A sneak attack from behind was useless. Eight shinobi clashed with half-transformed Gaara, ninjutsu bursting, sand flying.
The canyon roared with violence. Beneath the storm, screams echoed.
"What's happening? Why is it like this?"
Beside Shigeo, Kankurō clenched his fists and shouted. He turned to the five impostors stuffed in the rocks, his face twisted with fury.
"You tricked me! Why hasn't the sealing started? Shigeo, you liar! You swore your sealing arts were the best in the ninja world. You said if you acted, my brother would be fine. But he's already injured three, and the seal still hasn't triggered. You'll get him killed!"
Kankurō raged. But there was no time for blame. He swung back to the canyon, his whole body taut.
"You… you… can you help me?" Suddenly he turned to Shigeo. "Save my brother. My father wants him dead. I overheard it a month ago. In the elders' council, they discussed it. First my uncle was to try. If he failed, they'd strike here. I'm afraid of him too… but he's my brother. My mother gave her life for him."
Shigeo lowered his gaze on the stubborn boy. One who rarely spoke had spilled so much for his brother.
"Fine. I'll save him." Shigeo's voice was quiet. He had come for Shukaku anyway. This was no extra burden.
"You… can you really do it?" Kankurō's doubt lingered. He'd seen the Magnet Release yesterday, but still… hope came only when desperate.
"Don't trust me? I'm far more reliable than those five."
Shigeo stepped from behind the rocks.
Kankurō grabbed his own tunic in panic. "You—you're just walking out there? My father's on that ridge. He's the Fourth Kazekage!"
Shigeo ignored him, walking forward.
On the mountain, Rasa spotted the cloaked figure. A ninja. His stride calm, unaffected by the raging battle. No sign of hesitation.
Why here? Because in this canyon, no villagers would die. Quiet, no interference.
But who was this outsider?
Whoever he was, Rasa would not allow him to interfere. This required swift resolution.
He leapt down from the ridge. Below, Gaara had already completed full transformation. Of the eight jōnin, some were maimed, some dead.
Rasa prepared to act himself.
His fūinjutsu was famed across the shinobi world. He had sealed Shukaku many times into a black pot, had suppressed Gaara's transformations before.
But he could not remain at Gaara's side forever. He was Kazekage. Military head of Wind Country, leader of Sunagakure. He must think for the village.
So now—Gaara, young and already slaughtering, unable to control the beast. What would happen when he grew older? What cost would the village pay?
All of it he had to consider.
"Jiton (Magnet Release), Satetsu no Yari (Gold Dust Spear)!"
From the sky, massive golden spears fell as he descended, aiming for the One-Tail.
Kankurō turned away, squatting, sobbing. One father. One brother. The sight tore him apart.
Gaara's sand shield shattered under the strike.
The One-Tail howled and surged fully, its starry pupils gleaming in yellow sclera. Its armored fur blended with the gravel flats. Its huge tail lashed, thick and plated with brown streaks.
It charged. Rasa knew its attacks well.
"Jiton, Satetsu no Sōsō (Gold Dust Burial)!"
His eyes took in all, his ears sharp. He saw the wandering ninja rushing closer. He would not let anyone else touch the beast.
He would bury Gaara in gold dust, then seal Shukaku. His son would die.
Why not seal instantly? First, because Gaara's body held Shukaku. Second, the stranger approaching. Sealing required time. Judging by distance and speed, he would not finish before the man arrived. Better to smother the beast, then stabilize with a simple seal.
The gravel plain became a golden sea. Shukaku raged, trying to form a bijūdama, but stumbled, dragged under by sand.
"Zenhō Fūin (Full Seal)!"
Rasa leapt to safe distance, slamming his hands to earth. A massive sealing formula spread across the golden pit.
He turned, tall, imposing, waiting for the rushing stranger.
Shigeo had not hurried because he saw the One-Tail's full state. His system had begun copying Shukaku's form. Five seconds required.
He timed his run. As the mirror finished, he reached Rasa.
"Who are you, and why are you here?"
Rasa's voice thundered. His aura weighed heavy, a leader's force.
"Me? Call me Mokushōen. Or A-Mo." Shigeo tilted his head, then looked past him at the golden pit. "You really mean to kill him? He's your son."
The words struck like a blade. Rage exploded across Rasa's face. To expose patricide—unforgivable. His brow hardened. Sand and gold flared at his side, surging toward Shigeo.
(End of Chapter)
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