This particular jutsu was far more effective against groups than individual targets.
Yagura unleashed a massive surge of chakra, causing the cube-shaped domain to suddenly shrink in size!
(T/N: Water Release: Phantom Water Domain, which was based on the Water Prison Jutsu.)
In an instant, it compressed to less than half of its original volume.
Within the domain, over seventy Kumogakure shinobi were crushed under the immense pressure. Their lungs imploded instantly under the sudden and extreme compression!
Only a handful of elite jōnin managed to break through the high-pressure barrier in their final moments.
But the moment they forced their way out, the gap was immediately sealed behind them.
BANG!!!
The domain, compressed to its absolute limit, exploded like a bursting balloon!
The surviving Kumogakure shinobi could only watch in horror as the gruesome spectacle unfolded before them—there were no intact corpses, not even fragments of flesh.
All that remained was a tide of red-black liquid, staining the water—proof that their comrades had once existed.
In a single move, the advancing Kumogakure force had been annihilated. The explosion of blood and water spread in all directions.
The few jōnin who had barely escaped the crushing depths collapsed to the ground, their bodies weakened from the effects of oxygen deprivation and sudden pressure imbalance.
One of the jōnin standing by the Kumogakure commander, Dodai, averted his gaze in discomfort.
"Dodai-sama, we need to retreat."
The Mizukage continued to strike down the escaping jōnin without hesitation.
His strength far exceeded expectations—he was truly at a Kage-level. Age meant nothing in the face of such power.
Dodai's expression was grim and lifeless. "This was my misjudgment. I led our comrades to complete annihilation."
A Kumogakure shinobi urged him anxiously, "Dodai-sama, this is not the time for regrets."
"You all go. Warn the others and call for retreat. The information on the Mizukage must reach the village."
Dodai didn't want to see any more of his comrades die under the Mizukage's Water Release. He had already made his decision.
"I will stay behind and hold them off."
"Dodai-sama!"
The two jōnin by his side exchanged a glance before making a swift decision.
"Forgive us!"
Dodai was a trusted strategist under the Third Raikage.
The two shinobi had been sent by the Third Raikage specifically to protect him. There was no way they would allow him to stay behind while they fled.
Besides, the Raikage had set the precedent—Kumogakure shinobi did not abandon their comrades to escape alone!
"There's no need to argue. None of you are leaving."
A hoarse voice cut through the tension, freezing Dodai and the two jōnin in place.
The two Kumogakure shinobi immediately moved, shielding Dodai behind them as they drew their blades in vigilance.
"Who's there?!"
Sasori ignored their hostility. "So there was someone orchestrating this attack from the shadows after all. No wonder it was so coordinated."
Tch. He was told he could handle things alone, yet the intelligence had nearly slipped through his fingers.
These three couldn't be allowed to escape.
"Hiding like rats... You weren't easy to find."
Dodai and his men had concealed themselves aboard a cargo ship.
Yet, this hunchbacked intruder had bypassed all their traps and infiltrated the cabin without a sound!
Sasori had no patience for conversation. He reached up and pulled off the mask of his puppet, Hiruko.
The puppet's mouth mechanism snapped open, revealing a hidden launcher.
The two Kumogakure shinobi's eyes widened in shock as a rainstorm of senbon needles shot toward them!
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
Dodai erected a defensive earthen barrier, and the three immediately leapt high into the air to evade the attack.
"That attack method..." one of the jōnin muttered in alarm. "A Sunagakure puppet master?!"
They landed on the highest point they could find, retreating behind the earth wall. The sudden elevation shattered the ship's ceiling!
Their priority was clear—do not get entangled in battle. At least one of them needed to escape and report back about the Mizukage.
With a mere glance at each other, the three had already made up their minds.
Boom!!
They burst from the ship, dashing toward the sea in a desperate escape.
But then—
One of the Kumogakure shinobi abruptly halted mid-step, turning back to swing his blade at Dodai!
His comrade reacted instantly, intercepting the attack with his own sword. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Dodai, shielded behind them, quickly deduced the truth. "Calm down. He's being controlled by a puppet master."
"Controlled?!"
Schink—
Sasori wasted no time. His chakra threads wrapped around the possessed shinobi, dragging him backward to slow the others down.
With his free hand, he summoned another puppet, which swiftly dove toward the trio from above.
As the puppet's chest compartment opened, its chakra transformed into iron sand.
Hiruko's hand lifted. "Iron Sand Drizzle!"
The Third Kazekage puppet unleashed a barrage of iron sand bullets at high speed!
"Lava Release: Protective Wall!"
Dodai spewed a thick, yellow elastic fluid in front of them, forming a resilient barrier.
The remaining Kumogakure shinobi severed the chakra threads from their comrade with a precise sword strike.
The iron sand bullets, which could pierce through solid earth walls, crashed into the membrane barrier, leaving deep indentations—but they were stopped.
"Not bad."
The Third Kazekage puppet shifted, entering their field of vision from the side.
The moment they saw its face, all three were struck with horror.
"What?!"
"Impossible!"
"The Third Kazekage?! But he's supposed to be dead!"
Sasori struck mercilessly, exploiting the shock he had created.
The puppet blurred forward, its arms extending as razor-sharp blades shot out!
Blood sprayed through the air.
The Third Kazekage puppet came to a halt, twin blades now coated in venomous blood.
The poison took effect instantly. Weakness spread through their limbs like wildfire.
Dodai clutched the wound in his abdomen, glancing at his comrades. Their reactions were identical—proof that the poison was potent and fast-acting.
From the mist, Hiruko approached slowly. Dodai's voice was hoarse, yet resolute.
"You're Sasori of the Red Sand, Sunagakure's rogue ninja."
Sasori chuckled. "I'm surprised a Kumogakure shinobi recognizes my name."
Dodai's gaze flickered to the puppet standing behind Sasori—its face, its stance, its sheer presence...
And suddenly, everything clicked.
His heart plummeted into an abyss of ice.
"So that's it… That's the truth! The Third Kazekage's death—It was you!"
Boom!
A bolt of blue lightning crashed down.
Yagura arrived, stepping down beside Sasori.
"Took a bit longer to clean up the stragglers. Hope I didn't keep you waiting."
Sasori merely stared at the poisoned trio. "Too slow."
"Apologies, apologies~"
The poison reached its final stage. Dodai's legs buckled, and he collapsed.
He had thought the Mizukage had merely hired a rogue shinobi.
But no—this wasn't a mercenary arrangement. Yagura and Sasori were far too familiar with each other.
And more disturbingly, the Mizukage had not shown a hint of surprise upon seeing the Third Kazekage.
He knew.
Sasori had no patience for further delays.
Schink!
Iron sand spikes pierced through the three shinobi.
They were dead.
Sasori stepped forward, ensuring their demise before placing sealing tags on their corpses.
The battle was over.
Yagura smirked. "Well, that was a decent warm-up."
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
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