Hanzou, the intelligence unit's reconnaissance range is limited. If we get too close to the Hidden Sand Village's strongholds in the Land of Wind, we might not only alert them but also…
Inside the tent, Yushishi frowned, his gaze shifting from the sand table to Hanzou.
Even without him saying the rest, Hanzou knew what the outcome would be.
Hanzou's eyes were fixed on the sand table. There were many strongholds established by the Hidden Sand Village in the Land of Wind. If they could take these strongholds, it would not only cut off the Hidden Sand Village's supply and support routes but also give them a geographical advantage, making the subsequent battles more favorable.
However, just as Yushishi said, the risk of the intelligence unit's reconnaissance was too high.
Footsteps interrupted Hanzou's thoughts.
He looked up towards the tent entrance.
Yushishi also looked at the tent entrance. Who would come in and disturb them at this time?
Had something happened?
A hand made of wood lifted the tent flap.
Although the Materials were clumsy wood, the joints were exquisitely crafted, and its flexibility was no less than that of a human hand.
A strange-looking wooden man entered Hanzou and Yushishi's line of sight.
Yushishi's entire face twitched.
Was this someone's prank?
He glanced out of the corner of his eye in Hanzou's direction.
Who would dare to joke with Hanzou at this time?
They'd be beaten until they vomited blood, wouldn't they?
A familiar figure jumped out from behind the wooden man.
"Rin?"
Yushishi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
If it was Rin, he probably wouldn't be beaten until he vomited blood.
Yushishi breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately after, Miozawa and Iron Hail also appeared inside the tent.
"Hanzou!"
The two bowed in unison.
Hanzou nodded, his gaze falling on Shiratori Rin.
"Have you rested well?"
Hanzou asked in a deep voice, his tone somewhat stern.
Those who didn't know Hanzou might think he was in a bad mood at this moment, but Shiratori Rin knew that Hanzou was just like that.
Asking Hanzou to care for others with tenderness was like asking Hanzou to eat feces while standing on his head.
"Mm."
Shiratori Rin nodded heavily. He ran to Hanzou's side.
As soon as he moved, Number One in front of him also moved.
Number One followed behind Shiratori Rin and ran to Hanzou's front.
Number One raised its hand and waved at Hanzou.
Shiratori Rin: "..."
Hanzou stared at the wooden man in front of him, his eyes filled with vigilance.
"Who are you?"
Hanzou asked Number One with a serious expression.
Shiratori Rin looked at Hanzou. Was Hanzou not fully awake?
If he couldn't distinguish between friend and foe, he could at least distinguish humans, right?
"Teacher, he's not human."
Shiratori Rin explained.
"Not human?"
Yushishi rubbed his chin, walking around Number One, his scanner-like gaze sweeping up and down Number One's entire body.
"It can't be a Puppet, can it!"
Yushishi suddenly stopped.
A strange guess formed in his mind.
A hint of surprise flashed in Shiratori Rin's eyes. He thought Yushishi's acceptance was quite high!
He nodded at Yushishi, walked to Number One's side, and solemnly introduced to Hanzou and Yushishi: "This is a Puppet I made. Its name is Number One."
Number One nodded, then waved at Yushishi again.
Yushishi's jaw almost dropped to the floor.
He looked at the calm Hanzou and thought, as expected of Hanzou, so calm!
"Rin, why don't I see any Chakra threads?"
Yushishi asked cautiously.
Shiratori Rin smiled at him: "Number One can be controlled without Chakra threads."
Even though he had already guessed, Yushishi's eyes widened when he heard the affirmative answer.
"Rin…"
Yushishi swallowed, he stretched out his finger, pointing at the wooden man in front of him, and looked at Rin: "How can you make Puppets?"
Shiratori Rin asked with a bright smile: "Brother Yushishi, do you still remember the last time I secretly snuck out of the Amegakure to find Brother Thousand Feather?"
Yushishi recalled the incident: "Of course I remember! I heard from Senba Suzume that you even fought against a Puppet master from the Hidden Sand Village! …Did you learn their techniques during the fight?"
Yushishi's pupils dilated, looking at Shiratori Rin in shock.
Shiratori Rin nodded.
Yushishi immediately felt a dizzy spell.
Was this still a human?
"After seeing the Puppet master from the Hidden Sand Village, I became very interested in making Puppets. I started making Puppets when I was in the Amegakure."
Shiratori Rin scratched the back of his head sheepishly: "I also made a few modifications so that the Puppets can execute commands without needing Chakra thread control…"
Yushishi's eyes were lifeless.
After so many shocks, he had no extra reaction left.
Hanzou only then recovered from his immense shock.
A sharp glint shot out from his eyes as he stared at the Puppet in front of him.
"Rin, what are you using to control the Puppet?"
Hanzou was curious.
Without Chakra threads, to make a Puppet move on its own, it must require a special power.
Hanzou's gaze shifted to Shiratori Rin.
He noticed that Shiratori Rin's expression had changed slightly.
Shiratori Rin nervously looked at Yushishi and Hanzou, and carefully said: "It's my Curse Power…"
Before Yushishi and Hanzou could say anything, he immediately promised: "I will control my Curse Power well and won't hurt anyone!"
Hanzou was stunned. He finally understood why Shiratori Rin had shown such an unusual emotion.
This child was worried about being ostracized by everyone because of his Curse Power.
"I will use my Curse Power to protect everyone!"
"Protect every single person in the Amegakure!"
Shiratori Rin pursed his lips, his firm voice echoing in Hanzou and their ears.
[Ding!]
[The System detected Hanzou's Affection Value +2000]
[Ding!]
[The System detected Yushishi's Affection Value +2000]
[Ding!]
[The System detected Miozawa's Affection Value +2000]
[Ding!]
[The System detected Iron Hail's Affection Value +2000]
[Currently collected Affection Value +8000, your Accompanying Cursed Spirit Rika Orimoto's Rank has increased to 87.1%]
Hanzou reached out and patted Shiratori Rin's shoulder.
Shiratori Rin looked at Hanzou, his eyes pure, allowing one to see his thoughts at a glance.
"Teacher, I can use Curse Power to create more Puppets!"
"One more Puppet means one more helper!"
"Puppets can also replace everyone in dangerous missions!"
"This way, everyone can be safe and sound!"
Hanzou saw full expectation and hope in those pure eyes.
[Ding!]
[The System detected Hanzou's Affection Value +3000]
[Ding!]
[The System detected Yushishi's Affection Value +3000]
[Ding!]
[The System detected Iron Hail's Affection Value +3000]
[Ding!]
[The System detected Miozawa's Affection Value +3000]
[Currently collected Affection Value +12000, your Accompanying Cursed Spirit Rika Orimoto's Rank has increased to 88.3%]