Swish!
A blade flashed downward like a crescent moon, its pale glow cold and sharp, daring no one to get too close.
The instant Hiruko's tail-blade arced toward him, Kakashi Hatake leapt back, widening the distance to a safe range.
He pulled up his forehead protector, revealing the menacing scarlet eye beneath. The Sharingan spun with three tomoe, radiating an eerie light that few could meet head-on.
Scorpion's voice was low and rasping.
"Sharingan, is it? They say you've earned the name of Copy Ninja with that eye, able to replicate a thousand techniques. I wonder if that's true."
The title "Copy Ninja" implied an ability to reproduce jutsu at will. Some dismissed Kakashi's reputation, claiming he was nothing without the Sharingan.
But from Aoyama's perspective, those people had never truly understood Kakashi. He was called a genius long before he ever wielded the Sharingan, the youngest of his generation to rise to jōnin. Anyone who underestimated him usually ended up dead at the edge of his blade.
Kakashi gave a casual shrug.
"Believe it or not, you can even ask Aoyama—I've never copied over a thousand jutsu."
Aoyama smirked.
"Because if it's not a technique worth bragging about, you don't bother with it."
Even as they spoke, Scorpion continued moving his fingers with eerie calm, manipulating two ordinary puppets to tie down the enemy. From the shadows, a kunai whistled out toward Kakashi's temple—an ambush meant to kill.
"YAAAH!"
Might Guy shouted, his twin nunchaku whipping in a blur as he charged in. He slammed the kunai aside, intercepting the strike meant for his rival.
Scorpion wasn't annoyed. Two puppets against four seasoned shinobi was, admittedly, a stretch.
Kakuzu was still busy earning money elsewhere and would take time to arrive. From the start, Scorpion and Aoyama had agreed—Scorpion would test the Konoha team first. If things went south, Aoyama would join in.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio formed a strange formation, exchanging cautious blows with the puppets. Neither side was going all out—both seemed intent on dragging things out.
Aoyama knew just how terrifying Scorpion was. A single man who could command a hundred puppets at once… even with Guy added to the Konoha squad, none of them would last long if Scorpion truly unleashed his full army.
Among the group, Guy and Kakashi outclassed the trio in raw strength. But still, it wasn't enough.
So Aoyama hopped onto a tree branch, sat cross-legged like a monk, propped his chin with one hand, and watched the battle with amusement, like enjoying a live show.
Guy shouted, "Kakashi! Hold this guy off—I'll deal with Aoyama! No matter what, I'll drag him back to the village. With Lord Third's compassion, he's bound to forgive him!"
The Sharingan reflected both Aoyama's grin and Scorpion's hunched silhouette. Kakashi frowned.
"Guy, listen. If I'm not mistaken, our opponent is none other than Sunagakure's greatest puppet prodigy—the rogue ninja known as Scorpion of the Red Sand. Right now, forget Aoyama. Our real problem… is him."
Scorpion's eyes narrowed with faint surprise.
"Oh? You figured it out. Now you've made me curious. Tell me, how did you guess?"
Kakashi explained calmly, "Among Sand's puppet masters, very few can manipulate more than two puppets at once. Counting the ambush earlier, you've been controlling three. That alone narrows it down. And among Sunagakure's missing-nin, there's only one with your level of skill. You are—Scorpion of the Red Sand."
"…Interesting. You've piqued my interest, Hatake. I'll turn you into one of my finest human puppets. You'll make quite the addition to my collection."
"Kai! He's moving again—Guy, press the attack. I'll create an opening!"
"Ohhhh! The fire of youth burns bright! Leaf Hurricane!"
Hiruko lunged to shield Scorpion, its hardened body crafted from only the toughest materials. Even Guy's powerful kick failed to shatter it. The puppet's chest burst open, launching a barrage of senbon needles that forced Guy to retreat, barely keeping himself safe.
Kakashi struck in tandem, lightning gathering at his palm. With a thrust of his Chidori, he slashed off part of Hiruko's tail—the bladed segment shattered in sparks.
For the first time, Scorpion found himself on the defensive. Against two elite jōnin working together, Hiruko alone was beginning to falter.
Aoyama chuckled from the tree branch.
"Need a hand?"
In answer, mechanisms across Hiruko's body popped open. Showers of hidden weapons erupted, driving Kakashi and Guy back once more.
"No." Scorpion's voice was ice. "I hadn't planned to reveal my masterpiece… but you've left me no choice."
He had many puppets in his arsenal, but only one he deemed his greatest work: the human puppet of the Third Kazekage. Not only preserved with its unique body, but it is also infused with the fearsome Magnet Release kekkei genkai.
Aoyama nodded lazily. "Suit yourself. I'll just keep watching. If you get in trouble, call—I'll be ready."
Scorpion unrolled a scroll, summoning the puppet that resembled a man. The Third Kazekage emerged, surrounded by swirling black sand. Iron particles condensed and writhed like a storm as Scorpion directed the iron sand against the leaping Konoha jōnin.
"It's pointless. Against my finest puppet, you stand no chance. This was once Sunagakure's strongest Kazekage. Now, he'll be the end of you."
Even while controlling three puppets at once, Scorpion didn't forget the Ino–Shika–Chō trio. But something felt off—their formation was pressing harder than before, steadily breaking through his two ordinary puppets and moving closer to Kakashi and Guy.
A quick analysis told him the truth: they were aiming to regroup. If they destroyed his fodder puppets and linked up with Kakashi and Guy, they could focus all their strength against the Third Kazekage puppet.
Clever. But Scorpion had already seen through their plan.
The Magnet Release of the Third Kazekage was more than powerful enough to crush armies. Yet against five veteran jōnin, he knew carelessness could still lead to disaster.
And Scorpion never took chances.