Ten pure-white puppets with tall, upright figures surrounded Chiyo. The legendary masterpiece of Monzaemon, the founder of puppetry, had finally appeared in the world—the mighty puppets said to be worth a thousand men each had officially entered the stage.
The ten white-robed puppets took up positions in every direction. Blades, shields, and sealing mechanisms each had their role. As chakra flowed between them, a murderous intent swept over the battlefield like a storm.
And within that murderous intent was Chiyo's hatred, surging to the heavens...
On the other side, Hatake Sakumo stood quietly in the wind, his silver-white hair gleaming alongside the White Fang short sword at his waist.
Watching Chiyo, whose killing intent soared skyward, Hatake Sakumo sighed softly. He slowly gripped the hilt, and the fierce chakra of both Lightning and Wind Release instantly wrapped around the blade.
A pale blade of light pierced the sandstorm, its fierce momentum held in check, ready to erupt.
Facing the overwhelming might of the encircling Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, this top Konoha ninja remained as calm as still water.
He had plenty of experience dealing with puppeteers.
The children of the person before him had contributed to that experience, too.
"Die!"
Chiyo's eyes were bloodshot. With a flick of her fingers, all ten puppets sprang into motion.
The two puppets in the front row charged with twin blades. Their sharp edges cut through the air, slashing straight at Sakumo's face with a piercing whistle.
Four puppets on either side circled around to flank him. Countless poisoned Senbon shot from the hidden mechanisms in their fingertips, sealing off every avenue of evasion.
The three puppets in the rear quickly formed a triangular formation. The mechanisms in the Buddha, Dharma, and Monk puppets slowly opened, and the first traces of a violent Twister gathered