Hattori , Puppet Tyrant in Sand

As soon as he saw the name Yashamaru, Hattori immediately remembered who he was.

He was Gaara's uncle, the younger brother of Karura, and the brother-in-law and confidant of Rasa.

In the original storyline, after Gaara became the jinchūriki of Sunagakure, he was forcibly relocated to the outskirts of the village due to his unstable seal. Yashamaru was assigned to watch over him.

Later, Rasa, to test Gaara's worth, ordered Yashamaru to assassinate him. Yashamaru ultimately lost his life in the attempt.

Before dying, Yashamaru lied to Gaara, saying that both he and his sister, Gaara's mother, Karura, despised him.

Yashamaru had been the only person Gaara trusted, so this betrayal and lie devastated Gaara's psyche, causing him to spiral into rage and despair.

From that point on, Rasa viewed Gaara as a "failure" and sent more assassins after him, which only fueled Gaara's violent and bloodthirsty nature.

Eventually, after repeatedly killing those sent to kill him, Gaara concluded, "My purpose is to kill anyone who isn't me," a terrifying revelation.

Rasa and Yashamaru's actions cast a massive shadow over Gaara's childhood, leaving him with deep, unhealable scars.

Hattori, upon seeing this storyline for the first time, felt immense sympathy for Gaara and a lot of frustration with Rasa and Yashamaru.

Look at Konoha's Naruto—also a jinchūriki. Although he was feared and resented by the villagers, he at least had the Third Hokage and Iruka's care. His childhood, though lonely, wasn't without warmth.

In contrast, Gaara's childhood was filled with constant assassination attempts and betrayal. It was pure despair.

"Damn, those two—Rasa and Yashamaru, one the mastermind, the other his lackey—are both heartless. I'd better stay away from them before they drag me down with them one day."

Thinking this, he subtly shifted a few steps to distance himself from Rasa and his group.

Rasa noticed this small movement but said nothing. Instead, he gave a simple order to Yashamaru and Baki.

"Everything is ready. Head for the eastern battlefield now. Move out!"

"Yes, sir!"

Yashamaru and Baki promptly responded in unison and began escorting Hattori forward.

As before, Rasa and Hattori remained silent, merely walking along. Noticing this, Yashamaru kept quiet too.

But Baki couldn't hold back. He slowed his pace a bit and, once he was beside Hattori, asked, "Hey, you look familiar. Do we know each other?"

"Hah..."

Hattori chuckled and removed his sand mask.

"Baki, it's me!"

"Huh? Tokage?"

Seeing Hattori's face, Baki was taken aback, then looked surprised. "Why are you here? You're not even a ninja; what're you doing on the eastern battlefield?"

"Who said I'm not a ninja?"

Hattori rolled his eyes and, putting his mask back on, explained, "Actually, I'm a medical ninja. I'm here on the Kazekage's orders to support the eastern front."

"What? You're a medical ninja?" Baki's face was full of disbelief.

Hattori didn't bother explaining further and simply kept quiet.

Baki, however, couldn't help but ask again, "If you're a medical ninja, then do you know medical ninjutsu? Or is it just bandages?"

"Haha, you guess."

"Uh..."

Baki was dumbfounded. Rasa, walking ahead, seemed to be losing patience and coldly interjected.

"Enough, Baki. This kid isn't ordinary. He's an apprentice of Lady Chiyo, and the Kazekage personally appointed him as a Special Jōnin!"

Baki: (Д*)

Special Jōnin? Really?

Knowing Rasa's character, Baki knew he wouldn't joke about something like this.

Not only Baki but even Yashamaru, walking behind, looked stunned.

They had met Special Jōnin before, and even knew several of their peers who were Jōnin, but a Special Jōnin as young as Hattori was a first.

Seeing their shocked faces, Hattori sighed and shook his head.

"I was going to keep things casual, but you forced me to reveal my true self. Yes, I'm a genius. I admit it! ╮(￣▽￣)╭"

"…"

Rasa's mouth twitched as he watched Hattori's smug expression, then turned and walked off.

Baki cast a complicated look at Hattori before following Rasa.

Only Yashamaru stepped forward.

"Hello, Master Tokage, I'm Yashamaru. I studied under Lady Chiyo as well, though I only picked up the basics since I'm not very talented."

"Oh? Is that so?" Hattori grew interested. "You're a medical ninja too?"

"No, no... I trained under Lady Chiyo in puppet techniques."

Saying this, Yashamaru pulled a few kunai from his tool pouch, then, with a flick of his hands, they floated in front of him.

Hattori's eyes widened at the sight, and he let out a sharp breath.

"Wow... is that telekinesis?"

"Hahaha, not at all."

Seeing his amazement, Yashamaru shook his head with a smile.

"It's not telekinesis—just chakra threads manipulating the kunai, the most basic puppet technique. Compared to Lady Chiyo and Lord Sasori, who can control puppets in battle, I'm nothing."

"Ah... is that how it works?"

Hearing Yashamaru's explanation, Hattori scratched his head, slightly embarrassed.

"Haha, I haven't learned puppet techniques, so I don't really get it. But I think it's still impressive! Controlling kunai from a distance, especially with an exploding tag attached, would give your opponents serious trouble!"

"That's true! Master Lizard, you're not even a puppeteer, yet you thought of this. You're truly clever," Yashamaru praised sincerely.

Hattori's smile widened at this.

"Haha, Yashamaru, you're pretty amazing yourself. Not quite up to my level, but certainly worthy of pride among ordinary folk. Oh, haha..."

"..."

*(End of Chapter)*