Shindai unleashed an Electromagnetic Blast using his magnetic field, sending powerful electric currents surging toward Rasa.
Rasa immediately controlled his Gold Dust, shaping it into a wall to block the electricity.
However, the Gold Dust proved ineffective against the attack, as Shindai had specifically used Magnet Release to generate the electromagnetic surge by exploiting its conductivity.
Rasa formed hand seals with both hands.
[Wind Release: Great Wind Net!]
He infused chakra into the wind, creating a vast net-like gust with highly destructive force. Taking advantage of wind's elemental superiority over lightning, it managed to isolate and neutralize the current.
Using the Gold Dust as footholds, Rasa propelled himself into the air as well.
[Gold Dust Shuriken!]
He created numerous shuriken from Gold Dust and hurled them continuously at Shindai.
But Shindai didn't move from his spot. He stood still and mocked Rasa with disdain.
As soon as these Gold Dust shuriken entered a certain radius, they disintegrated back into dust.
[Crystal Dust Surge!]
Rasa released a rapid wave of Gold Dust toward Shindai, attempting to wrap around him and crush him to death—similar to Gaara's Sand Coffin technique.
Yet once again, Shindai didn't budge. Any Gold Dust that entered his magnetic field instantly lost Rasa's control.
With arms crossed over his chest, Shindai looked at Rasa like he was watching a clown perform.
"Is that all you've got, Kazekage? If so, then stepping in myself would clearly be easier. Like I said earlier, my Magnet Release is the strongest in the ninja world! I've long surpassed every other Magnet Release kekkei genkai bearer!"
"Your ability to manipulate metal with magnetism is practically useless in my eyes. How dare you even dare to look down on me? Fall already!"
Suddenly, the Gold Dust beneath Rasa's feet scattered uncontrollably, causing him to plummet onto the rooftop.
Rasa cast a troubled glance at Shindai hovering in the sky. His pride, Magnet Release, was practically ineffective against Shindai.
And now... Rasa swept his gaze around, noticing that Shukaku was being pummeled repeatedly by the Susanoo of Hikaku Uchiha and Obito.
He had heard that Susanoo couldn't last long, yet how were they sustaining it for so long?
Somewhere in Konoha—
"Kakashi-sensei, why are Naruto's cheeks sunken in?"
Sasuke cast a concerned gaze at Naruto lying in his arms. Naruto's face was gaunt, dark circles shadowing his eyes — he looked utterly drained.
Even with three tails' worth of chakra, maintaining two Susanoos pushed Naruto past his limits.
Rasa furrowed his brows. It seemed his plan had failed.
Danzo, that useless fool, promised inside-out cooperation but ended up beaten so severely he couldn't retaliate at all.
Didn't he just drag his allies down? He'd held out hope for backup all this time—but there was no way he could defeat Minato Namikaze alone.
Even though two allies suddenly turned against him, they offered no help whatsoever and instead joined Baki in attacking him.
Suddenly, Rasa sensed something forming behind him.
By the time he noticed, it was already too late. An iron sand blade pierced straight through his abdomen.
Gritting through the pain, Rasa retreated backward and saw a hand gripping that iron sand sword.
Large quantities of Iron Sand Body continuously gathered, reforming into Kannazuki.
During their fight against Rasa, Shindai's Kannazuki had scattered into iron sand mixed within the gold dust on the rooftop, now successfully ambushing Rasa.
Shindai mocked arrogantly, "You dared to lose focus while fighting me? Was it Chiyo or Onoki who gave you that foolish confidence?"
A massive cleaver swung downward toward Rasa, wielded by Kannazuki.
[Gold Dust Boundary Field!]
Rasa formed sharp spikes made of gold dust—bamboo-shoot-like in shape—and pierced Kannazuki with them.
Unaffected, Kannazuki directly passed through those sharp gold spikes, continuing to slash at Rasa.
[Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!]
Rasa buried Kannazuki deep in the gold dust before triggering a massive explosion.
Believing he had finally eliminated Kannazuki, Rasa was stunned when an unbelievable sight appeared before him.
Iron sand floated upward from the gold dust, reassembling into Kannazuki who resumed attacking Rasa.
"Looks like you can't even handle my puppet, Rasa. Guess today you'll die right here!"
Watching Rasa being overwhelmed by his Kannazuki, Shindai felt immense satisfaction.
Meanwhile, hovering midair, Shindai manipulated the gold dust from the rooftop to assist Kannazuki's ongoing assault. Rasa, already wounded in the abdomen, had also sustained injuries earlier during his fight with Minato Namikaze and Shisui. Furthermore, his ninjutsu proved practically useless against Kannazuki and Shindai.
Eventually, amidst the dense attacks, a gold spike pierced through Rasa's right leg. With one swing of his iron sand blade, Kannazuki severed Rasa's left arm, proceeding to strike again.
Just as the critical moment arrived, the severely injured and unconscious Baki regained consciousness. He lunged forward, intercepting the deadly blow meant for Rasa. A large gash tore across his back, blood splattering immediately.
Rasa timely caught the falling Baki.
Meanwhile, as Hikaku Uchiha and Obito used Susanoo to attack Shukaku together, Pakura took the chance to punch Gaara awake, ending his slumber as the medium.
Once Gaara awakened, Shukaku was sealed once again. Its giant body dispersed into a pile of sand.
Gaara collapsed to the ground, too weak to stand again.
Seeing this, Rasa decided to retreat immediately.
The plan had completely failed. If he didn't retreat soon and Konoha managed to capture Gaara—the Jinchuriki—serious consequences would follow.
Rasa immediately used the Shifting Body Technique to escape along with Baki.
Shindai was about to give chase, but a strange-looking figure suddenly sprang into the sky.
And this grotesque figure was Hidan, who had lost both arms and now bore a gaping wound on his head.
"So those damn puppets were yours, huh?! I'm gonna rip you apart!"
Hidan, already extremely frustrated, angrily lunged at Shindai.
Shindai was startled by Hidan's appearance. "What the hell—looks like a freaking ghost! Doesn't he know I'm scared of ghosts!"
Shindai immediately condensed a mass of Iron Sand Body into a thick cylinder and slammed it down onto Hidan. With a deafening crash, Hidan was smashed onto the rooftop.
Thanks to Hidan getting in the way, Rasa had already managed to reach Gaara's side while carrying the unconscious Baki.
[Scorch Release – Overheated Kill!]
Pakura hurled multiple Scorch Release fireballs toward Rasa, trying to stop him from taking Gaara away.
But now that Rasa had escaped from Shindai's magnetic field, he could freely use Magnet Release without restrictions.
Rasa erected a wall of Gold Dust to block Pakura's fireballs, then took Gaara and vanished using the Shifting Body Technique.
By the time Shindai arrived, Rasa had already disappeared completely.
Furious, Shindai smashed a nearby rock with his fist. "That bastard Hidan! If he hadn't gotten in my way earlier, Rasa would never have escaped! Never! I've got to chase them down and kill him!"
Shindai was beyond furious. He had long craved revenge on Rasa, and now, consumed by rage, he stormed off in pursuit.
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