Chapter 160 – Killing Intent of a Life-and-Death Struggle
He had thought the power they deployed would be enough. But Mizuki hadn't expected the enemy's strength to so vastly exceed expectations. What's more, Akatsuki's targeting of Sunagakure was now obvious—while Iwagakure, which should have contributed significant power, had instead taken a bystander stance.
Though the alliance wasn't completely disjointed, the three villages were clearly uncoordinated and divided in purpose. Still, it was the Akatsuki who best embodied the phrase "a house divided," with their members fighting separately and even harboring thoughts of using their own comrades as bait.
Facing Kakuzu, Maki had some psychological advantage. Against obscure, hidden powerhouses, people often feel less threatened, whereas facing a well-known and proven warrior like Kakuzu naturally adds more pressure.
Kakuzu didn't have a widely known reputation—not because he wasn't strong, but because he had lived too long. All his contemporaries were dead. Though he was a renowned bounty hunter in the underground world, that fame barely scratched the surface of his true power.
Right now, Kakuzu wasn't even fighting seriously.
Hidan, for all his problems and slow execution, had one deadly technique: Curse Technique: Death Controlling Possessed Blood. Without immortality, any shinobi caught by it would undoubtedly die. And though no one had been struck yet, the two Sunagakure jōnin were clearly growing weaker. Against an immortal, prolonged combat would only wear them down.
"We can't go on like this, Captain…" said Yura, whose status wasn't low. "Shouldn't we ask Konoha for help, or move to join them?"
"Konoha's situation looks like it's improving," added Jun, the female sealing ninja, breathing heavily.
Her stamina deficit was becoming a clear problem, especially compared to the energized and relentless Hidan, who was pushing them toward exhaustion and forcing more mistakes.
Maki, far stronger than the others, swung his Wind Blade, forcing Kakuzu to retreat. Then he regrouped with his comrades into a triangle formation, staying alert for Kakuzu and Hidan's next moves.
"These immortal freaks are too much trouble. We need to regroup with the others."
If they couldn't restrain Hidan, he could theoretically kill everyone here by himself.
If there was any way to stop him, it lay in sealing techniques. Gaara might've been a good option, but right now he was still too weak to fully use his Jinchūriki power.
Iron Sand was one thing—but Shukaku's sealing ability was often overlooked.
If they could release Shukaku to fight, maybe there'd be a chance—but that was incredibly risky.
"Where are Gaara, Temari, and Kankurō? Are they alright?"
Maki cared deeply for his students—especially Gaara. As long as Gaara survived, Sunagakure had hope.
"I already ordered them to withdraw and regroup with Konoha's forces. Things aren't good here, but they're not needed… yet."
"Good. Then let's move. I'll break through—we're not going to be stopped by these guys."
With the powerful Wind Blade, an A-rank jutsu that showcased Wind Release's offensive strength, Maki had full confidence.
If Naruto hadn't later refined Rasengan to Sage Art levels, there wouldn't be many Wind users in the shinobi world who surpassed Maki.
…
Back with Konoha's squad—now that the scattered puppets were mostly cleared—Iwagakure reinforcements arrived.
Mizuki had specifically chosen teammates with diverse abilities and high adaptability.
Hinata Neji, with his Byakugan and Gentle Fist, wasn't ideal against puppets—but cutting chakra threads was easy for him.
Aburame Shino's bugs were highly effective, disabling puppets entirely.
Yamashiro Aoba, a special jōnin, had solid battle ability—fire-style, mind-reading, and summoning.
He even disrupted Kakuzu and Hidan in the original storyline and saved Asuma Sarutobi.
With Iwa's help, cleaning up the rest of the puppets was simple.
"Neji, how's Captain Mizuki doing?"
With their side stabilizing, Aoba finally turned his attention to Mizuki's battle.
The earlier explosions and searing heat waves were hard to ignore.
"He's fine. That puppet master has been forced out. It doesn't look like Captain Mizuki is losing."
Neji replied calmly.
"Should we help?"
"…Not yet," Aoba decided.
"Since he's not in danger, we shouldn't act recklessly."
As a veteran, Aoba remembered Mizuki's orders well.
> "We're not here to kill anyone or reach a destination. Just follow the village's orders. Delaying the enemy is the main goal. Escorting duties are optional—let Suna and Iwa worry about that. Konoha will assist only if we have spare strength."
…
Mizuki had deliberately pulled his battle with Sasori away from the others, knowing the large-scale Sage techniques and Iron Sand attacks could be lethal to ordinary ninja.
One stray poison cloud could be devastating, and there wasn't time to babysit.
With Sasori's real body now helping at close range, the Third Kazekage puppet had grown more agile.
It wasn't completely overwhelmed anymore—able to dodge and counter, albeit not effortlessly.
Worse yet, Sasori had stopped using the Iron Sand wall and switched to Iron Sand Mist—a spreading fog of toxic metallic particles.
"Using the Iron Sand's natural poison now? Are we back to burning everything with fire?"
Fire Release didn't normally use that much chakra—but Sage-enhanced versions consumed Sage Chakra, which had a more finite pool.
Mizuki had already used Fire Release multiple times. Doing it again might give Sasori time to counter-strategize.
"This is getting troublesome… can I even kill him?"
At a high level, shinobi rarely die easily.
Elite jōnin always had trump cards and survival strategies.
Unless one side fled, fights could drag on indefinitely.
Now Mizuki was running into that exact problem.
He had superior physical stats with Sage Mode, but neither of them excelled at taijutsu.
Sasori's puppet body could simply dodge any finishing blow—and repair itself immediately after.
It was like all Mizuki's hard work would vanish in a blink.
"This isn't looking good…"
Sage Mode had taught him what a true power boost felt like—but it came at a steep cost in chakra.
He could still hold out for a while, but with Kakuzu and Hidan still active, burning through all his energy now would be unwise.
Unless he could destroy the Third Kazekage puppet, this was going to be a net loss.
Just as he was about to go all-in for a decisive strike, a sudden change broke his rhythm.
> "The three villages have regrouped?"
Mizuki looked at the message delivered by a cluster of insects.
"They're banding together to face the enemy? Makes sense…"
"Wait—something's off…"
Mizuki frowned.
"Hidan and Kakuzu haven't used their full power yet.
We haven't seen the five elemental hearts or their big jutsu.
Why would they let all three villages unite?"
Suddenly alarmed, Mizuki sprinted back toward the others.
But Sasori finally looked interested again, throwing puppets in Mizuki's path.
"Out of my way!"
Mizuki snarled, smashing through the interference.
"It's too late now," Sasori's elegant but cold voice drifted behind him.
"I told you—my offer to cooperate still stands."
"Cooperate? You think you've already won?"
"Yes. We've already won.
You don't even realize how much we've invested in this operation."
"So what? You've lost your best puppet and gotten nothing."
"That's why I want to work with you. If you agree, the rest doesn't matter."
"You're that sure it was me who used the disposable Rinnegan?"
Mizuki was confused by Sasori's certainty.
"The Hyūga clan is a decaying relic," Sasori said calmly.
"They can't even free themselves from the Caged Bird seal.
There's no way they could've made the Rinnegan.
As for everyone else… irrelevant."
Mizuki had no rebuttal.
Sasori's insight, born from his origins, was sharp.
The Caged Bird didn't just bind the branch family—it crushed the spirit of the entire clan.
"…You're not just good with puppets. You talk pretty well, too," Mizuki snorted.
"But I'm not making deals with you—not until one of us wins."
"A surrender under duress? Is your human pride getting in the way?"
"No," Mizuki said. "I mean the fight's not over yet."
"…Then I'll enjoy watching you try."
Sasori followed lazily behind as Mizuki sprinted off.
"Sasori… that man has to die today."
Mizuki had made up his mind.
Sasori might not be the strongest, but his intellect was unmatched.
His puppet-like mind was cold, calm, and devoid of emotion.
He would analyze every scrap of data and act accordingly.
If someone like him set his sights on Mizuki, he'd be more dangerous than Danzō.
He'd already developed "Subconscious Puppet Control."
Who knows what else he might create?
Just before Mizuki arrived, he saw a barrier rise up in the distance—a pale purple dome of light sealing a group of people inside.
And… something else.
"Mirror Attacker Technique?!"
"Pain isn't here… but he's making moves?
Are they really going to kill everyone!?"
Heart pounding, Mizuki scanned the battlefield—
and saw that a few people had managed to escape the barrier.
---
Read up to 20 chapter ahead of time on patreon.com/Legendryweeb
{please give this novel 5 Star review and power stone}
*Thank you*