"Hanzo-sama, the intelligence unit’s reconnaissance range is limited. If we get too close to the Sunagakure’s strongholds in the Land of Wind, we might not only alert them but also..."
Inside the tent, Yushi frowned, his gaze shifting from the map on the table to Hanzo. Even without him saying the rest, Hanzo knew what the outcome would be.
Hanzo’s eyes were fixed on the map. There were many strongholds established by Sunagakure in the Land of Wind. If they could take these strongholds, it would not only cut off Sunagakure’s supply and support routes but also give them a geographical advantage, making the subsequent battles more favorable.
However, just as Yushi said, the risk of the intelligence unit’s reconnaissance was too high.
Footsteps interrupted Hanzo’s thoughts. He looked up towards the tent entrance.
Yushi 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 Hanzo and Yushi’s line of sight.
Yushi’s entire face twitched. Was this someone’s prank?
He glanced out of the corner of his eye in Hanzo’s direction.
Who would dare to joke with Hanzo at this time?
They’d be beaten until they vomited blood, wouldn’t they?
A familiar figure jumped out from behind the wooden man.
"Haruki?" Yushi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
If it was Haruki, he probably wouldn’t be beaten until he vomited blood. Yushi breathed a sigh of relief.
Immediately after, Miozawa and Yuma also appeared inside the tent.
"Hanzo-sama!" The two bowed in unison.
Hanzo nodded, his gaze falling on Haruki.
"Have you rested well?" Hanzo asked in a deep voice, his tone somewhat stern.
Those who didn’t know Hanzo might think he was in a bad mood at this moment, but Haruki knew that Hanzo was just like that.
"Mm." Haruki nodded heavily.
He ran to Hanzo’s side. As soon as he moved, Number One in front of him also moved. It followed behind Haruki and ran to Hanzo’s front. It raised its hand and waved at Hanzo.
Hanzo stared at the wooden man in front of him, his eyes filled with vigilance.
"Who are you?" Hanzo asked Number One with a serious expression.
Haruki looked at Hanzo. Was Hanzo not fully awake?
If he couldn’t distinguish between friend and foe, he could at least distinguish humans, right?
"Sensei, he’s not human." Haruki explained.
Yushi 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?" Yushi suddenly stopped.
A strange guess formed in his mind. A hint of surprise flashed in Haruki’s eyes. He thought Yushi’s acceptance was quite high.
He nodded at Yushi, walked to Number One’s side, and solemnly introduced to Hanzo and Yushi, "This is a puppet I made. Its name is Number One."
Number One nodded, then waved at Yushi.
Yushi’s jaw almost dropped to the floor. He looked at the calm Hanzo and thought, ’As expected of Hanzo-sama, so calm.’
"Haruki, why don’t I see any Chakra threads?" Yushi asked cautiously.
Haruki smiled at him. "Number One can be controlled without Chakra threads."
Even though he had already guessed, Yushi’s eyes widened when he heard the affirmative answer.
Yushi gulped, he stretched out his finger, pointing at the wooden man in front of him, and looked at Haruki. "How can you make puppets?"
Haruki asked with a bright smile, "Brother Yushi, do you still remember the last time I secretly snuck out of Amegakure to find brother Suzaku?"
Yushi recalled the incident and said, "Of course I remember. I heard from Suzaku that you even fought against a puppeteer from Sunagakure... Did you learn his technique during the fight?"
Yushi’s pupils dilated, looking at Haruki in shock.
Yushi immediately felt a bit dizzy.
Was this still a human?
"After seeing the puppeteer from Sunagakure, I became very interested in making puppets. I started making puppets when I was in Amegakure."
Haruki scratched the back of his head sheepishly and said, "I also made a few modifications so that the puppets can execute commands without needing Chakra thread control..."
Yushi’s eyes were lifeless. After so many shocks, he had no extra reaction left.
Hanzo 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.
"Haruki, what are you using to control the puppet?"
Hanzo was curious. Without Chakra threads, to make a puppet move on its own, it must require a special power.
Hanzo’s gaze shifted to Haruki. He noticed that Haruki’s expression had changed slightly.
Haruki nervously looked at Yushi and Hanzo, and carefully said, "It’s my curse power..."
Before Yushi and Hanzo could say anything, he immediately promised, "I will control my curse power well and won’t hurt anyone."
Hanzo was stunned. He finally understood why Haruki 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 Amegakure!"
Haruki pursed his lips, his firm voice echoing in Hanzo and their ears.
[System detected Hanzo’s Affection Value +2000]
[System detected Yushi’s Affection Value +2000]
[System detected Miozawa’s Affection Value +2000]
[System detected Yuma’s Affection Value +2000]
[Currently collected Affection Value +8000, your Accompanying Cursed Spirit Rika’s rank has increased to 87.1%]
Hanzo reached out and patted Haruki’s shoulder.
Haruki looked at Hanzo, his eyes pure, allowing one to see his thoughts at a glance. "Sensei, I can use my curse power to create more puppets."
"One more puppet means one more helper."
"Puppets can replace everyone in dangerous missions. This way, everyone can be safe and sound."
Hanzo saw expectation and hope in those pure eyes.
[System detected Hanzo’s Affection Value +3000]
[System detected Yushi’s Affection Value +3000]
[System detected Yuma’s Affection Value +3000]
[System detected Miozawa’s Affection Value +3000]
[Currently collected Affection Value +12000, your Accompanying Cursed Spirit Rika’s rank has increased to 88.3%]