"What's so special about a kid who only knows Katon jutsu? I'll take you on!"
Temari, Kankuro's older sister, gripped her Sanseisen war fan tightly, ready for action.
"Hey, kid, don't say I didn't warn you. I specialize in Fūton, which perfectly counters your Katon. So, you'd better hand over Kankuro's Karasu puppet right now."
"And if I don't?" Kazama shot back.
"Then I'll make you regret it! Fūton: Kamaitachi!"
A ferocious gust, laced with countless vacuum blades, roared to life, instantly surrounding Kazama.
"My jutsu nullifies Katon, sound, bombs—any ninjutsu! You're done for!" Temari declared.
"Kazama-kun! Be careful!"
Seeing Temari's Fūton trap Kazama in a violent whirlwind, Sakura's heart raced with worry. She shouted his name, unable to stop herself.
Ding! Successfully absorbed C-rank ninjutsu Kamaitachi. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining B-rank ninjutsu Fūton: Dai Kamaitachi no Jutsu!
Ding! Absorb three more ninjutsu to unlock a fourth Strange Flame!
"Haha! Konoha's genin are pathetic—not even fit to lick the boots of our Suna shinobi!"
Temari and Kankuro smirked, certain Kazama was finished.
But then, the storm of Kamaitachi began to fade.
And there, at the center of the dissipating whirlwind, stood Kazama—completely unharmed.
"No way! You're supposed to only use Katon! My Fūton should've crushed you! How are you standing there like nothing happened?!" Temari gaped, disbelief written all over her face.
"Who said I only use Katon? Let's see how you like a taste of myFūton!"
"Fūton: Dai Kamaitachi no Jutsu!"
A windstorm far stronger than Temari's Kamaitachi tore through the air, sending Temari and Kankuro sprawling face-first into the dirt.
And that was Kazama going easy.
If he'd laced that Fūton with his Strange Flame, the wind-fueled fire would've reduced Temari and Kankuro to ashes.
"As punishment for losing, I'll be taking your Sanseisen fan, too!" Kazama said with a grin.
"You… are you really a genin?!"
Not only had Temari failed to reclaim Kankuro's Karasu puppet, but she'd also lost her Sanseisen to Kazama.
This guy wasn't a genin—he was more like a jōnin!
"What a bunch of losers! Getting your own ninja tools stolen like that?"
A chilling voice cut through the air behind Kazama.
"I… Gaara!"
Temari and Kankuro froze, trembling at the sight of their brother.
"Hand over the Sanseisen and Karasu now, or I'll kill you," Gaara said, his tone deadly calm.
"I'm not giving back the Sanseisen or the Karasu. And you know what? I'm taking that gourd of yours, too!"
Kazama turned to face Gaara, the Sand Waterfall, with a fearless smirk.
"Saying that to Gaara? This Kazama kid is dead!"
Temari and Kankuro knew just how terrifying Gaara was.
No one—no one—had ever dared to challenge the Jinchūriki of the One-Tail, Shukaku, by claiming they'd take his gourd.
If Gaara lost control and unleashed Shukaku's power, everyone here would be slaughtered.
"Kid!" Temari shouted desperately. "We admit we're no match for you, and we're sorry for earlier. We'll apologize right now! But please don't provoke Gaara, or you'll get us all killed!"
"Yeah, Kazama-kun!" Sakura chimed in, sensing Gaara's murderous aura. "Let's just drop it. Suna's our ally, after all. No need to make things worse!"
She was terrified Kazama would get hurt and pleaded with him to back off.
"Did you hear them?" Gaara said, his voice low and menacing. "The moment I appeared behind you, your fate was sealed. Don't make me act."
"And I'm still saying it—your gourd is mine."
Despite Gaara's death threat, Kazama didn't flinch. Instead, he burst out laughing.