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"Spiritual Art: Serpent Blood Bite Burst!"
The Third Kazekage extended a finger, pointing forward.
In an instant, the eight serpent heads formed of crimson Yomi Sand behind him all gaped their immense maws. They surged upward, weaving through the air with astonishing speed as they lunged toward Sasori's puppets.
Following the movements of the colossal serpents, blooming clouds of exploding Yomi Sand billowed like surging banks of deep-red, blood-tinged fog. Even through the projected image, one could almost smell the intense, metallic scent of blood.
"I didn't know when you managed to obtain such a precious material as Yomi Sand."
Sasori, along with all his remaining puppets, sprang into motion.
Several figures wove with blinding speed through the gaps in the crimson sand, leaving trails of black afterimages in their wake.
His voice remained steady.
"I recall this substance is also damaging to souls, correct?"
"You're well-informed. However…"
The Third Kazekage stood firm and unshaken.
The massive serpent heads abruptly accelerated, crashing into two of the weaving figures in a split second.
Hiss!
Black smoke billowed up. The two puppets instantly dissolved into nothingness.
"What?"
Sasori's voice now carried a note of surprise.
"Strange, is it? While Yomi Sand is indeed damaging to the souls of us departed, the harm is actually quite limited."
One of the serpent heads retracted swiftly. The Third Kazekage's feet left the ground as he rose to stand atop the serpent's head.
"But my sand has been specially treated!!"
The moment his feet made contact with the Yomi Sand, the speed of the crimson grains increased yet another notch.
Sasori dodged and weaved with every ounce of his skill, but still lost two more puppets.
"You tempered the Yomi Sand in the bloody currents of the Scorching Hell's River of Blood!"
He finally discerned the anomaly in the sand.
"Noticed, have you?"
The blood-colored sand churned violently, obliterating all remaining puppets in an instant.
Simultaneously, the eight enormous serpent heads encircled Sasori's main body, trapping him completely.
"A pity it's too late now!"
The Third Kazekage, standing atop a serpent head, looked down imperiously at Sasori below.
"Caught you."
"So this is your trump card?"
Sasori lifted his head, gazing fearlessly at the backlit, silhouetted form of the Third Kazekage.
"It is indeed powerful."
A sudden, faint smile curled at the corner of his lips.
"However, you didn't think this was all I had, did you?"
"Bluffing brat! Go to hell where you belong, definitively!"
Ignoring Sasori's words, the Third Kazekage manipulated all eight serpent heads. They shot forward in a complex, interweaving assault, aiming for Sasori at the center of the circle.
"Spiritual Art: Flower Secret Technique!"
With Sasori's soft cry, a gigantic red spider lily erupted from the ground. Layer upon layer of interwoven petals formed a protective cocoon, securely enveloping him within.
"Heh heh heh heh…"
His laughter emanated from within the flower.
"This flower-type puppet was crafted from nine hundred and ninety-nine red spider lilies. While it has no other function for now, it is perfectly suited for one thing: absorbing the impurities and corrupting energies of Yomi!"
"What?"
The Third Kazekage's expression changed instantly.
"Could it be… you detected my preparations long ago?"
He hurriedly attempted to withdraw the Yomi Sand.
"It's already too late!"
As Sasori's voice rang out, a crimson light, matching the hue of the spider lilies, erupted. In a flash, it drained the peculiar power from the sand completely.
As the light dissipated, the color of the Yomi Sand grew noticeably dimmer. It could no longer maintain the form of the eight-headed serpents, beginning to scatter and fall like ordinary dust.
Then, the giant spider lily's petals unfurled, layer by layer, and Sasori stepped out from within.
"However, I wasn't specifically targeting you, Lord Third."
He extended his hands once more. Several spiritual puppets emerged from his sleeves, swiftly surrounding the Third Kazekage.
"I was merely taking standard precautions against anyone who might try to harness the corrupt power of Yomi!"
"Damn you!"
This time, it was the Third Kazekage's turn to retreat and evade.
…
Outside the projection, Kaito narrowed his eyes as he watched the scene.
"Hmph. They're all just loophole-exploiters, sneaking around hell and grabbing whatever advantages they can on the side."
He suddenly chuckled, though a cold glint flashed in his eyes.
"It seems the personnel shortage in Yomi Hell is already severe. Overhauling the infernal order is urgently needed. King Enma truly has no more time to slowly cultivate subordinates."
Minato commented, "I recall you mentioned that because of this recruitment tournament, King Enma has temporarily postponed proper judgment on the sins of the deceased shinobi?"
"Indeed."
Kaito confirmed.
"Truth be told, practically every one of those shinobi is guilty and awaiting sentencing to some degree. The reason everyone is scrambling to apply is that by becoming affiliated with Yomi Hell, they can have their punishments reduced to some extent. Moreover, if one succeeds in ascending the throne, not only are their own sins completely pardoned, but they also gain the authority to pass judgment on others."
"Heh heh heh…"
Minato gave a dry, strained laugh, unable to suppress a slight shiver.
"I'm suddenly having some regrets about not participating in the recruitment myself."
"Don't worry about it, Minato."
Kaito turned a beaming smile on him and reached out to pat his shoulder reassuringly.
"Really?" Minato's eyes lit up hopefully. "Could it be, Kaito… you plan to put in a good word for me with King Enma? To have my sentence reduced when the time comes?"
"No."
Kaito shook his head.
"What I mean is, you'll have to face this eventually anyway. Avoiding it is useless.
"So face it bravely, Fourth Hokage! Don't worry. With your merits balancing out your faults, your sentence should be over quite quickly."
"I-is that so?"
Minato looked at Kaito with wide, hopeful eyes.
"That's how it is."
Kaito nodded with absolute certainty.
"Then let Kushina and me become your shikigami forever, Kaito!"
Minato suddenly flashed a brilliant smile, giving Kaito a thumbs-up.
"Huh?"
But Kaito had already turned his head back to the scene unfolding in the magical projection.
The battle between Sasori and the Third Kazekage was undergoing another shift.
Hey! Don't just ignore me!
Minato's face twisted in grief and indignation as he opened his mouth to protest, but his attention too was captured by the battle on the screen.
Just moments before, the Third Kazekage, whose speed was not his strong suit, had finally been overtaken by several of Sasori's puppets and endured a rapid series of consecutive blows.
Though he had desperately avoided vital points, his spirit form was now covered in wounds, his very soul appearing somewhat dimmer and faded.
However, just as Sasori, brimming with confident satisfaction, moved in for what he intended to be the final strike, the Third Kazekage erupted with a sudden, desperate surge of power.
He raised his right hand as if gripping an invisible sword and executed a sudden, sweeping horizontal slash.
In that instant, a subtle yet potent ripple of force expanded outward. Every one of Sasori's puppets, including the one housing his main spirit, was cleanly severed at the waist.
"Spiritual Art: Magnetic Wave Sword!"
The Third Kazekage's right hand was now visibly damaged, his expression grim.
"I hadn't fully mastered this technique. I intended to save it as a trump card for the final rounds."
He heard Izuna's voice from outside the barrier, announcing the conclusion of the match. His face grew even more unpleasant.
"Thanks to you, I was forced to reveal my hand! Regardless, once I successfully ascend the throne, I'll be sure to give you a proper 'welcome,' you brat!"