Shindai ambushed Chiyo, but failed to succeed.
Chiyo quickly realized that Shindai's strength was vastly different from what she had expected.
She couldn't believe for a moment that Shindai could have improved so much in under two years, especially considering his previously poor aptitude.
Chiyo took out two scrolls and summoned two puppets—'Father' and 'Mother'.
However, these weren't the original 'Father' and 'Mother' created by Sasori. When Sasori left Sunagakure, he took the original pair with him.
These were puppets Chiyo had crafted herself, fitted with additional weapons such as katanas, chain blades, and wire strings, making them highly effective in combat.
Seeing these two puppets appear, Shindai said in annoyance, "Come on, you old woman! You really think so little of me? Like I'm not even worth using your Chikamatsu Collection against?"
"Hmph, brat! Don't be so arrogant! I was already in battle long before you were even born!"
Chiyo manipulated both 'Father' and 'Mother'. 'Father' attacked Kannazuki while 'Mother' went straight after Shindai.
Father's chain blade struck Kannazuki's body. He made no effort to defend himself, allowing the weapon to lash freely into him, embedding itself deeply.
But pulling the blade back proved difficult—the Iron Sand Body of Kannazuki firmly clung to the chain blade, spreading along it toward Father's body.
Witnessing this, Chiyo decisively severed the chain immediately, preventing the iron sand from reaching 'Father'.
As a high-ranking member of Sunagakure and part of one of the few kekkei genkai clans, she well knew that Magnet Release naturally nullified puppets, making them vulnerable to iron sand contact.
Chiyo shot a sharp glance at Shindai. As a Puppet Master, when manipulating puppets in combat, her own body became extremely vulnerable.
Mother's arm popped out a wrist blade, slashing toward Shindai.
To Chiyo's surprise, Shindai didn't seem to intend to dodge at all.
Realizing something was off, Chiyo tried to stop Mother from continuing its attack.
With a sinister grin, Shindai suddenly rushed forward and embraced the puppet.
His body instantly turned black and transformed into a mass of iron sand, completely engulfing Mother.
[Magnet Release] caused Chiyo to immediately lose control over 'Mother'.
Under the immense pressure of the magnetic iron sand, Mother was crushed into pieces.
Chiyo stared grimly at Kannazuki.
Was that Shindai just an Iron Sand Body Clone? Then who's controlling this puppet?
Could this puppet move on its own?
"Hey, why the shocked face?"
"Originally, that Iron Sand Clone was meant to lure your Chikamatsu Collection into attacking it, but I didn't expect you'd look down on me so much as to bring out these two low-grade puppets."
Chiyo looked toward the sky, her already serious expression growing even graver.
Shindai used [Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wings] and created a pair of Iron Sand Wings on his back, flying up extremely high into the air.
So what if Chiyo's mighty? What good is that strength if she can't even reach someone flying up there?
He flew so high that unless someone had speed rivaling Minato's or their own flight ability, they wouldn't stand a chance—he held absolute aerial dominance.
As for how he controlled Kannazuki, Shindai held a remote control in his hand.
Although Kannazuki's internal mechanism had many flaws and would leave it vulnerable against a skilled ninja like Chiyo in battle, the signal receiver and remote control allowed Shindai to manipulate it more fluidly.
That's why Shindai didn't want Kakashi and the others coming together—he had already placed himself in an unbeatable position from the beginning. Their presence only introduced uncertainties.
Chiyo stared up at the airborne Shindai with mounting worry; at that altitude, her attacks stood little chance of reaching him.
Plus all of Shindai's puppets were made entirely from iron sand—this was something she had never seen before.
The Third Kazekage mentioned that Shindai had exceptional talent in puppet-making, meaning this puppet was self-made by Shindai.
However, regarding other aspects, the Third Kazekage had completely misjudged—Shindai clearly wasn't lacking in talent; quite the opposite, he was exceptionally gifted.
Such a talent should have been retained within Sunagakure for careful cultivation. He wouldn't have been sent away as an undercover agent.
Even if he had gone undercover, there would've been no reason to abandon him or let him become a traitor.
Unfortunately, now they stood as enemies, so he must be eliminated before becoming a critical threat to Sunagakure.
At that moment, Chiyo's heart seethed with killing intent aimed at Shindai.
Since Shindai had come here, he surely meant to kill her—but one unique puppet like Kannazuki wouldn't be enough.
She needed to find an opportunity next.
Still hovering in the air, Shindai kept sneering mockingly, hurling insults: "How does it feel watching your daughter-in-law crushed into pieces? You're truly ruthless, using even your own son and daughter-in-law in battle. Even Sasori never turned those two puppets he cared about into weapons, yet you—a mother—did exactly that.
What? Do you get some kind of sick thrill controlling your dead son and daughter-in-law in battle? Watching your daughter-in-law's puppet smashed into bits must've really pleased you, huh? You old pervert—you're truly disgusting.
If that's the case, then why not go all the way? Let me crush your son's puppet too. Isn't that what you enjoy anyway?"
"As Sasori's close friend, when I first heard how Sasori seemed overly determined to kill you, I thought he was being a bit excessive. After all, you're his grandmother. But now I see that he wasn't excessive at all! You've disgraced the parents that Sasori loved most! I can't bear to watch this anymore!"
Facing Shindai's verbal onslaught, which bordered on psychological abuse, even Chiyo—who had weathered countless storms—felt her heart boiling with rage.
Chiyo snapped furiously, "Damned brat, shut up! If you wanna kill me, come down from the air and try it!"
Shindai laughed wildly, "Huh? Getting angry? What makes you think you have the right? I won't shut up. I'll just keep flying above while you cower down there on the ground? Come up and fight me if you can! Stupid old hag!"
Kakashi, Obito, and Rin Nohara listened in such shock that they nearly had heart attacks.
Obito muttered through clenched teeth, "How shameless. No wonder he's Shindai. Saying something like 'cower on the ground'—I actually feel a little sorry for that old woman now."
Rin Nohara nodded in agreement, "Yeah, I can tell she's about to blow her top."
Kakashi didn't say anything. His right eye was twitching violently. He was still bothered by how unexpectedly Shindai had apologized to him earlier.
Because he had a bad feeling Shindai was about to pull another absurd move—and it might drag him into it.
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