"This..., could this be...?"
The Jonin Mōri in astonishment at the enormous figure in the sky and asked in confusion:
"Could this also be a type of giant humanoid puppet?"
How did it emerge from the fortress-like golem?
Thump!
Having broken free from its semi-molten steel shell, the unusually shaped giant humanoid puppet landed with a loud thud.
"Have you never seen a giant humanoid puppet like this before?"
Frowning, Shin'un examined the puppet from head to toe, then turned to look at the Jonin Mōri beside him.
"No, the Sand Ninja has only displayed a total of sixty-one giant puppets from the beginning until now, of which only twenty-four are humanoid giant puppets."
"I have seen all twenty-four of these humanoid puppets, and this one is definitely not one of them."
"Besides."
As he spoke, Jonin Mōri pointed to a humanoid puppet not far away, whose appearance was quite different from the other humanoid puppets.
"All the humanoid puppets look exactly the same, painted in black with simple silver-white stripes."
"But this humanoid puppet is painted golden yellow? And there are pure white parts on it..."
Upon hearing Jonin Mōri's words, Shin'un narrowed his eyes and began to ponder.
"So, this is the first time these humanoid puppets have appeared on the battlefield of the Land of Rain?"
"This humanoid puppet seems different from the others..."
Thinking of this, Shin'un looked at the humanoid puppet opposite him and began to examine it carefully.
Perhaps because it was inside a fortress-like puppet and was also attacked by Lightning Release: Lightning Strike, this humanoid puppet with its golden paint job looked rather miserable.
The surface metal armor melted, even exposing the internal structure, and the entire right arm disappeared. Judging from the smooth, reflective cross-section, it must have been the result of Shin'un's lightning strike.
However, the damage on the humanoid puppet does not diminish its special characteristics.
Compared to ordinary humanoid puppets, this humanoid puppet has a more streamlined body, making its appearance highly recognizable.
With rounded thighs, a slender waist, a full bust, and soft facial features, her design is remarkably similar to that of a human woman.
In addition, the lower body is made of steel and has a golden skirt armor, which fits the upper body's lines very well, and the head is a steel helmet with softer lines.
If you look closely, you can also see some subtle, delicate patterns on the massive armor and skirt armor.
All of this gives this humanoid puppet both feminine grace and battlefield majesty, making her like Valkyrie on the battlefield.
It is obvious that this puppet is a product of meticulous design, completely different from those mass-produced black humanoid puppets.
The only slightly incongruous thing is that the humanoid puppet, which resembles Valkyrie on the battlefield, has empty, delicate hands.
"It should have a magnificent greatsword of the same golden color to match its style..."
"If possible, it would be best to also include a tall, heavy, and ornately designed golden shield..."
Standing still, Shin'un kept glancing at the humanoid puppet with one arm missing in the distance, secretly refining his Chakra while his mind wandered.
"Which of you two Konoha Ninja just now used that Lightning Release Ninjutsu?"
Suddenly, just as Shin'un was considering whether to prioritize supporting the battlefield or compare his situation with the battle-damaged Valkyrie Puppet in front of him, a loud, aged voice, like that of an old woman, rang out.
Upon hearing the voice, Shin'un widened his eyes slightly in surprise and looked at the Valkyrie Puppet not far in front of him.
Meanwhile, the Jonin Mōri on the other side reacted even more dramatically, pointing directly at the Valkyrie Puppet, turning to look at Shin'un, and saying with wide eyes:
"The puppet actually spoke!"
Seeing Jonin Mōri's surprise, Shin'un shook his head and said:
"What's so surprising? After all, giant puppets are different from the small puppets that Sand Ninja used to use."
"Puppet masters need to control the giant puppets from inside their bodies, so it's normal to make such changes to facilitate communication."
"However, it's also possible that only the puppet in front of us has this function..."
"Oh, really...?"
Upon hearing Shin'un's words, Jonin Mōri in agreement, finding them reasonable, and then turned to look at the Valkyrie Puppet standing opposite him.
Should we respond to her?
Hearing Jonin Mōri's words, Shin'un narrowed his eyes and looked at the unusual humanoid puppet he had never seen before, quickly making a decision in his mind.
Since the mission to destroy the fortress-type puppet is already complete, and Orochimaru and a superior number of Konoha Ninja are on the front lines, there's no need to lack one more combatant. It's better to stand here and talk to this special type of giant puppet.
Perhaps we can also take this opportunity to learn some information about this special giant puppet.
Stepping forward, Shin'un looked at the Valkyrie Puppet opposite him and called out:
Stop talking nonsense.
"All the major ninja villages in the Shinobi World keep records of enemy ninjas worth noting. Besides, I've been active on the front lines for four whole years. Do you really not know who I am?"
Upon hearing Shin'un's words, the Valkyrie Puppet made no movement, but the voice from before rang out again from within it.
"Hmph... what an impolite brat from Konoha."
"However... with his silver-white hair and young age, he possesses Lightning Release skills far exceeding those of ordinary Jonin. During battle, he is bathed in lightning, like an incarnation of thunder..."
"You're Hirakawa Shin'un, who was just promoted to Elite Jonin Konoha last year, right? Your nickname is Lightning Kid?"
Hearing this nickname, which made his eyelids twitch, come from the mouth of the rather imposing Valkyrie Puppet before him, Shin'un's eyes immediately twitched, and he retorted:
"Hmph... acting like an old man who's just relying on his age."
"There's only one puppeteer in the Sand Ninja with such status and ability—the one who can pilot this exquisitely crafted giant puppet and also control a fortress-like puppet..."
"You're Chiyo, the one whose arm Orochimaru cut off, right?"
Shin'un's words reached Chiyo's ears within the Valkyrie Puppet, causing veins to bulge on her forehead and a faint pain to throb in her right arm.
"Hmph! Young in age, but quick-witted indeed."
"However, I don't have time to chat with you here right now."
After saying this, Chiyo, who was in the Valkyrie Puppet control position, took a deep look at Shin'un's image displayed on the mirror in front of her, then slightly moved her fingertips...
Invisible Chakra Threads extend outwards from the tips of Chiyo's ten fingers, controlling the movements of the entire giant puppet.
With Chiyo's control, the Valkyrie Puppet quickly extended its remaining left arm, opened its long palm, and spread it out in front of its chest.
Seeing this posture, Shin'un was somewhat puzzled.
Why would a giant puppet make this pose if it can't perform Hand Seals?
Just as Shin'un was wondering, a sudden change occurred on the field.
A powerful surge of Chakra emanated from the Valkyrie Puppet's outstretched hand.
Then, in Shin'un's wide-eyed gaze, he saw countless winds converge in front of his chest, forming a huge wind blade that resembled Wind Release: Wind Blade.
"Call!!!"
The Valkyrie Puppet extended her left hand, grasped one end of the hilt of the wind-borne longsword before her, and nimbly drew several sword slashes in the air, just like a real person.
The movement seemed casual, but the sharp wind waves emanating from the enormous wind blade directly sliced several deep cuts into the remains of the fortress-like puppet beside it.
With the tip of her Valkyrie Puppet looked down at Shin'un and his companion standing in the distance. Her golden armor seemed to gleam, exuding an inexplicable sense of awe and majesty that sent chills down one's spine.
At that moment, Chiyo's voice came from the Valkyrie Puppet.
"At this point, it's no longer appropriate to call you Lightning Kid."
"Let me think... 'Thunder-Wielding Ninja,' meaning a ninja who controls lightning, how about that?"
After speaking, the Valkyrie Puppet raised her arm, the tip of her wind-wielding longsword pointing at Shin'un.
"Then let this old woman test your strength as Thunder-Wielding Ninja!"