"Hmph! Kid, you're in for it now!"
Tsuchikage, too proud to attack Kazama himself, smirked coldly as he watched his son, Kōtsuchi, make a move.
He knew the power of Kōtsuchi's Doton: Ganken (Earth Release: Rock Fist) all too well—anyone hit by it was either dead or gravely injured.
But he forgot one thing: Kazama had tanked a Tailed Beast Ball from the Nanabi (Seven-Tails).
Compared to a Tailed Beast's power, a mere rock fist was nothing.
Crack! With a sharp sound, Kōtsuchi's right fist, which had struck Kazama, shattered instantly.
Kōtsuchi collapsed in pain, writhing on the ground.
Kazama hadn't moved an inch.
Relying solely on his physical strength, he'd withstood Kōtsuchi's full-force attack.
The crowd, including Tsuchikage, was stunned.
Kōtsuchi was the most shocked of all. He'd defeated countless enemies with this technique before.
He thought even someone as strong as Kazama would at least be injured by his rock fist.
But not only was Kazama unscathed—Kōtsuchi himself ended up with a fractured arm.
Ding! Successfully absorbed Doton: Ganken. Congratulations, Host, for obtaining Doton: Chōjūgan no Ken! (Earth Release: Ultra-Heavy Rock Fist)
"Since you came at me, it's only polite to return the favor. I've heard of your reputation, Kōtsuchi. They say your Doton can tear the earth apart and shake mountains. So, let me show you a Doton of my own—please, enlighten me!"
While the crowd was still reeling from Kazama's terrifying durability, his right fist transformed into a rocky form.
And it looked even bigger than Kōtsuchi's rock fist.
"Doton: Chōjūgan no Jutsu!" (Earth Release: Ultra-Heavy Rock Technique)
"What?!"
Tsuchikage and Kōtsuchi were floored.
The Chōjūgan no Jutsu was a secret technique of Iwagakure!
As they stood there in shock, the ground beneath Kazama cratered under his immense weight.
"This… this is impossible!"
Even Tsuchikage couldn't help but marvel at how Kazama's Chōjūgan amplified his weight to such an extreme degree.
"Here it comes!"
Kazama's massive fist shot toward Kōtsuchi.
Tsuchikage knew if that punch connected, his son would be done for.
He quickly threw himself in front of Kōtsuchi.
"Doton: Chōkeigan no Jutsu!" (Earth Release: Ultra-Light Rock Technique)
Even though Tsuchikage reduced the weight of Kazama's fist, the sheer force of Kazama's monstrous strength sent both Tsuchikage and Kōtsuchi flying dozens of meters.
And that was Kazama holding back—he had no intention of killing them.
If he'd gone all out, Tsuchikage wouldn't have been able to block it.
"Not bad, kid. You've really impressed me!"
Though Tsuchikage had been knocked back again, his strength kept him uninjured.
But while his body was fine, his pride had been thoroughly crushed by Kazama.
The crowd could feel Tsuchikage's rage simmering.
Even Tsunade didn't know how to defuse the situation.
"Kid, you're a Konoha ninja, yet you're sticking your neck out for Oto-nin Village. Are you secretly in cahoots with them?"
Kazama smirked at Tsuchikage's words.
He knew Tsuchikage was trying to make everyone question his ties to Oto-nin Village.
If Kazama admitted he was the true leader of Oto-nin Village, Tsuchikage would accuse him of breaking the Martial Arts Tournament's rules, disqualifying both him and Oto-nin Village.
That would mean losing the first-place title he'd already secured.
Kazama wasn't falling for Tsuchikage's trap.
"The Yonbi (Four-Tails) Jinchūriki is my friend. Can't friends help each other out?"
"Fine! If you're so eager to stand up for your friend, I'll humor you. If you can survive one hit of my Jinton (Dust Release) and walk away alive, I'll give up on capturing the Yonbi Jinchūriki. How's that?"
"What? Tsuchikage, have you lost your mind?!"
"Tsuchikage! This is straight-up bullying!"
"Kazama, don't agree to his terms!"
Hokage Tsunade, Kazekage Gaara, Mizukage Terumī Mei, and Raikage A all shouted at Tsuchikage in protest.