3: The strongest team five in Sand Village is born!

The sky had just begun to lighten, and the air at the edge of Training Ground 3 carried a hint of morning coolness.

Tang Yan’s figure, however, stirred this momentary tranquility, as he moved at high speed between several giant rocks, stirring up gentle breezes that swept across the sandy ground, raising tiny dust particles.

He had never relaxed his physical cultivation for a single day.

Since his transmigration, physical training was fundamental, and the combination of Tang Clan’s unique skills with the Ninjutsu of this world was his reliance for standing firm.

Today’s focus was on the improved plan deduced by the Ten Thousand Aspects Heavenly Gadget.

The elusive footwork of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track, when combined with Sunagakure’s Body Flicker Jutsu, used to have a slightly awkward transition between them, like two independent musical movements, with a subtle, disharmonious pause at the connection point.

But under the precise calculations of the Ten Thousand Aspects Heavenly Gadget, he found several new Chakra circulation nodes and exertion techniques.

Initially, when he tried, the Chakra still met with some slight obstruction as it flowed through the new meridian nodes, but after several circulations, it flowed as smoothly as a river entering the sea, unobstructed.

“Swish—”

Tang Yan lightly tapped his toes on the rough rock surface, and his figure suddenly blurred, as if melting into the air, appearing silently moments later on top of a giant rock at the edge of the training ground, dozens of meters away.

The entire process was extremely fluid, without the characteristic Chakra burst traces of the Body Flicker Jutsu, nor the deliberate swaying and feints of Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track; there was only pure, extreme speed and an unpredictable trajectory like a hanging antelope horn.

He could even clearly feel that if this fusion technique were combined with the Tang Clan’s unique aura concealment methods, the effects of stealth and surprise attacks would likely astound most sensory Ninja in this world.

Next, he practiced the combination of Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon and the Sunagakure Style Taijutsu.

He was no longer content with simply relying on the subtle force of ‘four ounces to deflect a thousand pounds’ to achieve remote object manipulation and attack neutralization; instead, he attempted to integrate that unique attractive force into every offensive and defensive movement of close-quarters Taijutsu, making it his own.

A millstone-sized rock was drawn by his empty hand, and the heavy stone body emitted a low grinding sound, shaking slightly.

Before it could fully levitate, Tang Yan gathered the Xuantian Skill internal energy in his dantian, then suddenly stepped forward, his right arm muscles instantly tensing. His elbow, shoulder, knee, and leg—every movement carried that unique pulling and pushing force of Controlling Crane Capturing Dragon, as if an invisible force field had formed around his body.

“Bang!” With an Iron Mountain Lean, the entire weight of his body perfectly superimposed with that counter-pushing force, he solidly slammed into the side of the rock. The rock was shaken by this immense force, sliding back several inches, and the ground trembled slightly.

Before the force dissipated, he flipped his palm, and a powerful suction force surged from his palm, pulling the backward-sliding rock back forcefully. At the same time, his other hand transformed into a blade, its edge hardened incomparably by the activation of Xuan Yu Hand, accurately striking a subtle point on the rock that was unevenly stressed from the previous impact.

“Crack!” With a crisp sound, the hard rock split open with a clearly visible crack, extending from the point of impact.

This fighting style demanded extremely high precision in timing, control over the release and retraction of power, and subtle manipulation of mental energy.

In the past, even with the idea, he would have found it difficult to execute it so smoothly and in one go. But the initial mastery of “Observation” gave him a far clearer perception of his own muscle exertion, Chakra flow, and even the stress on external objects than ever before.

“It’s not enough yet, but the direction is right.” Tang Yan stopped, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead, his breathing slightly hurried.

In his opinion, Sunagakure’s Sunagakure Style Taijutsu was strong and bold enough, but in terms of intricate changes and efficiency in power utilization, it was far inferior to Tang Clan martial arts.

If he could integrate the cunning, ruthless, and skill-over-force essence of Tang Clan martial arts into it, its power would surely multiply.

After training, he needed to attend the graduation ceremony this morning, followed by team assignments.

This concerned his future acquisition of resources and development for a period of time.

Tang Yan stood among the crowd on the Ninja Academy’s training ground, surrounded by boys and girls of similar age.

The sunlight was a bit dazzling, making it hard to open one’s eyes, yet it couldn’t diminish the sharpness and calmness deep within his gaze.

The noisy chatter around him was filled with various emotions—excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and a few with a hint of confusion.

Today, Sunagakure was particularly lively because of this graduation ceremony. For every student at the Ninja Academy, this was an important turning point in their lives.

“Yan!”

A clear, cheerful voice came from behind him, carrying a hint of undisguised teasing.

Tang Yan turned his head and saw Qian standing with her arms crossed, smiling at him. Today, she was wearing a brand new, well-fitted Sunagakure standard combat uniform, which made her look even more heroic and spirited. Two folded white-fluffed iron fans were tucked into her waist, one on each side, their tassels gently swaying with her movements.

“You, why are you still so unfazed, as if the sky could fall down and you wouldn’t bat an eye?” Qian walked up to him, huffed discontentedly, and scrutinized him from head to toe, as if trying to find even a trace of nervousness on his face.

Tang Yan merely raised an eyebrow slightly.

Seeing that he was still the same, Qian pouted, “Don’t just stand there like a dummy. Zi Luo is over there wrestling with a wooden stake.” She jutted her chin, pointing to a sturdy young boy not far away.

Zi Luo was indeed pounding away at a weathered training wooden stake, punch after punch, his fists landing with dull “thudding” sounds.

The force of his punches, the sheer power, instinctively made several nearby graduates distance themselves from him.

People who couldn't forget to train even at a time like this usually didn't have bad willpower.

Tang Yan’s lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

“You two are certainly full of spirit.”

He started walking, and Qian walked with him towards Zi Luo.

Hearing footsteps, Zi Luo stopped, his forehead covered in fine beads of sweat. He turned around, wiped his sweat with his sleeve, and looked at Tang Yan, his eyes holding a hint of stubbornness and a touch of inquiry.

“Tang Yan,” Zi Luo rumbled, his voice a bit hoarse, “I heard you fixed that ant puppet yesterday? The one belonging to Uncle Shen Ji, he’s my neighbor, two grades older than us, he was seriously injured on a mission a few days ago, and his puppet was almost scrapped.”

“That’s something even several masters from puppet workshops found tricky; its core was broken.”

Qian also leaned in, her bright eyes curiously darting around Tang Yan, “Yeah, I heard from Sister Cang Qi! Uncle Shen Ji was so excited when he went to pick up the puppet this morning, he almost knelt down to you, praising you as a once-in-a-century genius puppeteer, even better than all the old masters he’s seen!” She emphasized the words “genius puppeteer” with a playful tone.

Tang Yan shrugged noncommittally.

“It’s nothing.”

His tone was calm, but Qian and Zi Luo exchanged glances, both seeing the shock in each other’s eyes.

This guy was becoming more and more unfathomable.

Not far away, his sister Cang Qi stood at the edge of the crowd, her gaze gently resting on Tang Yan.

Since his initial mastery of “Observation,” he had become much more composed, not just in strength, but also in the self-confidence that radiated from within, which made her, as his older sister, feel at ease.

She pursed her lips, her heart filled with relief.

Her younger brother had truly grown up; he was no longer the little boy she had to constantly protect.

“Alright, quiet down!”

A Chunin teacher’s voice instantly quelled the noise of the entire field. The training ground became so quiet that a pin drop could be heard, and even the most mischievous students held their breath, leaving only the rustling sound of the wind blowing through the flags.

Everyone stood up straight, their gazes fixed on the high platform.

Several high-ranking Ninja sat there, their expressions serious, commanding respect without needing to show anger.

“Now, we will begin announcing the graduation list and team assignments.” The teacher’s voice carried an undeniable authority.

The atmosphere instantly grew heavy, as if the air itself had stopped flowing.

Many nervously swallowed, their palms sweating.

Tang Yan’s heart involuntarily quickened a beat. Even though he was prepared, this moment still tugged at his heartstrings.

This moment determined the direction of their future.

“First Squad, Dian Hong, Feng Liao, You Yi…” The boy whose name was called excitedly punched the air, while his companions nearby patted his shoulder enviously. In other corners, almost inaudible sighs could be heard.

“….” One name after another was called out; some cheered and almost jumped for joy; some clenched their fists, knuckles white; others looked ashen, as if they had lost all strength, and lowered their heads dejectedly.

Qian’s hand unconsciously clutched Tang Yan’s sleeve, with such force that it almost deformed the fabric. Her palm was sweating, revealing her inner tension, and she muttered softly, “We must be together, we must…”

Zi Luo also clenched his fists, his gaze burning, fixed on the high platform, his facial muscles stiff.

“Fifth Squad!” The teacher’s voice rang out again, clear and loud.

“Qian!”

Qian suddenly looked up, her eyes bursting with joyful light, almost jumping on the spot. She had been very worried about her team assignment, and now a large part of her anxiety had subsided.

“Zi Luo!”

Zi Luo’s eyes lit up, and his tense lips finally curved into a smile.

“And… Tang Yan!”

When his own name was called, a sharp glint flashed in Tang Yan’s eyes.

As expected.

His lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile.

He had long anticipated this result and was pleased with it.

Qian excitedly let go of Tang Yan’s sleeve and instead directly hugged his arm, shaking it vigorously. She was almost hanging on him, excitedly exclaiming, “Haha! We’re on the same team! This is great! Yan, Zi Luo, we’re actually on the same team!” Her eyes sparkled with excitement, and her cheeks were a bit flushed.

Zi Luo also strode over, his large, fan-like hand heavily slapping Tang Yan’s shoulder, with no small amount of force, making Tang Yan sway slightly.

“Looks like we’ll be suffering together from now on!” He grinned, revealing his white teeth, his voice filled with a simple, honest joy.

Tang Yan looked at their expressions, and the slight tension he had felt from waiting completely dissipated. The upward curve of his lips widened even further.

Such a team didn’t seem so bad. At least, it wouldn’t be boring.

On the high platform, the Chunin teacher continued to announce the Jonin team leaders for each squad. “…Fourth Squad, team leader, Jonin Jōha…”

“The team leader for Fifth Squad is… Jonin Maki.”

Maki? Tang Yan raised an eyebrow slightly.

He was an elite Jonin of Sunagakure, powerful in strength, known for his strictness and practical combat, and had achieved illustrious military feats during wartime.

It seemed the Village had indeed invested heavily in their graduating class, or perhaps, had considerable expectations for their particular combination.

“Alright, all squad members, gather at the designated location tomorrow morning at eight o’clock to meet your team leaders!” The teacher’s voice announced the end of the ceremony.

The crowd began to disperse, but the atmosphere of excitement and anticipation permeated the air, as young boys and girls gathered in small groups, enthusiastically discussing their new teams and instructors.

Cang Qi and Zi Luo were still chattering away, showing no intention of leaving.

"Maki-sensei! Oh my goodness, it's actually Maki-sensei! He's super strong!" Cang Qi waved her fists, her eyes filled with admiration, "I heard my brother say that Maki-sensei once infiltrated an enemy country alone, completed an impossible mission, and returned unscathed! And also, he once defeated three rogue Ninja with a single move!" She began to list Maki's "glorious deeds" as if reciting a treasure, some of which sounded quite bizarre, and it was hard to tell if they were true or false.

Zi Luo also nodded vigorously, his face full of longing: "Yes, my father also mentioned that Maki-sensei's Wind Release Ninjutsu is top-notch in the Village, and his Taijutsu is also extremely outstanding, making him a very well-rounded Ninja. I heard his training methods are also… very special." When he said the word "special," Zi Luo's expression became slightly odd, as if he had thought of something terrifying, and he subconsciously touched his arm.

Tang Yan just listened quietly.

He had heard about Maki's information; he was indeed a formidable individual, but only a strong instructor could cultivate strong disciples.

He understood that this was just the beginning.

Becoming a Genin meant more opportunities, but also greater risks.

The secrets of Sunagakure, the changing landscape of the Ninja World, all awaited his exploration.

What he desired was not just to be a Genin, nor merely to establish a firm foothold in Sunagakure.

He wanted to become the top Puppeteer in this Ninja World.

To surpass that genius known as Sasori of the Red Sand. Maki would be his first important stepping stone towards this goal.

Tang Yan's gaze was deep, looking at the distant desert.

That was his true stage.

After the graduation ceremony, everyone received a Sunagakure forehead protector, symbolizing their Genin status.

He didn't impatiently tie it to his forehead like other young Ninja who had just received their forehead protectors, nor did he casually tie it to his leg or waist.

In his mind, the three striking red stripes on his left arm from his previous life as a student suddenly flashed.

It was not just a certification of an excellent student, but also a kind of honor, a symbol of strict self-discipline.

This memory was already etched deep in his soul, indelible.

Tang Yan carefully wrapped the brand-new forehead protector, metal plate facing outward, around his left upper arm with soft cloth straps, tying it meticulously, as if performing some important ritual.

"Hey, Yan, what are you dawdling for? Let's go! We can't be late to meet Maki-sensei!" Cang Qi had already put on her forehead protector, her hair falling softly beside her cheeks, and two meticulously braided pigtails swayed gently as she urged him, adding a touch of prettiness. Seeing Tang Yan still slowly adjusting his forehead protector, she couldn't help but urge him, then curiously leaned closer, "Huh? Why did you tie the forehead protector to your arm? And tied it so… uh, ritually?" She tilted her head and blinked, finding Tang Yan's way of wearing it quite unique, just a bit strange.

"Puppet Name": medicine child

"Comprehensive Parameters": Height: 1.53 meters (estimated) Weight: 37.5 kilograms (estimated) Material: Reinforced wood, lightweight metal, high-strength alloy (partially utilizing special treatment methods mentioned in Sasori’s scrolls)

Energy: Chakra Core

Operation Method: Chakra Threads

"Puppet Rating": To be determined

"Overall Evaluation": An integrated auxiliary and offensive puppet, skilled in poisons, surgical operations, and precise work.

This was his second creation—the “medicine child.”

If “Owl” was a pure killing weapon, then “medicine child” was the ultimate extension of his Tang Clan techniques, a mobile, precise offensive and defensive platform.

Tang Yan's fingertips slowly traced the blueprint, his mind already outlining every detail of the “medicine child” in operation.

The ten fingers of the “medicine child” concealed profound mechanisms and would be his most precise tools.

Each finger had several tiny channels pre-reserved inside, capable of instantly ejecting various types of poisonous needles, medicinal needles, and even extending sharp miniature surgical blades for battlefield first aid or precise destruction.

The design of the finger joints drew inspiration from a rare miniaturized chain structure mentioned in Sasori’s scrolls, aiming for flexibility and absolute concealment beyond human hands.

He even pondered how to perfectly replicate the Tang Clan's ever-changing techniques through these ten fingers.

Its torso contained not just simple storage space, but meticulously designed layered hidden compartments and modular medicine chambers.

It could categorize and store hundreds of types of poisons, antidotes, potent wound medicines, and Tang Clan's unique mechanical hidden weapons.

Three hundred and sixty poisoned steel needles were just the basic configuration; his true goal was to perfectly integrate the Tang Clan's infamous “Rainstorm Pear Blossom Needle” and “Twin-serpent Soul-chasing Death Pill” into this puppet in a more concealed, more lethal, and more unpredictable manner.

Even the “Wrath of Buddha Tang Lotus,” hailed as the Tang Clan's ultimate technique with power capable of changing the course of a battle, might find a faint possibility of realization within this puppet.

Although materials and driving methods were huge challenges, just the thought alone was enough to make his heart beat slightly faster.

Sasori's puppetry art focused on imbuing puppets with “human” characteristics, giving them the combat skills and will they possessed in life. Tang Yan's philosophy, however, was to push the characteristics of “tools” to their peak, making puppets perfect vessels for Tang Clan's ultimate techniques, even existing beyond traditional hidden weapons.

What kind of monster would be born from the collision and fusion of these two philosophies?

He himself felt a strong sense of anticipation.

"Creak—"

The door to the secret room was gently pushed open a crack, and Cang Qi walked in, carrying a cup of fragrant hot drink, her footsteps light, as if afraid of disturbing him.

"Busy with these again?" She placed the cup by Tang Yan's hand, her gaze sweeping over the dizzyingly complex blueprints on the table, and the scattered, gleaming metal precision parts, her eyes holding a trace of worry and pride that she herself hadn't noticed.

Tang Yan picked up the cup; it was warm sea buckthorn juice, perfectly sweet and sour, with his sister's characteristic thoughtfulness.

"Yes, conceiving a new puppet," he replied, his gaze still fixed on the blueprints.

Cang Qi looked at his focused, almost stubborn profile, her heart filled with complex emotions. This younger brother, ever since that serious illness, seemed to have matured a great deal overnight, but also carried burdens far beyond his peers. Sometimes she missed the boy who would occasionally act spoiled, but she knew even more clearly that the current Tang Yan was the one who could survive and thrive in this cruel Ninja World.

"You've graduated and become a Genin; missions will gradually increase and become more dangerous from now on." Cang Qi paused, then turned and took a rather large scroll from the package she had brought, handing it to Tang Yan. "This is…"

The scroll was ancient and heavy, its edges meticulously wrapped in tanned leather, feeling slightly weighty in his hand, exuding a faint scent of ink and the special aroma of sealed Ninjutsu.

"A storage scroll?" Tang Yan finally looked up, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

Such large-capacity storage scrolls were rare in Sunagakure and quite valuable.

"Yes, specifically for storing puppets." Cang Qi tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear, her movements a bit unnatural, "Your… creations will become more and more numerous in the future. You can't always carry a pile of them, big and small, on your person; it's too conspicuous and inconvenient."

She paused, her voice slightly lower, with a barely perceptible tremor, "Xiao Yan, you are a true Ninja now. I know you have your own ideas and goals, and your sister won't stop you. But, when on missions… please, please be careful. At home, it's just you and me left." The last few words were so soft they almost dissolved into the air.

Tang Yan took the scroll, his fingertips tracing the intricate and orderly sealing patterns on its surface, feeling the cool touch the scroll transmitted. He knew the weight of this scroll, not just its inherent value, but also his sister's heavy care and expectations.

"I know, Sis," he replied solemnly, without too many promises, but the determination in his eyes was enough to slightly reassure Cang Qi.

Cang Qi nodded gently, saying no more.

She understood that the fledgling hawk must eventually leave the nest; some paths, some storms, he could only brave and experience on his own.

She turned and quietly left Tang Yan's bedroom, leaving the space to him.

Tang Yan watched his sister leave, then unrolled the storage scroll in his hand.

As Chakra was infused, runes on the scroll's surface glowed, and a rather spacious alternate dimension appeared in his mind.

The internal space was considerably larger than he had expected, easily accommodating several puppets the size of "Owl," with room to spare.

With this, carrying and concealing puppets would be much more convenient. At critical moments, an unexpected puppet ambush would also be twice as effective.

He carefully put away the scroll with satisfaction, his gaze returning to the "medicine child" blueprint.

Sasori's core puppet design philosophy, the ingenious mechanisms of the Tang Clan, and those incredible poison formulas and poisoning techniques unearthed from the depths of his memory… countless inspirations collided, converged, and fissioned like stars in his mind.

He picked up a piece of reinforced wood, specially hardened and anti-corrosion treated. The wood was tough yet light, an excellent material for making puppet skeletons.

He then took a miniature alloy gear, polished to a mirror-like shine, from the parts box. The gear's edges glinted coldly.

Xuantian Skill quietly circulated, his hands glowing with a warm, jade-like luster under the lamp, yet containing astonishing control and perception.

"Click."

A barely perceptible click, and the alloy gear was precisely embedded into the pre-reserved groove in the reinforced wood, without a millimeter of error, fitting seamlessly as if naturally formed.

It didn't even require any additional fastening; this precision alone was enough to ensure its stability under high-intensity operation.

The creation of the "medicine child" began with the perfect embedding of this first, and most fundamental, part.

The corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a subtle arc once more.

This was his characteristic expression when he was in an excellent mood and completely engrossed in something he loved.

And this Sunagakure, this vast Ninja World, would soon remember his name.

Tang Yan. A name destined to push puppetry to new heights.