Konoha’s Black Plague

Team Hizashi vs. the Puppet Master (Additional Update)

The enemy hiding in the shadows, after seeing Bai Ye block the crow puppet's surprise attack, immediately manipulated it via chakra threads to open its beak and launch a volley of high-density, green poison needles in a tight spread.

The moment Bai Ye saw the crow's mouth open, he kicked off with force, leaving a deep footprint on the tree trunk beneath him as he retreated in sync with the incoming barrage.

"Eight Trigrams: Air Palm!"

Yuyan, startled by the enemy hiding right beneath her nose, let a flicker of self-blame cross her face. As Bai Ye landed beside her, she launched a Hyūga-style Air Palm to disperse the poison needles mid-air with precision.

"Yuyan, track where the opponent's hiding underground."

Bai Ye landed near Yuyan and Yue, staying vigilant toward the crow puppet's movements and wary of any hidden traps or additional puppets. His intent was clear—to protect Yuyan while she searched for the puppeteer using her Byakugan.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu!"

Yue inhaled deeply and released a massive fireball, engulfing the crow puppet and disrupting its next attack. To avoid damage, the enemy was forced to retract the puppet quickly.

"There!"

Using her Byakugan, Yuyan followed the chakra threads connected to the crow and successfully located the enemy's real body underground. Without hesitation, she hurled a kunai with an explosive tag to a spot near the right flank.

Caught off guard by being discovered so soon, the enemy didn't move until the tag detonated.

The blast unearthed a large puppet—significantly bigger than the crow—adorned with demonic red horns and six arms. It was the Black Ant, a puppet commonly used by advanced Sunagakure puppeteers.

As the dust settled, the Black Ant's abdomen opened with a creak, and the hidden puppeteer emerged from inside. He had cleverly concealed himself within the puppet's hollow cavity, evading Yuyan's Byakugan earlier with layered chakra shielding.

Now exposed, he no longer bothered to hide. He immediately began manipulating both the crow and Black Ant to attack the trio simultaneously.

"Stay alert—there may be more puppets in ambush!" Bai Ye warned.

The three Genin quickly dispersed. Moments later, the massive tree branches where they'd been standing were shattered by the attacking puppets and crashed down.

Then—boom—an explosion rocked the forest floor. The enemy had clearly rigged traps in advance, triggered by the falling debris.

Yuyan, with her Byakugan active, was the only one who could accurately perceive the location of safe ground. But even a moment's distraction could mean serious injury for Bai Ye or Yue.

Meanwhile, the enemy puppeteer remained at a distance with a smug expression. To him, merely delaying a Hyūga team was a strategic victory.

Bai Ye attempted multiple times to close the distance, but each time was repelled by the poison needles shot from the crow puppet. He couldn't afford to take a direct hit—super-speed regeneration didn't make him immune to toxins.

The puppeteer's control was highly refined, allowing him to dodge Yue's ninjutsu with minimal loss. For close-range fighters like Bai Ye and Yuyan, the enemy's puppets formed an effective perimeter, making it difficult to land a decisive blow.

"Tch..."

Bai Ye clenched his fists. His frustration was growing.

After taking a deep breath, he muttered to himself, "Didn't want to use this so early... but I guess there's no choice."

He stopped attacking and closed his eyes, concentrating.

"Gate of Opening... Open!"

It took him five full seconds to activate the First Gate of the Eight Gates Released Formation, a technique he had only recently acquired.

His execution was clumsy—the activation slow and energy-draining. He did not continue to the Gate of Rest, either due to caution or lack of mastery.

Whether his body could withstand it wasn't a concern. After years of training—and with the bonus of high-speed regeneration—he could likely endure the first three gates without permanent damage. The Eight Gates Formation only became truly dangerous starting at the Gate of Pain.

With a sharp increase in speed, Bai Ye vanished.

The puppeteer's eyes widened. Bai Ye had broken through.

"Bang!"

A thunderous crash echoed as Bai Ye reappeared in front of the enemy in a cloud of dust.

He didn't draw his Zanpakutō. Instead, he funneled his full strength into a single punch, charging it over fifty meters and slamming it forward.

The ground split open—but the impact didn't feel like human flesh.

Unbothered, Bai Ye pivoted mid-strike.

"Bang!"

Another deafening hit caused the terrain to sink further. Bai Ye had anticipated the Salamander puppet—a defensive puppet with incredible durability—and had already adjusted his attack strategy.

"It's pointless."

The puppeteer's voice echoed from within Salamander's shell.

"This puppet can withstand the weight of a mountain."

Indeed, despite Bai Ye's relentless strikes, the Salamander puppet held firm. Though showing signs of wear, it could easily buy time until reinforcements arrived.

Bai Ye finally unsheathed his Zanpakutō, but even its blade only left faint gashes on the surface.

Realizing a frontal assault was ineffective and time-consuming, Bai Ye grimaced.

"How annoying... Guess I have to go all-out after all."

He leapt atop the Salamander, holding his blade downward. The puppeteer blinked from inside, confused.

"What's he trying to do? Does he think I'll surrender?"

Bai Ye's voice was cold:

"Shoot to kill—

Shinso."

As he spoke, a shockwave cracked the earth. The blade's tip, charged with spiritual energy, extended rapidly—faster than the eye could follow.

The Salamander puppet, unbreakable until now, finally cracked. The blade pierced through the shell, through the puppeteer's skull, and emerged from beneath the puppet.

The ground cratered violently. A nearby tree toppled, crashing into the center of the blast zone.

The Sand shinobi died with a deluded smile on his face, never realizing how or when he had lost.

For the first time since the mission began, Bai Ye panted.

Though the fight had been brief, the cost was high. Between the Eight Gates and Shinso, his chakra reserves were seriously depleted.

"Yuyan, take point. Let's change course—fast."

As Yuyan and Yue regrouped at his side, Bai Ye wasted no time. There could be more enemies nearby.

It was time to leave.