Sasori: Shimizu, This Was Originally Prepared for You

"An enhanced elite squad of six. It has one Jonin, but at least two Special Jonin, and every remaining member is skilled as well. According to intelligence, the leader should be Konoha's Nara Shikahira. The two Special Jonin should be ninja from the Akimichi Clan and the Yamanaka Clan."

"As for that Uchiha, his identity is unknown for now. He possesses a Two Tomoe Sharingan. He is the top-priority capture target, while the Yamanaka Clan ninja is second priority. The enemy's Sensory Ninja is probably him. Take him out, and they'll be like headless flies in the vast desert."

As they traveled, Ishido briefed them on the intelligence. Shimizu followed behind with the Sealing Scroll on his back, Chakra spreading beneath his feet as he stepped across the sand.

There was quicksand in the desert, and it was highly dangerous. But ninja could even walk on water, so quicksand posed little threat instead.

Before long, Shimizu's group met up with Jonin Kyuichi.

Since Kyuichi was more familiar with the situation here, Ishido handed command over to him.

"I'll lay out the tactical arrangements."

Kyuichi was a typical Sunagakure ninja. He wore a white robe mixed with brown, cloth wrapped around his head. He was tall and thin, with rough, dark skin.

"The Ino-Shika-Cho trio led by Nara Shikahira will be handled by me and Jonin Ishido. The Uchiha ninja will be handled by the Puppet Force. Kana, you'll assist the Puppet Force. Everyone else will form an encirclement and hold back the remaining Konoha Ninja. Do everything possible to ensure the Uchiha is captured alive."

"Yes!"

The ring of ninja around them responded in unison.

"Captain, the Ino-Shika-Cho combination has been a tough bone to chew since the Warring States period. Will you and Captain Ishido be alright?"

The Sand Ninja named Kana asked Kyuichi.

"Haha, Kana, even if you look down on me, you can't look down on Captain Ishido. He isn't some ordinary Jonin Puppeteer."

Kyuichi burst into laughter.

"Shizuka, lead the way!"

"Yes!"

A female Sand Ninja Chunin formed Hand Seals and closed her eyes, sensing the enemy's position.

"To the northwest!"

"Move!"

That Konoha squad had an excellent lineup, and Sunagakure had also put considerable effort into obtaining the Sharingan bloodline limit.

They could only deploy two Jonin because most Jonin were at the front lines, but they had no shortage of other ninja.

Kyuichi had brought in three border patrol squads to join the battle.

Since this was wartime, such squads had stronger lineups than in peacetime. Each consisted of one Special Jonin with combat-related specialties and three Chunin.

To ensure the Uchiha could be captured alive, Sunagakure had deployed two Jonin, four Special Jonin, and more than ten Chunin. Their average strength was more than twice that of the enemy.

Shimizu and Sasori were, after all, members of the Puppet Force. Their strength differed from that of ordinary Genin. Of course, this might also have been meant to gild Chiyo's grandson Sasori, with Shimizu brought along as an extra.

At least, that was what the Special Jonin named Kana thought. He believed his task was to protect the two young masters of the Puppet Force and let them take a share of the credit.

And the course of events did not exceed expectations.

The strongest members of Konoha's team were the Ino-Shika-Cho trio, yet they were firmly suppressed by the two Jonin, Kyuichi and Ishido.

Kyuichi's strength was probably not much greater than that Konoha Jonin's, but Ishido was in an entirely different league.

He was actually using the highest secret art of Puppet Technique, the same one Chiyo used—White Secret Technique!

Although he could not perfectly control ten puppets like Chiyo, and the puppets he used were not top-tier puppets like the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, he still controlled five white-robed puppets and firmly suppressed the Ino-Shika-Cho trio.

He was absolutely an elite among Jonin!

"Although this mission is important, it's also training—for the two of you."

Miyaki casually controlled two puppets as he joined two other Special Jonin in besieging the Uchiha, while explaining things to Shimizu and Sasori.

"Shimizu, Sasori, this is a good training opportunity. In a moment, I'll let two Konoha Ninja through for you to practice on."

Kana, on the other side, frowned slightly. He said nothing, but became even more certain of his guess.

They had come to accompany the young masters while they earned some credit and gained experience.

In truth, Sasori was the only real young master. Shimizu had merely come along for the ride.

Still, Shimizu was curious about what he could accomplish now.

Sasori thought the same way.

Though exceptionally gifted, he had never truly fought enemies from another village from childhood until now, including the assessment where he sparred with Shimizu.

"Then I'll be relying on Senior Miyaki and Senior Kana."

Shimizu nodded to the two Special Jonin, then took the Sealing Scroll from his back and retrieved his two puppets.

With a sweep of both hands, Chakra Threads swiftly linked to the Fatty Puppet, transforming it into a mass of parts that wrapped around him.

The Little Boy Puppet extended the spiral mechanical claws on its hands, eager to fight.

"Damn it! These Sand Ninja are using us to train children!"

One of the Konoha Ninja let through, a sword-wielding man, glared darkly at Shimizu and Sasori.

Back-to-back with him was another Konoha Ninja, an ordinary-looking middle-aged man.

"Looks like they believe they have this completely under control. But Takiki, don't forget what Lord Hirano said before. We have to hold on! You force back the puppets, and I'll use ninjutsu to attack their bodies!"

The middle-aged ninja spoke with a steady expression.

"What's there to fear? These two might be Sunagakure's young geniuses. If we fight to the death, trading our lives for theirs would still be a huge profit! And if we make it back to the village alive, it'll be a great merit!"

As the sword-wielding ninja spoke arrogantly, the middle-aged ninja formed Hand Seals and unleashed ninjutsu.

"Fire Style: Flame Bullet!"

A massive blazing fireball, so hot it warped the air, surged toward Shimizu and Sasori.

"Black Secret Technique: Salamander."

Sasori extended five fingers impassively, controlling a large lizard-like puppet to block the attack in front of himself and Shimizu. It opened the shield on its back and stopped the Flame Bullet.

"This Ibuse was originally prepared for you."

Sasori said this to Shimizu, then continued his attack with his Chakra Threads.

"Tch... A defensive puppet meant to protect the Puppeteer's body? So it was developed to counter the Tom Cat Puppet I made before."

Inside the Fatty Puppet, Shimizu curled his lip and split his attention, activating his other puppet.

"Black Secret Technique: Little Boy."

"Black Secret Technique: White Ant."

The two figures swiftly bypassed Ibuse and charged forward.

After mastering the Black Secret Technique, both Shimizu and Sasori had gained the ability to control two puppets alone.