Trying to raise the price?
Ōnoki couldn't stomach this insult. He brought his hands together, then spread them apart in front of his chest, making a gesture somewhat like Tien Shinhan's Neo Tri-Beam.
Chakra surged forth and gathered between his hands—the Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique, capable of breaking down nearly any object into its constituent atoms.
Its destructive power stood at the pinnacle of the Shinobi World. Even Susanoo couldn't block it, and it was incredibly fast to cast. In less than two seconds, he could form a Dust Release Cube and completely disintegrate his opponent.
It was far faster than high-level jutsu that required dozens of hand seals.
Unfortunately, someone was faster than Ōnoki.
Rasa joined his index and middle fingers like a sword and pointed them at Ōnoki's throat, while simultaneously activating the Electromagnetic Force.
The iron Iwagakure Forehead Protector on Kitsuchi's brow suddenly came loose. The Electromagnetic Force squeezed its edges until they were as sharp as blades, then sent it flying toward Ōnoki's throat.
As Rasa's two fingers reached the space in front of Ōnoki's throat, the Forehead Protector arrived as well. One end was caught between Rasa's fingers, while the sharper end pressed against Ōnoki's throat.
And at that moment, the buildup for the Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique was still incomplete.
Silence fell.
The hairs on Ōnoki's back stood on end, and cold sweat broke out across his skin. His thoughts raced. Magnet Release... Magnet Release...
Kekkei Genkai could evolve. Take Konohagakure's Sharingan, for example. This brat's Kekkei Genkai had definitely evolved!
Iron Sand, Gold Dust, Forehead Protectors—they were all metals. This Red-Hair's Kekkei Genkai must have evolved into something on a higher level, allowing him to control metal directly.
If the Forehead Protector was made of iron, then what about Shuriken and Kunai?
Ōnoki didn't dare think about it. He only knew that, ever since a moment ago, he had been in danger, despite his confidence.
He had been too careless. He'd thought that having Dust Release meant he could look down on the entire Shinobi World. He hadn't expected to stumble today.
Kitsuchi had been by his side the whole time, with his Forehead Protector on his brow. That meant Rasa had had plenty of chances to attack him—and a very good chance of succeeding.
Ōnoki's eyes went vacant. His chakra dissipated, and his hands fell limply to his sides. He couldn't believe a junior had just taught him a lesson.
Never underestimate any shinobi.
Rasa released the Forehead Protector and used the Electromagnetic Force to twist it back into a cylinder. It flew straight down, pierced the tabletop, and sank completely into the ground.
That action made it clear to Ōnoki once again that Rasa had indeed had a very good chance of killing him.
Rasa sat back down and began fiddling with the tea set. "I told you just now that you could try.
"From what I can see, at least within five paces, my Magnet Release is faster than your Dust Release."
Ōnoki said nothing. For a shinobi, the speed of an attack was tantamount to life itself. So what if Dust Release's destructive power outclassed the entire Shinobi World?
He hadn't even gotten a move out before he'd been taken down. What was the point?
With a sigh, he sat back down and ordered Kitsuchi, who was standing nearby, "Go to the border and find the troops stationed there.
"Take half of the weapons and supplies they're carrying and bring them here."
"But, Father..." Kitsuchi hesitated. What would happen to Ōnoki's safety if he left?
Besides, the border troops were Ōnoki's second line of defense. As long as Ōnoki wasn't ambushed and killed instantly, the troops would have enough time to react and rush over to rescue him.
"But what? Do you really think a Kage-level powerhouse like me needs your protection?"
Ōnoki glared at him, his beard bristling. "The troops at the border are what truly guarantee my safety.
"Judging by what this kid just showed us, if he really wanted to assassinate me, he'd have a very good chance of succeeding. But he didn't do it.
"That means they're negotiating in good faith. The army at the border is useless now."
Rasa smiled and added, "We're only after money. We're gentlemen, unlike those uncouth bastards from the Land of Lightning."
Kitsuchi thought it over and realized that made sense. He hurried off toward the border.
Now that everything was out in the open, and Rasa had truly proven his strength, Ōnoki no longer held even the slightest contempt for him. He regarded Rasa as a powerhouse on the same level as himself.
With nothing better to do, they chatted for a while. Rasa's jab at the Land of Lightning earned him a measure of Ōnoki's respect.
"Your Magnet Release is indeed impressive, but it'll only have the element of surprise the first time you use it.
"Kid, watch yourself next time we meet. Even if I have to sacrifice ten thousand shinobi, I'll make sure you don't leave alive," Ōnoki said coolly. Rasa's Kekkei Genkai posed too great a threat to ordinary shinobi. As Ōnoki saw it, there were only two ways to take him down.
The first was to send a Kage-level powerhouse after him. That might not be enough to win; Roshi, at least, had failed. The second was to use overwhelming numbers. Controlling so much metal at once would surely take a greater toll on both his mind and body.
Rasa smiled but didn't answer. Instead, he pulled Pakura, who had been standing guard nearby, over to sit beside him.
With a beauty in his arms, he showed off to Ōnoki again. After all, Ōnoki was at an age when he could do little about it.
It wasn't that Ōnoki envied him. He wasn't a man who lusted after beauty, but that wasn't a reason to flaunt it in front of him.
He picked a grape from the fruit plate, peeled it, and popped it into Pakura's mouth. She seemed a little shy and not quite at ease. Rasa turned and complained, "You promised not to bring too many guards.
"I only brought my fiancée, but you, Tsuchikage, aren't playing fair. You even stationed an army at the border. Do you really trust the people of Sunagakure so little?"
Pakura blushed and swallowed the grape.
Watching the couple show off their affection, Ōnoki felt utterly miserable. He scoffed, "We're even.
"You even contacted the Land of Lightning and used that to pressure us, forcing us to accept your terms. That hardly makes you a gentleman.
"In my opinion, you must have stationed an army at the border of the Land of Wind, too."
Rasa waggled a finger and shook his head. "No, no. Moving troops consumes a great deal of supplies, and Sunagakure isn't as wealthy as your village.
"I just had someone stationed near Roshi. If I haven't shown up by tomorrow, they'll pack Roshi up and deliver him to the Land of Lightning.
"I'm sure the Raikage won't pass up a chance to invade the Land of Earth. Even if I die, at least someone will avenge me."
Ōnoki: ...
Damn, he was even more ruthless than I'd imagined. If this kid became Kazekage, Sunagakure would be a lot harder to deal with.
A few hours later, Kitsuchi returned and handed Rasa the supplies he'd gathered.
Rasa took the goods, pulled a slip of paper from his robes, and handed it to Ōnoki. "Roshi is at this inn in the town outside the city.
"I'll take my leave. Don't worry—if you can't find Roshi, you can always lead your troops to attack Sunagakure."
With that, he took Pakura by the arm and strolled away.
Ōnoki clutched the slip of paper, his thoughts churning. This kid really hadn't told the truth. Hadn't he just said Roshi was in the city?
After a long while, he let out a quiet sigh and gave an order. "When we get back to the village, remind me to issue a rule.
"From now on, any shinobi from our village who encounters Rasa while on a mission may abandon the mission without being punished."
Before you continue