"Puppeteers are a specialty of our Sunagakure... My Ninjutsu was actually inspired by Puppeteers."
"It's mainly because of Sasori..."
"However, I am not a Puppeteer after all, and I have no way to use Chakra lines... As a Medical Ninja, given my level of delicate Chakra control, it wouldn't be a problem to cultivate Chakra lines. But what I mean is, I don't have the basic skills that most Puppeteers possess, and my knowledge regarding manipulation techniques, mechanisms, and puppets isn't solid enough... So, I wondered if I could use physical objects as a substitute."
"The Hand Seals I perform have several main effects... First, they activate the muscles and nerve transmissions in the hands through cell stimulation, enhancing strength and sensory perception. And then..."
"Well... generally speaking, that's how it is."
Before the eyes of the Third Kazekage and the others, and under the control of Yuji's fingers, his scalpel circled in mid-air in front of everyone.
If one didn't look closely, they indeed wouldn't notice the threads Yuji was controlling.
This blade seemed as if it could be controlled by Yuji's will alone.
"This kind of technique... if the Puppeteers in the Village were to practice it, it should be relatively easy to pick up."
One of the Village's high-ranking officials stared at the flying blade and spoke.
"Well... indeed, Sasori has already tried it. Using Chakra lines to perform this Ninjutsu is no problem. But it still requires targeted training, because the puppets controlled by Puppeteers are different from a blade like mine which has almost no weight, including the difference between physical threads and Chakra lines... During the process of use, there are also some variations. For example, to accurately strike a target and increase power and speed, one would also utilize the 'method' of the Attachment Line." Yuji smiled and said, "However, to be honest... for most Puppeteers, the potential of Puppet Jutsu is still much higher than this single Ninjutsu of mine. After all, the combat effectiveness puppets can display far exceeds this Ninjutsu. Their functionality is irreplaceable."
"That's true."
At this moment, after observing for a while, Chiyo nodded. "Chakra lines are completely different from Yuji's threads. For a Ninja with strong Chakra perception, they are easier to detect... Even if a Puppeteer masters this Ninjutsu, its power and effectiveness would decrease. Compared to the application of Hand Seals and Chakra, for this technique to have such an effect, it still requires a long period of training; it is a relatively pure technique."
"And Yuji's Ninjutsu is a pure Assassination Technique... The reason it reaches the level of an A-rank Ninjutsu is that achieving such a secretive and delicate control effect is extremely difficult, making it impossible for the target to guard against."
"Once the timing is wrong and it's discovered in advance..."
"Even so, for the Village's Puppeteers, being able to enrich their arsenal is not bad. Especially for executing assassination or decapitation missions... it would be a great help. We could even look for people with this talent to form a specialized Assassination Squad."
Chiyo's younger brother, Ebizo, who had slightly white eyebrows, spoke up.
"The Hand Seals and Chakra are fine..."
Another high-ranking official performed a series of seals with his hands, closed his eyes to feel the state of the Chakra in his body, then opened his eyes and nodded to the others.
"Yuji, use your technique to attack me."
At this moment, the Third Kazekage, who had been sitting behind the desk and hadn't stood up once, crossed his hands and rested his chin on them as he spoke.
Clearly, the Third Kazekage wanted to experience the power of this technique firsthand.
"Ah? To attack the Lord Kazekage... that wouldn't be very good, would it?"
Yuji scratched his head, pretending to look surprised.
"It's fine... go ahead..."
The Kazekage reassured him.
But before he could finish his sentence.
Suddenly, a sharp crack sounded in the empty space beside his head.
A cold gleam unexpectedly stabbed straight toward his temple.
But... just as the tip of the blade drew near, a hard plate condensed from Iron Sand emerged from the side of the Third Kazekage's head, directly flicking Yuji's scalpel away.
This scene made the eyelids of everyone present twitch.
Good grief... he moved as soon as he was told to; this kid Yuji is quite sneaky.
They had thought that as a mere brat, Yuji would feel some fear when facing the majesty of the Third Kazekage... or at least exchange a few pleasantries.
They didn't expect him to strike so suddenly.
"Hehe... No good, Lord Kazekage is indeed extraordinarily powerful!" Yuji grinned, showing his small white teeth, without a hint of panic.
Since the Third Kazekage had asked him to strike, Yuji naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity to feel the strength of a Kage-level expert.
The result was no surprise.
"So fast!"
Someone exclaimed in a low voice.
And... it was another blade.
"It indeed has the power of an A-rank Ninjutsu, but the weakness is also obvious... you need to find the right opportunity, and the strength of the target you're dealing with can't be too high. Most importantly, it must be a one-hit kill. If the first attack fails to hit, the subsequent controllability and fluidity of your flying blades will also decrease." The Kazekage was not startled by Yuji's sudden attack at all and said calmly, "Your Ninjutsu doesn't involve much in the application of techniques and Chakra; instead, it mostly contains the techniques of using Ninja tools... You probably know more than just this one move for this Ninjutsu, right? You can likely control many flying blades... correct?"
"As expected of Lord Kazekage."
Yuji smiled.
It was a tacit admission.
"This Ninjutsu is still very valuable for Puppeteers... and it's not hard to see that you have the talent to become a Puppeteer." As he spoke, the Kazekage looked toward Chiyo.
In their Sunagakure, there was only one person who was both a Medical Ninja and a powerful Puppeteer, and that was Chiyo.
"I only want to become an outstanding Medical Ninja... as for being a Puppeteer, I don't have much interest," Yuji said immediately, seeing the Kazekage's intention. "Compared to my potential as a Puppeteer, my talent for becoming a powerful Medical Ninja is clearly higher, and my interest is greater as well."
"The Village already has a genius Puppeteer like Sasori... I don't have the energy to look after everything."
He understood... the Kazekage wanted Chiyo to take him as a disciple.
"Is that so..."
The Kazekage frowned slightly.
He seemed somewhat dissatisfied with Yuji's answer.
"Well then... you're still young. If you change your mind in the future, you can tell me at any time."
"Yes."
"Additionally, your Ninjutsu... needs to be recorded in ninjutsu scrolls and shared with the Village... Of course, the Village will pay you a considerable reward. The choice is yours. Being able to create an A-rank Ninjutsu makes you a rare genius in our Sunagakure with a boundless future... If you don't want this Ninjutsu to be kept and distributed by the Village, I won't force you."
The Kazekage said in a deep voice.
"I have no problem with that, of course. It is my honor to be able to provide some help to the Village!"
Yuji responded immediately.
This caused the Kazekage's brow to relax slightly.
"Good then."
The Third Kazekage nodded. "Furthermore, you are now a key figure in the Village. Regarding the 'Blade Intent Manipulation' Ninjutsu and your abilities, you yourself should try not to publicize them. The Village will also take some secrecy measures; for now, they cannot be leaked... This is also for the purpose of protecting you."
"I understand!"
Immediately after, the Kazekage gave Arai a look.
The latter understood, and after greeting everyone, he led Yuji away.
Just as Yuji stepped out of the room, he heard the group of high-ranking officials inside the house begin to discuss him.
"How is it? You must be very happy... You're a genius valued by the Lord Kazekage and the high-ranking officials; you've become a treasure of our Sunagakure."
After leaving the office building, Arai patted Yuji's head and smiled.
"I am a little bit delighted, but more than that... it feels like... things are about to become troublesome." Yuji sighed.
Arai smiled faintly.
He knew that what Yuji was referring to was a child's freedom.
And the mission and responsibility that came with becoming a key member of the Village... Of course, Yuji was still young and couldn't fully grasp it yet.
But in the future, perhaps... Then, the two went their separate ways.
Yuji headed home alone.
After parting with Arai, the seemingly always-smiling Yuji finally withdrew his smile a bit, his gaze becoming clear.
His soul was not that of a child... he had noticed all of the Third Kazekage's reactions just now.
"That feeling... it can't be faked."
Yuji clicked his tongue.
In the Village's eyes, besides becoming a Medical Ninja, he could also become a powerful Puppeteer... in other words, he could become a more powerful tool to be used by the Village!
That being the case, Yuji's refusal naturally displeased the Third Kazekage. But since he was a child and so talented that he was highly valued... the Third Kazekage couldn't push him too hard.
But unsurprisingly... this matter wasn't over.
The meaning behind the Kazekage's words was very clear.
In this kind of matter, Yuji wouldn't be allowed to decide for himself. He didn't want to now... but in a few years or when he grew up a bit more, he would have to do it.
To have such ability and let it go to waste... the Third Kazekage clearly wouldn't allow that.
Because in his eyes, this wasn't Yuji's personal matter, but a loss of the Village's property.
As for the others, although they were also praising him... the underlying logic was that they were happy because a genius had appeared for the Village.
"However... this move of mine can be considered finished."
With a shift in thought, Yuji clenched his fist.
He was no longer a nobody in Sunagakure; he was regarded as a precious asset by the Village and had become a genius... This meant he had officially pushed open the door to eventually stepping into the upper echelons of Sunagakure.
He had the opportunity and qualification to change this Village.
Of course, this was just a small step for now; he still needed to work hard.