The scene shifts back to Naruto's main battlefield!
He was about to face Sasori of the Red Sand, who was controlling ten Edo Tensei resurrected shinobi, in a battle where Naruto would unleash his Asura Path-crafted mecha puppets!
Asura Path Formation: Team 7!
This formation consisted of four mecha units: Mecha Naruto: Unit 01, Mecha Sasuke: Unit 01, Mecha Sakura: Unit 01, and Mecha Kakashi: Unit 01. It was the first fully-assembled formation among all the creations Naruto had crafted using the Asura Path.
Mecha Sasuke: Unit 01 was stripped of all heavy firearms to reduce weight and maximize mobility. Equipped with laser-based cutting weapons, it excelled in close combat and was the spearhead of the formation.
Mecha Naruto: Unit 01 was outfitted with light firearms, saw-like weapons, and various grabbing mechanisms, making it the most versatile unit. It served as a mid-to-close-range support fighter in the formation.
Mecha Sakura: Unit 01 was packed with heavy artillery, relying on guns and cannons for overwhelming destructive power. It provided long-range firepower support to the team.
Mecha Kakashi: Unit 01 was devoid of offensive weaponry but was equipped with advanced auxiliary mechanisms. However, this didn't mean it lacked combat potential. Its built-in sensors were connected to the Asura Factory Naruto had constructed underground in Amegakure, allowing it to summon powerful machinery at any time. Its role in the formation was that of a long-range tactical supporter. (In his future plans, Naruto even envisioned equipping Mecha Kakashi with an AI system, turning it into a commanding unit. However, due to technical and financial constraints, this idea had yet to be realized.)
Sasori of the Red Sand stood on the opposing side, his eyes narrowing as he observed the four metallic figures gleaming in the sunlight. "Are those puppets? And he's controlling them without chakra threads?"
Kabuto Yakushi, observing through Nagato's Rinnegan, scoffed dismissively. "It's just the Asura Path, isn't it? Flashy and impractical. The Asura Path is nothing more than a way to summon specialized ninja tools. Why go to the trouble of crafting such mecha puppets? What a waste of time! Hmph, even if his power has increased, Naruto is still just a naive child playing with toys."
Using Nagato's voice, Kabuto added, "Sasori, don't be intimidated. Those mecha are powered by the Rinnegan's black receivers, which channel chakra to operate them. Aside from being convenient to control and sharing vision, they're not particularly formidable. Besides, the Edo Tensei puppets under your control are immortal!"
Sasori responded coldly, "In the realm of my art, I don't need an amateur like you to dictate what's strong or weak. I'll judge their power for myself!"
Snap!
With a flick of his chakra threads, Zabuza Momochi, wielding the Executioner's Blade, charged toward Naruto's formation!
This was merely a probing attack.
Naruto smiled and raised two fingers.
"Let the banquet of the Asura begin. This is Team 7's first battle!"
Clang!
Mecha Sasuke led the charge, twin laser blades extending from its arms to intercept Zabuza's Executioner's Blade.
Slice! Slice!
The thick blade of the Executioner's Blade was instantly severed into three pieces by the laser blades. Zabuza's arm was also sliced clean off!
Sasori's eyes narrowed. "Those weapons… they're not ordinary."
Swish!
Sasori pulled Zabuza back with his chakra threads and formed a one-handed seal.
"Ninjutsu: Hidden Mist Technique!"
Whoosh!
A dense mist rose, obscuring the Rinnegan's vision!
At this moment, Mecha Naruto, who was charging from behind, extended a spindle-like device from its arm. It emitted a powerful suction, inhaling all the mist in one go!
Sasori then commanded the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to attack as a group!
Mecha Sasuke swiftly retreated.
Mecha Sakura, locking onto the Seven Swordsmen with its mecha Rinnegan, unleashed a barrage of missiles from its back-mounted cannons, which were arranged like a fan. The missiles rained down like fiery comets.
Clang! She then lifted a modified Gatling gun from the Asura Path and unleashed a storm of bullets on the Seven Swordsmen!
Ratatatatatata!
In mere moments, the Edo Tensei bodies of the Seven Swordsmen were shredded into pieces!
Naruto, watching with satisfaction, remarked, "This six-barrel cannon was inspired by Amado, the scientist from Kara."
Sasori's expression faltered. "Those weapons… use chakra as ammunition, and combined with the mecha's structure, they achieve a firing speed unattainable by ordinary ninja."
After regenerating, Ameyuri Ringo plunged the Thunder Swords: Kiba into the ground.
"Lightning Release: Thunder Gate!"
This was Ameyuri's signature technique, summoning lightning from the sky through her swords to create a wide-area lightning strike.
Sasori smirked. "Let's see how you handle this. Metal conducts electricity!"
Boom!
But before the Thunder Gate could activate, Mecha Sakura raised its arm and fired a heavy cannon shot. Boom!! Ameyuri's body was obliterated from the chest up!
Swish! Immediately after, Mecha Sakura launched a grenade into the sky. Upon detonation, it created a fiery field on the ground!
The remaining six Swordsmen scrambled to evade.
Mecha Kakashi summoned a massive magnetized iron disk. Infused with lightning chakra, it emitted a powerful magnetic pull, causing all the ninja swords to fly out of their hands and clang against the disk!
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Mecha Sasuke, now covered in laser blades, spun at high speed, slicing through the Seven Swordsmen's bodies and rendering them incapable of using jutsu!
Clang! Clang! Clang! Meanwhile, Mecha Naruto's back hatch opened, releasing 21 spindle-shaped devices. Grouped into sets of three, they descended upon the Seven Swordsmen, emitting beams of lightning that entangled their heads and began spinning rapidly!
Naruto's gaze turned sharp. "The Photon Spindles. Once they ensnare you, you won't be able to move."
At this point, Sasori prepared to send Kinkaku, Ginkaku, and Troy into the fray.
Click!
Mecha Kakashi raised his hand and snapped his fingers.
From the ground, hundreds of small robots armed with high-explosive bombs swarmed toward Sasori!
Click!
Another snap.
The sky darkened as Asura Path warplanes streaked across the battlefield, unleashing devastating aerial firepower!
Seeing this overwhelming display, Sasori of the Red Sand finally conceded.
"In the field of puppetry, you've reached a height that no other puppet master can aspire to. I admit defeat. Your puppet artistry is unparalleled in this world…"
"Master Sasori," a voice interrupted. "You call this art? No, no. Such flashy nonsense will never be art. Art… is an explosion!!!"
In the sky, Deidara's body began to swell rapidly!
Kabuto Yakushi's face turned pale. "That lunatic Deidara… He plans to self-destruct without hesitation, even if it means killing me, the caster, along with him!?"
Konan exclaimed, "This is bad. Deidara's self-detonation could flatten everything within a ten-kilometer radius!"
"I understand."
Naruto raised his hand.
"Universal Pull!"
Whoosh! Sasori's body was yanked through the air!
Naruto grabbed Sasori with his left hand and Konan with his right, teleporting them back to Amegakure with the Flying Thunder God Technique!
Swish!
But in the instant before the explosion, Naruto teleported back, snatching the four Six Paths Ninja Tools held by Kinkaku and Ginkaku, and returned to Amegakure once more!
Whoosh!
Boom!!!
The explosion's fireball engulfed everything in its path!
Amegakure
Naruto instructed Sasori, "Listen carefully. By forming the following hand seals, you can break free from the Edo Tensei's control."
After regaining his autonomy, Sasori asked, "Why did you risk your life to bring me back?"
Naruto replied, "To be honest, my victory over you in puppetry was purely due to the convenience of the Rinnegan's Asura Path abilities. But I understand the principle of specialization. My achievements in this field will always be limited. Are you interested in taking this further?"
"Right now, I have a proposal. Consider this: partial Painification. You'd retain your mind and personality, but your body would serve as my Asura Path Pain. This way, you'd gain access to the Asura Path's abilities!"
After some thought, Sasori ultimately agreed.
For now, Naruto had no choice but to return to the battlefield.
After all, the most critical figure—Itachi Uchiha—was still out there!
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