Chapter 321: Two Against One

The shift from swift and agile like a leopard to near immobilization is a frustrating transition. Ye Zi continued to drain his chakra, manipulating an increasing number of roots, each like a serpent twisting its way toward Sakumo from all directions.

Yet, Sakumo managed to slip through each gap, only hindered by the puppets that occasionally blocked his way, which was the only reason they'd managed to keep him contained at all.

Chakra was limited, so prolonging this state would be to their advantage even if they couldn't capture him, Sakumo would eventually run out of chakra first. However, Ye Zi was determined not to let Sakumo continue moving so freely within his Wood Release. If he could trap Sakumo even once, he could end the battle much sooner.

The puppets fell one by one to Sakumo's blade, their numbers gradually dropping below a hundred. Whether it was due to Sakumo's overwhelming strength or Sasori's struggle with controlling so many puppets, they weren't as formidable as expected.

Despite the steady destruction of his puppets, Sasori remained calm and refrained from using the Third Kazekage puppet's special abilities.

As the distance between them shrank to a mere fifty meters, Ye Zi suddenly increased his chakra output.

The tree roots, now as thick as pythons, grew visibly larger. New roots sprouted from existing ones, proliferating wildly across the landscape. The earth split apart as they surged forward, filling the entire area until the ground was overrun with roots.

This wasn't the famous Wood Release technique, Deep Forest Emergence, but the density was even greater.

After deploying this technique, Ye Zi's chakra reserves plummeted sharply, leaving him with only about a tenth of his total chakra. Merely sustaining the technique required a continuous drain on his chakra.

The ground was now entirely covered in roots, which twisted and lunged at Sakumo from all sides, finally stopping him in his tracks. There was no space left for evasion; even the sky was blocked by Sasori's puppets, completely ensnaring Sakumo.

Seeing this intense use of Wood Release, Sasori didn't waste the opportunity. Manipulating his iron sand, he created a broad canopy to seal off the sky, in coordination with his puppets.

"With the sky blocked, the issue lies with Ye Zi's Wood Release. I have about forty percent chakra left, but if I don't push through and take down Sasori quickly, I'll… fall."

With that thought, Sakumo resolved to make his move.

The short blade of White Fang was suddenly extended by wind chakra, forming a long blade infused with traces of lightning.

At the same time, Sakumo intensified the flow of lightning chakra throughout his body, increasing his output.

In that instant, the rate at which he consumed chakra multiplied.

At this point, the roots had fully encircled him, leaving no gaps as they pressed in from all directions.

With his gaze fixed ahead, Sakumo struck the ground beneath his feet, severing the roots that came into contact with his blade. Without chakra support, the roots became mere wood. He dashed forward over the roots, heading straight for Sasori without dodging, cutting down everything in his path with his extended blade.

He no longer sliced things apart in shreds; instead, his blade cleanly split everything in half, be it roots springing up from the ground or those coming at him from the front.

The blade gleamed blindingly in the air, its movements sharp and precise.

Even with roots covering the ground in dense numbers, they couldn't stop Sakumo. With his blade, he cut through every obstacle in his way.

Ye Zi's plan to entangle him was thoroughly shattered. Although his brows furrowed, Ye Zi didn't give up; roots continued to rush forward in waves.

Sasori, too, sensed the danger as Sakumo closed the distance by thirty meters in an instant. A dense mass of puppets gathered and blocked Sakumo's path.

Sakumo's blade cut through the air, and in an instant, the remaining puppets shattered under its power.

Shocked, Sasori immediately deployed the Third Kazekage puppet.

Iron Sand World Method!

Thousands of black branches formed from iron sand, twisting and interlocking to create a massive black sphere filled with sharp branches, enclosing Sakumo within. Each branch was sharp enough to pierce the ground with ease.

Against this widespread, densely packed Magnetic Release technique, Sakumo continued to cut, slicing through the roots, puppets, and iron sand alike.

Ye Zi watched silently, finally grasping White Fang's strength, it was no wonder he couldn't gain the upper hand against Sakumo.

"My chakra… is running low."

After breaking through all barriers, Sakumo pressed his lips together, slashing aside every obstacle as he advanced silently toward Sasori.

A look of alarm crossed Sasori's face. He raised his hands, palms aimed at Sakumo, releasing high-temperature flames capable of melting kunai within seconds.

Sakumo's eyes narrowed, realizing this was his final step. Holding White Fang firmly, he cleaved through the fire in two before advancing toward Sasori.

He had cut through Ye Zi's Wood Release, Sasori's puppet army, and Magnetic Release, moving in with a single decisive strike. With Sasori down, he could focus fully on Ye Zi.

If not for Ye Zi's relentless interference, he wouldn't have targeted Sasori.

Ssshk!

White Fang's sharp blade sliced downward, splitting Sasori's head cleanly in two but it was another puppet. Without pause, Sakumo kept his sword raised, ready to strike again.

Just then, he heard a rushing sound behind him—it was the blade, Chijin, laced with lightning. Ye Zi had hurled it like a spear.

The moment was perfect: Sakumo had just sliced Sasori in two when he heard the weapon approaching and turned to deflect it.

But Sasori wasn't dead. The half containing his core was still intact. With a subtle twitch of his fingers, poisoned spikes hidden underground burst forth and slashed Sakumo's leg.

This poisoned spike, planted in advance, found its target during the distraction Ye Zi had created a poison with a powerful paralytic effect.

"It's over!"

Sasori's eyes lit up with delight as he watched his poisoned spike successfully wound Sakumo's leg.

Pain radiated from Sakumo's lower leg as he processed what had happened. Within seconds, his body began to go numb.

Meanwhile, Sasori reassembled himself, the two halves of his body reconnecting via chakra strings.

"Die, White Fang of Konoha!"

With a furious shout, Sasori didn't use a blade, as he wanted to preserve the body intact. Instead, he extended a chain tipped with a deadly spike from his abdomen, aiming for Sakumo's heart.

Faced with the imminent threat, Sakumo, despite his paralyzed state, forced his body to move slightly.

Squelch.

The spike impaled his abdomen, and his body seemed to lose all function as the paralysis set in completely.

Nearby, Ye Zi watched with cold satisfaction as six sharp roots pierced Sakumo's body.

Blood splattered!

Sakumo's face twisted, and he coughed up blood, feeling his strength draining from his body.

Watching in silence, Ye Zi finally relaxed, his tension melting away. It was over. Without Sasori, he might not have been able to kill Sakumo and would have been stuck in a stalemate.

"Finally… finally, he's dead…"

Sasori grinned widely, his eyes glinting with satisfaction, only to freeze in shock at what he saw.

With a fierce yell, Sakumo lifted his blade, slashing through the roots and chain, and launched a final strike at Sasori!

Even in this state, he was capable of such a move!

Check out the patreon and get 55 chapters in advance -> SaintXI

Currently on Chapter 377 - Exploring the Lightning Release