Chapter 221 : Instant Release Of Three Ninjutsu
The Red Sand Sasori manipulated the massive puppet as it lumbered toward Riku, Sakura, and Chiyo.
Each thunderous step of the human puppet sent violent tremors through the ground.
It was clear just how immense and heavy the construct was—every time it stepped, the rocks beneath it cracked and shattered under its weight.
That alone was enough to show how terrifying this puppet's strength was.
Sakura applied medical ninjutsu to her injuries while warily watching the giant puppet approach.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
Each step pounded like a drumbeat against the earth.
Roooaaaar—
When the puppet was about thirty meters away, it let out a ferocious roar directed at Riku.
Its gaping maw revealed rows of gleaming, razor-sharp teeth—like long blades. If it swallowed someone whole, they'd undoubtedly be torn to pieces by those deadly jaws.
Sakura suddenly felt an overwhelming pressure descend upon her.
"Riku… What do we do now?"
Riku thought for a moment before replying, "Wait."
Sakura frowned, confused. "Wait? For what?"
"When he reveals more of his abilities, we'll find a better way to counter them."
Chiyo, observing how composed Riku was while facing a puppet towering over ten meters high, nodded approvingly. "This kid's really something. Even at my age, I think I'd be panicking in a situation like this."
As a veteran Kage-level shinobi, Chiyo knew all too well that even seasoned fighters often faltered under such pressure. Yet here was Riku, utterly calm.
After witnessing his power earlier, she no longer thought Riku was just putting on a show. He truly had strength to back up his confidence.
Sakura clenched her fists and glanced at Riku again. She was anxious, but Riku stood unmoving, calmly watching the giant puppet.
Even Sasori—the Red Sand Scorpion—was a little curious.
Isn't this brat even a little afraid? Or does he really think he can take on my Iron Fangs?
Still uncertain about Riku's abilities, Sasori didn't strike immediately. Instead, he demonstrated his control.
With a wave of the giant puppet's hand, all the iron sand scattered from the previous battle floated back into the air.
Chiyo and Sakura were both shocked. "No way…! This puppet can also use Magnet Style?!"
They had already destroyed Sasori's puppet modeled after the Third Kazekage—so why was this new puppet still using Magnet Release?
And more importantly, how could Sasori's chakra sustain a construct of this size?
In truth, neither Sakura nor Chiyo knew just how vast Sasori's chakra reserves were. But Riku did.
He understood that Sasori's chakra was at the very peak of Kage-level—perhaps even rivaling the legendary Sannin.
Grandma Chiyo and Sakura alone couldn't possibly defeat him at his full strength.
Even his chakra volume was comparable to Jiraiya's.
At first, Riku had assumed Tsunade, as a Senju, would have the most chakra among the Sannin. But upon deeper research, he learned the Senju clan didn't necessarily possess abundant chakra—at least, not compared to someone like Hashirama.
Besides Hashirama, no other Senju had mastered Wood Style.
Tsunade did have more chakra than Orochimaru, but not more than Jiraiya.
Jiraiya's chakra was truly top-tier.
And so was Sasori's. Based on Riku's sensing, the Red Sand Scorpion's chakra capacity was absolutely on par with Jiraiya's.
Tsunade's large chakra reserves, Riku had realized, were thanks to her Strength of a Hundred Seal—not her Senju heritage.
That was why, during Pain's assault on Konoha, she had managed to heal the entire village.
That healing was powered by decades' worth of stored chakra. After developing hemophobia, she had rarely used chakra, so it had accumulated for years.
So for someone like Sasori—whose chakra was already at the peak Kage level—controlling a massive puppet was not difficult at all.
Moreover, his puppets had all been modified and optimized.
Operating them didn't consume much chakra.
Still, Riku hadn't expected that the giant puppet would also wield Magnet Release.
The floating iron sand condensed into hundreds of spears, each one sharp and deadly, all aimed directly at Riku.
The corners of Riku's mouth curled slightly.
"So he's been targeting me from the beginning."
Sakura glanced nervously at him, fists clenched at her sides.
"The iron sand is laced with poison. Be careful."
But Riku remained calm. "I want to see just how far he can take his Magnet Style."
Rrrrkk—
Hearing this, Sakura grew even more concerned. She feared Riku was underestimating the threat, maybe even showing off.
But after witnessing his previous feats, she wondered—maybe Riku really did have the strength to back it up.
Even Sasori was slightly unnerved by Riku's composure.
This puppet could go toe-to-toe with a Tailed Beast… He has Magnet Release from the Third Kazekage…
How could someone like him lose?
Finally, Sasori made his move.
"Brat… Die!"
With a wave of the puppet's arm—
Whoosh!
Hundreds of iron sand spears tore through the air toward Riku with a terrifying sonic boom.
Sakura watched in horror—Riku hadn't even moved.
She tensed. "Riku—!"
But just as the spears closed in—five meters… four… three…
Riku's hands blurred into motion.
"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"
"Water Style: Water Barrier!"
"Earth Style: Earth-Style Wall!"
Almost simultaneously, Riku unleashed three elemental jutsu.
A massive gust of wind roared out, blasting against the oncoming iron spears. The impact was violent—hundreds of projectiles shattered instantly.
The remaining two hundred or so spears, though slowed significantly, kept coming.
Splash—!
They struck the spinning Water Barrier, which was over three meters thick.
The spinning current dragged and dulled their momentum further.
Only around fifty spears made it through the water, now traveling at a speed akin to a regular ninja's throw.
When they struck the final defense—the Earth-Style Wall—they were stopped completely.
BANG! BANG! THUD!
Dust and mud flew everywhere, but the spears were completely neutralized.
All of this had happened in the span of a single second.
Chiyo and Sakura stared at Riku's triple-layer defense, dumbfounded.
"H-He cast three high-level jutsu in an instant… How… How is that even possible?!"
Sakura was stunned, staring at Riku like she didn't recognize him.
"Riku… you're incredible. We may be the same age, but the gap between us is enormous. I can't even see his back anymore…"
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