Hattori , Puppet Tyrant in Sand

While Hiruzen Sarutobi was quietly brooding, Hattori and Ebizo had already led the main forces back to Sunagakure.

Once they returned, they saw that the village was safe and intact, allowing both of them to finally breathe a sigh of relief.

According to reports from the front-line defenses, Konoha's main forces had indeed been there but hadn't attacked Sunagakure; instead, they moved north directly to strike Iwagakure.

Evidently, Konoha's commander understood that since Sunagakure had already launched an attack on Konoha, they'd likely be restrained from retaliating further. So Konoha simply abandoned the notion of attacking Sunagakure and turned its sights on Iwagakure.

As a result, regardless of the battle's outcome, Iwagakure would almost certainly conclude that Sunagakure had allied with Konoha.

After all, from Iwagakure's perspective, if Sunagakure hadn't allied with Konoha, how could Konoha have traversed the Land of Wind to attack them?

In response, Iwagakure would likely send forces to attack the Land of Wind's defensive lines to ensure the security of their own rear, thereby reducing the pressure on Konoha's forces in the field.

In other words, after Konoha's strike on Iwagakure, Sunagakure would be compelled to ally with Konoha, whether they wanted to or not.

Ebizo was sharp enough to see through all of this. Upon receiving the news of Konoha's strike on Iwagakure, he couldn't help but praise it.

"Konoha's general truly has brilliant tactics!"

At the same time, Ebizo's admiration for Hattori deepened, believing Hattori to be exceptionally farsighted.

He even remarked that if Hattori weren't so young, he would recommend him to the Daimyo of the Land of Wind as a candidate for the Fourth Kazekage.

Naturally, Hattori only listened to these words casually, not taking them too seriously.

After two days in the village, he set out for the northern battlefield with Pakura, ready to face off against the Iwa Shinobi.

Now that Sunagakure had allied with Konoha, they had to demonstrate some effort, even if just symbolically. Besides, even without an alliance, Sunagakure would need to guard against Iwagakure due to their long-standing enmity.

However, this time, Ebizo didn't accompany them; instead, he took Rasa and several trusted aides to the capital of the Land of Wind.

Hattori guessed he was likely reporting the alliance with Konoha and making arrangements for the Fourth Kazekage.

After all, with the Third Kazekage missing for so long, his chances of survival were slim, and it would be better to take this opportunity to select a new Kazekage to give Sunagakure a strong leader.

As for the Fourth Kazekage position, Hattori didn't need to guess—it would undoubtedly go to Rasa.

Bringing Rasa to the capital with so many guards was clearly a sign he'd be officially appointed by the Daimyo of the Land of Wind. Otherwise, why bring him at all?

Though Hattori and Rasa didn't get along, Hattori couldn't deny Rasa's qualifications to be Kazekage.

First, as a veteran jonin of Sunagakure, Rasa had both achievements and reputation. As a descendant of the Second Kazekage, his lineage was "pure and distinguished."

Secondly, Rasa inherited the Magnet Release bloodline limit, making him formidable in combat and ensuring he wouldn't be considered unfit for the position.

In Hattori's view, Rasa's ascent to Kazekage was essentially a choice among limited options. Sunagakure desperately needed a leader.

"Once he becomes Kazekage, I'll show him a bit more respect—if only to give some face to Chiyo and Ebizo."

As he thought about this, Hattori, who was traveling on a giant dragonfly, glanced at Pakura beside him.

"Sis Pakura, would you like to be Kazekage?"

"Of course I would!"

Upon hearing Hattori's question, Pakura nodded without hesitation, then looked at him curiously.

"Don't you want to?"

"Nope!" Hattori shook his head with a grin. "Because I'm destined to become… the Kazekage's husband!"

"Hahaha!" 

Hearing this, Pakura burst into laughter.

"You're really blowing your horn there, saying you don't want to be Kazekage."

"But I don't want to!" 

Watching Pakura laugh, Hattori raised an eyebrow, his eyes shining with amusement.

"I said it clearly—I'm destined to be… the Kazekage's husband, that is, your husband, Sis Pakura. Now, come here, give me a kiss (づ￣3￣)づ!"

"Hehehe… no way!"

"(づ￣3￣)づ Come on!"

"…"

…

Their banter eased the weariness of the journey, and as night fell, the northern outpost of Sunagakure was finally in sight.

Since the battle wasn't too intense, Hattori decided not to push the troops to march further that night. Instead, he led them into the outpost to rest, resuming their journey the next day.

By the following evening, Hattori and his Sunagakure forces reached the border defenses, now facing the Land of Earth across the line.

The next day, Hattori encountered Konoha's withdrawing troops.

The Konoha forces, evidently aware of the alliance, passed by without incident, showing no hostility toward the Suna Shinobi.

Unsure if these were the last Konoha troops to withdraw, Hattori asked Pakura to remind everyone to remain vigilant for potential surprise attacks by the Iwa Shinobi.

His warning proved effective; within just two days, Iwagakure launched a sudden assault.

Nearly a thousand Iwa Shinobi formed an attack unit, launching a fierce assault on Sunagakure's border defenses the moment they arrived.

Boulder-like projectiles rained down on Hattori's defensive line, obliterating the fortifications upon impact.

Seeing this, Pakura immediately called out.

"It's the Iwa Shinobi's Rock Cannon Jutsu! Everyone, take cover!"

After shouting her warning, she turned to Hattori, looking serious.

"Hattori, the Iwa Rock Cannon is incredibly powerful, especially during the day. Don't even think about flying over them—it's too dangerous!"

"Yes, I know; I have another plan!"

With that, Hattori pulled out a puppet-sealing scroll from his back and opened it.

"Boom, boom, boom…"

With a series of popping sounds, ten Mist Puppets appeared around him.

Seeing the ten puppets covered in blue seals, Pakura's face flashed with curiosity.

"Is this… the Chikamatsu Ten Puppet?"

"Haha, of course not!"

Hearing her guess, Hattori laughed and shook his head, explaining.

"Chikamatsu Ten Puppet are my teacher's puppets. These are ones I made myself; like Kitsumatsu Ten puppet, they're sealing puppets!"

"Oh…"

Pakura, while not a puppet master herself, was a Sunagakure ninja and had some knowledge of puppets. Seeing these ten Mist Puppets, her face showed surprise and admiration.

"You can make puppets on par with Chikamatsu Ten? That's incredible! So, what's special about them?"

"You'll find out in a moment!"

With a wink at Pakura, Hattori gestured, sending the ten Mist Puppets flying in all directions.

Then his voice rang out again.

"Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"

(End of Chapter)