Chapter 225: Fierce Battle—The Countered Sasori!
When Haku channeled all his spiritual energy into his neck, his suspicions were confirmed—the Sasori's hand was indeed laced with poison!
And it wasn't just any poison—it was extremely lethal!
If he got hit by it, only Boss Ishihara might be able to save him. But if the poison was potent enough... even Ishihara might not stand a chance.
In that case, Haku wouldn't just die here—he'd probably end up as one of Sasori's puppets.
"You're pretty sharp. Looks like you knew I use poison," Sasori praised without holding back, then gripped harder, trying to shatter the ice encasing Haku's neck.
However, no matter how much force he used, it was completely ineffective.
Instead, Haku suddenly gripped his Zanpakutō and slashed it toward Sasori.
Seeing this, Sasori immediately used a Body Flicker Technique to evade, then cautiously eyed Haku.
That slash was so fast! I almost got hit!
"Such speed... you nearly got me," Sasori admitted. "Since that's how it is, I'll bring out one of my prized collections!"
He slowly pulled out a scroll.
With a loud pop, a figure emerged from the scroll—it was the Third Kazekage!
"Go!" Sasori shouted, leaping backward as he directed the Third Kazekage to charge at Haku.
Even though Sasori had Sage Mode, he knew he wasn't Haku's match in close combat. There was no point in using it for a direct fight. Instead, activating Sage Mode enhanced his control over his puppets.
This boost was immediately apparent as the Third Kazekage raised his right hand, launching a massive greatsword toward Haku before swinging it down in a powerful slash.
Haku quickly raised his Zanpakutō and fired a Crescent Moon Slash at the Third Kazekage.
As the crescent wave flew forward, everything around it began to freeze.
The sight left Sasori stunned. What kind of ability is this? The destructive power was incredible!
But despite his shock, Sasori didn't hesitate. He manipulated the Third Kazekage to dodge to the side.
Though the puppet itself wasn't affected by the ice, the chakra threads controlling it were vulnerable to the intense cold.
To Sasori's surprise, even though the Third Kazekage avoided the slash, the ice-infused crescent cut right through the chakra threads.
He actually severed the threads? Sasori was momentarily taken aback but quickly flicked his hands, reconnecting the chakra lines.
However, Haku wasn't about to waste this opportunity. He knew the best way to deal with a puppet master was to get up close and strike them directly.
Without missing a beat, Haku used Flash Step to appear right in front of Sasori.
At that moment, Sasori had only just reattached the chakra threads to the Third Kazekage.
Seeing Haku suddenly before him, Sasori didn't hesitate—he immediately turned to flee.
But Haku wasn't about to let him off that easily. Swinging his Zanpakutō with full force, he aimed straight for Sasori's head.
Sasori's pupils shrank in alarm.
With a loud crash, Haku's Zanpakutō smashed down on Sasori's head.
In the next instant, poof!—Sasori vanished in a cloud of white smoke.
Substitution Jutsu.
A short distance away, Sasori reappeared, while the Third Kazekage closed in on Haku.
"You're fast—almost got me again. But too bad, I dodged it," Sasori said with a grin. Then, with a forceful flick of his hands, countless mechanical arms shot out from the Third Kazekage's right arm, all lunging toward Haku.
As they flew, the arms launched a barrage of shuriken, kunai, and other ninja tools—each one coated in deadly poison.
Seeing this, Haku didn't hesitate. He raised his Zanpakutō and slashed upward.
An enormous ice wall instantly rose in front of him, blocking the incoming barrage.
Sasori was momentarily stunned.
He can cast jutsu without even forming hand seals? What terrifying power.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The poisoned shuriken and kunai slammed against the ice wall, bouncing off harmlessly.
But the hundreds of mechanical arms didn't stop—they curved around the wall, reaching for Haku.
Yet Haku was more than prepared. With three swift slashes of his Zanpakutō, three crescent waves shot out.
The arcs tore through the mechanical arms, either severing or freezing them.
Sasori narrowed his eyes. Looks like regular tactics won't cut it.
But in ninja battles, patience and strategy often determined the victor. It was a war of attrition—draining the opponent's chakra while conserving your own, waiting for that moment when they slipped up or ran out of energy.
That's my plan here, Sasori thought.
Against an opponent of equal strength, he always used his army of puppets to exhaust them before going in for the kill.
He had no intention of changing that strategy now.
The Third Kazekage formed hand seals, and a massive iron-sand spear materialized, aimed directly at Haku.
Haku's eyes widened slightly but quickly responded with a Flash Step, appearing right in front of the Third Kazekage.
"Looks like I'll need to take out your puppet before I can deal with you," Haku said coldly.
With that, he swung his Zanpakutō down in a heavy slash.
But Sasori had no intention of letting things go that smoothly.