Starry Sky Attacks Konoha?
That sounded awfully fresh. The last one who dared do something like this was Orochimaru, and the next might have been Pain—so what kind of expert had come this time?
The streets had already descended into chaos. Villagers' cries mixed with the sounds of fleeing footsteps, while smoke and dust rose from all directions, obscuring half the street.
And at the source of the commotion stood a giant puppet over two stories tall. No—judging by the metallic gleam flashing across its frame and joints, it looked more like some kind of war machine.
"It's you again—! You really are one stubborn man!"
The Nadeshiko kunoichi who had been inside rushed out first and recognized the attacker at a glance. Clearly, he had come for them.
A plain-looking man with glasses sat atop the puppet. His eyes were fixed on Nadeshiko Shizuka behind the kunoichi, naked greed and desire churning in his gaze.
"I'm not interested in you. Move aside. Hurry up and let me have a match with that 'Princess.'"
The kunoichi was about to curse him out when Jiraiya stepped forward, placing himself before everyone.
"To build a puppet on this scale... that truly is rare." His voice was low, yet it carried the pressure unique to the strong.
"But do you know what you're doing? Attacking Konoha in public, deploying a large weapon, causing public panic—those crimes are enough to have you executed on the spot."
The man's face visibly paled. He clearly recognized the Fifth Hokage, but he soon craned his neck and shouted back.
"W-wait! If anyone's going to stop me... then it should be the 'Princess' giving the order, not people beneath her!"
"Who is that guy?"
Satsuki looked at the unpleasant face atop the puppet. She did not know him,