Chapter 68

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Regardless of the power of ninjutsu or combat experience, Orochimaru far surpasses Rasa. As a key figure during the Second Ninja War, Orochimaru's experience and skill outmatch the Kazekage's, despite the slight age difference between them.

Fortunately for Rasa, Chiyo had joined the battlefield, giving the beleaguered Kazekage a chance to regroup.

"The outcome is inevitable."

The moment Orochimaru returns, victory will belong to Konoha. Sunagakure cannot possibly deploy all its forces against Konoha without leaving the village vulnerable.

After the Third Kazekage's disappearance, Sunagakure entered a period of decline, making it a target for neighboring nations, which began testing the village's defenses.

A confrontation with Konoha at this point would only further weaken Sunagakure, spelling disaster for the village.

"It's a shame we can't kill that boy," Chiyo muttered. "He's a genius of Konoha, destined to become a powerful asset."

At the center of the battlefield, controlling her puppets, Chiyo spotted Muzan emerging from beneath the sand. Her eyes narrowed.

"Kazekage, l leave Orochimaru to you. I 'll take care of the Hatake boy!"

Chiyo knew that if the battle continued, Sunagakure would be forced to retreat. But before that, Muzan had to die, whether for personal reasons or for the village's survival.

Muzan must die!

Yamanosatsu and Muzan stood in the midst of the battlefield's chaos, watching as Chiyo charged toward them with surprising speed, especially considering her age.

"Sir, please retreat," Yamanosatsu urged, stepping in front of Muzan, kunai in hand, ready to face Chiyo.

"No, it's too late," Muzan replied calmly.

Ten puppets appeared around them, all dressed in white and resembling malevolent spirits, surrounding Muzan.

"The Chikamatsu Collection... she's serious about killing me," Muzan thought.

The Chikamatsu Collection was the most advanced set of puppets in Sunagakure, and only Chiyo could wield them to their full potential.

Under her control, the puppets moved in perfect synchronization, a deadly display of precision and power.

Even a Kage-level ninja could fall to these puppets if caught off guard.

"Boom!"

Yamanosatsu activated his unique jutsu, slowing the puppets' movements in his perception. But it was merely a visual trick—it didn't actually reduce their speed.

Even with this advantage, he barely managed to evade their relentless strikes.

Just because you can see them doesn't mean you can dodge them.

"Sir, I can handle two puppets at a time," Yamanosatsu said through gritted teeth.

His formidable taijutsu and special technique allowed him to hold off two puppets, but beyond that, he would need to push himself beyond his limits.

"You're holding your own," Muzan remarked.

Chiyo's fingers twitched slightly, and in an instant, her puppets lunged toward Muzan.

"Strange Fist!"

"Boom!"

The ground beneath Muzan's feet rippled like water from the impact of his punch, sending one of the puppets flying.

Yet, despite the force of his blow, the puppet remained intact—a testament to the pinnacle of Sunagakure's craftsmanship.

Even the weakest village has its strengths, and Sunagakure was renowned for its puppetry.

"Tsunade's monstrous strength, combined with Orochimaru's training," Chiyo muttered, observing Muzan with a calculating gaze. His power did not surprise her.

She commanded seven puppets to attack at once, and Muzan felt a wave of lethal intent closing in around him.

The puppets' weapons were undoubtedly laced with poison.

While poison could affect Muzan's body, his unique physiology would absorb and expel most of it, regenerating any damage.

Still, Muzan was wary of Chiyo's poisons. Who knew how potent they were?

"Boom!"

A thin layer of blue chakra enveloped Muzan's hand as he prepared his next move. In an instant, a cloud of smoke erupted around him, masking his presence amid the chaos.

A gust of wind swept across the battlefield, and Chiyo watched Muzan vanish from sight. She wasn't as careless as some might think—Muzan hadn't fled.

She examined the shifting sands beneath her feet. In a desert, movement was fluid, making it difficult to track someone like Muzan.

"Ka-ka-ka!"

Chiyo launched several kunai into the swirling sands, hoping to draw him out. Instead, she was met with a sharp blue chakra scalpel cutting through the air.

A thin line of blood trickled down Chiyo's cheek. She instinctively recoiled, pulling back her kunai, which were connected by chakra threads.

"As expected of the infamous Chiyo," Muzan said, dodging most of the attacks, though one kunai embedded itself in his palm.

"But how long can you last?"

Muzan's body was already riddled with kunai, each one poisoned. Even with his regenerative abilities, expelling the toxins took time.

When Muzan first emerged from the sand, he had used medical ninjutsu to subtly disrupt Chiyo's chakra.

Controlling puppets required precise chakra control, and even a minor disruption could throw off the balance.

From the beginning, Muzan's aim wasn't to defeat Chiyo but to neutralize her most dangerous weapon—the Chikamatsu Collection.

If all ten puppets attacked him at once, Muzan knew the real danger would begin. Torn clothes and exposure to the sun were the last things he wanted during this battle.

Sunagakure was already on the verge of retreat. Muzan could see chunin and genin pulling back from the battlefield. Chiyo wouldn't stay much longer either.

Muzan's objective was clear.

"Konoha's strength is truly remarkable," Muzan mused.

If Sasori were still in Sunagakure, with his genius and skill, he might have been a match for Muzan.

But Chiyo was from an older generation. Years of warfare had taken their toll on her, and her chakra control wasn't as sharp as it used to be.

Muzan glanced toward the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, who was faring even worse. His defeat was inevitable.

Rasa's loss could shatter Sunagakure's stability. Chiyo wouldn't allow such a catastrophe. She shot a final glance at Muzan, wondering if she'd ever get another chance to end his life.

The Chikamatsu Collection suddenly appeared near Orochimaru, but the snakes at Orochimaru's feet slithered into action, their massive coils shielding him from the puppet's attacks.

Against such formidable summons, ordinary ninjutsu and puppetry techniques were nearly useless.

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