"Mother, do you have a moment now? We'd like to take a family portrait with you and Sasori?"
Inside the Kazekage Building in Sunagakure.
Chiyo had just stepped out of the Kazekage's office when her son hurried up to her and asked.
Chiyo frowned deeply.
The Second Kazekage's condition was not optimistic.
He's already advanced in age, and now that he had been severely injured by Jin's flame in the previous battle-
Even if he survived, he likely would no longer be capable of combat.
A small silver lining was that the successor for the Kazekage's position had already been decided.
Even if the Second Kazekage stepped down, the Third Kazekage, who is currently at the frontlines, could immediately assume the position.
However, with the loss of the Second Kazekage, continuing this war was impossible.
Hearing her son's request, Chiyo, who is in a bad mood, initially intended to refuse.
But upon hearing her grandson Sasori's name, her heart softened, and she agreed.
...
"Grandma Chiyo."
Chiyo and her son arrived at the photo studio.
A red-haired boy, a year or two younger than Jin and Minato, greeted them with a smile.
Seeing her grandson's innocent smile, Chiyo's mood improved slightly.
"Chiyo-sama, please stand to the child's right…"
The photographer began directing the family of four to adjust their positions.
However, just as the photographer was about to press the shutter.
Boom!!!
A deafening explosion startled the family of four puppet masters.
Chiyo turned and looked out the window.
In the direction of the village's main gate, flames rising from the top of the wall dyed the sky crimson.
Billowing black smoke enveloped the village, as if night had fallen early.
"That Fire Release is!?"
Chiyo's pupils constricted sharply.
She almost instantly guessed the reason.
Beep, beep, beep-!!!
Right at that moment, the piercing sound of an alarm reverberated through the entire village.
Large numbers of Sunagakure's Ninjas gathered towards the village's entrance.
"What's happening?"
Although she had her suspicions, Chiyo still stopped a Sunagakure's Ninja to ask.
"Chiyo-sama! Uchiha Jin is causing trouble at the main gate!"
"How many are with him?"
"According... according to reports, it's just him alone..."
"Wha-!?"
Chiyo's expression changed drastically once more.
'Attacking the enemy's main base alone.'
'Where did he get the courage?'
'Did he think he was Senju Hashirama or Uchiha Madara?'
"You two, watch over Sasori! I'll go deal with this brat!"
Chiyo instructed her son and daughter-in-law, then hurried towards the village's entrance with the main force.
Although she didn't know what trick Jin was trying to pull-
But if no Kage-level figure was present, they might genuinely be unable to capture him.
"It's alright, Sasori."
Sasori's mother crouched down to comfort her son.
Sasori, who is not yet twelve, nodded obediently.
However, the next moment, Sasori noticed several figures flash past in the distance.
"Dad, Mom, what's that?"
The young Sasori raised his hand and pointed across the street.
Sasori's parents turned to look.
They saw three figures swiftly moving across the village's rooftops, heading rapidly towards the Kazekage Building at the village center.
In the sandy environment of Sunagakure, that head of white hair and blond hair stood out extremely clearly.
As for the last one with blue hair...
Well, no one knew him.
So he's probably just a follower.
"Ko-Konoha's White Fang and the Yellow Flash!?"
The faces of Sasori's parents changed dramatically.
They realized that this was a diversionary tactic!
"Sasori, stay here and don't run off!"
Sasori's father left only these words before heading off with his wife in pursuit.
And these became the last words Sasori's parents ever spoke to him.
...
Sunagakure's main entrance.
The previously endless yellow sand had been completely replaced by a sea of fire.
Three puppets with the characters [Dharma], [Sangha], and [Buddha] written on their foreheads gathered together, forming a triangular stance.
They simultaneously raised their hands, unleashing a violent tornado.
[Three Jewels Suction Crushing!]
This was Chiyo's signature puppets.
The Chikamatsu Collection of Ten Puppets!
"What kind of nonsense is this~"
Jin clapped his hands together.
His interlocked fingers then slowly spread apart like a blooming flower.
"Fire Dharma."
From his open palms flew out high-density emerald green flames.
They collided with the tornado.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
A series of violent explosions erupted.
It seemed on the verge of destroying all three puppets.
But then, three more puppets rushed forward, spreading their arms to form a protective shield.
Even so-
Two of the three defensive puppets had their arms blown to pieces.
[Master Roshi: Hmm~~ That's Ace's move, right? Just like the Kamehameha, it needs charging time, but its attack speed is too slow, flashy but impractical. Rin, when facing truly strong opponents, better not use moves like this.]
After being bombarded by Jin's doujins, artbooks, and 'educational' materials.
Master Roshi had completely accepted Jin as a member of the Turtle School.
He often gave pointers during his fights.
Even though he was eventually far surpassed by his disciple, Super Saiyan Goku, this Martial Arts Master's insight was still nothing to scoff at.
[Jin: I understand, Master Roshi. That guy Ace liked these flashy moves too much, that's why he died at Akainu's hands.]
[Ace: First of all, I didn't provoke any of you.]
Although he gained the power of the Mera Mera no Mi, Jin didn't simply copy Ace's techniques.
Instead, he combined the abilities of the Devil Fruit with his Sharingan and integrated them with the Turtle School-style.
"Hmm?"
At that moment, Jin noticed three figures rushing towards their location.
And not just Jin… Chiyo and the many Sunagakure's Ninjas noticed them too.
"Konoha's White Fang!? When... when did they get inside!?"
Chiyo and the others were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"So? Did you take down Shamon?"
Jin's next question nearly caused Chiyo and her group to have heart attacks on the spot.
"Failed. We were so close."
Minato's face was full of regret.
Jin glanced at Shinsuke, who didn't dare meet his gaze, and pointed at him while asking Sakumo:
"You didn't abandon the mission to save this deadweight, did you?"
The three of them remained silent.
Seeing this, Jin showed disdainful expression.
"Lucky for you that you were leading the team. If anyone dared to hold me back, I would have eliminated them along with the enemy long ago."