Sasori of the Red Sands

"Then go to hell, you worthless trash!"

Hiruko's steel-hard fist was about to smash into Rock Lee's head.

Shisui gripped his Ninja Blade, ready to cut Hiruko's head off.

He refused to believe anyone could survive without a head.

A strange figure suddenly burst from the ground and swung a blade at Hiruko's head.

Hiruko's steel-hardened body had nothing to fear from the blade, but the force behind its tip still drove him back several steps.

By the time he caught his breath, Rock Lee had vanished from sight.

"Thank goodness I made it in time!"

An aged voice rang out, and an elderly woman with pale purple hair and black clothes appeared before them.

"Huh?"

The short Ninja, silent until now, spoke up.

"Sasori, you can't keep going down this path!" Chiyo said.

"Who are you?" Tenten asked, supporting Rock Lee.

"I'm Chiyo, a Ninja sent by Sunagakure to help. I'm also that man's grandmother!"

"Grandmother?"

"That man is my grandson, Sunagakure's genius Ninja, Sasori of the Red Sands!" Chiyo said.

"Hadn't you retired years ago?"

"I just wanted to see my grandson's face again and persuade him to come back before he strays any further!" Chiyo said, her face full of pain.

"Take him and go. Today's mission has failed. I'll hold them off!"

"But what about you?"

"Trust me!"

Seeing Rock Lee's condition, Tenten gritted her teeth and did as Chiyo said, taking him away.

"Don't think you can run!"

Hiruko tried to pursue them, but Chiyo's puppets clung to him like burrs. No matter how he shook them, they would not let go.

"The Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu. Masterpieces by Monzaemon, the founder of the Puppet Technique. Ten puppets capable of taking a city!" Sasori's aged voice came from inside his puppet.

"Hiruko: Needle Eight Waves!"