"Another Uchiha ninja," Chiyo said coldly. "If you think you can stop me for Fugaku Uchiha, today is the day you die.
"I'll kill you first, then deal with Fugaku Uchiha."
"Old Hag, you might live another two days if you fight me. Face Fugaku, and today will probably be your last."
As Jin spoke, he lunged forward, slipped past the puppet ahead of him, and slashed both kunai at Chiyo behind it.
Clang.
Sparks flashed. Two more puppets appeared beside Chiyo, and Jin abruptly picked up speed.
His Sharingan spun rapidly. Chiyo worked her fingers, controlling three puppets that closed in around Uchiha Jin.
Their weapons clashed again and again, sending sparks flying.
His Sharingan spun, its keen perception letting Uchiha Jin see every attack the surrounding puppets made.
He handled them easily. When a long blade swept in from beside him, Jin stepped back and swiftly formed hand seals.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive fireball roared toward the three wooden puppets, its fierce heat raising waves of steam.
The instant the fireball left his mouth, Uchiha Jin pushed off the ground, changed direction, and formed another set of seals.
"Earth Release: Earth Spear!"
The ground beneath Chiyo shifted. Hardened rock thrust upward in a sharp spear aimed straight at her.
Chiyo remained calm and leaped clear. Her fingers twitched, drawing the three puppets back out of the Great Fireball's path.
At the same time, she produced a scroll and released its seal.
Seven puppets appeared on the field. Together with the original three, they made ten.
The ten puppets were finely crafted, but they still lacked something the original Ten White Pine Guardians had possessed.
Chiyo had built these new Ten White Pine Guardians from parts of the originals, adding her own understanding of puppetcraft.
They