"Magnet Release: Golden Sand Tsunami!"
A low voice suddenly echoed across the battlefield. In an instant, golden sand erupted from the ground, barely managing to halt the meteor hurtling toward the Sand Hidden Village in mid-air.
"This is Rasa's Sand Release Secret Technique," Chiyo let out a long sigh of relief.
In the current Sand Hidden Village, the Third Kazekage's whereabouts were unknown, and the candidates for the Fourth Kazekage were Pakura and Rasa. Previously, when Pakura led troops to the Kirigakure battlefield, Rasa had been deeply dissatisfied. He always believed that military achievements could only be earned on the battlefield, and he longed to prove himself like the legendary hero Pakura of the Sand Hidden Village. However, his reputation was far inferior to Pakura's. But now, with the Sand Hidden Village facing an existential crisis, Rasa had finally stepped forward.
"Great! It's Lord Rasa!"
"We're saved!"
As Rasa appeared, the golden sand in the air transformed into several giant sand hands, desperately holding back the rapidly descending meteor. The Sand ninjas, who had been on the brink of annihilation, erupted into ecstatic cheers. Suspended in mid-air with his Sand Release, Rasa curled his lips into a smug smile. His goal had been achieved—his appearance here would undoubtedly leave a deep impression on the hearts of the Sand ninjas.
However, Rasa was well aware that Pakura's fame and strength surpassed his own. His chances of ascending to the position of Kazekage were slim, and he desperately needed an opportunity—a chance to stand at the pinnacle of the Sand Hidden Village. When the village dispatched Pakura to the Kirigakure battlefield, Rasa had decided to bide his time. Now, having single-handedly halted the meteor, he was immensely satisfied with his choice. Glancing in Aoki's direction, Rasa even felt a flicker of gratitude. He thought to himself that once he became Kazekage, he would certainly establish friendly relations with this Fourth Hokage.
Seeing Rasa's elated expression, Aoki was utterly perplexed and couldn't help but ask, "You blocked this one? What about the second one? How do you plan to handle that?"
Aoki's words caused Rasa's expression to change drastically. He hurriedly looked up at the sky, and in the eyes of everyone present, an even larger meteor appeared, descending toward the ground with terrifying force.
"How is this possible? How can a human possess such power?"
"It's over! The Sand Hidden Village is truly finished this time!"
In an instant, all the Sand ninjas fell into utter despair, kneeling on the ground. The appearance of the second meteor left Chiyo completely disheartened. She knew the Sand Hidden Village was doomed this time.
Yet, Rasa staggered to his feet once more, his face filled with madness and exhilaration.
"Hahaha! Perfect timing!"
"Only by facing a greater crisis can I prove my worth!"
"Only then can I firmly secure the position of Kazekage!"
He had already fallen into obsession—this was an undeniable fact. In Rasa's eyes, these two giant meteors were not impossible to block. He firmly believed he could save the Sand Hidden Village and become an even greater hero than Pakura.
"Magnetic Release: Gold Dust!"
Rasa dove down from the sky, pouring all his Magnet Release Chakra into the desert beneath his feet. Countless grains of gold sand erupted in an instant, covering the entire land. He manipulated the gold sand into several massive golden hands, straining to meet the falling meteor. The first meteor, which had been halted earlier, now served as a stepping stone for the second—yet the second meteor continued its relentless descent, its momentum undiminished.
Rasa knew that if the second meteor collided with the first, all his efforts would be in vain. With difficulty, he glanced at the black teapot in his arms. The Chakra within him was nearly depleted; he needed assistance—the only assistance available.
"Shukaku! Help me this time! Once it's done, I'll set you free!"
But the being within the teapot had no faith in his promise.
"Heh, you humans are truly cunning. To you, we are nothing but sources of power. It's just a meteor—even if it hits me, I can regenerate on the spot."
Shukaku's mockery echoed in Rasa's ears, utterly indifferent to the consequences of the meteor's fall. Unfazed, Rasa coldly threatened that if Shukaku refused to act, he would seal the teapot forever deep within the desert—and he had the power to do so.
"Even if I don't seal you, do you think the ninja of Konoha, who managed to subdue even the Nine-Tails, would let a Tailed Beast like you go free?"
At Rasa's words, Shukaku within the black teapot fell silent. After a long pause, Shukaku finally spoke, though reluctantly. "Hmph! Remember the condition you promised!"
Seeing Shukaku agree, Rasa's heart swelled with joy. He quickly opened the black teapot, releasing Shukaku. Countless grains of sand gathered and took shape in mid-air, and a giant tanuki covered in curse marks suddenly appeared on the battlefield.
"Hahaha! I'm finally out!"
Shukaku's roar shook the heavens and earth. The ninja of the Sand Hidden Village looked on in fear and shock—no one had expected the One-Tail, Shukaku, to break free from its seal at such a critical moment.
Just as the Sand ninja were sinking into despair once more, Shukaku began manipulating the swirling sands, joining Rasa in holding back the falling meteor.
"Huh?"
"Lord One-Tail... it's helping us intercept the meteor?"
"It seems so!"
"My god, am I seeing this right?"
"Has Lord Rasa subdued the One-Tail?"
Witnessing Shukaku lend its aid, the Sand ninja erupted in elation once again, cheering loudly for Rasa. The smile on Rasa's face grew wider—he knew his goal had been completely achieved.
With Shukaku's assistance, the second meteor was barely halted. The two massive meteors were now held aloft by countless sand hands and golden hands, pressed together and suspended above the Sand Hidden Village—a sight of breathtaking scale.
With the meteors successfully stopped, the cheers of the Sand ninja were deafening. Amid the roaring applause, Rasa confidently turned his gaze toward Aoki and called out loudly, "Fourth Hokage!"
Chiyo and the others watched with tense anticipation, regretting that they had ever doubted Rasa's abilities.
Facing the expectant eyes of the Sand ninja, Aoki curled his lips into a playful smile and pointed toward the darkened sky. "I must admit, you have some skill. But you don't really think my Ninjutsu ends with just two meteors, do you?"
"As for this third one... what do you plan to do?"
As Aoki's words fell, the entire sky was suddenly shrouded in darkness. A third meteorite appeared out of thin air above everyone's heads, its terrifying size even greater than the previous two, leaving Rasa utterly bewildered.
Even the Tailed Beast Shukaku seemed minuscule before this meteorite. Rasa stood frozen in place, completely stunned and at a loss.
Yet Aoki appeared unusually relaxed. He finally understood why Madara Uchiha had unleashed such a formidable Ninjutsu—the Allied Shinobi Forces might have blocked one, even two, but this sudden third meteorite was ultimately impossible to withstand.
Now, the Sand Hidden Village had barely managed to block two with Shukaku's power, but how could they possibly deal with this third meteorite?
"Damn it! Rasa, how dare you trick me! How am I supposed to block this thing?!"
Shukaku roared furiously, its massive body trembling with rage, its frustration and anger palpable.