While the sparring continued across the open grounds, Li Rong and the four women watched with genuine interest. For them, this was entertainment mixed with evaluation—each exchange revealing temperament, talent, and limits.
As for Orochimaru, the moment the matches lost novelty, he had already claimed a room and sealed himself inside, fully immersed in refining his modified pill formulas. External noise no longer existed in his world.
"That puppet master is terrifying," Dugu Yan said quietly, still unsettled. "His control is precise, and that Chakra shield—Feng Xiaotian's wind blades couldn't break through it head-on."
"Because that shield isn't ordinary," Li Rong replied, his tone carrying faint admiration.
"Normally, a Chakra shield requires direct casting—hand seals, chakra shaping, and constant maintenance. At best, puppets rely on reinforced materials."
He paused, eyes narrowing slightly.
"But Sasori engraved a complete sealing structure directly into the puppet's arm. All it needs is chakra input, and the formation activates on its own."
A beat.
"That single modification eliminates the puppet's biggest weakness."
Rasa's expression stiffened when Li Rong turned to him. "How many puppet masters in Sunagakure can do this?"
"…This should be Sasori's own creation," Rasa answered slowly.
Inwardly, he was shaken. If this technique were disclosed to the village, Sasori's standing would eclipse even his own.
Ye Leng Leng's pupils contracted. "Engraving Ninjutsu logic directly into constructs… that's no longer puppetry. That's the embryonic form of a specialized spirit tool."
Dugu Yan nodded thoughtfully. "If Orochimaru can refine pills, letting him touch artifact forging isn't unreasonable."
Li Rong smiled faintly. "First, we test talent."
He beckoned Sasori over, retrieved a scroll, and tossed it casually. "Try this. It contains a structural technique. Interested in engraving it onto a puppet?"
Sasori caught the scroll instinctively.
The moment he unrolled it, his breathing stopped.
Strange geometric patterns. Circulatory paths. Energy resonance arrays.
His pupils trembled.
"…Chakra metal as a medium. Energy flow guided by pattern density… triggering natural release through simple injection…"
He lifted his head abruptly, fanatic light blazing in his eyes.
"No talismans. No seals. Puppets can permanently release Ninjutsu."
Li Rong produced a second text, ancient and worn, waving it just out of reach.
"This contains the complete structural logic of Fire Release: Great Fireball—and the basics of runic principles."
Then he drew it back slightly.
"Three months. If you succeed, I'll give you more. If you fail, I reclaim everything—and seal all related memories."
"I'll succeed." Sasori didn't hesitate for even a heartbeat.
Li Rong laughed softly and tossed the text to him. "Then don't waste time."
Sasori was already gone.
The Sunagakure Ninja erupted in barely restrained excitement. The other villages went silent—grimly aware of what this meant.
If Sunagakure mastered this technology, the balance of the Ninja World would tilt.
Tsunade and Minato exchanged a heavy glance.
Ning Rongrong muttered under her breath, "Why does recognition always go to the other side?"
Bai Chenxiang snorted. "You lost your match."
Li Rong clapped once, his voice carrying authority. "Enough. Back to work. Time is tight."
That night, campfires burned low. Veterans cooked; the younger generation exchanged guarded conversations with Spirit Masters.
Li Rong watched, uninterfering.
Then—
Boom.
Black smoke billowed from Sasori's temporary residence.
Moments later, the door was kicked open.
Sasori staggered out, hair frizzed, robes scorched, face smeared with soot—eyes blazing like a madman's.
"Prepare these materials immediately!"
He shoved a scroll into Rasa's hands, voice hoarse but commanding. "As much as possible."
Rasa unrolled it—and felt his scalp go numb.
The chakra metal requirement alone could drain the village's reserves.
"Sasori… even if we empty the treasury—"
"Then empty it," Sasori snapped, shoveling food into his mouth. "They'll understand."
"…Those are the Kazekage and the Elders."
Sasori ignored him, devouring everything in reach before vanishing back inside.
"The faster, the better."
Rasa didn't dare delay.
Messages flew that very night.
Sunagakure moved first.
When the Third Kazekage read the report, he summoned Chiyo and Ebizo immediately.
After reviewing the list, Chiyo spoke without hesitation.
"If there's even a chance, we take it."
Ebizo nodded grimly. "The chakra metal demand will cause unrest."
"Then suppress it," the Third Kazekage said decisively.
"If Sasori succeeds, the puppet corps' combat power multiplies."
He rose.
"Elder Chiyo—you escort the materials personally. If success probability exceeds thirty percent, unlock the war reserves."
This was not a gamble.
This was an investment in Sunagakure's future.
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