No End to This Game

The last rays of sunset cast long shadows across the sand. A faint smell of blood hung in the dry, dusty air.

Fine beads of sweat gathered on the Sunagakure ninja's forehead. His pupils trembled with fear and fury.

His chest heaved as he tried to calm himself with deep breaths, but an invisible pressure washed over him in waves, leaving him barely able to breathe.

Yuhi Shinku stood before him, the kunai in his hand catching the sunset and flashing with a cold glint.

That faint smile still lingered on his face. He looked calm to the point of cruelty, as though everything was under his control.

The Sunagakure ninja stared at the kunai and let out a low growl. "What... what did you do? Why did my puppet..."

"Lose control?"

Shinku finished the question for him. His voice was soft, his composure chilling.

He tilted his head, amusement flickering in his eyes. "Simple. Your Chakra Threads were never connected to your puppet in the first place."

The Sunagakure ninja's pupils widened as if a hammer had struck his heart.

He looked down at his hands. His fingers were still poised to control the puppet, but the invisible Chakra Threads seemed to have been severed by some force. Nothing responded.

His puppet hung in midair, its wooden joints clicking softly, as if mocking his helplessness.

"Impossible..."

The Sunagakure ninja gritted his teeth, forcing the words through them. "My Puppet Technique... I clearly..."

"Clearly what?"

Shinku cut him off with a hint of disdain. "Clearly thought you were strong? Thought you could crush me on this sand? Or thought your Puppet Technique was flawless?"

He paused, then took a slow step forward, sand scraping softly beneath his boot. "Too bad your confidence was built on an illusion."

The Sunagakure ninja