The owner of the sickle saw that his sneak attack had failed. He yanked hard on the chain, pulling the sickle back.
Chiyo raised her head and looked toward a small hill not far away. A figure wielding a sickle and chain stood at its summit.
When Chiyo saw him, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly, and she mocked him without a hint of courtesy.
"Who would've thought? You, the so-called 'Demigod of the Ninja World,' the Ventilation Pipe Old Man, actually resort to sneak attacks. It's quite unbecoming of someone with such a grand title!"
Hanzo wasn't angered. Instead, a hoarse laugh came from behind his mask.
"Heh heh heh. This is just a little welcome gift for you, you old puppet hag. After all, it's been quite some time since we last met. Besides, you Sunagakure lot have probably had little chance to rest while in our country these past few days.
"My modest gift should have cleared your head a bit, shouldn't it? Heh heh heh."
Chiyo snorted.
"Hmph. I only hope that now I'm clearheaded, certain people won't be able to keep their wits about them!"
Before the words had even left her mouth, she stopped waiting for Hanzo's reply and sent several puppets at her side charging straight toward him.
Hanzo saw a Red-Haired Female Puppet rush at him, gripping a cleaver in each hand, but he didn't move. He seemed entirely unconcerned by the attack.
Chiyo watched Hanzo's every move intently, wondering why he remained still, without even raising his sickle to defend himself.
Just as Chiyo began to grow suspicious, Hanzo—on the verge of being struck—suddenly turned into a puddle of water and vanished in the blink of an eye.
Chiyo's heart lurched, and her mind raced as she tried to figure