Chiyo manipulated the seven puppets of the Chikamatsu Collection, dodging all sorts of haphazard objects Kannazuki hurled at her from above while also blocking Shindai's attacks.
For Chiyo, evading Shindai's Iron Sand Body and fending off Kannazuki's assault were both effortless feats.
The problem was that she couldn't strike back against Shindai.
Moreover, even if Kannazuki got smashed into pieces, it could reassemble itself. Meanwhile, she had to be careful not to let her puppets come in contact with the Iron Sand Body.
Even though they were now enemies, Chiyo couldn't help but admire Shindai's Kannazuki puppet deep within her heart. It was truly a masterpiece, heralding an entirely new era in puppetry.
Although its usage was limited strictly to Magnet Release ninjas, this limitation didn't apply to Shindai. Instead, he fully utilized his advantage as a Magnet Release ninja.
Such a genius with extraordinary talent should have stood with Sunagakure—but instead, here he was, on the enemy's side.
Chiyo deeply regretted not stopping Rasa back then.
However, this genius acted too despicably and spoke far too foully.
Kannazuki hadn't stopped provoking her for even a moment.
Seeing that ordinary insults barely affected Chiyo anymore, Shindai decided it was time to deliver one final, decisive psychological blow.
From earlier, it was clear that provoking Chiyo and making her lose composure had worked quite successfully.
If he hadn't disgusted Chiyo enough to make her lose control, he wouldn't have easily destroyed Chiyo's 'Father' and 'Mother' puppets along with three of the Chikamatsu Collection puppets.
At the same time, Shindai remained rational, clearly aware that his Kannazuki wouldn't last much longer.
Chiyo's seven Chikamatsu Collection puppets worked together skillfully, intentionally keeping their distance from Kannazuki. Iron Sand Body projectiles and launched assaults failed to hit Chiyo's puppets.
Yet if Chiyo accidentally struck the signal receiver or internal mechanism inside Kannazuki's body, he would no longer be able to control it remotely using his remote device.
After taking a deep breath, Shindai shouted toward Chiyo, "Hey, you old hag! Look behind your son and daughter—who do you see?"
Chiyo didn't even lift her head. As long as she refused to look toward Shindai's direction, nothing he did could affect her.
But would Shindai really let Chiyo get her way?
Three Iron Sand Body Clones landed on the ground, kicking up clouds of dust.
As the dust settled, Chiyo and Kakashi—who had been hiding and watching—could no longer look away.
Chiyo shot glares filled with hatred, while Kakashi stood frozen in disbelief.
Because among the three Iron Sand Body Clones transformed through Transformation Jutsu, two took the forms of Chiyo's son and daughter, while the third became none other than the Legend of the White Fang—Sakumo Hatake.
Obito and Rin Nohara looked back and forth between Sakumo Hatake and Kakashi, stunned.
Obito and Rin Nohara were stunned. Why did Shindai bring up Kakashi's father? They knew that the issue surrounding Kakashi's father had always been a painful thorn in Kakashi's heart.
However, Obito and Rin Nohara quickly figured out the reason.
Shindai said with an extremely sinister tone, "Lady Chiyo, do you recognize this person? From your emotional gaze, it's clear you recognize him, don't you? That's right! He is my idol—the Legend of the White Fang of Konoha, whose name once shook the entire ninja world. A hero of Konoha—Sakumo Hatake! A man whose strength surpassed even that of the Sannin!"
"At the same time," he continued, "Sakumo was also the one who killed Sasori's parents—the very reason why Sasori came to hate all of you!"
"Eh?!" Both Obito and Rin Nohara turned toward Kakashi in surprise. "Kakashi, is that true?"
Kakashi replied grimly, "Yes, it's true."
Now Kakashi understood why Shindai had apologized first—he'd been set up.
Although Sakumo's death once caused Kakashi to shut off his emotions, making him obsessively devoted to missions and rules,
Thanks to Minato Namikaze, Obito, and Rin Nohara helping him open up—especially after Shindai joined them—it was impossible to stay closed off with Shindai and Obito constantly messing around. He had long since moved past it.
Still, this situation infuriated Kakashi!
Using his father to provoke Chiyo like this was outrageous—but typical of Shindai, that shameless bastard.
Shindai sneered mockingly, "My, my, Lady Chiyo, don't you have anything to say upon seeing Lord Sakumo? Sakumo killed Sasori's parents, while you yourself deliberately destroyed those two puppets known as 'Father' and 'Mother.' If you think about it, aren't you and Sakumo basically the same? So now, facing Sakumo again, do you feel grateful or full of hatred?"
Chiyo's eyes filled with bloodshot fury, her voice nearly growled through clenched teeth: "Boy, you've gone too far!"
Shindai made a face at Chiyo and taunted, "You went too far~ And what should I do then that isn't too far? Should I give Sasori's parents a nice big kiss? Or maybe I should give you a kiss instead for it to not be too far?
Goodness me, your intelligence is truly mind-boggling. There's no doubt you got that advisory position by kissing up to your younger brother, right? Otherwise how could someone so stupid become an advisor? No wonder Sunagakure has stayed poor for so many years—we finally found the reason!
Pfft, enough talking. Lord Sakumo must be getting impatient by now. Hey, Chiyo, prepare yourself and witness what real tribute looks like!"
Chiyo immediately realized what Shindai was planning. Her voice turned sharp as she shrieked, "You dare?!"
"Tsk tsk, still spewing crap like that? Let's see if I dare!"
Sakumo Hatake unsheathed his White Fang short blade and swung it toward the necks of Chiyo's son and daughter.
Even knowing they were fake, Chiyo still controlled her puppets and charged forward recklessly alongside them.
However, the 'Sakumo Hatake' before her had already swung his blade, severing the heads of Chiyo's 'son' and 'daughter'.
"Damn it!"
Chiyo controlled her puppets and instantly shattered the Iron Sand Body Clone of 'Sakumo Hatake'.
Leaning forward, hands resting on her thighs, Chiyo gasped for breath as sweat poured down her face and dripped onto the ground.
This was a nightmare that often haunted her at midnight, waking her up drenched in fear. Now witnessing it again, even though she knew it wasn't real, she still couldn't bear it.
Shindai, however, had no intention of ending things here.
[Shindai formed hand seals], and the scattered Iron Sand on the ground gathered once more, forming over a dozen Iron Sand Body Clones.
They weren't Sakumo Hatake this time, nor Chiyo's son and daughter—they were Sasori and the Third Kazekage.
Sakumo Hatake beheaded Chiyo's son and daughter over and over, while Sasori drove his blades through the chest of the Third Kazekage repeatedly.
Forced to relive this nightmare unceasingly, Chiyo's mind was pushed to the breaking point. Her hands began to tremble violently, weakening her control over them; two of the puppets accidentally touched the Iron Sand and were instantly paralyzed.
Chiyo didn't notice at all—Shindai was gone from the sky.
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