Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu

"Puppet Technique: Three Treasures Crushing Absorption!"

The three puppets swiftly formed a triangular formation, and a powerful suction force surged toward Yūske like a vortex, seemingly intent on pulling him into the formation.

Everyone nearby was caught up in the force. Whether Sunagakure or Konoha ninja, they were blown into the air by the fierce wind like kites with their strings cut.

The battlefield instantly fell silent, with only the sound of the wind echoing incessantly in their ears.

A moment later, the suction force abruptly ceased. Chiyo controlled her puppets as they descended from above. Behind her followed ten puppets like shadows.

"White Secret Technique: Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, enter the field."

Chiyo's voice was cold and imposing.

"Lady Chiyo, we..."

The five Sunagakure ninja sent to pursue Yūske looked at Chiyo with shame written all over their faces, not daring to speak loudly.

"I underestimated his strength. Withdraw first."

Chiyo waved a hand, but her gaze remained fixed on Yūske.

Yūske suddenly recalled one of Uchiha Madara's domineering lines and blurted out, "Do you want to dance too?"

At those words, every ninja stared at Yūske in shock, stunned by his audacity.

Chiyo's expression darkened further. She ground out through clenched teeth, "Good. Very good. Once I capture you alive, I'll make sure you understand what it means to respect your elders!"

Old grudges and new hatred intertwined as fury flickered in Chiyo's eyes.

"Puppet Technique: Striking Chain Blade!"

With a soft shout from Chiyo, the threads in her hands danced like nimble performers, launching kunai toward Yūske like sharp arrows.

"You should know this won't work on me."

The corners of Yūske's mouth lifted slightly, as though he had expected it. He calmly manipulated the threads around him, easily batting aside the kunai. After severing the connection between them and Chiyo, he altered their trajectory and fired them back toward her.

Then Yūske leaped nimbly into the air, spreading his palm as white threads shot out like lightning. With a powerful tug, his body flew like an arrow released from the bow, shooting fiercely toward Chiyo.

"Million Ton Horn Strike!"

With an angry roar, Yūske instantly transformed into a massive horn drill, controlling the threads as they spun at high speed like a whirlwind.

"Puppet Technique: Machine Light Shield Seal!"

Without changing expression, Chiyo controlled a puppet to stand before her like an unyielding shield and unleashed her Puppet Technique.

It blocked it!

The two collided, kicking up dust that spread like a sandstorm and blotted out the sky. Chiyo's eyes narrowed as she controlled several other puppets to charge into the dust without hesitation.

Within the billowing dust, the battle did not lessen in intensity. Chiyo's puppets moved through it in seamless coordination, balancing offense and defense. Every attack contained Chiyo's years of combat experience and exquisite skill.

Yūske darted flexibly between the puppets, searching for an opening in Chiyo's defenses.

As the dust gradually settled, Chiyo swiftly summoned her puppets back to her side and stood ready.

"Five-Colored String!"

Yūske's gaze sharpened as he swung countless threads, flowing like colorful silk ribbons, toward the puppets. Chiyo maneuvered the puppets, dodging sideways at astonishing speed with movements as smooth as flowing clouds and running water.

It had to be said that Chiyo's Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu were like ten highly coordinated jonin. Not only were they incredibly fast, but they could also use ninjutsu, making them impossible to guard against.

"Your ninjutsu is indeed powerful, but it's a pity your attacks can't hit your enemy. No matter how strong your ninjutsu is, it's nothing but decoration!"

A faint smirk appeared on Chiyo's lips as she disdainfully pinpointed Yūske's weakness.

Yūske's gaze turned icy. He stopped attacking and quietly stared at Chiyo.

"Is that so?"

His calm voice carried a trace of disdain.

Chiyo chuckled, though she could not help but sigh inwardly. This young ninja was only nineteen, yet he possessed such extraordinary talent. Why did he have to be from Konoha instead of Sunagakure? She could not help complaining inwardly about the heavens' unfairness.

"First Gate, Gate of Opening, open!"

"Second Gate, Gate of Healing, open!"

"Third Gate, Gate of Life, open!"

Yūske opened three gates in succession. A powerful current of air instantly surrounded him, his skin flushing slightly as a tremendous surge of power welled up within him. Opening the Eight Inner Gates instantly dispelled his fatigue and made his mind exceptionally clear.

Watching Yūske use an unknown ninjutsu and seeing his aura rise, Chiyo had a bad feeling!

Chiyo decided to strike first, controlling her puppets as they rushed toward Yūske like a gale. The weapons in their hands glinted with cold light.

Yūske flashed away, evading Chiyo's attacks like a phantom. His movements were quick and agile, causing Chiyo's attacks to miss again and again.

"Super Striking Constricting Whip!"

Yūske counterattacked. He swung a whip formed from countless gathered threads, lashing it swiftly against Chiyo's puppet. The puppet was sent flying with a series of cracking sounds, breaking apart and scattering across the ground.

Chiyo was startled. She had not expected Yūske's speed to be so fast that he could swiftly destroy one of her puppets.

The battle grew increasingly fierce as neither side gave an inch. Chiyo continuously changed her puppets' tactics, trying to find an opening in Yūske's defenses. Meanwhile, Yūske's nimble movements and strange thread attacks forced Chiyo onto the defensive.

Amid the fierce clash, Yūske suddenly flashed forward and closed in on Chiyo's puppet. The threads in his hand coiled around it like venomous snakes.

"Parasitic String!"

Yūske found his chance to use Parasitic String! With a fierce pull, the puppet immediately lost its balance. Chiyo hurriedly controlled her other puppets to rescue it, but Yūske had already calculated her movements.

"Five-Colored String!"

After taking control of the puppet, he followed through and successfully severed the threads connecting Chiyo to her puppets.

The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu had become eight puppets.

By the time Chiyo and Yūske's battle reached its peak, the surrounding ninja had already stopped fighting without prior agreement, their gazes all focused on the fierce battle between the two.

"How can this be?"

"Lady Chiyo is actually being pushed back by a junior..."

"Lady Chiyo, don't fall for Konoha's scheme!"

Seeing Chiyo gradually fall into a disadvantage, the Sunagakure ninja could not help crying out.

"Go, Lord Yūske!"

"Smash all her puppets!"

"Lord Yūske, victory is yours!"

Seeing Yūske gradually gain the upper hand, the Konoha ninja could not help cheering him on.

"Sister!"

Ebizo looked toward Chiyo with a face full of worry, his heart burning with anxiety. He wanted to step forward and help, but feared damaging both his sister's and Sunagakure's reputation.

Chiyo's expression grew increasingly grim as she stared at Yūske. Then she summoned two more puppets from the scroll on her back, intending to fill the gaps in the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu.

"I admit that I underestimated you before, Watanabe Yūske. But how long can you maintain this state?"

After a series of fierce exchanges, Chiyo knew perfectly well that as long as she could hold out until Watanabe Yūske's ninjutsu wore off, he would become fish on her chopping block, at her mercy.

Yūske naturally understood Chiyo's intentions. He had only opened three gates, so the burden on his body was not yet that great.

"Worry about yourself first, old hag!"