South Gate
Chiyo was a middle-aged woman now, her gaze cold. Sunagakure's finances were already in crisis, with expenses exceeding income. Salamander Hanzō's declaration of war had successfully diverted their internal conflicts.
To repay Amegakure for its kindness, I'll put in a little extra effort and drive you trash back!
At the thought, Chiyo extended both hands. Ten Chakra Threads shot from her fingers and attached themselves to the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.
She raised her hands and twitched her fingers. The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets all sprang into action, moving as nimbly as real people as they charged toward Salamander Hanzō, who was racing toward them.
Salamander Hanzō let out a roar and spun past the first of the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets. Then he raised his right hand and brought it down in a slash—whoosh!
His long blade swept around and struck down the second puppet. As he pulled his blade free, the third puppet thrust the spike in its hand at Salamander Hanzō.
Just as he was about to counterattack, the first puppet—the one he had knocked down—clamped its hands around his long blade. Salamander Hanzō's expression shifted. He released the weapon and used the force of his pull to leap backward, evading the third puppet's attack.
Then he spun around and cut off the third puppet's head. Before he could even catch his breath, the first puppet threw poisoned senbon at him!
Salamander Hanzō relied on instinct to perform the Substitution Technique. Thud! A series of clattering sounds followed. A wooden log appeared where he had been, and the poisoned senbon struck it.
The poison was potent. In the blink of an eye, the brown log turned purple-black. Salamander Hanzō's gaze was icy. "You old hag, you fight dirty!"
Old hag? Chiyo had only wanted to hold him off; she hadn't planned to get serious. And what did he call her? An old hag!
Boom! A massive burst of chakra erupted, thickening the Chakra Threads in Chiyo's hands. The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets drew out all their weapons.
Blades, swords, forks, spears, cannons, thunderbolts, saws, and hooks—every kind of weapon was represented. Salamander Hanzō narrowed his eyes, tossed aside the samurai sword in his hand, then reached behind his back and pulled out a kusarigama.
Any shinobi who knew of his reputation knew that he was getting serious. This was his signature weapon, after all—not some samurai sword or long blade that anyone could substitute for it!
"Damn it! Hasn't anyone ever told you not to comment on a woman's age?" Chiyo roared. Her powerful chakra sent her hair standing on end.
The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets charged at Salamander Hanzō at twice their previous speed.
Salamander Hanzō retreated, but the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets relentlessly pursued him. Then he formed Hand Seals, the corners of his mouth lifting. "Fire Release: Exploding Flame Formation!"
Chiyo raised an eyebrow and pulled four of the puppets back. The remaining six stayed within the Exploding Flame Formation.
In an instant, numerous Explosive Tags buried underground shot up and attached themselves to the six puppets. Then Salamander Hanzō let out a roar.
The Explosive Tags detonated! Boom!
The six Chikamatsu Ten Puppets were blasted away and mangled. Chiyo tried to control them, but found that the puppets could no longer move. She withdrew the threads, her expression grave.
She had no idea when Salamander Hanzō had buried the Explosive Tags, or why he hadn't used them earlier when Jiraiya attacked the South Gate!
Actually, Chiyo's suspicions were understandable. Exploding Flame Formation was an A-rank jutsu, which meant that only a true jonin with a large amount of chakra could activate it. And in Amegakure, who besides Salamander Hanzō fit the bill?
That was why Jiraiya and his troops had escaped harm from the Exploding Flame Formation.
Salamander Hanzō snorted. This old woman was making a fuss over nothing. He swung the kusarigama at Chiyo, but one of the Ten-Puppet Unit—the Ox-Head Puppet—appeared and blocked him.
Puppet Technique: Guard!
With a clang, the kusarigama was knocked away. Salamander Hanzō's eyes lit up, and he swung it again, using the force of the recoil!
Kusarigama Double Strike! The tip of the kusarigama stabbed into the Ox-Head Puppet's back, piercing it. Then Salamander Hanzō grabbed the base of the kusarigama with his right hand and yanked hard!
The metal torso of the Ox-Head Puppet tore free. The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets had lost another member!
Salamander Hanzō licked his lips and regarded Chiyo with a mocking grin. Seven of the ten puppets were gone, leaving only three that didn't look like much. He didn't think he could lose.
Chiyo's expression was grave. She had thought Amegakure was no more than a small ninja village and that Hanzō's strength was all hype. Who could have guessed that Hanzō was this formidable?
Salamander Hanzō prepared to deliver the old woman's final blow, then shouted, "Ibuse!"
Ibuse responded at once, first vanishing in a puff of white smoke, then reappearing beside Salamander Hanzō. The two of them had perfect rapport.
Ibuse immediately spewed purple poison mist. The mist was not only highly toxic but also covered an enormous area. In an instant, it engulfed Chiyo!
Salamander Hanzō sneered. "Ninja Art: Sickle Fog Technique!" Then his figure suddenly vanished into the poison mist. He quietly approached Chiyo, looking for an opening to attack.
Chiyo snorted and worked the controls with her right hand. The remaining Chikamatsu Ten Puppets formed a triangle. At her tug, the three puppets opened their mouths wide. "Three Treasures Suction Crush!" They sucked up huge amounts of poison mist. Even Salamander Hanzō struggled desperately to resist Chiyo's jutsu.
Damn, this jutsu was his complete counter! He was so frustrated!
Once the poison mist had been cleaned up, Chiyo smiled and first ordered, "Everyone, get over here!"
The Sunagakure Ninja immediately stopped fighting and took cover behind Chiyo. Salamander Hanzō seemed to realize something. "No!" He was just about to hurl his kusarigama at the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.
But a shield of Iron Sand blocked the kusarigama. Clang! The weapon bounced away. Salamander Hanzō's expression changed. Magnet Release—and Iron Sand? Could it be—
Then he saw a man with spiky hair and long blue hair appear, arms folded across his chest as he looked down at him!
The Third Kazekage! He was here! The strongest Kazekage in history! Salamander Hanzō had just fought a major battle. He wasn't confident he could face two Kage-level shinobi!
The Third Kazekage raised an eyebrow, tilted his head, and gestured toward the direction of the Amegakure troops.
Chiyo's lips curled upward. "I'll obey your orders, Lord Kazekage!" The three puppets opened their mouths and spat Ibuse's potent poison mist toward the Amegakure Ninja.
Ibuse roared, "Run!" Then he charged toward Rainy Clearing at top speed. The Amegakure troops, however, were in trouble. They had just tried to flee when an iron wall rose from the ground, blocking their way.
Once the poison mist engulfed them, their bodies lost all strength. Purple blotches spread across their skin, and they collapsed to the ground. Only then did the Third Kazekage signal for Chiyo to stop.
Chiyo obediently followed his order, using the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets to suck Ibuse's poison mist back in. She would take it home and study it. Who knew? It might prove useful someday.