"Puppeteers are a specialty of our Sunagakure... This Ninjutsu of mine was inspired by puppeteers."
"Mostly because of Sasori..."
"But I'm not a puppeteer, after all, and I can't use Chakra Threads... As a medical ninja, with my precise chakra control, learning to produce Chakra Threads wouldn't be a problem. What I mean is, I don't have the fundamentals most puppeteers have, and my knowledge of manipulation techniques, mechanisms, and puppets isn't solid enough... So I wondered whether I could use something physical instead."
"The hand seals I form mainly have a few effects... First, they use cell activation on the hand muscles and nerve transmission to enhance strength and physical sensation. Then..."
"Hmm... That's about it, overall."
Before the Third Kazekage and the others, Yubi moved his fingers, making his scalpel circle through the air in full view of everyone.
Without looking carefully, they really wouldn't notice the fine thread Yubi controlled.
It was as though Yubi could control the blade with his mind.
"This technique... It should be fairly easy for the village's puppeteers to pick up."
One of the village's senior officials spoke as he watched the flying blade.
"Yes... That's right. Sasori has already tried it, and using Chakra Threads to perform this Ninjutsu works too. But it still requires specialized training, because the puppets puppeteers control are different from my almost weightless blade, and there's also the difference between physical threads and Chakra Threads... There are some variations when using it, too. For example, to strike a target accurately and increase power and speed, I also use the 'method' of the Possession Thread." Yubi smiled. "But honestly... For most puppeteers, the potential of the Puppet Technique is far greater than that of this single Ninjutsu of mine. After all, puppets can achieve far more in actual combat than this Ninjutsu. Their utility is irreplaceable."
"That's right."
After observing for a while, Chiyo nodded. "Chakra Threads are completely different from Yubi's fine thread. Against ninja with a keen ability to sense chakra, they're more easily exposed... Even if a puppeteer mastered this Ninjutsu, its power and effectiveness would decrease. Rather than the application of hand seals and chakra, achieving results like these still requires long periods of training. It's a relatively pure form of technique."
"And Yubi's Ninjutsu is purely an assassination technique... The reason it qualifies as A-rank Ninjutsu is that achieving such covert, delicate control is extremely difficult, making it almost impossible for the target to guard against."
"If the timing is wrong and it's discovered beforehand..."
"Even so, having another option would be good for the village's puppeteers. Especially for assassination or decapitation missions... It would be a great help. We could even find people with an aptitude for it and form a dedicated assassination squad."
Chiyo's younger brother, Ebizo, whose eyebrows were somewhat white, spoke up.
"There's no problem with the hand seals or chakra..."
Another senior official rapidly formed a series of hand seals, closed his eyes tightly, and sensed the state of the chakra inside his body. Then he opened his eyes and nodded to the others.
"Yubi, attack me with your technique."
The Third Kazekage, who had remained seated behind the desk without getting up, spoke with his hands clasped beneath his chin.
Clearly, the Third wanted to experience the technique's power firsthand.
"Huh? Attack you, Lord Kazekage... Wouldn't that be inappropriate?"
Yubi feigned surprise and scratched his head.
"It's fine... Go right..."
The Kazekage reassured him.
But before he could finish speaking...
A sudden crack rang out in the air beside his head.
A cold glint shot unexpectedly straight toward his temple.
But... just as the blade's tip drew close, a hard plate of condensed iron sand appeared beside the Third Kazekage's head, knocking Yubi's scalpel away.
The sight made everyone present's eyelids twitch.
Well, now... He attacked just like that. This little fellow Yubi was quite sneaky.
They had thought that a child like Yubi would feel intimidated in the face of the Third's authority... and at least exchange a few polite words.
They hadn't expected him to strike so abruptly.
"Hehe... No luck. You really are incredibly strong, Lord Kazekage!" Yubi grinned, showing his small white teeth, without the slightest panic.
Since the Third had told him to attack, Yubi naturally wouldn't pass up the chance to experience the strength of a Kage Level fighter.
The result was no surprise, either.
"So fast!"
Someone exclaimed softly.
And... it was another blade.
"It does have the power of A-rank Ninjutsu, but its weaknesses are obvious too... You need to find the right moment, and your target can't be too strong. Most importantly, you have to kill with a single strike. If the first attack misses, your control over these flying blades and the fluidity of their movements will decline afterward." Not remotely startled by Yubi's sudden attack, the Kazekage said calmly, "This Ninjutsu of yours doesn't involve much in the way of techniques and chakra application. Instead, it relies more heavily on the skill of wielding ninja tools... This shouldn't be the only move you know for this Ninjutsu, should it? And you can control plenty of flying blades... Am I right?"
"As expected of Lord Kazekage."
Yubi smiled.
It amounted to a tacit admission.
"This Ninjutsu is still very valuable to puppeteers... And it's not hard to see that you have the talent to become one." As he spoke, the Kazekage looked toward Chiyo.
There was only one person in their Sunagakure who was both a medical ninja and a powerful puppeteer: Chiyo.
"I only want to become an outstanding medical ninja... I'm not particularly interested in being a puppeteer." Recognizing the Kazekage's intent, Yubi immediately said, "Compared with my potential as a puppeteer, my talent for becoming a powerful medical ninja is clearly greater, and I'm more interested in it too."
"The village already has a genius puppeteer in Sasori... I don't have the energy to cover everything, either."
He understood... The Kazekage wanted Chiyo to take him as her disciple.
"Is that so..."
The Kazekage frowned slightly.
He seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Yubi's answer.
"All right, then... You're still young. If you change your mind in the future, you can tell me anytime."
"Yes."
"Also, this Ninjutsu of yours... needs to be recorded on a Ninjutsu scroll and shared with the village... Of course, the village will pay you a substantial reward. The choice is yours. Having created an A-rank Ninjutsu yourself, you're a rare genius of our Sunagakure, with boundless prospects... If you don't want the village to hold and distribute this Ninjutsu, I won't force you."
The Kazekage spoke in a deep voice.
"Of course I have no objection. It's my honor to be of some help to the village!"
Yubi immediately answered.
That eased the Kazekage's frown a little.
"Good, then."
The Third Kazekage nodded. "Also, you're now a person of particular importance in the village. As for this Ninjutsu, 'Blade Intent Manipulation,' and your abilities, try not to publicize them yourself. The village will also take measures to maintain secrecy. For now, this information must not get out... This is for your protection as well."
"I understand!"
The Kazekage then gave Arai a look.
Understanding his intent, Arai took Yubi with him, and after saying their goodbyes to everyone, they turned and left.
Yubi had only just stepped through the door when he heard the senior officials inside begin discussing him.
"Well? Happy, aren't you... You're a genius valued by Lord Kazekage and the senior officials. You've become a treasure of our Sunagakure."
Outside the office building, Arai patted Yubi's head and smiled.
"I am a little pleased with myself, but more than that... I feel... like things have gotten troublesome." Yubi sighed.
Arai smiled.
He knew Yubi meant a child's freedom.
And the mission and responsibility that came with becoming a key member of the village... Of course, Yubi was still young and couldn't appreciate that yet.
But in the future, perhaps...
Then the two parted ways.
Yubi headed home alone.
Only after parting with Arai did Yubi, who had seemed to smile the whole time, finally let his smile fade somewhat, his gaze clear.
His soul wasn't a child's... He had noticed every bit of the Third Kazekage's reaction just now.
"That feeling... There's no mistaking it."
Yubi clicked his tongue.
In the village's eyes, he could become not only a medical ninja, but also a powerful puppeteer... In other words, he could become a stronger tool for the village to use!
That being the case, Yubi's refusal would naturally displease the Third Kazekage. But since he was a child, and so talented that he had earned their attention... the Third Kazekage couldn't press him too hard.
But barring anything unexpected... this wasn't over.
The meaning of the Kazekage's words had been clear.
This wasn't something Yubi could decide for himself. He might not want to now... but in a few years, or once he was a little older, he would have to do it anyway.
To possess such ability yet waste it... The Third Kazekage clearly wouldn't allow that.
Because in his eyes, this wasn't Yubi's personal business, but a loss of the village's assets.
As for the others, although they had praised him too... the underlying logic was that they were happy the village had gained a genius.
"Still... I've made this move."
His thoughts shifting, Yubi clenched his fist.
He was no longer an unnoticed nobody in Sunagakure. The village regarded him as a precious asset, a genius... That meant he had officially opened the door to joining Sunagakure's upper ranks in the future.
He now had the opportunity and standing to change this village.
Of course, he had only taken a small step for now. There was still work to do.