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...
Seeing Jiryoku not getting harmed was a surprise to Sasori, but it wasn't entirely unexpected. For this reason alone, he approached Jiryoku. As soon as Jiryoku came within his range, he used the iron tail to attack, just after Jiryoku finished defending against the needles.
In response to Sasori's attack, Jiryoku covered his right hand with 'Armament Haki' and effortlessly caught Sasori's puppet's iron tail, which was imbued with poison. Sasori attempted to retract the tail, but he couldn't free it from Jiryoku's grip. Just when Sasori was about to give up on his puppet's tail, Jiryoku suddenly released it, leaving Sasori confused as to why Jiryoku had let go of the tail.
"Don't overthink it. It's been three years since I last fought. I'm just toying with you, having some fun, that's all," said Jiryoku.
"Don't underestimate me, boy. I am 'Sasori of the Red Sand,' and I've killed more people than you've likely ever seen in your life," Sasori retorted angrily.
"What does your alias have to do with your strength? Anyway, talking to you would be a waste of time, and if I waste any more time here, your partner may escape," Jiryoku replied.
After finishing his statement, he clenched his fist and covered his hand with 'Armament Haki.' Soon, red thunder began to appear on his hand. This thunder wasn't ordinary; it was the 'Conqueror's Haki' enveloping Jiryoku's hand.
Jiryoku unleashed a powerful punch known as the 'Mountain Destroyer Punch,' creating a massive shockwave. Sasori found himself directly in the impact zone and was sent flying, with his puppet shattering piece by piece upon impact. Meanwhile, Chiyo, Sakura, and 'Team Guy' struggled to hold their ground as the shockwave reached them, threatening to send them flying as well.
Once the effects of Jiryoku's attack subsided, they were met with a barren circular area measuring 50 meters in diameter. Tenten expressed her shock, saying, "How powerful is this attack?"
Chiyo was utterly stunned as she gazed at Jiryoku, who was breathing slightly heavily. It was as if she were looking at a monster. She couldn't help but recall Kakashi's words: "If he gets serious, you're no match for him." And Jiryoku's own statement: "Your village is too weak for me; I can destroy it with just 70% of my strength." Now, Chiyo even doubted whether Jiryoku would need 70% of his strength to destroy Sunagakure.
"I can't imagine performing a move like this without unlocking the 'Seventh Gate.' And, not to mention, after using such a move, I wouldn't be able to perform it immediately. However, Jiryoku executed it effortlessly, and it seems like he could do it again," commented Might Guy.
This powerful move by Jiryoku even caught the attention of Deidara, who was trying to escape, and Kakashi, who was in pursuit with his team.
"Be careful, Sasori, my man," Deidara muttered as he continued to fly and throw C1 bombs in Kakashi and his team's path as they chased him.
"It must be Jiryoku," said Shikamaru.
"Hiyah... yah, it must be him," replied Choji as he demolished the wood in front of him using his expansion jutsu.
"These small explosives shaped like bugs are getting quite annoying," Ino remarked.
"Focus on these small explosives. Although they are small, their potency is very high," advised Kakashi.
Everyone nodded and continued their pursuit of Deidara.
----
Turning back to where Jiryoku had attacked Sasori, Jiryoku said, "Survived? But this much can be expected from someone as tenacious as Sasori."
Jiryoku then turned towards Chiyo and asked, "He is your grandson, correct?"
Chiyo replied with a simple "Yes."
"I leave your grandson to you. Handle him. I can't let his partner escape," said Jiryoku. Before Chiyo could acknowledge Jiryoku's words, he soared into the air with incredible speed and disappeared in an instant.
----
(Sasori's POV)
"Damn it, what's with the strength of that monster? In just one blow, he destroyed not only my puppet but also my body puppet. If I hadn't protected my heart at the last moment, I would be dead for sure," thought Sasori as he transferred his consciousness to another Sasori puppet he had created as a backup.
Sasori stood up and scanned the distance, but there was no sign of Jiryoku. "Where did that guy go?" he wondered aloud.
----
Chiyo approached Sasori's location and was shocked when she saw him. She exclaimed, "How can you look the same as you did 20 years ago?"
Sasori replied, "What are you doing here, Granny? You're quite old for fighting, don't you think? And where did that bastard Jiryoku go?"
"Yes, I am old, but I am more than capable of taking you down," Chiyo asserted.
"Really?" Sasori questioned. After confirming that Jiryoku was indeed gone, Sasori said to Chiyo, "Let me show you my masterpiece, my best creation ever." He then retrieved a scroll and summoned a puppet from it.
Chiyo, still in shock, muttered, "How can it be?"
Sakura, curious, asked, "What's the matter, Granny Chiyo? Why are you so shocked?"
Chiyo composed herself and answered Sakura's question, "Do you remember when I told you about the Third Kazekage? This puppet is made from the body of the Third Kazekage."
Sakura was shocked upon hearing this revelation, as Chiyo had previously mentioned the human puppet while explaining the Hiruko puppet.
By this time, the iron stored inside the Third Kazekage Puppet had emerged from the puppet's mouth, and Sasori unleashed the 'Iron Sand Drizzle technique.'
Upon seeing the attack approaching, Guy activated the 'First Gate' and, with incredible speed, reached Chiyo. He swiftly moved her out of the trajectory of the Kazekage's attack. Likewise, Lee, who had unlocked the 'Third Gate,' grabbed Sakura and moved her to safety. However, Neji realized that it would be impossible to move Tenten from her current position, so he employed the 'Eight Trigrams Palms Revolving Heaven' to defend against the attack.
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