Chikamatsu Ten Puppets vs. Kusarigama Double Strike

South Gate

Chiyo was currently in the guise of a middle-aged woman, her gaze icy. Sunagakure's finances were currently in deficit, already facing a crisis; Salamander Hanzō's declaration of war had successfully diverted their internal conflicts.

"To repay the kindness of Amegakure, this old woman shall put in some effort and drive you lot of scum back!"

Thinking this, Chiyo extended both hands, ten chakra threads shooting from her fingers before latching onto the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.

With a lift of her hands and a subtle twitch of her fingers, the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets sprang into action, moving with the agility of living people as they charged toward the rapidly approaching Salamander Hanzō.

Salamander Hanzō let out a roar, turning to bypass the first of the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, then raised his right hand and slashed downward—Swish!

As he twisted his long blade, the second puppet was struck down. Just as he withdrew his blade, the third puppet raised the spike in its hand and thrust it toward Salamander Hanzō.

Just as he prepared to counter, the previously downed puppet gripped his right-hand blade tightly. Salamander Hanzō's expression shifted; he released his right hand and, using the momentum of the blade-pulling motion, stepped backward to dodge the third puppet's attack.

He then spun around and decapitated the third puppet, but before he could rest, the first puppet threw poisoned senbon at him!

Relying on instinct, Salamander Hanzō performed the Substitution Technique. Thud, tap-tap-tap—the sound echoed as the spot where Salamander Hanzō had stood was replaced by a wooden log, which was then struck by the poison senbon.

The toxin was potent; in the blink of an eye, the substitution log turned from brown to purple-black. Salamander Hanzō's eyes were cold. "You old hag, you really play dirty!"

Old hag? Chiyo had only intended to stall him and hadn't planned on getting serious, but what did he just say? Old hag!

BOOM! A massive surge of chakra erupted, causing the chakra threads in Chiyo's hands to thicken significantly, while the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets drew all their weapons.

With various forms—blades, spears, cannons, saws, and hooks—Salamander Hanzō narrowed his eyes. He tossed his katana aside, reached behind his back, and drew a kusarigama.

Any ninja who knew of his reputation understood that he was getting serious; this was his signature weapon, something no katana or longsword could replace.

"You bastard, did no one ever tell you that you shouldn't talk about a woman's age so casually!" With that, Chiyo roared, her powerful chakra causing her hair to stand on end.

The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets surged toward Salamander Hanzō at twice their previous speed.

Salamander Hanzō retreated, the puppets in hot pursuit. Then, Salamander Hanzō formed hand seals, a smirk playing on his lips. "Ninja Art: Explosive Flame Formation!"

Chiyo raised an eyebrow and withdrew four of the puppets, leaving the remaining six within the perimeter of the Explosive Flame Formation.

In an instant, numerous explosive tags buried underground flew out and plastered themselves onto the six Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, followed by a roar from Salamander Hanzō.

The explosive tags detonated! BOOM!

The six puppets were blown away and crippled. Chiyo attempted to control them, only to find they were beyond movement. She retracted her threads, her expression grave.

She did not know when Salamander Hanzō had planted the explosive tags, nor why they hadn't been used when Jiraiya attacked the South Gate earlier!

In truth, Chiyo's suspicion was not unfounded; the Explosive Flame Formation was an A-rank ninjutsu, meaning it required at least a true Jōnin with a vast reserve of chakra to activate. In Amegakure, besides Salamander Hanzō, who else met the criteria?

Thus, Jiraiya and his troops had not been harmed by this formation.

Salamander Hanzō scoffed; this old woman was making a mountain out of a molehill. He swung his kusarigama at Chiyo, but at that moment, an Ox-Head Puppet from the ten appeared to block him.

"Puppet Technique: Guard!"

With a clang, the kusarigama was deflected. Salamander Hanzō's eyes lit up, and he used the recoil to swing again!

"Kusarigama Double Strike!" The tip of the kusarigama pierced the back of the Ox-Head Puppet, punching through it. Salamander Hanzō then grabbed the base of the chain and yanked with force!

The metal torso of the Ox-Head Puppet was ripped apart; the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets had lost another member!

Salamander Hanzō licked his lips, looking at Chiyo with a mocking expression. Seven of the ten puppets were gone, leaving only three mediocre ones; he did not believe he could lose.

Chiyo's expression was grim. She had assumed Amegakure was merely a small village and that Hanzō's strength was just hype, but who would have thought the current Hanzō was this formidable!

Salamander Hanzō prepared to deliver the finishing blow to the old hag and shouted, "Salamander!"

The salamander responded instantly, transforming into a puff of white smoke before reappearing beside Salamander Hanzō. With their practiced synergy, the salamander immediately spat out a purple toxic mist. This mist was not only highly toxic but had an immense range, instantly engulfing Chiyo!

Salamander Hanzō sneered, "Ninja Art: Sickle Fog Technique!" His figure suddenly vanished into the toxic mist, and he crept toward Chiyo, searching for an opening.

Chiyo snorted, operating with her right hand alone. The remaining Chikamatsu Ten Puppets formed a triangular formation, and as Chiyo yanked her hand, the three puppets opened their mouths wide. "Three Treasures Suction Crush!" A massive amount of toxic mist was sucked into the puppets, and even Salamander Hanzō had to struggle desperately to resist this ninjutsu.

Damn it, this ninjutsu is a natural counter to me! This is so annoying!

Once the toxic mist had been cleared, Chiyo smiled and ordered, "Everyone, to my side!"

The Sunagakure ninja instantly ceased fighting and hid behind Chiyo. Salamander Hanzō seemed to realize something. "Oh no!" He prepared to throw his kusarigama at the puppets, but a shield made of iron sand blocked the weapon. Clang! The kusarigama was deflected. This time, Salamander Hanzō's expression changed. Magnet Release? And iron sand? Could it be!

Then, he saw a man with spiky blue hair appear, arms crossed, looking down at him from above!

The Third Kazekage! He had arrived! The strongest Kazekage in history! After such a grueling battle, Salamander Hanzō was not confident he could take on two Kage-level powerhouses!

The Third Kazekage raised an eyebrow, tilted his head, and pointed toward the Amegakure troops.

Chiyo smirked. "As you command, Lord Kazekage!" The three puppets opened their mouths wide, spraying the salamander's potent toxic mist toward the Amegakure troops.

Salamander Hanzō roared, "Run!" He then dashed toward the Rainy Clearing at top speed, but the Amegakure troops were not so lucky. Just as they tried to flee, a wall of iron rose from the ground, blocking their path.

As the toxic mist engulfed them, their bodies lost all strength, purple spots broke out across their skin, and they collapsed to the ground. Only then did the Third Kazekage signal Chiyo to stop.

Chiyo was obedient, following orders and using the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets to suck the salamander's toxic mist back in, intending to study it later—it might prove useful in the future.