Naruto, my father's name is Uchiha Madara.

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The real test, however, has only just begun as Scorpion unleashes his full power.

Chapter 446 Kankuro VS Sasori

Meanwhile, the main position of the surprise attack force had been transformed into a fierce puppet battlefield.

Facing the "Akatsuki" maiden, Sasori, hailed as the master of puppetry.

Even though Kankuro tried his best to control his two most prized puppets, Crow and Black Ant, he still seemed powerless.

Sasori's control was as precise as a machine; as his ten fingers flew across the paper, the chakra threads were like living silver threads.

One person simultaneously controls both the reanimated Shin and another reanimated ninja, making them attack like ghosts.

Shin, as a ninja trained by Root, was already very strong in combat. With Sasori's manipulation, he caused great trouble for Omoi and Hyuga Himon.

The crow's blade was repeatedly blocked by the sturdy shield formed from iron sand.

The black ants' trapping mechanisms repeatedly failed due to Xin's agile movements and precise kunai throws.

Kankuro broke out in a cold sweat; it was as if Sasori had seen through every one of his tactical intentions beforehand.

The attacks were easily neutralized, while the defense was forced to retreat step by step by the relentless offensive.

If it weren't for Omoi's swordsmanship support and Hyuga Himon's Byakugan's insightful warning, there would probably have been casualties already.

"Tsk...completely suppressed..."

Kankuro gritted his teeth, and the puppet's joints creaked under the strain of the intense collisions.

Just as the situation was becoming increasingly critical, a dark shadow streaked across the sky!

Sai returned after completing his reconnaissance mission!

Without the slightest hesitation, he controlled the ink-wash bird to dive.

He leaped lightly as he approached the ground, gripping the short sword "reverse blade" tightly in a reverse hand.

His figure landed silently at the edge of the battle circle like a falling leaf, blocking Xin's attack path.

He raised his head, his eyes, which always held a fake smile, now filled with cold indifference, staring directly at Xin, who had also stopped moving.

“Brother.” Sai’s voice was calm and even, as if he were addressing a stranger.

Shin looked at Sai's expressionless face.

The empty eyes brought about by the Impure World Reincarnation revealed a trace of deep pain and sorrow.

“Sai…you…”

He opened his mouth, but it turned into a barely audible sigh: "It seems... in the end, you still... completely erased your own feelings?"

Kankuro took the opportunity to maneuver the puppet back to catch his breath, then looked at Sai with some surprise: "You know him?"

Sai's gaze remained fixed on Shin, and he explained in a calm tone, "He was a member of the same squad I was in during my time with 'Root'... and someone I considered an older brother. Shin."

"Brother?" Omoi was also surprised.

A bitter smile appeared on Shin's face as he looked at Sai: "Sai, how is 'Root' doing now?"

“It’s gone.”

Sai's answer was straightforward and without any embellishment: "Shortly after your 'death,' Lord Danzo fell from power, and 'Root' was disbanded as a result."

"Really……"

Xin repeated the sentence in a low voice, the self-mockery in his smile becoming even stronger.

I wonder if he's mocking himself for dying too young and not being able to witness the organization's demise.

Or is it mocking itself for being summoned after death, when the very thing it served has long since vanished?

That empty obsession now seems so ridiculous.

Let's end our reminiscing here!

Scorpion's hoarse and cold voice broke the brief but heavy atmosphere.

He had no interest in listening to these ants talk about the past.

With a flick of his finger, the third-generation Kazekage puppet instantly condensed countless iron sand senbon, which rained down on everyone like a storm! Under his control, Shin also picked up his kunai again, his eyes becoming empty once more, ready to attack.

The battle erupted once again!

Kankuro manipulated the crows to open a mechanical shield to block the iron sand senbon, while Omoi and Shin engaged in a fierce battle, their swords and kunai clashing and sparking intensely.

Sai did not engage in close combat; instead, he quickly retreated and formed hand seals.

"Super Beast Imitation Painting - Serpent Gaze Curse Binding!"

Several giant, dark black pythons roared out of the scroll.

Instead of attacking Sasori or Shin, the attacker skillfully entangled the chakra threads controlling Sasori's puppets and Shin, attempting to disrupt their control!

The ink snake possesses a certain physical form and binding force.

Although it was impossible to completely sever Sasori's tough chakra threads.

However, this successfully slowed down the firing rate of the Iron Sand Senbon and the attack rhythm of Shin, giving Kankuro and Omoi a precious chance to catch their breath.

"Well done, Sai!"

Kankuro felt a little less pressure, but he knew this was only a temporary measure.

Against an opponent of Scorpion's caliber, conventional puppet tactics and direct confrontation offer little chance of victory.

His eyes sharpened, as if he had made up his mind.

He formed hand seals and quickly retrieved the crows and black ants that had been damaged on the front lines of the battle.

"Oh? You've given up, Kankuro?" Sasori scoffed hoarsely at his actions.

"Give up? How is that possible!"

Kankuro gave a low shout and placed his hand on a large, slightly worn scroll behind him that he had never used before!

This scroll is quite different from his usual style; the runes drawn on it carry an ancient and dangerous aura.

"This is my last trump card... and also the legacy of Sunagakure entrusted to me by Granny Chiyo!"

Kankuro suddenly unfurled the scroll, placed his hands on the center of the technique, and unleashed a massive amount of chakra!

It was accompanied by a strong chakra glow and a puff of white smoke.

A human puppet, almost identical to the puppet core that Sasori was currently attached to on the battlefield, appeared in front of Kankuro!

It has the handsome face of Sasori in his youth, but its body is composed of various intricate puppet components.

The joints gleamed with a cold metallic luster, and a special scroll box was mounted on the back.

It is the puppet that represents the pinnacle of Scorpion's skills, left behind after he was defeated!

This puppet was created after the battle to reclaim the Kazekage.

Feeling the passing of time and determined to entrust her future to the younger generation, Granny Chiyo personally handed it over to Kankuro before retiring completely.

She hoped that Kankuro could transcend the constraints imposed by her and Sasori and forge his own path as a puppeteer.

Scorpion looked at the puppet he had once used, and a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.

Then it turned into an even more intense sarcasm: "Use my puppet to fight me? Kankuro, did you get water in your head from being beaten just now?"

Do you think you can defeat the one who created you with an old body that I have long since discarded?

Kankuro took a deep breath, and his ten fingers were already connected to the chakra threads on the back of the "Sasori" puppet.

His eyes were more determined than ever before, filled with a determination to challenge authority and create the future.

"Whether we can win or not, we'll only know by trying!"

Kankuro's voice was strong and resonant, carrying an indomitable spirit: "This puppet carries your past, and it also carries Granny Chiyo's expectations!"

"But today, I am the one in control! I will use it to create a brand new future!"

"Hmph, you're so arrogant!"

Enraged by Kankuro's declaration, Sasori declared, "I'll shatter your unrealistic fantasies with my own hands! I'll make you understand the insurmountable chasm between us!"

Chapter 447 The Battle Ends, Sai Finds His Smile Again

The battle was fierce, despite Kankuro's side having a numerical advantage.

Furthermore, Omoi and Hyuga Himon provided support from the sidelines, while Sai continuously disrupted the situation with his Super Beast Imitation Painting.

But their opponent is Sasori of the Red Sand—a grandmaster who stands at the pinnacle of puppeteers!

With just a single, precisely controlled Edo Tensei resurrected being named "Shin," Sasori easily withstood attacks from all directions.

Every command was precise and efficient, perfectly showcasing the killing art of puppetry.

Kankuro's attacks, controlled by the "Sasori" puppet, were like waves crashing against rocks, shattered and churned, making it impossible for Sasori to get close.

Although Omoi's swordsmanship was fierce, it was always forcibly intercepted by his reckless, self-destructive, and utterly disregardful Edo Tensei body.

Hyuga Hido's Byakugan can see through the flow of chakra, but Sasori's attacks are too fast and too dense, so even if you see through them, it's often difficult to completely avoid them.

"Tsk... I've been completely seen through..."

Kankuro gritted his teeth, sweat soaking his forehead, and the chakra threads connecting the puppet trembled slightly, bearing immense pressure.

His prized tactics seemed like child's play in front of Scorpion.

However, in the midst of the fierce battle, Xin, who was being controlled by Scorpion, keenly sensed something amiss.

His gaze remained fixed on his taciturn, indifferent-looking younger brother, Sai.

Sai's movements were clean and efficient, and the timing of his use of the Super Beast Imitation Drawing was just right.

Always at the most dangerous moment, the Ink Tiger or Ink Serpent shields Omoi from the deadly iron spikes.

Alternatively, a black bird could be used to carry Hyuga Hido away from the blast radius.

His expression remained unchanged, like that of a sophisticated machine.

But his actions... were clearly intended to "protect".