"Hehe! Then let me ask you, what did you read?! There are only these four books for basic Kugutsu no Jutsu! Are you telling me a 12-year-old kid like you has already read books on intermediate Kugutsu no Jutsu?"
"No."
"Sasori, then you're lying, aren't you!"
"I'm not!"
"Still stubborn! You haven't read the basic Kugutsu books, and you haven't read the intermediate ones either, so what book did you read? Your dad was only just starting intermediate Kugutsu when he was 12! Do you really think you can surpass your old man?!"
"Come! Bring the book you read here right now! I want to see exactly what book you've been reading today!"
Yurito almost roared the last sentence.
He was very disappointed in Sasori now, because even at this point, he still wouldn't admit it.
So, he sat there with a face full of rage, eyes wide, staring at Sasori.
But Sasori stood up with unusual calmness and walked toward the bookshelf behind him.
Sasori's behavior made Yurito laugh out of sheer anger.
Fine, fine, fine! Still won't admit it, huh? It's obvious Grandma has spoiled you. Just wait and see how I deal with you in a moment.
"It's this one."
Sasori's voice sounded beside Yurito, accompanied by a thick book.
"I'll see what you..."
"Are you sure you didn't grab the wrong book?!"
"No!"
"I don't believe it! I'll give you one more chance, go back and get another one!"
"It really is this one. I just finished reading it yesterday."
"Really this one?"
"Really this one!"
"Are you sure you recently finished reading this 'Single-Thread Complex Manipulation of Kugutsu'?"
"I'm sure!"
"And you've memorized it all?"
"Yes."
"Fine! Then I'll test you properly. I want to see if what you're saying is true!"
"Here's the question: What is Single-Thread Complex Manipulation of Kugutsu?"
"Single-Thread Complex Manipulation refers to using a single Chakra no Ito to achieve flexible operation of one or multiple puppets."
Seeing Sasori answer the question so naturally, Yurito still couldn't accept it for a moment.
Because this book contained advanced knowledge within high-level Kugutsu—it was a ceiling-level book; there was nothing higher.
"Hmm... correct answer. No, that question was too easy. Let me test you with another one."
"Listen to the question..."
Half an hour later.
"No, this one doesn't count either. Let me see if there's anything difficult on the next page."
After saying this, Yurito prepared to flip through the book in his hands again.
But the next page waiting for him didn't have any harder knowledge.
There was only a single sentence.
[Congratulations, junior! You have successfully mastered all the knowledge of Kugutsu. I believe you will surely bring great glory to Kugutsu!]
Signed—Monzaemon.
"So, you really memorized this entire book?"
"Yes."
"How old are you this year?"
"12, and I'll be 13 in a month."
"Oh, 13 already!"
What was he doing at thirteen?
He remembered—he was chasing Hazuki!
Well, never mind then.
"Sasori!"
"Yes! Father!"
"Dad's voice was a bit loud just now, don't take it to heart!"
"I understand."
Good boy! As expected of my great son!
Just as Yurito was sincerely praising Sasori for being sensible, Sasori's next sentence immediately broke his composure.
"Grandma told me that Father only started reading intermediate Kugutsu at 12, and then spent seven whole years to completely master all its knowledge and skills. So, I understand your frustration, Father."
"What kind of talk is that! What are you saying!"
"What else did Grandma tell you?"
"Grandma also told me not to tell you about my Kugutsu studies. She said she wanted to see the look on your face when you start questioning your life."
"Hehe! That's exactly something my Mother would do!"
"Then didn't Grandma tell you not to say anything? Why are you telling me now?"
"Because I think that with Father's level, by the time Grandma returns, she'll still be able to see that look of you questioning your life."
[Arrogant! Truly too arrogant!]
"Hmph! You little brat! You've just finished reading these books a few years earlier than your dad, which only means your memory is amazing. But Kugutsu always depends on the controller's skill! It requires actual combat. Do you have any combat experience?"
"Combat experience? Does battling Grandma's Kugutsu when I was six count?"
"Hahaha, six years old with Grandma, hahaha... Uh~???!!!"
"How old did you say you were?"
"Six."
"Grandma gave you the puppets?"
"No, I made them myself."
"You made them yourself?"
"Yes."
"..."
"How old were you when you read the basic Kugutsu knowledge?"
"Five, a month away from turning six."
"?!"
"At that time, Father and Mother went to the Land of Rain. Grandma saw I was bored, so she gave me some books to read."
"And then?"
"Then I thought it was quite interesting, so I finished them all."
"You finished all four books?"
"Yes."
"How long did it take?"
"About three months or so."
"And then you built puppets yourself?"
"Yes."
"Can you show me?"
"One moment, Father."
With that, Sasori pulled a Scroll from his clothes.
With a 'poof' and a cloud of smoke...
Two humanoid puppets appeared on Sasori's left and right.
"These... are these... Dad and Mom?"
"Yes. Since Father and Mother weren't by my side at the time, I made these two puppets."
Looking at the two puppets beside Sasori, Yurito's heart was filled with indescribable complexity and guilt.
Because Sasori had always been so obedient and sensible, it was his younger sister, Shion, who seemed very mischievous.
This caused Yurito, as a father, to focus most of his energy on Shion, neglecting Sasori's feelings.
[So, Sasori has always been longing for his parents!]
"I'm sorry, Sasori! Dad has always ignored your feelings. But don't worry, I will definitely spend more time with you from now on! This is my promise to you!"
"Okay. It's fine, as long as Father doesn't fight with me to hold Shion."
Yurito: "Hehe! Impossible! She's her father's little sweetheart!"
"She's my biological sister!"
"So? Sasori! Are you going to oppose your father!"
"For Shion's sake, I'll just have to offend Father!"
"Very well! Then let's have a battle between puppeteers!"
"The winner gets to hold Shion!"
"Fine!"
...Inside the Kugutsu Research Building.
Third basement floor.
This is the puppet testing floor; all newly researched and manufactured puppets and equipment are sent here first for testing.
Therefore, a duel arena was specifically built here for testing combat puppets.
At this moment, two red-haired men stood at opposite ends of the arena, their eyes locked, the air thick with tension.
And, in the stands, Sunagakure's famous street thug—Sunaen, and his wife and secretary, Uzumaki Kana.