Facing Kakuzu's miserly nature, Kabuto couldn't care less—after all, he'd just get the money from Muren Uchiha or Zetsu anyway. But Kakuzu was indeed important to him, being his source of income. For the sake of future research funding, Kabuto charged straight in.
"Red Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets!"
Kabuto extended his right arm forward. Amidst a series of cracking sounds, his arm began to transform. In the blink of an eye, the entire limb had changed into a ring-like object. Visible chakra swirled within its surface. This was a modification Kabuto had made to himself using the puppet techniques left behind by Sasori.
Immediately after, Kabuto drew a scroll from his other hand and opened it. A succession of puppets emerged from within. These puppets wore crimson robes, their forms bizarre and grotesque, and their weapons equally strange. It was a complete and utter demonic dance.
"Huh? Puppets?"
"That shouldn't be possible. That bastard Sasori was supposed to be an experimental subject for Orochimaru, right?"
"Where did this puppeteer come from?"
Kazuyama Gekkō, still gathering natural energy, kept his eyes fixed on the battlefield. Suddenly, a horde of puppets appeared. His eyes widened in disbelief. He couldn't understand. Scorpion of the Red Sand was supposed to be near death. How could another puppet master suddenly appear? And was that the Third Kazekage?
Iron Sand began condensing in the sky, forming geometric shapes that hurled toward the aerial Yulín.
"Where did this Iron Sand come from?"
"And it's poisoned..."
"Pfft!"
As a snake, Yulín was highly sensitive to toxins. Her Senjutsu energy wasn't for show either; she instantly recognized the obstructing force was laced with deadly poison. Unfortunately, such attacks were largely ineffective against her. Though her flight wasn't ordinary, lacking much maneuverability, her years of training gave her an edge. The chakra surging within her allowed her to dodge mid-air with ease.
Simultaneously, a flicker of annoyance crossed her eyes. All these years, she'd been the undisputed queen of the Ryūchi Cave. Besides the Three Snake Princesses, who dared challenge her?
"Scale Strike!"
With a furious shout, more scales transformed into streaks of light hurtling downward, their sheer force even suppressing the Iron Sand from earlier.
This offensive maneuver caused a flicker of astonishment to pass through Kabuto's eyes.
"She deflected my Iron Sand so easily?"
"No wonder they fear her."
"Pity, it still doesn't meet my standards!"
"Go forth, my puppet legion!"
"Iron Sand Realm!"
The puppets launched a full-scale assault, while the Iron Sand in the air transformed once more, morphing into countless spikes hurtling toward Yulín. Managing both fronts simultaneously was no challenge for Kabuto.
With Kabuto's arrival, Kakuzu's situation improved slightly. After all, though Kinrin was formidable, she couldn't withstand a swarm of puppets clinging to her. These puppets were like old farmers clearing land, wielding weapons and hammering away at her body.
"So annoying!"
"Korin, Seirin, stop watching the show!"
Kinrin, already hot-tempered, grew increasingly irritable from repeated setbacks. Seirin chuckled behind her, then joined the fray.
"Snake Technique: Corrosive Venom."
The venom spewing from her mouth transformed into long, green serpents that slithered toward the puppets. These toxins possessed extreme corrosive properties. Even the slightest touch would dissolve a puppet into a pile of green sludge.
Korin's attack, however, was straightforward and unadorned—she simply swung her tail. Wave after wave of sonic pressure slammed into the puppets, instantly reducing the ordinary ones to shards.
"Damn it, those damn snakes!"
In that moment, Kabuto suddenly recalled his former sensei, Sasori of the Red Sand—the man who loathed snakes to the extreme. Now he thought he understood a little. Snakes like these were truly detestable!
"Damn puppet brat, don't hold back!"
"Combined Ninjutsu! Pressure Damage! Searing Migraine!"
Kakuzu's sea of flames engulfed the entire arena once more. Simultaneously, he roared at Kabuto, furious to find the brat staring blankly at such a critical moment! It infuriated this veteran ninja to no end.
Kabuto snapped out of his trance at Kakuzu's roar. He tore off his upper garments, revealing a modified physique. Another scroll appeared in his hand, which he slammed forcefully against his chest.
"No need for reminders!"
"Puppet Technique! Crimson Flame!"
Kabuto raised his other hand, a cannon-like appendage sprouting from his palm. In the next instant, a torrent of intense flames erupted from it. The sheer power was staggering, blasting past Kakuzu in front of him and slamming heavily into Kinrin.
"Damn brat!"
"I'll tear you apart!"
Suddenly roasted by fire—though the damage wasn't severe, the humiliation was excruciating. Kinrin instantly went berserk.
"Kinrin! Snap out of it!"
"Soundwave Strike."
Just as Kinrin was about to lose control, a cold, piercing voice cut through the chaos. The next instant, a visible shockwave slammed into Kinrin's head, snapping her out of her near-rage state.
"Ugh! Korin, could you be less rough next time?"
"I won't lose control!"
Korin didn't buy it. Among the four sisters, Kinrin was the quickest to snap. Seeing the signs of her impending rage, Korin had acted decisively to stop her. After all, losing control on a battlefield like this was pure suicide!
"Give me a break. Don't you know what a mess you are?"
"Serpent Magic—Medusa's Gift!"
Seirin joined Kinrin's side. After her taunt, she unleashed her own power. A torrent of venom erupted from her mouth, swiftly coalescing into a colossal python as massive as herself. Composed entirely of deadly poison, it attacked in Seirin's stead.
Meanwhile, Kazuyama Gekkō had identified the Puppeteer.
"Who'd have thought it'd be this guy?"
"I thought history had changed. Thought I'd never see him again."
"Is this the corrective force? Must it push him into the spotlight?"
Watching Kabuto's body transformed into a puppet, Kazuyama Gekkō felt this world's corrective force was truly formidable. Wasn't this guy supposed to be doing research with Orochimaru? Now look at him, switching careers to play with puppets under Sasori of the Red Sand??? What kind of mess is this?
"Tagitsuhime, are you ready?"
"The main event is about to start!"
Kazuyama Gekkō's Hive Mind had already spotted two figures approaching from the distance—or rather, one individual and a squad. None other than Muren Uchiha and Nagato. Seeing the island completely transformed into a battlefield, a flicker of impatience crossed their eyes.
"The main event hasn't even arrived yet, and you think a bunch of snakes can cause trouble?"
"Kazuyama Gekkō, you're far too arrogant!"
"Summoning Technique!"