*
Chiyo caused quite a stir using her Chikamatsu Ten Puppets to attack Hattori, quickly attracting a crowd of curious onlookers.
As the crowd watched, they couldn't help but start chattering among themselves.
"So, these are Lady Chiyo's Chikamatsu Ten Puppets? They're really strong!"
"Yeah, and Lord Hattori has managed to hold out for so long against them. As expected from Lady Chiyo's student!"
"Yeah, absolutely..."
Hattori gritted his teeth, unable to express his frustration as he struggled to endure. Facing Chiyo's Chikamatsu Ten Puppets, he was quickly battered and exhausted, barely keeping up.
But when someone's backed into a corner, it's amazing how their potential can come out to turn the tables. After nearly two hours of relentless fighting, Hattori experienced a breakthrough in his evasion skills.
**[Ultimate Dodge: Passive skill, 200% increased evasion against projectiles, 150% increased evasion against weapon attacks, 100% increased evasion in hand-to-hand combat, and 50% increased evasion against ninjutsu. After a successful dodge, the next attack is guaranteed to hit!]**
With his evasion skill enhanced, Hattori, who had been struggling to keep up with the Ten Puppets' attacks, suddenly found himself effortlessly dodging. Chiyo noticed this and immediately increased the speed and complexity of the puppets' attacks, striking at tricky angles, but Hattori dodged every one.
"How can this be?"
Chiyo's face showed a flash of shock, and her movements slowed just a little. Hattori didn't waste this opportunity and quickly escaped the puppets' circle. After breaking free, he summoned a Chakra Scalpel and severed one of Chiyo's Chakra threads, causing one of the puppets to go limp.
Hattori then grabbed hold of the immobilized puppet, choking it with one hand and gripping its head with the other, before shouting at Chiyo.
"Teacher, your precious puppet is now my hostage… uh, puppet hostage. I want you to cease all attacks immediately, or else I'll… cut it up! You wouldn't want the Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu to become the Nine Puppets, would you?"
"…"
Chiyo's mouth twitched slightly, looking at Hattori's bandit-like stance and then at the crowd around them.
"This little troublemaker!"
Though she cursed inwardly, she kept quiet outwardly, obediently retracting the remaining nine puppets.
Seeing this, Hattori finally breathed a sigh of relief, offering a grin as he handed the puppet back to Chiyo.
"Hehe, Teacher, here's your precious puppet, safe and sound!"
"Hmph!"
With an annoyed huff, Chiyo took back the puppet, throwing a glare his way.
"I'll let you off this time, but try that again, and you'll see what I'll do to you. Now, come with me; I have something to ask you!"
"Hehe, sure thing!"
At Chiyo's words, Hattori cheerfully agreed, shuffling into the tent after her.
Once inside, Chiyo pulled out a white scroll and began sealing each of the puppets back into it. As she did so, she addressed Hattori.
"I already told you to stay away from Pakura. What are you trying to accomplish?"
"I want to pursue her!"
Hattori didn't hold back, telling Chiyo his intentions straight out.
"Pakura is beautiful and strong, just the kind of person I admire. I want to get to know her better and see if there's potential for something more!"
"Uh…"
Chiyo looked taken aback by Hattori's straightforward words, a slightly strange expression on her face.
"Admire? Something more? You're still a child; do you even know what admiration is?"
"Of course, I do!"
Hattori shrugged, slightly exasperated at Chiyo treating him like a kid, and spread his hands.
"Admiration is a specific impression of someone. When that impression grows, it can become love, and love comes in many forms. What I'm talking about is the love between a man and a woman!"
A slight smile crossed his face.
"You could say 'attracted by beauty, devoted to talent.' Pakura is beautiful, has a great figure, and is a talented kunoichi with a rare bloodline. I think she's worthy of me!"
"…"
Listening to Hattori's logical explanation, Chiyo was silent, her expression shifting from odd to amazed.
After a while, she looked at Hattori with a complicated expression.
"Alright, I admit your mind is as mature as any adult's, but you're still just a kid. Romance`s too fast for you."
"No, not at all!"
Hattori waved his hand, refuting her immediately.
"To me, noticing a remarkable woman is like finding Chakra conductive metal lying on the ground. Even if I can't use it right away, I'll pick it up before someone else does, or I'd regret it!"
"Uh…"
Hearing this, Chiyo showed a bewildered expression once again.
"Comparing her to Chakra metal? Do you like Pakura that much?"
"Yep, that's exactly how much I like her!"
Chiyo had barely finished speaking when Hattori nodded again, his eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief.
"Plus, she's a bit clueless. I worry she might get taken advantage of one day, so it's safer if she's with me. Only I can protect her!"
With that, he looked at Chiyo, his expression becoming serious.
"Teacher, I rarely ask you for anything, but this time, I'm begging you—please don't interfere with things between Pakura and me. Please!"
"…"
Seeing Hattori's earnest expression, Chiyo frowned, then sighed reluctantly.
"Fine, do what you want. I'll pretend today didn't happen."
"Thank you, Teacher!"
Upon hearing this, Hattori bowed in gratitude, then eagerly ran out of the tent.
Just as he reached the tent door, he stopped, turned around, and spoke to Chiyo with a serious tone.
"Teacher, I give you my word—you won't regret your decision today. In less than twenty years, I'll repay you with a powerful Scorch Release clan!"
With that, he ran off, disappearing beyond the tent.
It was only then that Chiyo realized what he had said and burst out laughing.
"That little troublemaker, really says whatever comes to mind! A Scorch Release clan? Hahaha…"
*(End of Chapter)*