The fierce argument in the Kazekages Office yielded no results.
Sayo's resounding opposition and Rasa's considerations based on realistic pressures were like two parallel, unyielding walls; neither could convince the other.
Sayo saw the chilling "deliberation" in the eyes of the higher-ups, and he knew that words alone could no longer tip the scales that were leaning towards "sacrifice."
Amidst despair and anger, a nearly insane thought germinated in Sayo's heart.
Since reasoning did not work, then let strength do the talking!
In this world of Ninjas, the final say often stems from power!
He confronted the Fourth Kazekage once again, his gaze burning—no longer a subordinate's request to a Kage, but a challenge almost as equals: "Lord Kazekage! Since our philosophies cannot align, then let us decide it in the way of Ninjas! Spar with me! If I win, please retract that absurd notion; Sunagakure will never abandon any comrade! If I lose... I will no longer obstruct you, but I will personally escort Senior Pakura away, and from then on, I will have nothing more to do with Sunagakure!"
Once these words were spoken, the entire room was shocked.
This was not just overstepping bounds; it was almost a declaration of defection!
Rasa's face turned livid in an instant, his anger burning.
The Genius he had personally promoted now dared to openly challenge his authority, going to such lengths for an "impractical" philosophy!
"Good! Good! Good!" Rasa said the word "good" three times, each one ice-cold.
"Sayo, I will let you sober up. I will make you understand that a Kage's decision cannot be treated as child's play by you! Deep in the desert, I will wait for you!"
He wanted to use absolute strength to crush Sayo's unrealistic fantasies, to make him understand what reality was and what weight a Kage must bear!
That night, the moon was cool as water.
Deep in the desert far outside the Hidden Sand Village, everything was silent, save for the endless whispering of the wind and sand.
Two figures stood far apart, their powerful Chakra permeating the air like a physical presence, stirring up the surrounding sand and dust.
Rasa's expression was grim.
Gold Dust rose slowly around him like a living river, circling and flying, reflecting a cold and luxurious light under the moonlight.
Magnet Release: Gold Dust Technique—this was his capital to look down upon the Ninja World, and the source of power supporting his Village.
Opposite him, Sayo's expression was unprecedentedly solemn, yet he had no fear.
The pocket body cultivation furnace on his wrist was slightly hot, continuously absorbing and converting Natural Energy, like a trickling stream, nourishing and strengthening every cell in his body 24 hours a day.
After long-term accumulation, coupled with the Breakthrough under the pressure of the death battle at East Sea Bay, his body had already undergone earth-shaking changes.
His Physique, Chakra levels, perception, and recovery ability had all far exceeded the scope of an ordinary elite Jonin, stepping into a mysterious Realm—approximating a Sage Body!
Although it was not a true Sage Mode, the comprehensive improvement it brought had already allowed him to stand firmly on the threshold of Kage-level!
"Sayo, it is still not too late to regret it!" Rasa's voice came through the wind and sand.
"My conviction has never wavered! Lord Rasa, pardon me!" Sayo gave a low shout and made the first move!
"Wind Release: Vacuum Great Ball!"
"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
Combined Ninjutsu!
The highly compressed wind bombs, carrying hard rock bullets, bombarded Rasa like a raging storm!
The power far exceeded ordinary A-rank Ninjutsu!
A flash of surprise crossed Rasa's eyes; Sayo's mastery of Ninjutsu and Chakra intensity far exceeded his expectations.
But he stood as immovable as a mountain, his Gold Dust instantly condensing into a solid shield wall.
Rumble!!
A violent explosion rang out, blasting a huge crater in the sandy ground.
The Gold Dust shield wall trembled violently but held firm.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Spear!" Rasa counterattacked.
The Gold Dust instantly condensed into countless sharp spears, tearing through the air and shooting towards Sayo like an overwhelming tide!
Sayo retreated rapidly, pressing one hand to the ground at the same time!
"Magnet Release: iron sand Barrier!"
Pitch-black iron sand surged out from beneath the desert, forming a hard barrier.
Although his Magnet Release was slightly inferior to Rasa's Gold Dust in terms of absolute power and control precision, it was enough for defense!
Clang, clang, clang!
The Gold Dust spears struck the iron sand wall, sparks flying everywhere.
However, Rasa's attacks were continuous; the Gold Dust surged like ocean waves, attempting to swallow Sayo completely.
Sayo's eyes narrowed; he knew he could not remain on the defensive.
He leaped backward sharply and clapped his hands together!
"Summoning Jutsu: mirage!"
White smoke exploded, and a silver-gray giant descended with a boom.
Its cold metal body shimmered in the moonlight, and its massive size brought an unparalleled sense of oppression!
Sayo leaped onto the shoulder of the "mirage," and over a dozen refined Chakra Threads from the back of his head connected instantly!
Man and machine as one!
"mirage: Ship-Slicing Blade!" A massive alloy battle blade popped out, carrying a sharp whistle that tore through everything, and actively hacked towards the surging Gold Dust wave!
Boom—!
The collision between metal and Gold Dust emitted a deafening roar, and the shockwave kicked up a sky-filling Sandstorm!
The "mirage" was forced back a step by the immense power, but Rasa's Gold Dust wave was also forcibly split open by this strike, which concentrated the giant Puppet's strength and Chakra reinforcement!
"Interesting!" Rasa's eyes turned sharp, and he pressed his hands together.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Funeral!"
More Gold Dust was drawn from the depths of the desert, turning into a giant hand that covered the sky.
Like the authority of a god, it slammed down towards the "mirage"!
The range was so vast that it was almost impossible to dodge!
Sayo's pupils shrank, and the Chakra Threads behind his head shone brightly!
The thrusters on the back of the "mirage" erupted with a powerful flow of Chakra, and the massive body performed an incredible right-angle maneuver, narrowly dodging the edge of the giant Gold Dust palm!
Its agility far exceeded any traditional Puppet!
At the same time, the armor on the outside of the "mirage"'s arm opened, and countless poisoned senbon and miniature exploding tags shot towards Rasa's main body like a swarm of bees, creating a distraction!
Sayo himself was also constantly forming hand seals with both hands.
"Wind Release: Pressure Damage!"
"Earth Style: Rock Staff!"
Advanced combined Ninjutsu, combined with the physical attacks of the "mirage," assaulted Rasa like a storm.
Rasa had to divide his attention to control part of the Gold Dust to defend himself, and the offensive of the Gold Dust Funeral slowed slightly.
Deep in the desert, a fierce battle far beyond ordinary imagination had completely erupted.
Golden Gold Dust and the silver-gray Puppet giant collided fiercely, and every exchange shook the earth.
Pitch-black iron sand and golden Gold Dust corroded and bombarded each other in the air, splashing metal sand and dust into the sky.
Sharp Wind Release cut through the sky, and heavy Earth Style changed the landscape.
Relying on his massive Chakra, exquisite Chakra control, various Ninjutsu, Magnet Release, and Puppet Technique perfectly combined, Sayo unleashed a terrifying combat power where "1+1 is far greater than 2," actually fighting the Fourth Kazekage Rasa, who was going all out, to a standstill!
The fierce battle lasted from late night to dawn, and from dawn to noon.
Both sides traded blows, Chakra was consumed violently, and the desert was battered, appearing full of holes, with countless deep pits, rift valleys, and crystallized ground that had turned to glass.
The more Rasa fought, the more alarmed he became.
He found that he could not completely suppress Sayo!
The opponent's tenacity, recovery ability, and variety of methods were far beyond imagination!
That Puppet named "mirage" was even more troublesome!
Sayo was also covered in wounds, blood spilling from the corners of his mouth.
Controlling the "mirage" and maintaining high-intensity Ninjutsu placed a huge burden on him.
But the light in his eyes became increasingly brilliant, and his conviction became increasingly firm!
His mind echoed with that profound quote from his past life: "If you seek peace through struggle, peace will survive; if you seek peace through compromise, peace will perish!"
If he compromised one step today, he would lose everything tomorrow!
Only by demonstrating the strength to protect his convictions could he win true respect and peace!
"Lord Rasa! Do you still want to continue?!" Sayo controlled the "mirage" to slash through a torrent of Gold Dust again, shouting loudly, his voice exhausted but filled with unquestionable determination.
Rasa hovered in mid-air, Gold Dust swirling around him, his aura slightly chaotic.
He looked at the young man below, who had a stubborn gaze but had erupted with enough power to rival him.
In his heart, surging waves arose, along with a trace of hesitation... that even he himself had not noticed.
Deep in the desert, under the scorching sun, the fierce battle continued.
The collision of philosophies, through the most primitive armed confrontation, was played out vividly in this desolate sea of sand.