Defeating Chiyo

Knowing the other side wouldn't make empty threats, and with battle now unavoidable, the Flying Thunder God Technique they wielded was a devastating weapon against the Sand Shinobi.

"The natural enemy of puppet masters, is it? It's easy to talk big, Uchiha brat. Come on!"

Clack, clack, clack...

The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets spread out around them in groups of two or three. The Binding Puppet spread its arms, launching a barrage of shells, but Genbu blocked them.

As the billowing smoke and flames cleared, Chiyo watched intently. She had already noticed the derision in those deep eyes behind the Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask, which revealed only the eyes.

"Nanto Sennin, Hokuto Sennin, seal!"

In an instant, eerie purple pillars of light completely locked down the Chikamatsu Ten Puppets. The Grim Reaper among the Nine Masked Beasts swung its scythe and ruthlessly severed the Chakra Threads connecting them.

Chiyo's expression changed dramatically. She frantically waved the pale-blue Chakra Threads, but the Grim Reaper kept swinging its scythe, cutting through every thread she controlled.

"Sorry, Chiyo, Kazekage advisor. The Grim Reaper of Nine Mask Svāhā can completely drain chakra. Puppets without a puppet master controlling them are nothing more than beautifully crafted toys. That's all. Also..."

A crisp, youthful voice, laced with malice, rang beside her ear. Chiyo turned around instinctively and saw numerous Sand Shinobi lying motionless on the ground.

"You've lost this battle. With the Yellow Flash on the battlefield at Mount Kikyo, your defeat is already certain. Still, I can't quite relax..."

The breathing beneath his feet grew more pronounced. Baki struggled to open his eyes, but through the narrow gap, all he could see was a pale, smooth chin.

Chiyo was about to move, but the other Nine Masked Beasts instantly closed in, stopping her in her tracks. With their abilities still unknown, she had no choice but to pause, her brow furrowing deeper.

"Nine Mask Svāhā, the natural enemy of puppet masters? You're quite the remarkable brat. An Uchiha who fights without using the Sharingan—why hide your face?"

"As a ninja, being too famous isn't a good thing. But since you're curious, I'll make an exception. We might still cross paths after the war, since our countries are neighbors—and may become allies in the future."

Beneath the Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask was a fresh-faced, youthful countenance. Chiyo fell silent for a long moment before finally letting out a sigh.

She was stunned by how young Uchiha Hanazuki was, and felt the swift passage of time keenly; her own aging was all too apparent in that moment.

"How old are you?"

"Ten. I'd just graduated from the Academy when they forced me onto the battlefield. A ninja's life is so cruel—low pay, lots of work, and far from home. What a pain."

The Sand Shinobi lying helplessly nearby were so shocked by his answer that they were numb. They stared at him as if he were a monster.

"A ten-year-old genius ninja? Konoha really is full of talent. Lady Katsuyu, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya among the Sannin, the Yellow Flash—and now you, Body Flicker Hanazuki."

"I don't want to build up the enemy, but compared to them, the Sand Shinobi's rookies are..."

"That has nothing to do with me. I don't want to judge the ninjas of the Land of Wind, either. You lot, keep an eye on the Sand Shinobi. Nanto Sennin, Hokuto Sennin, and the Grim Reaper will stay here."

"Don't tell me you can't handle even this little task, Konoha Chunin and Jonin."

His sharp gaze swept across the area, and no one could meet his eyes. Mimura Hamaki, the frontline commander, suppressed his discomfort and asked, "Your clan crest is that of the Uchiha. Are you a member of the Uchiha Clan? You've already dealt with the enemy, so where are you going?"

"Mount Kikyo. That's the real battlefield. The Sand Shinobi and Cloud Village managed to reach the heart of the Land of Fire, and you're Chunin and Jonin? You're surprisingly useless!"

His merciless mockery instantly enraged the Konoha ninjas stationed on the battlefield. But when they saw the Sand Shinobi lying all over the ground, they could only swallow their anger.

So what if he was a little younger, knew a few more jutsu, and had learned the Flying Thunder God? Did he really have to be so arrogant?

"Never mind. Surely you can manage the little task of guarding the prisoners. My only job is to suppress the battlefield. The rest has nothing to do with me. I'm off."

He vanished, leaving the Konoha ninjas staring at one another, their faces flushed with shame.

"You two, who exactly is that guy? Is he some Uchiha Clan expert? Who gave the order to send that brat here?"

The barrage of questions left the two Chunin stunned for a moment before they explained everything they knew.

After hearing them out, the others fell into deep self-doubt, feeling as if they'd wasted their lives.

"A Genin who just graduated this year? What kind of joke is that? The Flying Thunder God Technique isn't something a Genin can master! There's a limit to how ridiculous a joke can be."

"Orders from Lord Orochimaru and the Third Hokage? Lord Orochimaru's student? Orochimaru took a student?!"

"He fought the AB Combo, made up of the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and came away unscathed, while rescuing more than thirty Genin along the way? Do you think you're writing a novel?!"

The two young Chunin could only weep inwardly as everyone scolded them. Everything they'd said was true. Why were their comrades blaming them? Did they have to jump into the Naka River to prove they weren't lying?

"A genius who appears once in decades? Uchiha Hanazuki—what a terrifying talent, enough to make anyone tremble. If he were a Sand Shinobi, this old body wouldn't have to risk life and limb out here."

"Looks like he's heading for the battlefield at Mount Kikyo. So how will you deal with this Uchiha prodigy, Rasa, Pakura...?"

Chiyo's expression was grave. If the Sand Shinobi and Cloud Village won, Konoha would inevitably pay a terrible price.

On the other hand, if Konoha won, it would be a complete victory, and the Sand Shinobi and Cloud Village would inevitably pay dearly.

Just how long are you going to wait before you make your move, Ōnoki of Both Scales? You went to great lengths to smooth over the death of the Third Raikage and temporarily unite the three great nations. What an impressive bit of diplomacy.

But this alliance is only a temporary measure. The moment Konoha is gravely weakened, the alliance will collapse. When will you turn against your allies, Ōnoki?

Her cloudy old eyes had long since seen through the faces of the allied nations. She glanced down at the eerie purple barrier, and dark lines appeared on her forehead.

"What a troublesome barrier. Nine Mask Svāhā, what a troublesome technique. Does each summoned beast have a different ability? Then..."

Meanwhile, elsewhere...

At that moment, on Mount Kikyo, azure and bright-yellow flashes clashed again and again. The clan heads of Konoha's prominent families were locked in battle against various foes, and the fighting had reached a stalemate.

"Where's that Uchiha brat? Yellow Flash!"