Just then, the scene on the Sky Screen shifted to a certain valley.
Two sides stood opposite each other below the valley. When the people of the Shinobi World recognized the three figures, they identified them.
One of them was hidden inside Hiruko (the puppet), wearing the black cloak with red clouds of the Akatsuki—clearly Sasori of the Red Sand.
And opposite him were none other than Chiyo and Sakura.
---
[Konoha, Year 60. Land of Waves, Tazuna's house]
Naruto pointed at the screen in surprise. "Sakura, that's you in the future!"
Sakura was a bit startled and carefully observed her future self on the screen.
Still short pink hair, a red long-sleeved shirt, and the Konoha forehead protector on her forehead—looking much more mature than now. But she didn't recognize the woman beside her. Who was that white-haired old lady?
Sasuke was even more surprised and studied Sakura carefully. Although she looked very different on the screen compared to now, she wasn't nearly as mature as in the later scenes, yet she was already able to participate in a Kage-level battle?
And according to the screen, she even won this battle.
To be able to become his future wife, she truly had some skills.
Under Sasuke's lingering gaze, Sakura's face gradually turned red, and she turned her head away, not daring to look at him.
Kakashi, on the other hand, wasn't paying attention to any of that. He was just wondering if Sunagakure and Konoha had joined forces in the future. They were actually taking action together against Sasori, a member of the Akatsuki.
The leaders of Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and Kirigakure watching the Sky Screen also came to the same conclusion, and their expressions immediately darkened.
Tch. Sunagakure had no backbone! Their own Kage was captured not so long ago, and they still shamelessly allied with Konoha.
---
[Land of Lightning, Kumogakure]
A snorted coldly. "So Sunagakure is leaning completely toward Konoha in the future? Pathetic."
Dodai nodded. "Raikage-sama, the Fourth Kazekage was captured by Konoha and then released safely. That might be why Sunagakure has grown closer to them."
A waved his hand impatiently. "Forget about them for now. Keep an eye on the information about Akatsuki."
---
[Land of Earth, Iwagakure]
Ōnoki's expression was gloomy. "Sunagakure and Konoha joining forces… that's not good news."
Kitsuchi asked, "Father, should we also—"
But before he could finish, Ōnoki cut him off. "Not yet. Let's watch the screen first."
---
[Land of Water, Kirigakure]
Mei's eyes glimmered looking at the screen. "Sunagakure and Konoha teaming up to take down an Akatsuki member… this shows that the Five Great Nations can eventually came together."
Hearing that, Ao nodded. "Mizukage-sama, we must also be prepared."
[This was the opening battle of Shippuden—and an underrated one at that.]
[You might think puppetry isn't that strong, but it's actually that the users who aren't strong—pointing at Kankurō here. And while Chiyo might be old, she truly did have near Kage-level strength.]
As the screen's narration continued, Chiyo on the screen walked quickly toward Sasori while saying to Sakura, "Stay back. I'll handle this."
And when she reached a certain distance, she flicked a chakra thread and strung several Kunai together.
"Assault Blade!"
With a shift in her gaze, the floating Kunai shot toward Sasori like arrows. And thanks to the chakra threads, they changed trajectories flexibly mid-flight.
[These two grandmother and grandson pair were both tsundere. Sasori called her "Granny Chiyo" in his heart, but when he saw her in person, he'd arrogantly call her an "old hag." Chiyo said she would go for the kill, but her opening move was merely to tear Sasori's cloak with a kunai—just wanting to catch a glimpse of her grandson she hadn't seen in years.]
[But the combination of Sakura and Chiyo happened to counter Sasori rather well. Chiyo was familiar with puppet mechanisms and projectiles, but couldn't break through Hiruko's hard shell. While, Sakura had inherited Tsunade's monstrous strength, but couldn't get close easily. However, with the two working together, fighting with Sasori became much simpler.]
---
[Land of Wind, Sunagakure]
Ebizō looked at his elder sister with a complicated expression, wanting to say something but hesitating; after hearing the screen's commentary, he began to question the true intent behind Chiyo's earlier words.
'Sister really just wants to see her grandson, doesn't she?'
---
[Akatsuki Hideout]
Deidara turned to look at Sasori, his eyes full of curiosity. "Sasori-san, that old woman is your grandmother?"
"Can you really bring yourself to kill her?"
Sasori was silent for a moment, then said, "She is an enemy."
Hearing that, Deidara curled his lip and said no more.
"Grandmother and grandson killing each other, tsk tsk."
Kakuzu said a touch of sentiment, "But isn't that just the fate of a Shinobi? No matter who you are—if you stand in the way, you die."
On the screen, however, Chiyo's intention was destined to fail. After her Kunai cut through Sasori's cloak, she didn't see her grandson's face—only a scorpion-like puppet: Hiruko.
"If you insist on resisting, there's nothing I can do. You and that kid over there will both become part of my colle ction," Sasori's voice came from within Hiruko.
And as Sasori spoke, Chiyo and Sakura were already closing in fast.
Sasori immediately manipulated Hiruko to spit out countless projectiles from its mouth.
Facing this dense barrage of hidden weapons, Chiyo and Sakura quickly dodged with agile movements.
Seeing them evade the attack so easily, Hiruko fired a thick steel pipe that, when it neared Chiyo and Sakura, burst into a rain of countless sharp arrows.
"Die!"
But to Sasori's surprise, the attack was once again easily dodged by Sakura and Chiyo.
'They completely dodged my attack just now?'
'I understand Granny Chiyo being able to… but this little girl too?'
'How?!'
After dodging the attack, Sakura held a Kunai and charged straight at Sasori again.
'Granny Chiyo's… not moving?'
'I'm being mocked… I can't believe she's charging at me head on without any backup…'
Just then, Sakura threw the Kunai at Hiruko, only for it to be flicked away by the tail stinger, and just as Hiruko's stinger was about to pierce Sakura's head—Sasori realized he couldn't move his puppet.
'It won't move! I see… Granny!'
"Now, Sakura!" Chiyo shouted.
"Smash it!"
"Right!" With a single powerful punch from Sakura, Hiruko was instantly smashed to pieces.
---
[Konoha, Year 60. Tazuna's house]
Looking at the screen, both Naruto and Sasuke's faces twitched.
Sakura's monstrous strength was that brutal? They never would have guessed.
Looks like that Zabuza really had some skill; he had seemingly withstood quite a few of those punches.
[Hokage Office]
Tsunade watched the screen and nodded with satisfaction.
Now that's more like her disciple.
*****
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