When Shindai said that living humans weren't needed to create human puppets, only corpses, it left Kakashi and the others speechless.
Obito asked curiously, "Shindai, how is a human puppet different from other puppets?"
Shindai nodded. "Of course there's a difference. Otherwise, why would someone like Sasori break such a major taboo to make human puppets? The biggest difference between human puppets and regular ones is that human puppets can use ninjutsu."
"Human puppets are created from once-living people, made while their chakra from life still remains. Therefore, they completely retain all of that person's jutsu and kekkei genkai from when they were alive."
"In other words, making a human puppet has to be done right away. Wait too long after death and the chakra disappears, making it completely useless."
"As for ordinary puppets, if an enemy learns about the internal mechanisms and their functions, then the puppet becomes nothing more than scrap—even worthless."
"But human puppets primarily rely on the jutsu they possessed in life. Even if the opponent discovers the inner workings, it doesn't matter because human puppets don't depend on those mechanisms—they rely purely on the techniques they used in life."
"The advantage of human puppets lies in their ability to continuously use jutsu since they can keep using their former techniques as long as their chakra hasn't been depleted. There's no issue with being unable to reuse techniques."
"Of course, I personally think human puppets are garbage. My Shindai is far superior! After all, my Magnet Release is the ultimate counter against puppets—even human ones!"
After finishing his explanation, Shindai proudly puffed out his chest.
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara all had a vein twitching on their foreheads.
Did he always have to boast?
Kakashi asked another question. "Shindai, I'm not saying Pakura won't help you, but do you really expect anyone to believe your story? Parts of it just sound too exaggerated."
Shindai scoffed. "Does it matter whether they believe or not? As long as it grabs attention."
"How so?" Kakashi questioned, puzzled.
Shindai thought for a moment before responding. "Let me put it plainly—imagine Lord Jiraiya visiting a hostess bar, his clothes being stolen, and running naked through the streets. Would you three believe that happened?"
The trio shook their heads simultaneously. "We can believe Lord Jiraiya visited a hostess bar, but we don't believe he'd run around stark naked in public. He's one of the Sannin, one of the strongest ninja. Even if his clothes were stolen, he wouldn't end up running naked through town."
Shindai snapped his fingers. "Exactly! No one would believe it, but this kind of story spreads easily. The name 'Jiraiya' alone draws attention, and combining it with elements like a hostess bar, stolen clothing, and running naked in public makes it incredibly eye-catching."
Whether it was true or not, if Shindai had enough fame and the story was sensational enough, it would definitely spread quickly. The surrounding spectators wouldn't care whether it was true or not; even if they knew it was fake, they'd still treat it as real because it fed their gossip hunger. Now you get it?"
Kakashi and Rin Nohara nodded at the same time. They understood.
The truth didn't matter. As long as something grabbed attention, that was all that mattered.
But Obito was the only one who shook his head, clearly not getting it.
Shindai let out a helpless sigh, "Obito, when will you ever get it? Let me put it this way: suppose Rin plans to confess to you today. Isn't that ridiculous enough? Even if Kakashi and I knew it was fake, we'd still talk about it. Now do you get it?"
Rin Nohara smacked Shindai's shoulder in protest, "What kind of example is that, Shindai!"
Obito tilted his head slightly.
"Rin planned to confess to him... this isn't ridiculous, right?"
"Heh, hehehe."
Seeing Obito smile stupidly, Shindai and Kakashi exchanged glances, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
This idiot really is hopeless.
Shindai exhaled softly, "Well then, let's see what Pakura does next."
...
It had already been half a month since Pakura parted ways with Shindai.
Initially, Pakura had hesitated over whether to leak the scroll's contents.
After all, the information was too shocking and absurd.
But thinking about how Shindai had been framed, forced to become a rogue ninja, and driven away from home—joining Konoha without being able to return—and how it was all Rasa and his men's fault, Pakura couldn't help but feel furious.
So finally, Pakura secretly leaked the scroll's content.
Actually, Pakura only needed five days to spread the news, because halfway through she went on a mission. When she returned to the stationed camp, she was floored.
Because every Sand ninja in the camp was whispering about it.
"Did you hear? Originally, the Fourth became Kazekage because the Fourth and Lady Chiyo were mother and son! He's Lady Chiyo's bastard son!"
"Who knew! No wonder all the higher-ups supported the Fourth becoming Kazekage—it turns out there was this connection all along."
"There's more you won't believe. I heard the Fourth's father is Onoki!"
"I know! Supposedly during the Second Great Ninja War, Elder Ebizō offered his own elder sister, Lady Chiyo, to Tsuchikage Onoki of Iwagakure so Sunagakure could obtain some supplies, and thus the Fourth was born."
"No wonder Iwagakure could reconcile with our village and launch a joint attack on Konoha! It turns out Old Man Onoki found out that his own illegitimate son was the Fourth Kazekage, so he cooperated with us to attack Konoha!"
"Pfft, I heard that Onoki's a red-nosed old geezer, short like a turnip!"
"Sigh, to be honest, Chiyo-sama's sacrifice was huge, but it still can't erase what her grandson Sasori did. Human Puppets! As Chiyo-sama's grandson, he actually researched such a despicable technique."
"There was a period when ninjas kept disappearing from the village, right? Could it have been Sasori?"
"Very possible! Definitely Sasori! Could've even been The Third..."
"Hey, you can't just throw stuff like that around!"
...
Pakura's eyes narrowed slightly. Looks like the time had come.
After taking a deep breath, Pakura headed toward Chiyo's tent.
Upon arriving at Chiyo's tent, Chiyo saw Pakura return and smiled, saying, "You're back. You've worked hard, Pakura."
Pakura looked hesitant, struggling to speak as she finally said, "Ch-Chiyo-sama... When I came back earlier, I overheard some ninjas at the Stationed Camp talking about you, Ebizō-sama, and The Fourth. Will you do something about it?"
Chiyo frowned slightly. "Talking about me?"
Those ninjas wouldn't be stupid enough to spread rumors like that in front of Chiyo. In fact, Chiyo had already noticed—every time she stepped outside, many ninjas would lower their heads when they saw her, going out of their way to avoid eye contact. But she hadn't thought much of it.
Now, hearing Pakura's words, Chiyo realized they must've been spreading malicious gossip.
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