Hattori , Puppet Tyrant in Sand

Although he was about to head to negotiate a peace treaty with the Mist Shinobi, Hattori wasn't too worried—he was, in fact, feeling absolutely no pressure. 

In his words, it's called "high skill breeds courage."

As he saw it, the Mist Village ninjas were so weak that he could beat them easily, even if he only used one eye and tied his arms and legs.

Single-eye Susanoo, anyone? 

Thinking of Susanoo, Hattori frowned. 

Last month, after filling up his Yin Seal with MP, he unsealed it and used over two hundred thousand MP to try upgrading his Sharingan. However, despite all that MP, his Sharingan still didn't evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō. 

He realized then that these eyes would be major MP-drainers for a long time.

Originally, he planned to hide away in the village for a while to level up his Sharingan, but Elder Ebizō unexpectedly wanted him to go sign a peace treaty with the Hidden Mist.

So now, he couldn't just casually unseal his Yin Seal—he needed to keep it ready, just in case. 

"I'll have to put off evolving my Eternal Mangekyō until I get back. But for now, I'd better say goodbye to Karura!"

With that, Hattori finished eating with Chiyo, then left her house and headed to Karura's.

When he arrived, Karura was coaxing Kankuro to sleep while Temari was playing nearby. 

Seeing him, little Temari immediately toddled over on her tiny legs, arms wide open. 

"Hug hug…"

Karura chuckled, "Hehe, it's been three months since you've seen her. Looks like Temari really missed you!"

"Of course! We're like father and daughter!"

Hattori puckered up and planted a few kisses on Temari's little cheeks, then nodded toward her.

"Come on, Temari, say 'Daddy!'"

"Daddy!" 

The little one didn't hesitate, her voice loud and clear, making Karura cover her forehead with her hand. 

"There you go again. Lucky Rasa isn't here; he'd be fuming!"

"Ha, like I'm afraid of him?"

Hattori pressed his forehead against Temari's tiny head, then turned back to Karura. 

"Even if he becomes Kazekage, he'll still be a nobody in my eyes. Hmph… Ras-shit"

"…"

Seeing Hattori's blatant disdain for her husband, Karura's face showed a hint of helplessness.

But she knew that saying anything would only spur Hattori on, so she quickly changed the subject. 

"Hattori…. Come and see little Kankuro—he just turned one month old, and you're the one who named him!"

"Hmm? He was born already?"

Hearing her words, Hattori stepped over, looked at the little guy in her arms, and frowned.

"Why does he look so wrinkly, like a tiny old man? Might as well throw him out!"

Karura burst out laughing, giving him an exasperated look.

"You're talking nonsense again. Babies don't get tossed out! Besides, all babies look like this at first; give it some time. Even Temari looked like that!"

"Uh… Really?" 

Hattori looked at Temari's cute little face in his arms, then glanced back at Karura.

"Well, I still think this kid will grow up to look nothing like Temari—more like Ras-shit.Better to toss him out now!"

"…"

Giving him an eye-roll, Karura carried Kankuro back to the bedroom.

Soon, she returned empty-handed.

Seeing this, Hattori looked shocked.

"Uh… You really threw him out?"

"Pfft, you're so full of it!" Karura spat at him, rolling her eyes again. 

"I took him back to sleep so you wouldn't wake him. You must be tired from your journey. Give Temari to me."

She reached out and took Temari from his arms. 

"So, will you be staying now that you're back?" 

"I wish, but no can do."

Hattori shrugged. 

"Konoha and the Rock have both reached peace; now only the Mist Village is left. The old man wants me to go sign a peace treaty with them." 

"Elder Ebizō?"

Hearing his answer, Karura blinked, then nodded.

"Makes sense—he's probably banking on the deterrent effect you have on the Mist. They say that your name, 'Flame Salamander,' is enough to scare kids in the Mist Village to tears."

"Haha! It's not that bad; maybe just enough to make a few girls pee themselves. Haha… Temari, are you scared, huh?"

He pressed his forehead against Temari's again, making her giggle with delight.

Seeing him like this, Karura couldn't help but laugh, shaking her head.

"Temari's already more attached to you than to Rasa. She's a year and a half now; how about I get a camera so you two can take a picture together?"

"Huh? Great idea! Sister, you join in too!"

"Me too? But who'll hold the camera?"

Hattori laughed.

"Haha, sis, don't forget—Chiyo is my teacher!"

Taking out his puppet-sealing scroll, he summoned a puppet.

Seeing this, Karura immediately understood. 

"You're saying… use a puppet to take the picture? That's clever. I'll go grab the camera!"

Handing Temari to Hattori, Karura fetched the camera.

"Got it! Should I set up a tripod?"

"No need; just adjust the angle." 

"Got it!"

Karura pointed the camera at Hattori sitting on the couch, made some adjustments, and nodded.

"Right here is good!"

At her cue, Hattori activated his Sharingan to lock onto her position and the angle, then manipulated the puppet to take the camera from her.

"Alright, sis, come on over!"

"Okay!"

Karura hurried over to sit beside Hattori and smiled at the camera.

*Click!*

With the sound of the shutter, a color photo slid out from the narrow slot under the camera.

In the photo, a red-haired boy in a white robe held a little girl with four pigtails as they sat on a couch, and a short-haired, beautiful woman sat beside him.

All three of them wore the same bright smiles. 

*(End of Chapter)*