Hattori , Puppet Tyrant in Sand

The dark night was the perfect cover for a puppet master.

Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Hattori focused intently on the scene ahead, fiddling with his puppet controller while mumbling under his breath.

"Let's see… light move, heavy strike… combo attack… oh, think you're getting away? Take that! Ah-ha… gotcha!"

In that moment, he looked just like a 90s arcade kid, skipping school to game at the local arcade.

The only difference was that those kids used arcade tokens, while Hattori was using puppets—and the Mist Ninjas' lives.

**[You successfully killed a Level 15 Ninja. No EXP earned.]**

**[You successfully killed a Level 24 Ninja. No EXP earned.]**

**[You successfully killed a Level 17 Ninja. No EXP earned.]**

Within seconds, more than a dozen Mist Ninjas had fallen to Hattori's "Ten Sword Master" puppets, their blood dyeing the puppets a deep crimson.

The Mist Ninjas fought back fiercely, though, and Hattori's ten Sword Master puppets were in rough shape.

Some were missing arms or legs, others were riddled with punctures and gashes. At that moment, Hattori understood why the puppets stored in the warehouse were so ugly. There was no point in making them beautiful if they'd be wrecked in battle. Better to install extra weapons inside them to ensure they could eliminate the enemy before being destroyed.

Most puppet masters saw their puppets as mere tools—fixable if broken, replaceable if lost.

But Hattori didn't feel the same way.

To him, puppets might be tools, but who said tools couldn't look cool? Who said they couldn't be sleek? Though it required more time and effort, Hattori believed it was worth it.

At least he felt good operating stylish puppets, and perhaps, he mused, even his enemies might feel a bit of respect upon being killed by one.

After all, being taken down by a dashing puppet would certainly be more dignified than being slaughtered by an ugly one.

Embracing this philosophy, Hattori's movements became even more fluid, and he swiftly cut down another dozen Mist Ninjas.

At this point, his ten Sword Master puppets were nearly destroyed. Two still had somewhat intact bodies, though the blades they held were down to mere stubs—hardly battle-ready.

Eyeing the puppet seal scroll, Hattori noted he had only one Sword Master puppet left. He frowned, reluctant to use it.

"Looks like it's time to bring out the big guns."

Muttering under his breath, he pulled a few shurikens from his pouch and threw them at the nearest Mist Ninja.

"Secret Technique: Human Puppetry!"

At his command, the Mist Ninja he struck stiffened, lifting his sword in horror and slashing at his comrade.

"Look out! Get away!" one shouted, but it was too late. The sword had already landed on his teammate's back.

The injured ninja looked back in disbelief, eyes wide with shock. "Kito, you…"

Before he could finish, his partner's blade sliced through his neck, ending his life—and his words.

"No!!" cried the ninja, now horrified by his actions, as he turned the blade on yet another of his comrades.

In moments, several Mist Ninjas had fallen by his hand.

Watching his friends die at his own hands, the ninja called Kito broke under the guilt and fear, collapsing into hysterical laughter.

"Hahaha… I'll kill you all… I'll kill you all… hahahaha…"

Hattori frowned and forced the ninja to end his own life, suddenly understanding why Lady Chiyo had warned him against controlling humans.

Killing was one thing, but this method was far too cruel—even more so than what had been done to him by Sasori, who turned people into human puppets.

"Maybe it's best to stick to puppets," he murmured to himself, unrolling his scroll to release his final Sword Master puppet onto the battlefield.

With only one puppet left, Hattori controlled it with utmost precision, executing advanced moves he hadn't been able to use before.

"Special attack, engage! Quick backstep… dodge, reposition… slice!" 

In that moment, Hattori rediscovered the thrill he'd once felt as the "King of the Arena." The puppet charged forward, taking down one Mist Ninja after another.

Seeing his incredible skill, Pakura, who had been protecting him from the sidelines, stared in awe. "Hattori, you're amazing!"

"Ha-ha-ha… just basic stuff!" he laughed, exhilarated by her praise, and sped up his attacks, claiming even more lives.

**[You successfully killed a Level 19 Ninja. No EXP earned.]**

**[You successfully killed a Level 27 Ninja. No EXP earned.]**

**[You successfully killed a Level 29 Ninja. No EXP earned.]**

As the battle raged on, Mist Village's casualties mounted. Genin were decimated, and Chunin fatalities soared, with even Jonin falling to Hattori's puppet.

Soon, one Mist Jonin fell by Hattori's blade.

**[You successfully killed a Level 49 Ninja. EXP +490]**

**[Level Up!]**

**[Puppet Control Level +1]**

Seeing the notification, Hattori realized why the kill had been so difficult. "So it was a Jonin. No wonder it was tough! Without that sleep-inducing toxin on my puppet's blade, I probably wouldn't have managed it."

Despite his words, he couldn't hide the satisfied grin spreading across his face.

Thirty minutes later, under the onslaught of the Sand Ninja's fierce assault, only a few Mist Ninjas escaped. The rest fought to the death—none surrendered.

Their courage and tenacity earned Hattori's respect.

"These are truly the ninjas of the future 'Village of Bloody Mist'—merciless to others and even to themselves. But I suppose that's also why I leveled up so fast."

With a grin, he turned to his new stats:

**[Name: Hattori]**

**[Title: Puppet Tyrant]**

**[Level: 51]**

**[HP: 1542/1542]**

**[MP: 1030/1030 (Yin Seal: 103000/103000, unlockable)]**

**[EXP: 70/510]**

**[Specialties: Medical Arts, Puppetry, Sealing]**

**[Combat Evaluation: S-]**

To his delight, he noticed a new sealing skill had unlocked.

**[Unlocked Sealing Skill: Four Symbols Seal]**

---

(End of Chapter)