptible annoyance flashing across her face.
If she fought him at the main gate and lost, where would Miss Saya's face be?
Her eyes darted around, and she sneered, "A challenge? You? Fine, that'll save you from going around telling everyone I bullied you. Come with me!"
Without waiting for Shira's response, she turned and walked towards the clan's territory, still holding the doll.
Without hesitation, Shira followed. The two gatekeepers exchanged glances, not daring to stop her.
The Sakugutsu Clan's territory was more secluded and winding inside than it appeared from the outside. High walls blocked the wind and sand, as well as most of the sunlight, making it somewhat shady.
Saya led Shira through a maze of twists and turns until they arrived at a training ground enclosed by a high wall.
The ground was covered with specially prepared sand, and wooden stakes and targets for practicing Puppet Technique were placed around it. The air was filled with the smell of wood and paint.
"It's quiet here, no one will bother us." Saya turned around, a sly and condescending look on his face. "Tell me, how do you want to fight? Or like last time, do you want me to turn you into an obedient puppet in my 'dance'?"
She gently stroked the hair of the doll in her arms, her tone full of confidence.
Shira looked at her calmly and shook his head. "You set the rules. I don't care." He knew that if it were just a one-on-one pure Taijutsu duel, Saya would have almost no chance of winning against him now.
What he needed to break was that bizarre puppet manipulation technique, that mental prison that had once left him utterly helpless. The real challenge lay in the opponent's most proficient method.
A flicker of surprise crossed Saya's eyes, which quickly turned into a cold laugh, "Arrogant! So be it!" She raised her voice and called out, " Sana! Viper! Come out and stretch your legs!"
As soon as the words were spoken, two figures swiftly emerged from two corners of the training ground. On the left was a sophisticated, aloof blue-haired girl, none other than Saya's younger sister, Sana. On the right was a somewhat reluctant boy with wise eyes, none other than Viper, who had been taught a lesson by Shira earlier.
"Sister." Sana's voice was cold, her gaze sweeping over Shira with a scrutinizing look.
"Miss Saya." Viper glanced nervously at Shira. He had faced her before and knew her strength well.
"Play along with him." Saya waved lazily, then, carrying the doll, gracefully retreated to the edge of the training ground, found a high stone platform to sit on, and adopted a posture of watching a good show.
She thought to herself, "This guy has gotten quite imposing in just one month. But what does it matter how strong his Taijutsu are? As long as I have his hair, he'll still be a puppet dancing in my palm."
"Hmph, let Sana and Viper wear him down first, and see how much he's improved. My ' Curse Puppet Dance - Body Manipulation Technique' has never failed."
"Yes!" Sana and Viper responded simultaneously, instantly getting into fighting stances.
"Go!" Saya Ye commanded.
With a low growl, the viper launched the first attack, and venomous snakes once again sprang from the sleeves of its arms, lunging straight for Shira's lower body! It was attempting to repeat the restraining tactic it had used last time.
However, things are different now!
Without even activating any of his abilities, Shira's eyes narrowed and his footwork instantly changed! The basic physical enhancement brought about by the Seven Heavens Breathing Method had made his speed, reaction, and strength vastly different from what they used to be.
He slightly turned his body, narrowly avoiding the snake's bite, and at the same time, his left hand shot out like lightning, precisely pinching the vital points of both snakes, and gently shaking them!
Viper felt a numbness in his arm, and the venomous snake went limp. Meanwhile, Shira's right leg swept towards his waist like a steel whip!
"So fast!" The viper was terrified and barely managed to cross its arms to block!
With a muffled thud, the viper was swept backward by the immense force, a sharp pain shooting through his arm.
Just as Shira was giving chase, Sana moved! She didn't attack directly, but instead Hand Seals: "Secret Technique: Sand Barrier!"
The sand beneath Shira's feet suddenly rose up, forming a low wall that tried to block his path.
Without even glancing over, Shira stomped on the top of the sand wall as she ran, using the momentum to accelerate again and instantly closing in on Viper! She threw a punch straight for his center!
Sana's eyes turned cold, a glint of light seeming to flash within them, and her fingers twitched slightly.
The sand beneath the viper's feet, which was staggering backward, suddenly solidified, stabilizing his balance. At the same time, Sana Hand Seals again. " Sand Clone!"
Shira's fist struck the "viper," but only scattered a clump of sand! The real viper suddenly burst out of the sand from the side and punched Shira in the ribs!
"Good teamwork." Shira thought to himself, but his movements didn't stop at all! As if he had eyes in the back of his head, he didn't retract his punch, but instead twisted his waist forcefully, and his left elbow slammed backward like a heavy hammer! He struck first despite being behind!
"Crack!" The elbow collided with the viper's fist, producing a teeth-grinding sound of bone breaking! The viper screamed in agony, clutching its twisted wrist as it staggered backward again, its face filled with pain and fear.
Saya, who was watching from the sidelines, narrowed his eyes. How could this guy's speed and reaction be so fast? He was completely different from before!
Sana's Sand Clone and Sand Hardening Jutsu, combined with the viper's surprise attack, were so easily countered by him? And it seemed like he didn't even use any force? Her fingers, stroking the doll, unconsciously tightened. She couldn't wait any longer!
At this moment, Shira had already dealt with the viper and her gaze was fixed on Sana behind her. Sana's expression was somewhat stiff, her eyes filled with solemnity. She quickly Hand Seals, preparing for an even more powerful Sand Release Ninjutsu.
However, Shira's main attention was always partly focused on Saya at the edge. He keenly noticed that although Saya seemed to be sitting leisurely, a thin, almost invisible Chakra Threads had somehow become entwined around the fingertips of the doll in her arms.
The other end of the thread was silently, like a venomous snake, creeping along the ground towards the area where hair might have fallen during the battle!
"It's the same old trick as always, "Shira sneered inwardly. "Trying to control me by acquiring my physical medium? Not so easy!"
He pushed off with his feet, ignoring Sana who Hand Seals, and charged straight towards Saya's location like an arrow! He wanted to force Saya to confront him head-on!
Seeing this, Sana's expression changed, and she hurriedly changed her hand seals. "Don't even think about disturbing my sister! Sand Release: Sand Prison Technique!"
Suddenly, a large amount of sand surged up from the ground, grabbing at Shira like a giant hand. At the same time, a thick sand wall rapidly rose in front of Saya, attempting to block Shira's advance!
Despite the excruciating pain, the viper charged forward again for a final, desperate attack.
A glint of triumph flashed in Saya's eyes. If I get any closer, my ' Mind Puppet Thread ' will be able to cling to you even more easily!
She manipulated the invisible Chakra Threads, waiting for the perfect moment.
Shira was instantly trapped in Sana's sand prison and Viper's desperate counterattack, while Saya's deadly killing intent was already silently approaching.
The battle has entered its most dangerous phase!