After escaping the range of Jun Ma Lu's attacks, the surrounding forest was engulfed in flames. The intense heat ignited several giant trees, and thick smoke rose into the sky.
"Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!"
Jun Ma Lu's cold voice echoed from within the sea of fire. In the next instant, countless finger bones shot forward like bullets.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
Kakuzu quickly formed hand seals. A thick earth wall rose before him and Uchiha Itachi, blocking the barrage of bone bullets.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The bone projectiles smashed against the wall relentlessly, sending debris flying everywhere.
"Dance of the Clematis: Vine!"
Jun Ma Lu suddenly attacked again. A long spinal whip burst from his body, piercing through the earth wall and lashing toward Kakuzu.
After receiving Chen Xing's training, Jun Ma Lu had long surpassed the limits of ordinary shinobi. Combined with the Shikotsumyaku of the Kaguya Clan and the Uzumaki bloodline Chen Xing had given him, his body and chakra had become terrifyingly powerful.
Without Mangekyō Sharingan techniques, neither Itachi nor Kakuzu could quickly deal with him.
Kakuzu's ninjutsu was powerful, but Jun Ma Lu's skeletal defense made most attacks ineffective.
Kakuzu leapt back to dodge, but Jun Ma Lu instantly appeared before him.
"Dance of the Larch!"
Sharp bone spikes erupted from Jun Ma Lu's body.
"Damn—!"
Before Kakuzu could escape, the dense white bones pierced through his body.
A scream rang out.
The body exploded into mud and collapsed.
It was only an Earth Clone.
Nearby, another "Itachi" suddenly staggered.
Jun Ma Lu's bone blade pierced straight through the fake Itachi's chest.
Puff!
The disguised body reverted into another clone corpse.
Jun Ma Lu frowned slightly and withdrew the bone sword.
"So they were both substitutes…"
He had hoped to witness the true power of Itachi's Mangekyō Sharingan, but the real Akatsuki members had never intended to fight seriously.
Without hesitation, Jun Ma Lu rushed toward the direction Kakashi and the others had gone.
---VS Sasori
When Jun Ma Lu arrived at the cave, the battle had already begun.
Deidara was preparing to escape with Gaara's body.
Using Body Flicker Technique, Jun Ma Lu instantly intercepted him and recovered Gaara.
After checking Gaara's condition, Jun Ma Lu's expression darkened.
"The One-Tail has already been extracted. His life force is gone."
"What?!"
Chiyo, Sakura, and the others were shocked.
Unlike Naruto, who had not formed a close bond with Gaara in this timeline, the others remained focused on the mission.
"Hmm… this place is too cramped for my art."
Deidara glanced around the cave before looking at Sasori.
"Sasori no Danna, I'll leave this to you."
"Go."
Sasori's hoarse voice answered calmly.
Deidara immediately rode his clay bird and flew out of the cave.
"Kakashi, Guy, go after Deidara!" Chiyo shouted.
Kakashi nodded and immediately chased after him with Might Guy.
Chiyo then looked at Gaara with a complicated expression before determination filled her eyes.
"There may still be a way to save him…"
Jun Ma Lu handed Gaara's body to Chiyo before turning toward Sasori.
Without a word, he rushed forward and punched toward Sasori's head.
Clang!
A black block suddenly appeared and blocked the strike.
Behind Sasori stood a puppet-like human figure.
"This is my greatest masterpiece," Sasori said calmly. "The Third Kazekage."
Chiyo's pupils contracted.
"So it really was you who killed the Third Kazekage…"
Sasori ignored her and stared at Jun Ma Lu with interest.
"A survivor of the Kaguya Clan… If I can turn your body into a puppet, it will surpass all my collections."
"You talk too much."
Jun Ma Lu's expression remained indifferent.
"Take Gaara and leave. Sasori is mine."
Chiyo hesitated for a moment before nodding.
Sakura and the others quickly carried Gaara out of the cave.
After everyone left, Sasori sneered.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"
The Third Kazekage puppet opened its mouth, releasing dense black Iron Sand that shot toward Jun Ma Lu like bullets.
"Earth Style: Earth Flow Wall!"
Jun Ma Lu slammed his palm onto the ground.
Boom!
A thick earth wall rose instantly and blocked the Iron Sand barrage, protecting the others as they escaped the cave.
The Iron Sand continuously smashed against the wall, causing cracks to spread rapidly across its surface.