As one of the top candidates for the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa's strength was indeed formidable. When he saw the Sand camp overrun by enemy forces, rage surged through him.
This war was more than just a battle — it was the foundation of his bid to become Kazekage. With the camp captured, his qualifications were at risk. Failure was not an option.
He clenched his fists, and without hesitation, unleashed his Magnet Release: Gold Dust — a unique kekkei genkai that allowed him to manipulate gold particles using magnetic forces.
From the cracked earth, shimmering gold dust surged upward, forming lethal waves that raced toward the invading Konoha shinobi — particularly the Uchiha clan squad.
"What is this!? Magnet Release!?"
"Use Fire Release — melt that dust!"
The Uchiha ninjas, led by Uchiha En, quickly coordinated a counterattack. A barrage of Fire Release jutsu swept across the battlefield, engulfing the gold dust in roaring flames.
"It's working!"
Uchiha En's eyes lit up as he saw the gold melting under the intense heat. However, his relief was short-lived.
The molten gold did not vanish — it regathered, reforming into another deadly wave, now even more viscous and swift.
"Damn it! It's reforming!"
"Everyone, move!"
Uchiha En leapt away just in time, but several comrades were not so fortunate. They were struck by the dense gold dust and sent flying, severely injured.
"My Gold Dust is heavier and denser than ordinary sand," Rasa said coldly, standing atop a rise of terrain, arms spread in command. "Even if you melt it, it cools and reforms. You won't stop it."
"Your Fire Release is meaningless."
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!"
A massive tidal wave of gold dust erupted from the ground, crashing toward the remaining Uchiha like a sandstorm forged from molten metal.
"Tch—no way to dodge this...!"
"It's over—!"
Just as the wave was about to crush them, a thunderous voice rang out:
"Yasaka Magatama!"
From above, Uchiha Byakuya's complete Susanoo hurled three spinning magatama — chakra projectiles glowing with ethereal light.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The shockwaves from the impact ripped apart the incoming wave of gold dust, dispersing it into harmless particles.
"We're alive…!"
"It's Lord Byakuya!"
"He saved us!"
The Uchiha survivors looked at him with awe. If not for Byakuya's timely arrival, they would have been buried beneath Rasa's golden torrent.
"Fall back," Byakuya said, his Susanoo towering over the battlefield. "I'll deal with him."
He turned his gaze toward the golden-clad shinobi.
Rasa. The future Fourth Kazekage. But to Byakuya, that future had already ended.
"You must be Uchiha Byakuya," Rasa said, narrowing his eyes. "The commander of the Konoha force."
"That's right," Byakuya replied with calm detachment.
"Perfect," Rasa growled. "If I defeat you here, your forces will crumble. Konoha's offensive ends today!"
Byakuya looked at Rasa with visible disdain.
"Hmph. Whether you're truly capable… we'll see soon enough."
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!"
With a cold snort, Rasa raised both hands. Instantly, a massive volume of gold dust surged into the air, condensing into a giant golden cube that hurtled toward Byakuya with crushing force.
The ground quaked beneath its weight.
"Boom!"
The golden cube struck Byakuya dead-on, sending a shockwave through the battlefield.
"Did it… work?" Rasa muttered, frowning as he stared into the dust cloud. That hit had landed squarely—he had used a massive amount of chakra, and not even the Third Kazekage had withstood an attack like that unscathed.
But then—
A massive skeleton hand erupted from the cloud of gold dust, gripping the golden cube tightly. The cube stopped mid-air. The dust dispersed, revealing a giant skeletal construct cloaked in blue ethereal chakra.
It was the first stage of Susanoo, radiating overwhelming power.
Within its protective ribs stood Byakuya, completely unharmed.
"So this is your big move? Weak."
With a flick of Susanoo's arm, Byakuya hurled the cube back toward the Sand shinobi camp.
"BOOM!"
The golden cube crashed down among the startled Suna-nin, causing devastating casualties. Screams echoed as many were crushed before they could even react.
Byakuya smirked mockingly. "Oops. My hand slipped… I may have accidentally killed quite a few of your own men, Kazekage candidate."
"You bastard!!" Rasa's fury exploded. His chakra surged violently as he glared at Byakuya.
At that moment, Byakuya's strange ability activated—drawing strength from emotion.
[Detected strong emotional fluctuation: Rasa's rage. Acquired +1000 negative energy → Chakra +100]
[Rasa's fury intensifies. Acquired +2000 negative energy → Ninjutsu +100]
[Overflow of hostile intent detected. Acquired +3000 negative energy → Unlocking Kekkei Genkai: Magnet Release]
A foreign chakra began coursing through Byakuya's body—dense, metallic, and magnetic.
"…Interesting," he muttered as his palm shimmered with the same magnetic aura as Rasa's Gold Dust.
"Looks like I've just inherited your bloodline… Kazekage."
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