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The earth-shattering battle between Sayo and Sasori generated chakra fluctuations and deafening roars that spread rapidly, like ripples from a massive stone thrown into a calm lake.
A Sunagakure border patrol team tens of miles away was the first to sense the anomaly. The captain, an experienced Chūnin, immediately stopped and looked toward the depths of the Western Desert with a serious expression.
"Such terrifying chakra collision... and signs of massive puppet activity! It's coming from the Wailing Ghost Valley!" a team member reported, filled with shock.
"Immediately use the Communication Falcon to send a highest-level emergency alert to the Village!" A well-trained ninja hawk soared into the sky, turning into a black dot as it flew toward Sunagakure.
Inside the village, the Kazekage's Office and the Council of Elders were instantly shaken. The Western Desert had just seen Sasori wipe out a bandit gang, and now a battle of even greater intensity had erupted.
"It's Sasori! Who could he be fighting?" Elder Chiyo's heart tightened. Her first thought was of Sayo, who had gone off on his own to find her grandson.
"Immediately organize a support squad! I will lead the team myself!" Chiyo commanded. Her aged figure burst forth with astonishing speed, charging toward the village gates. Soon, a quick-reaction squad of twenty elite Chūnin and five Jōnin followed her lead, racing toward the Wailing Ghost Valley.
However, no matter how fast they ran, they relied on traditional ninja travel. By the time they reached the rocky mountain area, the battle had already ended hours ago. When Chiyo and her group rushed into the battleground, they were stunned by the sight.
The mountain looked as if it had been struck by a giant's fist, covered in spiderweb cracks and large areas of collapse. The ground was riddled with bottomless pits, glassified sand melted by high temperatures, and dense traces of sharp spikes. The air still carried the scent of ozone and the chaotic force field resulting from the collision of two distinct but homologous Magnet Release chakras.
The most shocking sight was the scattered wreckage. Most were Spider Puppets, shattered into pieces. Beside chunks of iron sand, they saw fragments of strange, finely structured puppets that clearly did not belong to the Sunagakure standard.
"Spread out! Search for survivors!" the leading Jōnin ordered.
Elder Chiyo remained still, her eyes anxiously sweeping the ruins. She saw the wreckage of the spider puppets—Sayo's signature. Her greatest fear seemed to have come true. Just then, a slight noise came from behind a large rock. All the ninja grew tense, pointing their kunai toward the sound.
A figure stumbled out.
His Chūnin vest was shredded, covered in dust and darkened blood. His arms and calves were bandaged. His face was pale from excessive chakra depletion, but his eyes were unusually bright. He was currently organizing a large Sealing Scroll, retrieving what remained of his machines.
It was Sayo.
"Sayo!" Elder Chiyo rushed to him, grabbing his shoulders. "Are you alright?! Was it Sasori?! Where is he?!"
"Elder Chiyo..." Sayo sighed in relief, though he winced as he moved his wounds. "I'm fine. Just exhausted. It was Brother Sasori... he has already left."
Confirming Sayo was not in mortal danger, Chiyo's heart settled halfway, but her eyes dimmed at the mention of Sasori. She turned to the squad: "Conduct a detailed reconnaissance! Look for any residual chakra signatures! Unauthorized pursuit is strictly forbidden!"
After the others scattered, Chiyo looked back at Sayo, her gaze turning deadly serious. "What exactly happened? Tell me everything."
Sayo took a deep breath, sat against the rock, and began narrating the process—from tracking Sasori to the final confrontation. When he spoke of Sasori appearing while controlling the Third Kazekage Human Puppet, Chiyo's body swayed. Her face turned deathly pale. The confirmation of her darkest suspicion felt like a physical blow to her soul.
Sayo finished recounting the battle, including Sasori's sudden retreat. The setting sun cast Chiyo's hunched figure into a long shadow. She looked at the destroyed battlefield, at the wreckage created by the young Sayo, and then at the horizon where her grandson had vanished.
"You... did very well," Chiyo finally said, her voice hoarse. She patted Sayo's shoulder. "To hold out against Sasori for so long, and even force him to retreat... you have far exceeded my expectations. Rest now. We will discuss the rest in the Village."
Sayo silently looked at the scroll in his hand. The battle had proven the Mirage was a success, but it had also shown him the true peak of puppet mastery.
His desire for the next upgrade became a burning necessity. To protect the village from the monster Sasori had become, the "Mirage" would have to evolve again.
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