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"Uchiha Kazuki, do you realize that arbitrarily detaining caravans closely tied to other villages is equivalent to provocation? You even sent people into the Land of Wind to provoke Sand ninjas. Are you trying to start a war between our villages?"
With words out like this, if Rasa didn't take a stand, the Sand Village would lose all face.
"So what?"
Kazuki said fearlessly: "Do you dare declare war on Konoha, Rasa? Honestly, I'd love to see how far your Sand Village's strength has recovered. Konoha's taken plenty of losses from you before—wanting some payback isn't too much, right?"
If you're unhappy, declare war! Come on!
I'm waiting!
I, Uchiha Kazuki, standing here represent Konoha. Dare to declare war, and I'll accept it.
'Crazy bastard!'
Using war threats in negotiations was common.
But Kazuki's blatant targeting, outright forcing a declaration of war? First time for Rasa.
Worst part: Kazuki wasn't bluffing—he meant it.
Dare to declare war, and he'd represent Konoha in accepting, leading to a full-blown fight.
These years of grudges between the villages? Perfect chance to settle them through war.
How did Konoha let a lunatic like this sit as Hokage's Advisor?
Tsunade could've chosen anyone, but she picked this madman as her right-hand?
Rasa cursed inwardly.
Rasa's face turned iron-blue, ignoring the taunt. Kazuki looked disappointed: "Kazekage, some things I didn't want to do because there's no need. But your village seems to be getting bolder. Do you think Konoha's people are pushovers who'll indulge you? Think we won't start a war, so you keep stirring trouble? Harassing Konoha's caravans, detaining goods, arresting leaders! Impressive, Sand Village—you're pros at this! You've disgusted us plenty, but the incidents are small, so Konoha couldn't use them as excuses without looking petty. Harassing caravans is one thing, but wandering into the Land of Fire? If not caught, keep going; if caught, 'wrong turn, got lost.' Great."
"These are just minor conflicts between villages!" Rasa gritted his teeth.
Over such trivial nonsense, Kazuki escalated it to this level.
Kazuki's smile faded.
Staring at Rasa with disdain: "A toad on your foot doesn't bite, but it's disgusting. If the Sand Village has grievances with Konoha, we can end all cooperation. Partnering with you brings little benefit anyway—I don't care for scraps. On one hand, begging to cooperate with Konoha; on the other, endless petty annoyances. Are Sand Village people toxic, or just mangy dogs who need to bite now and then to feel better?"
Boom!
Massive chakra surged from Rasa, enveloping him in a gaseous aura. Sand and pebbles around him flew away, a small crater forming underfoot.
"Kazuki, don't push it!"
Rasa didn't want war—the Sand Village was too weak now.
But Kazuki's repeated insults to the village were too much.
"Only you can do it, but we can't even speak of it?"
Deep purple chakra erupted from Kazuki, overwhelming toward Rasa.
Chakra comparison?
Besides Magnet Release, what's noteworthy about you?
Oh, right—a black heart.
Rasa's ruthlessness even impressed Kazuki.
Turning his wife and son into tools? Unique among the five Kages.
Others might be ruthless, but not to their own family.
'Damn, this kid's chakra…' Rasa was shocked.
Seeing Rasa's grief-stricken face, Kazuki shook his head amusedly: "Kazekage, I represent Konoha standing here. My point: these disgusting acts are your doing, not Konoha provoking. If you dare, prepare to lose face. I, UchihaKazuki, don't fear your slander or retaliation. Worst case? War settles it. But you don't dare."
"Or…" Kazuki sized up Rasa: "We fight? You win, I leave, and your Sand Village can hop around freely. You lose, crawl back, and keep your ninjas away from Konoha's!"
No sooner said than done.
A skeletal giant hand wreathed in golden flames smashed toward Rasa.
"Damn it!"
Rasa's pupils contracted—this kid played dirty.
Boom!
A torrent of golden sand blocked Rasa. The golden hand crashed into the sand wall with a thunderous roar, scattering countless grains, which quickly returned to Rasa.
A fight broke out.
Konoha's camp ninjas poured out.
If Kazuki needed, they'd support immediately.
On the other side, sensing powerful chakra fluctuations—one from their Kazekage—the Sand ninjas rushed to aid.
Kazuki repelled Rasa with a punch, bones multiplying around him.
Soon, veins, armor covered the skeletal frame—a mature Susanoo towered over the border.
"Rasa!"
From within Susanoo, Kazuki said coldly: "If your Sand Village can't stop these disgusting antics, Konoha will respond in kind. And if your ninjas enter the Land of Fire without notice, I'll trouble you each time. Consider it: your village's mistakes, you as Kazekage pay for. Once, I hit you once."
Magnet Release?
Useless.
That kekkei genkai was just versatile—nothing special.
Outrageous!
The golden giant raised fists, pummeling Rasa. Rasa bolstered his Magnet defense, sending massive golden sand to cover Susanoo.
Boom!
Kazuki wasn't Uchiha Madara.
Madara, bored, showed off and got dragged out by Gaara's sand.
Kazuki wouldn't be that dumb.
Showboating fine, but not at the cost of a slap in the face.
Otherwise, the bigger the boast, the harder the fall.
Uchiha Madara and Uchiha Sasuke—two show-offs always getting humbled.
Weirdly, they'd start boasting again soon after.