Even the most powerful-looking jutsu can come with some serious risks—and there's no guarantee they'll work. Take Dan Kato, one of Konoha's younger ninjas, for example. Right now, he wasn't confident that his signature [Spirit Transformation Technique] could successfully take control of a veteran powerhouse opponent like the Third Kazekage.
So he had to go with plan B during the fight.
Haseo took point, keeping all eyes on himself. Whatever garbage he was spewing, the enemies never let their guard down around him.
Thanks to the advantageous positions of both Haseo and Dan Kato, enemies came straight to them, allowing the duo to stay stationary and strike first. With prior setup, [Spirit Transformation Technique] could almost silently infiltrate and take over the consciousness of every enemy except the Kazekage.
In other circumstances, this maneuver could even be considered an instant "conscious possession."
So when Dan Kato's consciousness took over the body of a member from the Kazekage's Guard, he instantly slashed forward without hesitation.
However...
This move seemed decisive, but Haseo frowned—it was too rushed. There hadn't really been a perfect moment to strike yet.
A kunai's sharp tip stabbed silently from behind toward the Third Kazekage's neck. Dan Kato's technique was flawless; when launching the assassination attempt, he was nearly undetectable. In theory, such an attack should have succeeded, but the problem was that his target was the "Strongest Wind Kage."
Almost simultaneously as Dan's killing intent flared, the Kazekage raised his hand backward, lifting his palm directly toward the incoming kunai. Then, with a crisp sound, the weapon snapped immediately upon contact.
That must be what old tales call "hitting steel."
"21..."
A spy? Or was someone else under Genjutsu control? And where were the other enemies?
Of course, anyone near the Kage had to be top-notch—no one questioned their reflexes or judgment. In an instant, they understood exactly what had happened.
After failing with one strike, Dan didn't panic. What followed was him shouting through the possessed ninja named "21":
"Don't hesitate—GO! Hit them all at once!"
Consequently, including the Kazekage himself, nobody chose to neutralize the assassin immediately. Instead, everyone swiftly backed away, giving each other suspicious glances.
After all, if one person had fallen under mind control, it was possible a second might also be compromised. Thus, a small trust crisis instantly erupted.
This kind of scheming wasn't really Dan Kato's style. But since it was team combat now, there must've been some morally unhinged genius pulling his strings behind the scenes.
Thus, right after that abrupt and tense assassination attempt, the four Sunagakure ninja just gawked at each other like stunned rabbits.
Yet while the enemy hesitated, certain people wouldn't.
A lightning-encased figure tore through the dense curtain of rain and rapidly approached the immediate vicinity of the Third Kazekage.
A torrent of lightning slashed wildly through the muddy earth and endless rain, making the already chaotic battlefield even more frenzied... The grainy texture suddenly morphed into a glowing halo effect.
Haseo was fast—undoubtedly fast—but such a sudden assault wasn't enough to rattle the Third Kazekage. Although the earlier assassination attempt had come as a shock, even in that moment, the majority of the Kazekage's attention never truly left Haseo. He clearly knew who the most dangerous opponent on the battlefield was.
The Third Kazekage turned to face Haseo head-on, raising one arm forward. In an instant, a buzzing sound like swarming bees erupted, and pitch-black mist surged forth, blocking Haseo's vision. Immediately afterward, those particles coalesced into a massive iron cylinder.
It hovered slightly above the ground before launching forward like a speeding train straight toward Haseo… There was no mistaking it—this was an "attack launch."
Haseo remained outwardly calm, though deep inside, doubt lingered—Magnet Release was indeed miraculous, but where exactly had this guy hidden all his iron sand?
Did he stash it in his pants? In that case, you'd better watch out for the Third Kazekage's moves—those attacks aren't just lethal, they're nasty too.
Facing the oncoming "solid train," Haseo made no move to dodge. His hands formed seals at blinding speed. Then, in a flash, the crackling lightning around him vanished, replaced by chakra surging from his body like fiery ribbons, pushing back even the falling rain.
[Tianxian Jue Chong · Poque Shuiyue]
Bracing his stance—left foot forward, right foot back—Haseo suddenly dropped his center of gravity just as the enemy attack reached his face. Leaning forward with his left shoulder and winding up his right fist, he threw an uppercut straight into the iron mass with full force.
The sudden, powerful impact drove his feet abruptly into the mud. Behind him, the dirt exploded like a burst of filthy fireworks, even as the black iron pillar spun violently backward, tracing a perfect parabolic arc directly back toward its original wielder.
At this moment, Dan Kato, manipulating the Sunagakure Ninja beside him, attempted to charge toward the Kazekage, hoping to form a pincer attack with Haseo.
However, he too was intercepted by two other shinobi.
The enormous metallic chunk roared overhead, coming down like a colossal hammer ready to crush any flesh and blood into paste.
Yet not even a hint of panic showed on the Third Kazekage's face. Instead, he raised one arm upward, and although the metal still came down with full momentum, the iron cylinder split apart under his "command," twisting into a spiral "scarf" that gracefully wrapped itself around him.
Haseo blinked. Hmm, this guy actually looked kinda cool.
But the Third Kazekage clearly hadn't mastered the art of showing off properly; at a moment like this, he should really sit his butt down while his iron sands gathered into a majestic Iron Throne.
Well, he already looked impressive enough—adding such flashy, unnecessary flair might be overkill.
After watching the Kazekage, Haseo decided he shouldn't look any less impressive either. So he quickly adjusted his stance and stood tall with his hands behind his back.
"Truly worthy of being the Strongest Wind Kage. He handled overwhelming force as if it were nothing, a testament to his unparalleled strength."
While speaking flattering words, Haseo subtly flailed his right hand behind his back, repeatedly opening and clenching his fist to shake off the numbness. At the same time, his left shoulder gave the tiniest tremble, attempting to loosen up his strained muscles.
There was no denying his power in Earth Release mode—but going all out barehanded against something that huge? That was pushing it.
The Third Kazekage hadn't expected Haseo to take the hit head-on. Surely any ordinary person would've dodged an attack of that scale?
He narrowed his eyes. There stood Haseo, hands behind his back, clothes fluttering gently in the drizzle and breeze, his face composed and self-assured.
The mud splattered up his legs looked like he'd taken a full-frontal splash from head to toe—behind him, the shattered landscape stretched outward like a waterfall plunging for miles…
What a sight—an aura befitting only a true master.
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