Minato Namikaze

"Glad it wasn't that kid..." After using the unique Substitution Technique he developed, Orochimaru had avoided the combined attack of two Kage-level powerhouses, but his own condition had worsened again.

After all, while this Substitution Technique had a higher success rate than the ordinary Five Elements Substitution Technique and could even heal his own injuries, its drawback was the significant amount of Chakra it consumed.

Orochimaru still had sticky liquid from using the Substitution Technique on his body, making his appearance somewhat disgusting.

But he felt fortunate that it wasn't that Gold Dust kid. Otherwise, his Gold Dust attack would definitely have been accompanied by a Sealing Technique, and in that situation, it would have been much more difficult for him to use the Substitution Technique.

"Hmph! The power of your Magnet Release seems inferior to that of a junior from your village..." Orochimaru reappeared from the side, looking at Rasa dozens of meters away with disdain in his eyes.

"Hmph!" Rasa frowned, his face showing displeasure.

He had long felt that Souya's reputation was growing. Both were users of "Magnet Release: Gold Dust," but nowadays, when people mentioned Magnet Release, they often spoke of the Third Kazekage and that young Magnet Release expert...

As someone who had guided Souya, Rasa naturally felt uneasy.

However, at the beginning of the battle, when he followed the Kazekage to the Land of Stone, he ran headfirst into the ninja forces of the Land of Earth.

Not only did he fail to showcase his skills, but he was also in a rather sorry state under the Third Tsuchikage's Dust Release. If the Kazekage hadn't rescued him, he probably would have lost his life in the Land of Stone.

After recuperating for a long time, he was finally able to go on a mission again. Naturally, he wanted to make a name for himself and let other ninja villages know that Sunagakure's Magnet Release ninja were not just two!

"How's the power? You'll know if you try!" Rasa said coldly.

He formed several hand seals and raised his hands. The ground instantly surged with a wave of Gold Dust, rolling towards Orochimaru.

Orochimaru let out a cold laugh, then formed hand seals and pressed his body down to the ground.

Bang!

Three dark gray giant snakes, each over ten meters long, suddenly appeared in front of Orochimaru. They either swung their tails or used their bodies to block the wave of Gold Dust.

These giant snakes not only blocked Rasa's wave of Gold Dust but also continuously moved forward, like water snakes swimming against the current.

Rasa, with a grim expression, changed his hand seals. The surging Gold Dust instantly condensed into several thick, long golden spears, which shot towards the three giant snakes.

"Hiss!"

The golden spears pierced directly into the bodies of the giant snakes. Blood gushed out with the impact. In pain, the giant snakes writhed more violently, their crazed expressions becoming more pronounced.

As the giant snakes got slightly closer to Rasa, a dangerous glint flashed in Orochimaru's eyes, and he abruptly formed hand seals.

"Evil Snake Arm Explosion!"

The three giant snakes suddenly leaped forward, opening their massive mouths. They allowed the Gold Dust to pour into their mouths without any intention of retreating.

At the same time, the bodies of the three giant snakes suddenly swelled as if they were being inflated.

Rasa's expression changed slightly. He sensed danger and, in his haste, could only press his hands to the ground. A wall of Gold Dust rose, obscuring his figure.

As soon as he finished this, the bodies of the three giant snakes exploded with a boom!

Foul-smelling blood and flesh splattered everywhere. The powerful blast wave was mixed with purple venom, which hissed and crackled upon contact with the Gold Dust wall.

"Wind Style: Great Breakthrough!"

Orochimaru seized the opportunity to attack, spitting out a gust of wind that howled towards Rasa.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

An ordinary Wind Style ninjutsu, when performed by Orochimaru, was like a high-pressure wind cannon, making even the air scream.

The Gold Dust on the ground was directly blown away in a layer. The pitted Gold Dust wall in front of Rasa only held for a moment before it shattered. Rasa, in shock and anger, was swept into the air by the hurricane.

When everything subsided, the ground was a mess. A large area in front looked as if it had been scoured by countless wind blades.

But Orochimaru's eyes remained fixed on the figure suspended in mid-air.

"Having the ability to fly seems pretty good..." A curious light appeared in Orochimaru's eyes. After all, in a ninja world where flight abilities were extremely rare, Sunagakure had produced three ninja who mastered Magnet Release consecutively.

Rasa was now standing on a cushion of gold, suspended in mid-air, his body slightly hunched. There was a crimson wound at his waist.

After confirming that the injury was not serious, he raised his hands again. This time, he would not be careless and planned to engage the enemy while standing on the gold cushion.

Whoosh!

The Gold Dust around Orochimaru's location condensed again, intending to trap Orochimaru in the center.

On the other side of the battlefield, the Third Kazekage, fanning his wide Iron Sand wings, charged forward relentlessly. Fine, dense Iron Sand needles continuously rained down from above.

Under the orderly charge of the Sand Ninja, the Konoha ninja stationed at Kikyo Mountain were dwindling, and their morale was already quite low.

Just as the Third Kazekage gazed at the towering mountain peak before him, envisioning tearing open a large swathe of Land of Fire territory.

He suddenly heard the cheers of the Konoha ninja.

"Sorry, everyone, I'm late..." A handsome young man with blond hair and blue eyes, wearing a Jonin vest over a blue tight-fitting suit and a Konoha forehead protector, suddenly appeared in the forest. Sunlight filtered through the lush green leaves, falling upon him.

This young ninja, with a gentle smile, seemed to radiate a warmth like the sun.

"Lord Minato is here! We're saved!"

"That's right! Lord Minato!"

"Lord Minato, you're finally here..."

The remaining dozen or so Konoha ninja gathered around Minato. Only by standing behind this legendary figure could their anxious hearts finally be put at ease.

Minato scanned the Konoha ninja, each bearing injuries to varying degrees. Some had tears welling in their eyes, tears of relief after surviving.

"All you need to do is throw these kunai with all your might towards the enemy. The rest is up to me!" Minato's voice flowed into their parched hearts like the sweet, tinkling sound of a clear stream.

As he spoke, Minato took off the backpack from his shoulders and pulled out dozens of specially designed kunai. The handles were inscribed with the runes of the Sword of Ninja Love.

The edges of the special kunai, resembling short swords, glinted with a bright, cold light.

"You're Minato Namikaze, aren't you?"

The Third Kazekage spread his Iron Sand wings and dived towards Minato, kicking up a gust of dusty air that forced the Konoha ninja opposite to shield their eyes.