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This Dust Release technique was the same one Ōnoki had used in the anime during Sasuke's attack on the Five Kage Summit a cubic spatial destruction attack that completely engulfed the Second Tsuchikage.
As the Second Tsuchikage disintegrated into nothing, Tenten seized the moment and unfurled a scroll, already prepared with a sealing formula designed specifically for Edo Tensei.
The moment his body barely reformed but remained immobile, Tenten threw the scroll, weaved a series of hand signs, and shouted:
"Seal!"
As the technique activated, the Second Tsuchikage sighed.
"To think that someone like you, who once despised the other villages, can now coordinate so effortlessly with them… It's quite the surprise."
Ōnoki, rubbing his aching lower back, chuckled. "Stubborn my whole life, yet these young ones managed to reignite my passion. This old man wants to see what true peace looks like."
"Is that so? Then tell me about it when you get there."
"You'll have to wait a long time for that."
The sealing script extended across the Second Tsuchikage's entire body, forming black chains before a large "Seal" symbol locked into place.
It was over. One of the strongest opponents had been dealt with.
Tenten wiped a thin layer of sweat from her forehead. Taking part in a battle of this level was both nerve-wracking and exhilarating.
"Well done." Ōnoki, finally relieved, nodded approvingly. "Go check on the others."
With that, he tapped his palm onto Gai and the others.
"Earth Release: Lightened Boulder Jutsu."
In an instant, Team Gai found themselves weightless.
"Ohhh! Amazing technique!"
Tenten and Neji adjusted quickly, but Gai and Lee…
Those two immediately started experimenting with every possible swimming stroke breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle, even doggy paddle twisting and flipping through the air.
Ōnoki had to resist the urge to flip them upside down and drop them.
Fortunately, Tenten and Neji managed to rein in the two energetic fools as they glided toward Gaara and the Third Kazekage's battlefield.
---
From above, they could see that Gaara's golden sand and the Third Kazekage's black iron sand had been clashing for some time.
One side relied on sheer quantity, while the other had the advantage of density and precision.
The battlefield, which once had sparse vegetation, had completely transformed into a desert.
The fierceness of the battle was undeniable.
The Third Kazekage smirked. "To wield such powerful sand techniques at your age… you are truly worthy of the Kazekage title, Fifth."
Gaara remained composed, raising both hands. The golden sand below him surged upward like a tidal wave.
"Save your praise until I've defeated you."
The golden sand and iron sand clashed once more, sending debris scattering in all directions.
"You've tried this approach multiple times now," the Third Kazekage remarked. "It won't work, Fifth. If you want to defeat me, you should think of something else!"
Gaara's sharp gaze didn't waver.
He spoke softly, "I already have."
At that moment, he clenched his fist.
The Third Kazekage's eyes widened as he felt his legs being restrained.
When he tried to dissolve the golden sand with his iron sand, he discovered—it couldn't seep through!
"This is… the sand from your gourd?" The Third Kazekage quickly understood. "It's denser and stronger than normal sand. You mixed it in with the battlefield's natural sand to disguise its approach… Clever."
Gaara didn't waste words.
Inside his sealed space, he muttered, "Shukaku, I'll leave the rest to you."
"Hah! You're actually asking for my help? Well, fine!" The One-Tail grumbled but was clearly pleased.
"Desert Layer Grand Burial Seal!"
A massive pyramid of golden sand rapidly formed around the immobilized Third Kazekage.
The moment it solidified, black sealing scripts spread across its surface like chains.
With this, only Uchiha Madara's overpowered hacks had any chance of breaking out.
As the sand fully enclosed him, the Third Kazekage chuckled.
"Rasa raised an impressive son."
And with that, he was sealed.
Gaara heard the words clearly but only muttered to himself: "I wonder if my father would think the same."
---
Meanwhile, the Raikage battle was something else entirely.
To an observer, it was just flashes of blue lightning streaking across the battlefield, too fast for the eye to follow.
"Lariat Barrage!"
Bee whirled through the air, wielding seven swords simultaneously, attacking from multiple angles at once.
It looked like a sword-based whirlwind attack.
Unfortunately, it lacked the invincibility of an RPG move.
The blades, even empowered by Lightning Release, barely scratched the Third Raikage's flesh.
Even Wind Release: Rasenshuriken hadn't been able to pierce his skin before. Compared to that, Bee's attack didn't even leave a dent.
Bee's grin faltered as a fist crashed into his face, sending him flying. His swords clattered to the ground.
"BEE!"
Seeing his brother get knocked away, the Fourth Raikage's temper flared.
He leapt into the air, right leg crackling with fierce electric energy.
"Liger Bomb!"
His electrified axe-kick slammed down on his father's shoulder.
The Third Raikage wobbled slightly under the impact.
One hand instinctively flexed as if he were about to catch himself but instead clenched into a fist.
"Put some strength into it. I can take it."
The Fourth Raikage's hair stood on end—literally.
With his full Lightning Armor activated, his spiky blonde hair completely stood up, making him look even more enraged.
"RAAAAAGH!!"
Lightning crackled wildly as the father and son locked in a raw power struggle.
But in the end, the Third Raikage landed a crushing punch to his son's chest.
"Not good enough yet!"
The Fourth Raikage staggered back, his boots carving deep trenches into the earth.
Fueled by frustration, he charged forward like a war tank, elbow-first.
"Damn you, old man! Heavy Flow Strike!"
The Third Raikage absorbed the attack directly, sliding backwards but otherwise unfazed.
"Speed and power aren't bad. But do you think that's enough to defeat me? What are you, a child seeking attention?"
"Shut up, you rotten old man!"
The Fourth Raikage suddenly wrapped his arms around his father's waist.
He planned to suplex him!
But before he could execute the move—
The Third Raikage reversed it.
He grabbed his son, lifted him high, then slammed him headfirst into the ground.
"Thunder Bomb!"
The impact left a crater.
The Fourth Raikage's body was half-buried in the dirt.
Tenten moved, but Ōnoki stopped her.
"Relax," the old Kage chuckled. "That brat isn't dying from this. Don't interrupt their father-son bonding.
----
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