Chapter 88: Spinning a Tale Like a Master... But It’s Actually a Lie!

Kazuyama suddenly removed his shirt, leaving only a white half-sleeve. It wasn't that he wanted to keep the half-sleeve on, but the Four Symbols Seal on his chest couldn't be exposed. If anyone saw it, it would spell trouble.

"Damn, I should've brought more cloth bags if I knew I'd run into him," he muttered, frustration building. "Ugh, this is annoying. Look at how much money I've lost because of this!"

He tore his clothes into pieces and spread them on the ground. "Chōmei, get ready. I'll use the Wind Cutter Technique to cut the gold sand, and you'll use your chakra to sever its link with the caster."

"Okay!"

"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"

The blade of wind roared to life, its power undeniable. While Gold Sand had some defensive properties, it was far weaker than Iron Sand. With a swing of the wind blade, a large chunk of golden sand was instantly sliced off.

Kazuyama's reflexes were sharp—he swiftly wrapped the golden sand in a piece of cloth. "Chōmei, hurry!"

Chōmei's chakra burst forth, the crimson Tailed Beast chakra enveloping the golden sand. Without hesitation, Kazuyama performed another ninjutsu.

"Flying Thunder God Technique!"

In an instant, the sand wrapped in cloth disappeared, reappearing in a cave deep within the Land of Fire. The bundle hit the ground with a thud.

"Heh, it really works. Chōmei, let's keep going!" Kazuyama's grin widened. "Whether we get better meals later depends on this haul!"

As he prepared to continue, he suddenly slapped his forehead hard. "Why did I use my own clothes?!"

Quickly recovering, he formed a hand seal. "Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall!" A solid wall of earth rose before him, which he brought down just as quickly and placed in front of the Gold Sand Wall.

"Chōmei, let's keep it going!"

"Good!"

The Wind Cutter Technique appeared once more. This time, a massive chunk of golden sand shattered and scattered across the rocks, forming a pile that looked like a small mountain. Kazuyama stared at the mound, barely able to contain his laughter.

The crimson chakra surged again, wrapping around the golden sand. Another Flying Thunder God Technique sent the stones and sand to the same cave.

However, this repeated action didn't go unnoticed. Far away, Rasa sensed the disruption. His Magnet Release allowed him to control the gold, and when large amounts of it vanished suddenly, he couldn't ignore it.

"Someone's here…" Rasa murmured, his eyes narrowing. "They've disturbed my golden sand—clearly, they're no weakling." He turned sharply to his subordinate. "Umahara, take them out. Now!"

Feeling the direction of the disappearing gold, Rasa moved swiftly, heading toward the disturbance.

Meanwhile, Haru and Rinkaku, locked in a desperate battle, were momentarily stunned. They'd assumed Kazuyama had returned to the village.

"Damn it, I told him to retreat! Why hasn't he left yet?!"

The two struggled against their enemy, only to realize that Kazuyama hadn't just stayed behind—he'd gone and started a fight.

Damn it, a Sensor Type ninja... Does he even realize what he's doing?!

"Rinkaku, cover me!"

"Yes! Konoha-style Kenjutsu: Willow!"

Rinkaku sprang into action, blending Kenjutsu with Genjutsu in a seamless attack. The Genjutsu caused the enemy to perceive themselves surrounded by swirling, dancing leaves, momentarily disorienting them. Simultaneously, the technique bound their movements, allowing Rinkaku to exploit their blind spots and launch precise strikes, eliminating targets efficiently.

However, the enemy wasn't to be underestimated. While three of them were caught in the illusion, Umahara was quick to recognize the trap. Without hesitation, he stabbed his left hand with a kunai to snap himself out of the Genjutsu. Following his lead, the other Sunagakure Jōnin did the same.

The two freed Jōnin immediately moved to protect their allies, blocking Rinkaku's attacks while working to break the illusion binding their team.

"Fire Release: Great Flame Technique!"

A surge of fire erupted from Haru, forcing the Sunagakure ninjas into a defensive scramble. Without Rasa to shield them, the flames were harder to counter, and the group had no choice but to retreat hastily.

Seizing the opportunity, Haru and Rinkaku fell back. In the meantime, Kazuyama had managed to transport another large piece of golden sand. However, his success was short-lived.

The owner of the golden sand, Rasa, had arrived.

Rasa's sharp eyes took in the ninja before him, clad in a cat-faced mask. His expression hardened.

"Did you destroy my gold sand?"

"Hmph."

Rasa raised a hand, and the towering wall of golden sand behind him collapsed, reshaping into massive chunks of gold that swirled protectively around him like a shimmering shield.

"Tsk, tsk, quick-witted," Kazuyama muttered, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Unfortunately for you, my goal is already complete."

His words dripped with layered meaning. To Kazuyama, it meant he'd stolen enough gold and was ready to call it a day. But to Rasa, it sounded like a calculated ploy—a deliberate trap to lure him here while his comrades slipped away unnoticed.

Rasa's eyes narrowed as the implication sank in.

Internally, Kazuyama sighed. Damn it. Why does everyone insist on overanalyzing me? These guys all act like they've got psychic powers!

Still, he felt a flicker of relief. He'd moved fast enough to avoid being caught using the Tailed Beast's chakra. If Rasa—infamous as a Jinchūriki researcher—had seen that, it would've been a disaster.

"The famous heir to the Kazekage, Rasa," Kazuyama said, his voice taking on a taunting edge. "What brings you all the way to the Land of Fire?"

Kazuyama couldn't afford a fight, but he'd never lost a verbal sparring match. He spoke with as much confidence as he could summon, aiming to rattle his opponent.

As he expected, Rasa's expression turned serious.

Does he know about me? Rasa wondered, his mind racing. Impossible. Those two from earlier didn't even recognize me… I'm a hidden force of Sunagakure, just like Pakura. How could this masked ninja possibly know?

"Heh heh, you don't think Konoha doesn't know your identity, do you?"

Rasa's expression stayed stern, but the mocking tone struck a nerve.

"But since we've crossed paths, it'd be rude not to fight at least once," Kazuyama continued with a sly grin. "Let me experience the power of Magnet Release! Let's see just how far you are from the Third Kazekage!"

In an instant, Kazuyama's aura shifted, radiating an oppressive intensity fueled by Chōmei's influence. While he couldn't wield the Tailed Beast's chakra directly, he could release it within himself to amplify his presence, creating a palpable sense of danger.

Rasa's instincts screamed at him. Without hesitation, he surrounded himself with a shield of golden sand, his chakra reinforcing it to its maximum defense.

But in the blink of an eye, Kazuyama disappeared.

Rasa's sharp eyes darted around, searching, but even he couldn't follow the movement. For a split second, shock flickered across his face. This speed… it's unreal!

Defend! I must defend!

Pouring even more chakra into his sand, Rasa braced for the impact. Yet, the attack never came. Seconds passed, and confusion began to creep in.

Then, a sudden chorus of screams tore through the air.

The realization hit him like a hammer—I wasn't the target. The Jōnin behind him were. Kazuyama had outplayed him.

Rasa's blood boiled, fury overtaking him. "Damn you! How dare you deceive me!"

Meanwhile, Kazuyama was already in motion. He appeared silently behind a Sunagakure Jōnin who had been closing in on Rinkaku. In one swift motion, his right hand, glowing with razor-sharp wind chakra, pierced through the Jōnin's chest.

The man crumpled without even registering what had happened.

Kazuyama flung the lifeless body aside without a second thought. Moving with precision, he reached Rinkaku in an instant. A light touch to his ally's shoulder, and Rinkaku vanished in a flash.

Before anyone could react, Kazuyama was already at Haru's side. His hand brushed her shoulder, and he, too, disappeared into thin air.

The remaining Sunagakure Jōnin, led by Umahara, stood frozen, their eyes wide with disbelief. Even their sharp reflexes were no match for Kazuyama's impossible speed.

One thought consumed their minds: Damn it!!!

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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