Sasori had begun preparing for the matter of modifying his Puppet long ago, but only now did he actually take action.
Moreover, the technology for the "puppet core" had long since matured.
Sasori was also clear that if he wanted to demonstrate a powerful level of ability in the Third Great Ninja War, relying solely on his "current state" was far from enough.
A short while later, Yubi arrived at Sasori's doorstep.
Sasori's public excuse was that he needed to conduct Puppet research, and he forbade anyone from disturbing him.
This naturally included Chiyo.
For this reason, Sasori had also set up some dangerous traps near his residence.
Except for Yubi, who could visit him, no one else could get close to this place.
The windows were sealed shut, and the door was also tightly closed.
Yubi knocked on the door once.
"Enter."
Sasori's voice came from inside the room.
Yubi pushed the door open and entered.
As soon as he walked in, he discovered Sasori sitting cross-legged on the floor, wrapped in a long robe, holding tools in his hands to repair a Puppet part. The light in the room was somewhat dim, and it was filled with various "artworks" he had collected, as well as Seal scrolls spread out on the floor.
These—were Sasori's "arsenal."
Over the years, Sasori had collected quite a lot of materials.
"Already—finished?" Yubi asked in surprise.
While speaking, his eyes subconsciously glanced at the few fingers exposed from under Sasori's clothes as he manipulated the tools.
Sure enough—they were no longer flesh and skin, but Puppet parts.
"I haven't completely replaced my Physical Body yet, I've only installed a portion."
Sasori responded, then paused his hand movements, taking the initiative to extend his entire prosthetic arm for Yubi to see, his tone a bit proud, "How is it? Not bad, right—"
Clearly, he was very proud of his technique.
"In terms of flexibility and the precision of manipulation—is it alright?"
Yubi smiled slightly and sat down beside him.
"I'm still practicing—but don't worry, before the war arrives, it will definitely be no problem," Sasori replied.
He thought Yubi was worried that his combat power wouldn't meet expectations after the war broke out.
Judging by the way he repaired the Puppet parts, his use of this Puppet prosthetic limb was already as natural as his own arm, no different from his previous flesh-and-blood limb.
What Sasori needed to do right now was to maximize his familiarity with and develop this Puppet shell, improving his level of Puppet manipulation.
Without the constraints of a Physical Body, many of his ideas could be fully unleashed in actual combat—researching more secret techniques and Profound Truths.
The most intuitive point was that the number of Puppets he could manipulate would skyrocket.
Moreover, because the volume and quantity of his manipulation had increased—what he could control was no longer a single Puppet, but could even be a vast "sea of mechanisms." In other words, the variations of his Puppet Jutsu would reach an even more inconceivable level.
"I didn't come to check on your progress—I just wanted to confirm that your life state is not a problem," Yubi said.
"Are you doubting my technique—or are you not confident in your own abilities?"
Sasori continued repairing the parts and said indifferently.
To ensure everything went properly when Sasori replaced his Physical Body parts with Puppet parts, some of the surgeries were performed by Yubi himself.
But the most critical part, the heart, which was the "puppet core," was done by Sasori himself.
Yubi still needed to help with the subsequent surgeries involving the replacement of flesh and blood.
Completely changing the entire body into a Puppet was also a very delicate and complex "project," and it would not take a short amount of time.
Sasori could actually do it himself; after all, he could barely be considered half a Medical Ninja. Aside from not knowing Medical Ninjutsu, his research on body structure and his reserve of medical knowledge had reached a decent level.
But Yubi was somewhat uneasy.
"Haha."
Hearing this, Yubi laughed out loud.
Looking at the Human Puppets filling the room, he felt a bit strange.
Sasori discarding the shackles of his Physical Body was his own long-held "wish."
In his eyes, this was the highest pursuit of his loyalty to his own art, and the embodiment of the crystallization of his technique.
But to outsiders, it would probably feel a bit scary—
The technique of Human Puppet was inherently a bit against human morality, let alone the fact that he had also turned his own body into a Puppet.
Especially Grandmother Chiyo, who was currently unaware of all this. When she saw Sasori again, she would inevitably discover that her grandson was no longer "human."
She would probably find it very hard to accept, and would be very painful emotionally.
But on some level, Sasori himself was "happy."
"Sasori—I'm saying, if one day, I could resurrect your parents—what would you do?" Yubi suddenly asked.
Click.
Sasori's hand movements stopped, and the Puppet part he was repairing made a noise.
He turned his head to look at Yubi, not speaking.
"Don't misunderstand—I don't mean some forbidden technique, but purely allowing them to live in this world again in a dimension of life," Yubi explained.
"Are you saying—that my art is inferior to your art?"
Sasori's gaze turned cold, "Although the things you've created now have indeed made the Village better, and have given many people a new understanding of your ability as a Medical Ninja, raising medicine to another level, don't forget that in our contests, you have always lost more than you've won."
"Your medical art—I acknowledge it."
"But that doesn't mean—your art has surpassed mine."
"I will also redefine the art of the Puppeteer."
"..."
Yubi's mouth twitched, "Forget I said anything."
Sasori's "puppet core" could indeed be popularized among the Puppeteers in the Village.
But the problem was, to drive this technology, one had to possess the same level of skill as him.
For the Village's Puppeteers, this was simply as difficult as ascending to heaven—
Not to mention, as for the matter of turning oneself into a Puppet, besides Sasori, others probably couldn't do it.
It was a bit of a shock to the mindset of ordinary people.
What Sasori could currently benefit the Village with were still his ideas for designing and manufacturing various Puppets and traps, as well as some manipulation techniques—these were things that ordinary Puppeteers could absorb and Cultivate.
As for the rest, not only was the level too high, but the requirements for the Puppeteer's talent were also exaggerated.
"I'm leaving—when I have time in a couple of days, I'll come again."
After chatting for a while longer, Yubi got up and left.
He still couldn't use his System abilities to contribute to Sasori's art right now.
All he could do was provide some medical help.
"Let's just get through this Ninja World War first—"
Walking on the street, watching the passing crowd, Yubi thought to himself.
At this moment, the streets of the Hidden Sand Village were crowded with people, and many were unfamiliar faces—some Sunagakure ninjas or villagers passing by were enthusiastically greeting Yubi.
It had a very lively, worldly atmosphere, and a touch more prosperity.
It swept away the gloomy atmosphere that the Village had been deeply mired in for many years due to war and a series of other events.
Everyone's face wore a pure smile.
This made Yubi feel—that all the efforts he had made were not in vain.