The Konoha Ninja still on the battlefield let out weary sighs. Some even began muttering curses under their breath.
"Those parasites only know how to protect themselves. They're really making someone like him die in their place?"
"Idiot. He must've offended someone in the upper ranks. Why else would they send him to the battlefield? His opponent is the renowned Chiyo!"
"Shut up! How could you possibly understand the Third Hokage's orders? Trust the leadership's decision, obey orders, and hold this position. That's what it means to be a ninja!"
Mimura Hamaki, assigned to guard this position and serving as Konoha's frontline commander, shouted loudly. His gaze remained fixed on the figure in black robes, wearing a Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask.
No matter who this guy is, he has to withstand the enemy's attacks. If this goes on, the frontline's morale will be completely worn down.
Suddenly, the battle took a shocking turn. Countless poisoned needles came flying from all directions, accompanied by clouds of poison smoke. Two Chunin paled in terror. The dreadful killing intent left their bodies rigid and unable to move.
The scene before their eyes blurred. When they opened them again, they realized they had landed in the forest.
"Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame."
The flames surged like a tidal wave, melting the sand into liquid. The roaring sea of fire danced with the rising sun, staining the horizon crimson.
The Konoha Ninja hiding nearby gaped in astonishment, stunned by the terrifying chakra and Fire Release.
"Th-that Fire Release is incredible. Most jonin couldn't pull off a ninjutsu with this kind of range. Who's that short guy?"
"Is he with the Anbu? He doesn't look like one of the village's jonin. His face is hidden behind a mask, so I can't make him out."
As the smoke and scorching heat cleared, countless glimmering crystals reflected the sunlight. The incredible heat had melted the sand into shards of glass.
The Sunagakure Ninja, who had been using the terrain and hiding in the sand, revealed themselves. Their impassive gazes swept over the surroundings as they murmured.
"There are only a hundred or so of them? Aside from Chiyo, who's holding back the Yellow Flash, there aren't any noteworthy fighters. This is Sunagakure, so short on talent that they've had to develop the Puppet Technique to cope with war."
"Damn it, even my puppets were... What kind of wide-range Fire Release is that? Who the hell is that short guy?!"
Among the Sunagakure Ninja, one with his left cheek covered by a white cloth had veins bulging across his forehead. He was clearly consumed by rage.
"Baki, stand down. He's not someone you can handle. I've only seen Fire Release of this magnitude a few times in my life."
"Lady Chiyo, we've never seen this opponent before. Please be careful!"
The hundred or so Sunagakure Ninja didn't advance. Instead, they silently retreated, leaving the battlefield to their true commander.
Among them, an old woman with purple hair and dark eyes, dressed in the black robes distinctive to the Land of Wind, slowly stepped forward. Kunai floated in midair, their ends controlled by nearly transparent Chakra Threads.
"I've never seen you before. Are you a child or an adult? It's a shame this is a battlefield. Even a child's kunai can be deadly. Here I come: Manipulating Attack Blades!"
More than a dozen kunai shot toward him, only to be knocked away by a cold snort. The nearly tangible chakra made Chiyo's somewhat aged face turn solemn once more.
"What incredible chakra. Boy, tell me your name."
"Uchiha Hanazuki. Pleased to meet you..."
Before he could finish speaking, his voice suddenly rang in Chiyo's ear. Her pupils shrank to pinpricks. She turned her head slightly and saw a black kunai—and a figure that had appeared in an instant.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
In that brief moment, the two had already exchanged more than a dozen Taijutsu moves. Their dazzling techniques drew startled cries from the onlookers.
"Flying Thunder God! That's the Yellow Flash's Flying Thunder God Technique. Can that short guy use it too?"
"Thank goodness! If he can use the Flying Thunder God Technique, he can at least hold them off until Lord Minato arrives as reinforcements..."
Amid a series of thuds, the figures flashed back to their original positions. Chiyo couldn't help but pause at the crisp, youthful voice.
"It looks like you won't be easy to take down. Those people are really getting in the way. It's admirable that someone your age would still risk life and limb on the battlefield."
"I had no choice... The talented youngsters among the next generation have either gone missing or died. Even the Third Kazekage, hailed as the strongest Kazekage, has disappeared without a trace, triggering this war that's swept across several nations."
"Enough chatting with the younger generation. This won't be a test anymore. You're a prodigy of the Uchiha Clan, aren't you, brat? Someone like you is worthy of witnessing this technique."
Chiyo's tone shifted. She drew a purple-black scroll from her sleeve and removed its seal.
"White Secret Technique: Chikamatsu Ten Puppets."
As the white smoke cleared, ten puppet figures in white robes, each with a different design, appeared. The Sunagakure side erupted into cheers.
"The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets! They're the ten greatest creations of Monzaemon, the founder of puppetry! I can't believe Lady Chiyo is bringing them out. Isn't that overkill?"
"Don't be stupid. The opponent can use the Flying Thunder God. It doesn't matter if he's a short guy or anything else—he's not to be underestimated."
Baki's face turned ashen. That was precisely why Chiyo had brought out the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, which she hadn't used in ages, to face this unknown fighter.
"The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets—a Puppet Technique that wins through numbers? As it happens, I have a pretty good technique of my own. I've been looking for somewhere to test their power. Here I come."
"Summoning Technique: Nine Mask Svāhā!"
Under everyone's watchful eyes, flashes of light from one seal after another appeared: Blue, Vermilion, White, Black Tortoise, Void, South, North, Three, Jade...
Within the seals suspended in midair, numerous summoned beasts slowly appeared. Their faces were all hidden behind Three-Eyed Demon Fox Masks. Their eerie chakra and strange appearance instantly silenced the cheering Sunagakure Ninja.
"What... are those?"
Mimura Hamaki stood frozen in place. The Konoha Ninja who had retreated to the edges of the battlefield were even more bewildered. They had never heard of such a strange ninjutsu.
"Is it the Puppet Technique? That hand sign just now was for the Summoning Technique. Are those strange summoned beasts he made a contract with?"
On the battlefield, Chiyo faced the Nine Masked Beasts standing between her and Hanazuki. She could clearly sense the chakra in them, each with a different origin. Chakra Threads stretched across the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets.
"Their chakra feels eerie and ominous. You really aren't an ordinary brat. In that case, I'll have to use these old relics that should've been left gathering dust on a high shelf."
Clap, clap, clap...
A clear, ringing applause echoed across the battlefield. Unconcealed praise rang out.
"A puppet master's skill is determined by the number of puppets they can control. Controlling ten special puppets at once—you certainly live up to your reputation as Sunagakure's Kazekage advisor, Chiyo."
"But for puppet masters, the Nine Masked Beasts are your natural enemy. Care to find out?"
Before you continue