Lin Cheng vs. Fourth Kazekage Rasa

Now that things had come to this.

Even for the sake of the Land of Fire and Konoha's reputation, the four of them had no choice but to fight!

But before Kakashi could grit his teeth and agree, Lin Cheng's movements made him stop.

Patting Kakashi on the shoulder, Lin Cheng chuckled. "I'll take this one! You're getting on in years, after all. Best not to overexert yourself. Wouldn't want you falling apart!"

With just that one remark, the atmosphere around them changed!

The grim-faced Kakashi and Tenzō both smiled beneath their masks.

The Sand shinobi, who had been looking so smug, instantly wore sour expressions!

Wasn't that a roundabout way of calling their Fourth Kazekage shameless?

He was old enough to know better, yet still had no shame about picking on the young!

"Heh. Young man, you've got quite a sharp tongue! Let's hope your skills are just as sharp!"

A cold glint flashed in his eyes as the Fourth Kazekage Rasa spoke with a smile.

"Don't worry, Lord Kazekage! My skills are much better than my clumsy tongue!"

Even with their masks on, the Sunagakure shinobi could sense the Konoha ninja's mockery.

"Damn you! You—"

"Quiet! The village's reputation isn't earned by talking! Stand down!"

"Yes, Lord Kazekage!"

Baki's eyes flashed with reluctance. He had been about to scold Lin Cheng, but immediately withdrew obediently.

"Heh. Young ninja of Konoha, let's begin! I'm looking forward to seeing what you can do!"

A deep murderous intent lurked in his eyes as the Fourth Kazekage Rasa smiled.

"As you wish, Lord Kazekage!"

Rasa wanted to kill Lin Cheng and the others. Was Lin Cheng not just as eager to get a look at Rasa's Magnet Release?

Without wasting time on probing attacks, Lin Cheng immediately used the Body Flicker Technique to appear behind Rasa, forcing him to defend with Magnet Release!

As a ninja who could freely switch between offense and defense with his techniques,

once he had used his Gold Dust ninjutsu to block his opponent's close-range attack, he naturally followed up with a counterattack!

The rising Gold Dust surged backward, threatening to engulf Lin Cheng and crush him.

"Young people can be so impulsive! Using the Body Flicker Technique right off the bat leaves you with no element of surprise!

Wasting the Body Flicker Technique like that is dangerous!"

Rasa's lips curled upward as he controlled the Gold Dust behind him and instantly wrapped it around Lin Cheng!

"Gold Dust Binding Coffin!"

Like Gaara's Sand Binding Coffin, countless grains of Gold Dust squeezed with all their might against Lin Cheng, trapped in the middle!

Seeing blood seep out from the Gold Dust, Rasa couldn't help but look pleased.

"Lord Kazekage seems a little too happy a bit too soon, doesn't he?"

A quiet voice rang out, and the smug expressions on the Sand shinobi's faces froze.

"You!"

Rasa quickly glanced to either side. Even he felt a chill run down his spine!

A thin trickle of water now seeped from the Gold Dust that had been wrapped around Lin Cheng, while the blood they had seen had already vanished.

As for Lin Cheng, whom they had thought dead, he slowly emerged from the crowd of Sand shinobi.

"Sorry, Lord Kazekage. Looks like you were celebrating too soon! To be honest, Magnet Release is really interesting!"

"A prodigy who can use the Body Flicker Technique repeatedly?"

His look of shock faded, and Rasa fixed a grave stare on Lin Cheng.

Before engaging again, he gave an order.

"Everyone, fall back!"

"Yes, Lord Kazekage!"

Seeing the Fourth Kazekage take that stance, all the Sand shinobi immediately retreated at full speed!

The Fourth Kazekage Rasa was renowned as a powerful ninja whose attacks covered a vast area!