"Water Release: Liquid Bullet!"
It wasn't that Gamabunta's Water Release was weak, but the sheer volume of sand Rasa controlled was overwhelming.
The massive water bullets splashed into the advancing sand like drops of water in a desert, disappearing without a trace in an instant.
"Hey! Boss Toad! Your Water Release isn't working at all!" Naruto shouted angrily at the oncoming sandstorm.
Gamabunta, irritated by Naruto's yelling, snapped back, "Shut up! Who told you I could handle everything?!"
"With an enemy this strong, isn't it only natural that I can't handle it?"
"That's so lame," Naruto muttered.
"Shut up! You'd better think about how to survive this attack instead!" Gamabunta grumbled, the pipe in his mouth bobbing up and down with his frustration.
"Sand Waterfall Funeral!"
A deep male voice echoed across the battlefield. The golden sand, which had been advancing in waves, suddenly surged downward as if it had found its target.
The sky darkened, and the falling sand looked like a massive, clawed hand reaching down to engulf everything. From Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura's perspective, it was like the end of the world.
"Run!" Gamabunta grabbed Naruto in one hand and leaped backward with a powerful kick.
Rasa's abilities, while formidable, had their limits. His sand could only cover part of Amagakure; it was impossible to attack the entire village at once.
"Wait! Boss Toad!"
"What about Sasuke and Sakura?!" Naruto struggled in Gamabunta's grip, shouting in desperation.
Gamabunta glanced at him, annoyed. "Relax! Your two teammates are fine!"
Unbeknownst to Naruto, Sasuke had also summoned a massive, dark green snake, which was shielding both him and Sakura as they retreated.
"Wow! Sasuke, you have such an awesome summoning beast too!" Naruto's expression was a mix of surprise and jealousy. After all, if arrogant Sasuke could do this, then Naruto's earlier attempt to show off had been completely overshadowed.
"Idiot," Sasuke muttered, ignoring Naruto. He turned to the snake beneath him and commanded, "Take Sakura to safety, then let's go deal with the enemy."
Having undergone intense training under Orochimaru, Sasuke was equally confident in his abilities.
Amagakure wasn't just relying on Naruto and Sasuke. Although the village's top combatants were absent, many elite fighters remained.
For instance, Zabuza Momochi, members of the Xuanyuan Group, and former elite jonin from the major ninja villages—all formidable forces.
"You three kids, get to the rear. Leave this to us," Zabuza said, hefting his massive sword.
Hearing this, both Naruto and Sasuke frowned in displeasure.
"Hey! Eyebrow-less old man! I'm really strong, okay? Just look at Boss Toad!" Naruto protested.
"I hate being underestimated," Sasuke added coldly.
Zabuza studied the two for a moment. As a ninja who had survived the Bloody Mist era, he had little patience for coddling. While he despised the era's excessive cruelty, he believed that practical experience and exposure to danger were essential for growth.
He appreciated their determination and decided not to stop them. "Fine. Just be careful and don't die!"
With that, Zabuza led the charge into the enemy ranks, his sword gleaming in the dim light.
As a veteran fighter with considerable strength, Zabuza held a respected position in Amagakure.
"It's you, Rasa!"
As Zabuza and the others closed in, many recognized Rasa's identity.
Rasa, however, wore an arrogant expression. "A bunch of ants!"
Having received power from Mōryō, Rasa's mind had gradually succumbed to malice.
"You bastard! Don't get cocky!" Zabuza, ever hot-tempered, swung his Executioner's Blade directly at Rasa.
Thud!
The blade struck the sand but couldn't penetrate further.
Rasa smirked disdainfully. "Let me show you my true power!"
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!"
This time, Rasa manipulated his gold dust, shaping it into irregular forms that extended rapidly toward everyone present.
"Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!"
Several elite jonin skilled in Earth Release combined their efforts to erect a defensive wall, but it crumbled like paper against the gold dust.
"Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!"
"Lightning Release: False Darkness!"
Other elite jonin attempted to counter with Fire and Lightning Release techniques, but these high-level village defenders were as ineffective as genin—or at best, chunin—against Rasa's overwhelming power.
Clang!
Gamabunta deflected a sharp gold dust spike with his short sword. Seeing his movement range shrinking, he decided to go on the offensive.
"Those who can fight, follow me! Let's take out the enemy's main body!"
Leaping into the air, Gamabunta moved with surprising agility, weaving through the gold dust formations as he closed in on Rasa.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Wall!"
A golden barrier formed in front of Gamabunta, who struck it with his blade. Sparks flew, but the barrier held firm.
"Blue Snake!"
"Yes, Lord Sasuke!"
Unnoticed, Sasuke had maneuvered around to Rasa's rear on the back of his giant snake. With rapid hand seals, he unleashed a jutsu.
"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"
"Pathetic."
Rasa didn't even bother using his gold dust to defend. A small amount of regular sand sufficed to block the attack.
Despite his strength among his peers, Sasuke was still far from being a match for a Kage-level opponent.
Thud!
The snake's tail lashed out in a sneak attack but was also blocked by Rasa's sand. The sand then wrapped around the tail and crushed it with immense force.
"Sand Binding Coffin!"
Hiss!
The snake let out a pained cry as its tail was pulverized. It collapsed, unable to move.
Sasuke, distressed, said, "Blue Snake, retreat!"
The snake nodded, its voice filled with guilt. "I'm sorry, Lord Sasuke."
Although the snake withdrew, Amagakure's forces didn't relent. A middle-aged ninja from the Hōzuki Clan stepped forward, unleashing a powerful attack.
"Water Release: Water Severing Wave!"
A gold dust barrier appeared again, blocking the attack. Spikes emerged from the barrier, turning the Hōzuki ninja into a pincushion.
Fortunately, the Hōzuki Clan's unique water-based physiology allowed him to survive. Otherwise, he would have been killed instantly.
"Hmph! Your strength is nothing but—"
Rasa's taunt was cut short as he looked down, shocked, at a kunai piercing his heart.
Emerging from Rasa's shadow, Shadow Man revealed half of his body, a triumphant smile on his face. "On the battlefield, never let your guard down!"
"Indeed, never let your guard down!"
Rasa grabbed Shadow Man by the neck and laughed maniacally, shocking everyone around him.
"With Lord Mōryō's power, I am immortal!"
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