"Sasori of the Red Sand?!"
Sasori looked at the old woman with an icy expression.
"I never expected you to come."
"...Grandmother."
After so many years apart, those were the first words he spoke to his own grandmother.
Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata's expressions immediately darkened.
Only Chiyo remained calm.
"If I couldn't see my grandson one last time before I died..."
"I would always leave this world with regret."
Sasori let out a cold snort.
"Since you've seen me..."
"You can die in peace now."
Naruto had never particularly liked Chiyo.
But hearing Sasori speak to his own grandmother with such cruelty ignited his anger instantly.
"Damn you!"
"You have a grandmother who loves you so much!"
"Don't be such an ungrateful bastard!"
Unable to contain himself, Naruto roared and charged straight toward Sasori.
"Wind Style: Wind Release—Wind Cutter Technique!"
---
The moment Naruto activated his Wind Release Chakra Mode, violent streams of wind chakra erupted around him.
Countless razor-sharp wind blades filled the sky, sweeping across the battlefield.
Seeing the terrifying attack, Guy, Rock Lee, Neji, Tenten, and the rest of Team Guy immediately retreated to avoid its cutting edge.
Sasori frowned.
Kuroari instantly unleashed countless hidden mechanisms, poisoned weapons, and concealed ninja tools in an attempt to intercept Naruto's attack.
However...
The gap in power was simply too great.
BOOM!
Naruto's Wind Cutter Technique tore through every obstacle before it.
Hidden weapons shattered into countless fragments.
Puppet mechanisms were sliced apart like dry bamboo.
Without slowing down, the raging storm continued toward Sasori himself.
"Hm?"
Sasori's expression changed slightly.
He immediately ordered Kuroari into a full defensive stance.
Kuroari was one of Sasori's finest creations.
Apart from a single weakness, its defense was considered nearly impregnable.
It excelled in countless puppet techniques and hidden mechanisms.
Yet...
Against Naruto's attack...
It was still overwhelmed.
BOOM!
With a tremendous explosion, Kuroari was cut cleanly in half at the waist before exploding into pieces.
"Nice one, Naruto!"
Guy and Lee cheered excitedly.
Neji narrowed his eyes.
"Naruto has become even stronger..."
But Chiyo shook her head.
"Not yet..."
The next moment...
The shattered Kuroari suddenly reformed from swirling sand.
It was completely restored.
"What?!"
Naruto stared in disbelief.
Chiyo explained calmly,
"That's Sasori's Sand Clone Technique."
Naruto frowned.
"But..."
"I thought Kuroari was a puppet."
"How can a puppet use the Sand Clone Technique?"
"Ordinary puppets can't."
"But Kuroari is different."
Chiyo sighed softly.
"It is a Human Puppet."
Everyone froze.
"A Human Puppet?!"
Even Sasuke, Hinata, Guy, and the others couldn't hide their shock.
Although reluctant to explain, Chiyo continued.
"Human Puppets are far superior to ordinary puppets."
"They retain many of the abilities they possessed while alive."
"In the entire ninja world..."
"Sasori is the only one capable of creating them."
---
Sasori emerged once again.
His voice remained as cold as ever.
"Grandmother Chiyo..."
"I never imagined you'd hide behind children."
"Are you so afraid of dying now that you're old?"
Before Chiyo could respond...
Naruto stepped forward.
"I'm fighting because I want to!"
"This has nothing to do with Granny Chiyo!"
Neji suddenly spoke.
"Naruto..."
"I'm relieved all of you arrived safely."
"But..."
"Sasori is our enemy."
Naruto immediately understood what he meant.
Before he could answer...
Rock Lee smiled confidently.
"No 'buts,' Naruto!"
"Our team accepted this mission."
"We'll never lose to someone like him!"
Guy burst into hearty laughter.
"Exactly!"
"Lee is right!"
"Naruto..."
"You continue pursuing the Akatsuki."
"Saving Gaara is the highest priority."
"Leave Sasori to us."
Naruto was just about to nod...
When Chiyo quietly shook her head.
"I understand your determination."
"But this battle..."
"...belongs to me alone."
"Because..."
"He is my grandson."
Guy hesitated.
"But..."
Chiyo chuckled softly.
"Young man..."
"Have you never heard of respecting your elders?"
"Whether it's stubbornness or responsibility..."
"Please allow this old woman one final chance."
Guy exchanged glances with his teammates.
Finally...
He nodded.
"Very well."
"Sasori is a rogue ninja from the Hidden Sand."
"And he is your own grandson."
"It isn't our place to interfere."
Chiyo smiled gratefully.
"Thank you."
---
Sasori sneered.
"So..."
"You really wish to die that badly?"
Chiyo remained completely calm.
"I stopped fearing death long ago."
"I only wished to see my grandson one last time."
"Now..."
"I understand."
"There is no bringing you back."
"If that's the case..."
"Then I'll fight you to the very end."
"Even if we both die..."
"It will be a fitting conclusion."
Sasori laughed mockingly.
"Mutual destruction?"
"Old woman..."
"You're dreaming."
"You aren't even qualified."
---
Chiyo slowly turned toward Naruto.
"Naruto..."
"My words toward you before..."
"Were harsh."
"Perhaps..."
"Because I saw something in you that we had already lost."
"Not just me."
"The entire Hidden Sand Village."
She sighed.
"But now..."
"My battle with Sasori will likely be the last battle of my life."
"I don't want to remain stubborn anymore."
"Uzumaki Naruto."
"You are a remarkable ninja."
"So..."
"On behalf of myself..."
"And on behalf of the Hidden Sand Village..."
"I humbly ask you..."
"Please save Gaara."
Naruto's heart trembled.
"Granny Chiyo..."
He smiled confidently.
"Even if you hadn't asked..."
"Gaara is my friend."
"I will never let the Akatsuki kill him."
Chiyo smiled warmly.
"Good."
"I'm leaving him in your hands."
---
Guy stepped beside Naruto.
"Since the old lady insists..."
"We'll leave Sasori to her."
"Naruto."
"Let's go save Gaara."
"Right!"
Just then...
Hinata quietly stepped forward.
"Naruto..."
"You all go."
"I'll stay here."
"I want to fight beside Granny Chiyo."
Chiyo looked at her in surprise.
"Why?"
Hinata smiled gently.
"Because..."
"After everything we've talked about..."
"I understand the pain in your heart."
"You never truly wanted to fight your own grandson."
"Did you?"
Chiyo's expression froze.
"You..."
"My child..."
Hinata lowered her eyes.
"It's only human."
"If there were another choice..."
"Who would willingly fight their own family?"
Neji's heart stirred slightly.
Chiyo looked at Hinata with both surprise and admiration.
"What a thoughtful child..."
"So kind..."
"So gentle..."
"And yet..."
"So incredibly strong."
"It feels as though your eyes can see directly into people's hearts."
Hinata blushed slightly.
"You're praising me too much, Granny Chiyo."
"I'm only saying what I truly feel."
Chiyo laughed softly.
"Good."
"Very good."
"You don't want to see me kill my grandson..."
"Or watch him kill me."
"Do you?"
Hinata silently nodded.
"In that case..."
"Stay with me."
"If we truly reach the final moment..."
"I want you to strike the last blow."
"Either..."
"Kill Sasori..."
"Or..."
"Kill me."
Hinata's heart shook.
"I won't kill you, Granny Chiyo."
"But..."
"If it comes to it..."
"I'll help you stop your grandson."
A faint light appeared in Chiyo's aged eyes.
"Good."
Naruto looked at both women and let out a quiet sigh.
"If this is the decision you've both made..."
"I won't stop you."
"But..."
________________________________________
⚡ Enjoying the story? Don't stop here!
The adventure continues on Patreon:
👉 patreon.com/Obito_uchiha
🔥 Read up to 50 chapters ahead
📚 Get access to 20+ fanfics with a single membership
Be among the first to experience new chapters weeks before they're released publicly.
Join today and start reading ahead!