Defeating Chiyo

He knew the other side would not make empty threats, but they had reached a point where battle was unavoidable. The Flying Thunder God Technique they possessed was simply a devastating blow to the Sand ninja.

"Natural enemy of Puppet Masters? Big talk is more than just something you say, Uchiha brat. Get them!"

Clack, clack, clack...

The Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets split into groups of two or three and scattered around them in an instant. The Binding Puppet spread its arms, firing shell after shell, but Genbu blocked them all.

As the rolling smoke and flames dispersed, Chiyo kept a close watch. She had already noticed the mockery in those deep eyes behind the Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask, which revealed only the wearer's gaze.

"Nanto Sage, Hokuto Sage, seal!"

In an instant, eerie purple pillars of light completely locked down the Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets. The Shinigami among the Nine Masked Beasts swung its scythe, severing the Chakra threads at their connections.

Chiyo's expression changed dramatically as she repeatedly waved her pale-blue Chakra threads. Yet the Shinigami continued swinging its scythe, cutting every Chakra string under Chiyo's control.

"My apologies, Kazekage Advisor Chiyo. The Shinigami of Nine Mask Svāhā can completely take away Chakra. A puppet without a Puppet Master's control is nothing more than an exquisitely constructed toy. That's all. Besides..."

A crisp, youthful voice laced with malice sounded beside her ear. Chiyo instinctively turned, only to see numerous Sand ninja lying on the ground, unable to move.

"You've lost this battle. With the Yellow Flash at the battlefield of Kikyō Pass, your defeat is already inevitable. Still, it's not quite reassuring enough..."

The breathing beneath his feet grew more pronounced. Baki struggled to open his eyes, but through the slits he could only see a smooth, fair chin.

Just as Chiyo was about to move, the other Nine Masked Beasts instantly surrounded her and held her in place. The beasts that had yet to reveal their abilities forced her to stop, the wrinkles on her face deepening.

"Nine Mask Svāhā, the natural enemy of Puppet Masters? What an extraordinary brat. Why does an Uchiha who fights without using the Sharingan hide his face?"

"Being too famous as a ninja is never a good thing. But since you're curious, I'll make an exception this once. After the war ends, we may still have dealings with each other. After all, our countries are neighbors—and future allies."

Beneath the Three-Eyed Demon Fox Mask was a fresh-faced, delicate young boy. Chiyo fell silent for a long while before finally letting out a sigh.

She was both stunned by Uchiha Huayue's youth and keenly aware of how swiftly time had passed, with her own aging laid bare in that moment.

"Just how old are you?"

"Ten. I just graduated from the Academy and was already forced onto the battlefield. A ninja's life really is cruel—little pay, lots of work, and far from home. What a pain."

After receiving that definite answer, the immobilized Sand ninja were shocked numb. The way they looked at him was as though they were staring at a monster.

"A ten-year-old Prodigy Ninja... Konoha really is overflowing with talent. The Sannin's Slug Princess, Orochimaru, and Jiraiya; the Yellow Flash; and now you, Shunshin Huayue."

"Though I don't want to boost others' morale, compared to them, Sand's newcomers are..."

"That has nothing to do with me, and I have no desire to comment on the ninjas of the Land of Wind. You lot keep an eye on the Sand ninja. Nanto Sage, Hokuto Sage, and the Shinigami will stay here."

"Don't tell me you can't even handle something this simple, Konoha's Chunin and Jonin."

His sharp gaze swept across the area, and no one could meet his eyes. Mimura Hamaki, the frontline commander, endured his discomfort and asked after him.

"The Uchiha clan crest... are you from the Uchiha Clan? You've clearly dealt with the enemy already. Where are you going?"

"Kikyō Pass. That's the true main battlefield. To think Sand and Kumogakure managed to reach the heartland of the Land of Fire. You're Chunin and Jonin, yet you're surprisingly useless!"

The merciless taunt immediately ignited the anger of the Konoha Ninja stationed on the battlefield. But looking at the many Sand ninja sprawled on the ground, they could only swallow their shattered teeth along with their pride.

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

"Forget it. You can at least handle something as simple as guarding prisoners, right? My mission is only to suppress the battlefield. Everything else has nothing to do with me. I'm leaving."

His figure vanished, leaving behind a group of Konoha Ninja staring at one another, their faces full of shame.

"You two, who exactly is that guy? An expert from the Uchiha Clan? Who gave the order to transfer that brat here?"

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

After hearing it, everyone fell into deep self-doubt, feeling as though they had lived their lives for nothing.

"A Genin who only graduated this year? What kind of joke is that? Is the Flying Thunder God Technique something a Genin can master? Even jokes have limits."

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

"He fought the A-B Combo formed by the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, escaped unscathed, and even saved more than thirty Genin along the way. What, do you think you're writing a novel?!"

Faced with everyone's accusations, the two young Chunin nearly burst into tears. They had only spoken the truth—why did they have to be blamed by their comrades? Were they supposed to jump into the Naka River to prove they were telling the truth?

"A genius rarely seen in decades? Uchiha Huayue... what a terrifying genius. Such fearsome talent. If he were a Sand ninja, this old bag of bones wouldn't have needed to come out and risk her life."

"Looks like he's heading for the battlefield at Kikyō Pass. How will you deal with this Uchiha genius now, Rasa? Pakura..."

Chiyo's face was grave. If Sand and Kumogakure won, Konoha would surely have to pay a painful price.

Conversely, if Konoha won, it would mean a complete victory, and Sand and Kumogakure would inevitably pay a heavy price.

Just when do you intend to make your move, Ōnoki of Both Scales? Going to such lengths to smooth over the Third Raikage's death and temporarily unite the three great nations—what an outstanding diplomatic maneuver.

But this alliance is merely an expedient measure. The moment Konoha is severely weakened will be the moment the alliance collapses. When will you strike at your allies, Ōnoki?

Her clouded old eyes had long since seen through the true faces of their allied nations. She subconsciously glanced at the eerie purple barrier beneath her feet, black lines appearing across her forehead.

"A troublesome barrier. Nine Mask Svāhā... what a troublesome technique. Does every Summoning Beast possess a different ability? Then..."

As one flower bloomed in two branches, let us turn to the other.

Atop Kikyō Pass, azure and bright yellow flashes clashed continuously. The heads of Konoha's famous families battled enemies of every kind, and the battle had reached a deadlock.

"Where is that Uchiha bastard brat, Yellow Flash?!"