### Chapter 181

The battlefield stretched across the River Country, leaving scars on the land and its people. Villages lay in ruins, and the air was thick with the lingering stench of death. The only safe haven for the civilians was the Daimyo Prefecture, a sanctuary untouched by the chaos of war.

---

### The Daimyo's Untouchable Sanctuary

The Daimyo Prefecture represented a universal bottom line, a sacred boundary no village dared cross. Even the most ruthless among the ninja villages, like the Sand Village, understood the consequences of violating this rule.

"It's not because they don't want to," Shinki mused as his eagle puppet soared above the carnage. "It's because they can't."

Touching the Daimyo Prefecture would unite the ninja world against the violator, and even the most ambitious leaders couldn't afford such fallout.

---

### A Green-Haired Target

As Shinki approached the River Country camp, his puppet's sensors picked up a group of Sand ninjas moving below. Among them, a striking figure caught his attention—a young woman with vibrant green hair tied into a bun.

Shinki paused, intrigued. Green hair was a rarity, especially among the Sand Village ninjas. He quickly pieced together her identity.

"Pakura," he murmured. The Scorch Release user was known for her deadly skills and high status in the Sand Village. Her eventual betrayal by her own village was a tragic tale he remembered all too well.

A mischievous grin spread across his face. "Let's see how good you are, village beauty."

---

### An Ambush in the Desert

Shinki activated his puppets, sending them silently toward the unsuspecting Sand ninja team. Hidden among the forest's dense foliage, his puppets moved with inhuman precision, their glowing green eyes piercing through the shadows.

"Captain, we've got movement behind us!" the team's scout ninja, Tumi, shouted. "They're fast!"

The captain cursed under his breath. "How did we miss them? Prepare for battle! Pakura, if things go south, take Tumi and retreat immediately."

Pakura frowned. "I won't leave my comrades behind."

"You'll obey my orders!" the captain barked, his voice firm. "Your Scorch Release is invaluable. The village can't afford to lose you. If you fall, this mission is over."

---

### The Puppets Attack

Before the Sand ninja team could organize themselves, Shinki's puppets emerged from the shadows. Their green eyes glowed eerily as they closed in, surrounding the group with surgical precision.

Tumi's voice trembled. "Captain… these aren't human. They have no chakra threads. They're moving on their own!"

The team froze, the captain's face pale. "What? No chakra threads? That's impossible. Puppets can't move without a controller!"

The realization hit them like a hammer. These weren't ordinary puppets. They were something far more dangerous.

"Pakura, go!" the captain shouted. "Take Tumi and get this information to the village. Let Chiyo know about this immediately!"

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### A Desperate Escape

Reluctantly, Pakura obeyed. She grabbed Tumi and prepared to break through the encirclement. Her Scorch Release came to life, creating blazing orbs of heat that incinerated the puppets in her path.

One puppet, hit by her Scorch Release, crumpled to the ground, its body scorched and motionless. Pakura moved forward cautiously, carrying Tumi, when she noticed something strange. 

The fallen puppet began to glow.

*No…*

Before she could react, the puppet exploded in a brilliant green flash. The shockwave sent her flying, and she landed hard on the ground, Tumi slipping from her grasp.

---

### Shinki's Perspective

From above, Shinki watched the chaos with amusement. "You're good, Pakura, but not good enough."

His puppets moved in, relentless and unyielding. The Sand ninja team was overwhelmed. Even the captain's valiant efforts couldn't stop the tide of mechanical attackers.

Shinki noted the explosion that had caught Pakura off guard. *She didn't see that coming. Poor thing.*

---

### The Sand Team Falls

The captain, realizing they were outmatched, fought to the bitter end. He gave his life to buy Pakura and Tumi a slim chance of survival. But the relentless assault from Shinki's puppets was too much.

As Pakura struggled to her feet, blood trickling down her face, she clutched Tumi's unconscious body. The surviving puppets closed in, their glowing green eyes unrelenting.

"Is this it?" Pakura whispered to herself, summoning what strength she had left. Her Scorch Release flared to life, ready for one final stand.

---

### Shinki's Decision

Watching from afar, Shinki considered his options. He could let the puppets finish the job or intervene personally. After a moment, he made his choice.

"Let's see if you're as formidable as the stories say," he muttered, activating a hidden command. The puppets paused, creating a temporary lull in the battle.

Through his puppet's speakers, his voice echoed. "Pakura, the beauty of the Sand Village. Let's talk, shall we?"

---

### The Stage is Set

Pakura froze, her Scorch Release dissipating slightly as she tried to locate the source of the voice. The eerie stillness of the puppets unnerved her. 

"Who's there?" she demanded, scanning the area.

Shinki leaned back on his eagle puppet, smirking. *Time to have some fun.*

>>>>>

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[Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki]