"Hey, hey, Sasori bro, calm down," Deidara quickly tried to dissuade Sasori after noticing his genuine fury.
However, at this point, Sasori's rage wasn't something Deidara could easily quell.
Sasori had always loathed Orochimaru, so he had a very poor impression of Kimimaro, who came from the Sound Village. It was one thing when they hadn't met, but now Kimimaro had actively come knocking and even wanted to take Sasori's spot.
How could Sasori tolerate that?
Thus, in almost an instant, Sasori developed a killing intent toward Kimimaro.
The fact that he summoned the Third Kazekage puppet right away showed just how furious he was.
Yet, Kimimaro showed no fear—if anything, his interest grew.
Sasori was the last of the "immortals" within the Akatsuki that interested Kimimaro.
Sasori turned his body into a puppet, allowing him to keep an unaging appearance.
He also converted his life force into a core that could regenerate, thereby achieving an immortal state.
Immortality and eternal youth—Sasori had already achieved these.
However, Kimimaro found that method unacceptable.
What was the joy in being alive if you turned into a puppet devoid of any sensations?
Of course, just because Kimimaro wouldn't accept it didn't mean it wasn't a useful reference.
The regeneration core, for instance, was an excellent reference point.
Actual combat was the fastest way to understand Sasori's techniques.
So he didn't mind fighting Sasori, if only to see the effectiveness of that regeneration core.
The Third Kazekage puppet had already spewed out iron sand.
The black iron sand looked exceptionally cold, likely mixed with the blood of countless people.
"Oh no, Sasori bro's serious now. Kimimaro, maybe you should back off for a bit?" Deidara worried for Kimimaro's safety.
He had sparred briefly with Kimimaro before and knew he wasn't weak.
But this was Sasori they were dealing with—a formidable opponent even Deidara admired. If they really fought, Deidara didn't think Kimimaro would stand much of a chance.
Sasori wasn't the kind to hold back. For all Deidara knew, Sasori might even want to turn Kimimaro into a puppet.
"No need to run. I also want to see the techniques of the legendary Puppet Master," Kimimaro said calmly.
There was no way Kimimaro would flee without a fight.
Not only was he interested in Sasori, but he also didn't believe Sasori could prevent his escape.
Deidara sighed in exasperation as both men faced off against each other.
"Both sides are like family to me, and neither will listen to reason. What am I supposed to do now?" Deidara was conflicted.
It was at this moment that Sasori made his move.
His ten fingers moved in unison.
The Third Kazekage puppet charged at Kimimaro like it had come alive.
Its speed was so fast that it left only afterimages.
"Sasori bro!" Deidara tried to dissuade Sasori again, but Kimimaro pushed him away with a palm strike.
The strike was strong, yet gentle.
Though Deidara was pushed back tens of meters, he wasn't injured, only left bewildered.
"This Kimimaro…" Deidara felt even more helpless.
He knew now that he alone couldn't prevent this battle.
Besides, his own jutsu wasn't suitable for stopping a fight.
In the blink of an eye, the Third Kazekage reached Kimimaro.
Iron sand followed closely, forming a black armor.
As the distance closed, the puppet opened its mouth, shooting out dozens of iron sand senbon!
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
From just a few meters away, the iron sand senbon reached Kimimaro almost instantly.
At that moment, a bone sword emerged from Kimimaro's right hand.
Rotating Shield!
With inhuman speed, Kimimaro drew a circular arc with his sword.
The shield of light not only blocked all the iron sand senbon but also sent them back.
The senbon aimed at the Third Kazekage puppet, but the iron sand armor blocked them.
Besides a few sparks, there was no other damage.
Kimimaro was unsurprised by this.
This move wasn't meant to break the Third Kazekage's defense.
However, being this close was a good opportunity to attack.
As he swung his right hand with the bone sword, his left index finger pointed out.
"Hado #4, Byakurai!"
A white lightning bolt shot from his fingertip.
Zzzt!
Lightning flashed, striking the Third Kazekage's head.
From less than half a meter away, the iron sand was directly pierced, but that was the extent of it—the attack couldn't go any further.
The iron sand armor was broken, revealing the puppet's expressionless face.
Having been made into a puppet, it naturally had no extra emotions.
The lightning strike breaking through his iron sand defense surprised Sasori.
He hadn't expected Kimimaro's attack to be so swift and effective.
While defending, Kimimaro also counterattacked.
Sasori pulled back with both hands, making the Third Kazekage retreat at an even faster speed, escaping Kimimaro's attack range.
"I underestimated this guy. Although just Orochimaru's disciple, his strength is no less than Orochimaru's," Sasori thought to himself, beginning to take Kimimaro more seriously.
Meanwhile, iron sand was amassing in the sky.
"That defense just now was pretty fast. Let's see how you defend against this! Iron Sand Drizzle!"
The iron sand descended like a torrential downpour.
Its speed far surpassed that of hailstones, with many times the destructive power.
"Bakudo #39, Enkosen!"
A round defensive shield appeared above Kimimaro.
No matter how the iron sand struck, it couldn't shatter the shield.
"This guy… he's like a turtle!" Sasori frowned. He hadn't expected to defeat Kimimaro with that move, but the ease with which Kimimaro defended was surprising.
And those unfamiliar techniques—had Kimimaro developed his own jutsu?
"I refuse to believe you can block everything. If Iron Sand Drizzle isn't enough, then let's use something stronger!"
After having his attacks blocked multiple times, Sasori grew angrier.
With Sasori's control, the iron sand quickly formed into a large triangular spike.
"Go!"
The iron sand spike fell from above, aiming to shatter Kimimaro's defense in one strike.
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes slightly.
Against an attack of that magnitude, Enkosen wouldn't be enough.
In that case, there was no need to defend.
Sometimes the best defense was a strong offense.
Kimimaro gripped his bone sword tightly, holding it horizontally before him.
Then, he spoke slowly, his voice calm.
"Azure Dragon Break!"
In the next moment, chakra surged around the bone sword.
A massive blue dragon emerged from the sword, coiling behind Kimimaro.
For a brief moment, it sounded as if a dragon's roar could be heard.
He swung his sword!
The blue dragon rushed towards the iron sand spike.
Boom!
The dragon pierced through!
With a crack, the iron sand spike was shattered.
In the next moment, the blue dragon pierced the Third Kazekage's chest.
The iron sand armor couldn't protect him at all.
"What!?" Sasori was shocked. His puppet's strongest single attack had been destroyed in such a powerful manner?
Was this guy really that strong?
(End of Chapter)