The instant the barrier shattered, countless stars, carrying the force to destroy the world, hurtled straight toward Sunagakure. One sand-built structure after another collapsed beneath their impact. The stars punched through the sand caves, swallowing the civilians and shinobi still inside along with the falling rubble. They had no chance to fight back, not even time to cry out.
Rasa's entire body shuddered. His chakra was completely spent, and all strength seemed to drain from him as he slowly fell from the peak of the sand mountain, crashing heavily into the yellow sands and sending grains flying in every direction.
He struggled to open his eyes. He watched the Gold Dust barrier shatter completely, watched Sunagakure crumble into ruins beneath the stars, watched his clansmen get swallowed up one by one. The resolve in his eyes was instantly replaced by utter despair and guilt.
He reached out, wanting to grasp something, wanting to release Gold Dust once more, wanting to protect them one last time. But his arm was too heavy to lift. He didn't have even a shred of strength left.
He thought of Gaara, the child he had neglected since birth, the child Sunagakure had shunned. He thought of how he had failed in his duty as a father, and how he had failed to protect Sunagakure. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he murmured, "I'm sorry... Gaara... I'm sorry... Sunagakure..."
As his words faded, Rasa's eyes grew unfocused, and his breath vanished. His body was gradually covered by the endless yellow sands, as if he had never existed.
The Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure, the powerful wielder of Gold Dust, had fought with all his might and exhausted every last drop of chakra in his life. In the end, he could not hold back the