Which form of the word: "manipulate" will fit in sentence (iii) given below?

Many politicians _(i)_ the facts so that they can deceive the public. The lady was so (ii) that she easily swindled the old woman. Through lies and cunning (iii)__, he became a successful person but for a short period of time.

The sentence structure is 'Through lies and cunning _____' where 'cunning' is already an adjective. We need a noun to follow it and complete the phrase meaning 'the act of manipulating'. 'Manipulation' is the correct noun form. 'Manipulate' is a verb, 'manipulative' is an adjective, and 'manipulated' is a past participle.