Karasu, Kuroari, and Sanshouo.
These were the names of the three puppets, and Sasori was no stranger to them.
Because these were the very puppets he had used in his youth.
With Sasori's attack and Kankurō's appearance, the Sunagakure's Ninja waiting for ambush around them also began to reveal themselves.
Since the battle had already begun, there was no point in hesitation.
It was unclear whose Wind Release Ninjutsu fired the first shot, breaking the stalemate-
What followed was an overwhelming barrage of low-level ninjutsu, completely submerged Hiruko's figure.
At that moment, Chiyo seemed to sense something and quickly performed Mechanical Light Shield Seal.
Her arms had been modified into puppet components, and Chakra passing through them extended into shield shapes, blocking in front of Chiyo.
"Everyone! Be careful!"
Kankuro, who was closest to Chiyo, was also protected by her. Other Sunagakure's Ninjas who reacted in time were fine, but those who didn't were in trouble.
A figure most Sunagakure's Ninjas would find familiar appeared in mid-air.
Although cloaked in a robe and with a modified face, the iconic blue-black hairstyle was still highly recognizable.
Coupled with the Jutsu he performed-
[Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!]
As this figure formed hand seals, countless iron sands floated the air, condensing into fine needles that shot toward all the surrounding Ninja.
"Ahhh!"
"Ah!"
"Save me!"
In an instant, the once fierce Sunagakure's Ninjas were thrown into disarray.
There was no helping it… this Jutsu was simply too suited for group combat.
"That's- impossible-"
"The Third… Kazekage-sama's body…"
More painful than the physical damage was the psychological torment.
Anyone would feel humiliated seeing their own Kage transformed into a human puppet and controlled at will.
The Hiruko on the ground had already dissipated into sand. The real Hiruko was now standing on a rooftop, controlling the Third Kazekage Puppet, using Magnet Release Ninjutsu to wreak havoc.
A few Sunagakure's Ninja skilled in concealing their presence quietly closed in on Sasori's position, but upon approaching, they triggered nearly imperceptible Chakra Threads.
Immediately after, a metallic scorpion tail emerged from Hiruko's rear.
The tail, which was also coated with a deadly poison, swiftly swept past, and those few Ninjas fell to the ground, their fate unknown.
"White Secret Technique: The Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets!"
Chiyo directly unfurled a long sealing scroll, and ten white-robed puppets emerged from it.
Each of her fingers extended Chakra Threads, connecting to the ten puppets.
These white puppets were no ordinary mass-produced goods.
According to legend, Chiyo once used this technique to single-handedly capture a castle.
Some of these puppets excelled in close combat, others could shoot iron chains to bind enemies, and similarly, they could also use various elemental Ninjutsu.
"Three Jewel Suction Crushing!"
One puppet landed on top of the other two, then opened its mouth, revealing the marks [Dharma], [Sangha], and [Buddha].
Immediately, an immense suction force emanated from between these three puppets, instantly absorbing all the surrounding iron sand.
Even the Third Kazekage Puppet, after twisting and struggling, was caught by the suction force and began flying toward them.
The Third Kazekage Puppet clapped its hands, attempting to use another Magnet Release Ninjutsu, but unexpectedly, a white-clad puppet wielding dual blades suddenly appeared, severing the Chakra Threads connecting to it. Immediately after, another puppet skilled in close combat struck, smashing the now uncontrolled Third Kazekage Puppet into pieces.
The Sunagakure's Ninjas who had been injured earlier were qualified Ninjas after all. They quickly adjusted their formation and launched a new assault.
A dense barrage of Ninjutsu struck Hiruko.
This time, it was no longer a sand clone being hit.
Even ants can kill an elephant… though they were all low-level techniques, their destructive power became considerable in such numbers.
Soon, Hiruko's arms and tail could no longer withstand the Ninjutsu Bombardment.
When one component was shattered and broken off by an attack, more fragments began to fall from Hiruko's body.
In the blink of an eye, the enemy who had been wreaking havoc moments ago was blasted to bits by countless Ninjutsu, leaving not even scraps behind.
But as the dust settled, a large hole was revealed on the spot.
Sasori's true body, hidden within Hiruko, had long since left that place.
"What a pity. I was quite fond of these two puppets." He said, though his face showed no expression.
He said this, but there was no expression on his face.
"He is..."
Some of the older Ninja present recognized Sasori's identity.
He was none other than Chiyo's grandson, the former Sunagakure's genius puppeteer, Sasori of the Red Sand.
"You're really something, old woman."
Looking at Chiyo, who was somewhat breathless from simultaneously controlling ten puppets, Sasori's eyes held not a trace of familial affection.
But Chiyo's face couldn't help but show shock… not at Sasori's identity, as she had known from the moment she saw him.
What truly struck her as unacceptable was that Sasori had completely transformed himself into a puppet.
Even she had only modified one arm.
Having utterly lost his physical body, Sasori had also lost the greater part of his humanity.
"In that case, it's my turn now."
Ignoring the expressions of those around him, Sasori opened the casing on his chest, then a scroll behind him was unfurled via steel wire.
Countless red-robed figures surged out from the scroll, and dense Chakra Threads extended from his chest to connect with them.
This was a number of puppets that surpassed the normal 'ten fingers' limit of an ordinary puppeteer.
"Red Secret Technique: Performance of a Hundred Puppets!"
A full hundred puppets floated behind Sasori, blocking the moonlight like a dark cloud.
Some of the more timid Ninjas, seeing this scene, couldn't help but fall onto their backsides.
"What… what is this…?"
Though they might not match the strength of the Third Kazekage Puppet, the numbers were simply absurd.
Each one of these red-robed puppets was directly controlled by Sasori himself, the puppeteer genius, and their combat power was in no way weaker than the Ninjas present.
"My target isn't you. Hand over the Jinchuriki."
Sasori issued his final ultimatum, and Chiyo's reply was simple.
The Chikamatsu Ten Puppets were once again sent forth, charging toward those hundred puppets.
Seeing this, the surrounding Sunagakure's Ninjas, some terrified, some fired up, all rushed in as well.
Even Kankuro controlled his three puppets to join the battlefield.
For a while, both sides clashed fiercely, the battle surging with intensity.
But Sasori, after all, was a genius who had abandoned being human.
Since most of the village's main forces had already been drawn away by Deidara, the remaining shinobi were simply no match for his Performance of a Hundred Puppets.
Granny Chiyo's Chikamatsu Ten Puppets could indeed take down the red-robed puppets.
However, as time went on, the old woman's stamina and Chakra drained rapidly, while Sasori's control over each puppet actually increased as their numbers dwindled.
With this trade-off, the battle was already tilting unfavorably for the Sunagakure's Ninjas.
High above the battlefield floated an eye made of sand.
Everything happening here was being clearly observed by Gaara from within his room.