Hatake Sakumo's Equal Treatment

Extortion?

Ōnoki could not stomach such an insult. He clapped his hands together and pulled them apart in front of his chest, a gesture somewhat similar to the Neo Tri-Beam of Tien Shinhan.

Chakra surged forth, gathering between his palms to form the Atomic Dismantling Jutsu, a Dust Release Cube capable of breaking down the vast majority of matter into atomic form.

Its attack power is peerless in the Shinobi World, capable of bypassing even a Susanoo, and its activation speed is incredibly fast—taking less than two seconds to condense the cube and completely disintegrate an opponent.

Compared to high-level ninjutsu that require dozens of hand seals, it was leagues faster.

Unfortunately, someone was faster than Ōnoki.

Rasa pointed his fingers like a sword, aiming for Ōnoki's throat while simultaneously channeling his Electromagnetic Force.

The iron Iwagakure forehead protector on Kitsuchi's forehead suddenly flew off, its edges sharpened by the Electromagnetic Force until they were like blades, streaking rapidly toward Ōnoki's throat.

Just as Rasa's fingers reached Ōnoki's throat, the forehead protector arrived in perfect sync; one end was pinched between his fingers, while the sharper opposite end pressed firmly against Ōnoki's neck.

At this moment, the wind-up for the Atomic Dismantling Jutsu had not yet been completed.

Silence fell.

The hair on the back of Ōnoki's neck stood on end, cold sweat breaking out as his mind raced: Magnet Release... Magnet Release...

Kekkei Genkai have the potential to evolve; just like the Sharingan of Konohagakure, this brat's Kekkei Genkai must have evolved!

Iron Sand, Gold Dust, the forehead protector—these were all metal. The Red-Hair's current Magnet Release must have evolved into a higher-level existence capable of directly manipulating metal.

If the forehead protector was iron, what about shuriken or kunai?

Ōnoki dared not think further. He only knew that from this moment on, he—who had been so full of confidence—was already in grave danger.

He had been too careless, thinking that possessing Dust Release allowed him to look down on the Shinobi World, never expecting to stumble today.

Kitsuchi had been following him the whole time, and the forehead protector had been on his head; this meant Rasa had many opportunities to strike, and the success rate would have been extremely high.

Ōnoki's eyes went dull, his chakra dissipated, and his hands dropped listlessly. He never imagined that today, he would be taught a lesson by a junior.

Never underestimate any ninja.

Rasa released the forehead protector, channeling his Electromagnetic Force to twist it back into a cylindrical shape before it flew straight down, piercing the table and embedding itself deep into the ground.

This display made it clear to Ōnoki once again that Rasa truly had a high chance of killing him.

Rasa returned to his seat and began fiddling with the tea set, saying softly, "I said before, you could try."

"It seems that, at least within five paces, my Magnet Release is faster than your Dust Release."

Ōnoki remained silent. For a ninja, speed of execution is synonymous with life. What good is having the most powerful attack in the Shinobi World if you fall before you can even launch it?

With a sigh, he sat back down and ordered Kitsuchi, who stood to the side: "Go to the border and find our stationed troops."

"Take half of the ninja tools and supplies they are carrying and bring them here."

"But Father..." Kitsuchi hesitated. If he left, what would happen to Ōnoki's safety?

Moreover, 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 I, a Kage-level powerhouse, need your protection?"

Ōnoki glared, scolding, "The border troops are the true guarantee of my life."

"Judging by the trick that brat just showed, if he really wanted to assassinate me, he would have had a high chance of success, but he didn't. That means they are genuinely negotiating, and the army at the border is no longer needed."

Rasa smiled and added, "We are only seeking wealth. We are gentlemen, unlike those low-class bastards from the Land of Lightning."

Kitsuchi thought it over and realized the logic, then hurried off toward the border.

With the cards on the table and Rasa having truly proven his strength, Ōnoki no longer held a shred of contempt, viewing Rasa as a powerhouse on his own level.

With nothing better to do, they chatted idly. Rasa's snide remark about the Land of Lightning earned him a measure of approval from Ōnoki.

"Your Magnet Release is indeed impressive, but it only achieves such an unexpected effect the first time it is used."

"Brat, be careful next time we meet. Even if I have to sacrifice ten thousand ninjas, I will take your life."

Ōnoki said calmly. Rasa's Kekkei Genkai posed too great a threat to ordinary ninjas. In his view, there were only two ways to take Rasa down.

First, a Kage-level powerhouse would have to strike personally—though victory wasn't guaranteed, as Roshi had already failed. Second, a human-wave tactic; manipulating large amounts of metal simultaneously would surely place a greater burden on his mind and body.

Rasa smiled without answering, pulling Pakura, who was standing guard nearby, to sit beside him.

With a beauty in his arms, he showed off to Ōnoki once more—after all, Ōnoki was at an age where he was willing but unable.

It wasn't exactly envy; Ōnoki wasn't a man who lusted after beauty, but that was no reason to flaunt it in his face.

Rasa picked a grape from the fruit platter, peeled it, and fed it to the somewhat reserved and uneasy Pakura, then turned to complain, "We agreed not to bring too many guards."

"I only brought my fiancée. Tsuchikage, you aren't being fair, keeping a massive army at the border. Do you really distrust the integrity of our Sunagakure?"

Pakura blushed deeply as she swallowed the grape.

Watching the young couple show off their affection, Ōnoki felt stifled and retorted sarcastically, "We are both the same."

"You brat even contacted the Land of Lightning to exert pressure on us, forcing us to agree to your terms. That doesn't exactly make you a gentleman either."

"In my opinion, you must have also deployed a large army along the border of the Land of Wind."

Rasa shook his finger slightly, narrowing his eyes as he denied it: "No, no. Once troops are mobilized, they consume a massive amount of supplies. We in Sunagakure are not as wealthy as you."

"I simply arranged for someone to be by Roshi's side. If they don't see me after one day, they will pack Roshi up and send him to the Land of Lightning."

"I believe the Raikage will not let this opportunity to invade the Land of Earth slip by. Even if I die, at least there will be someone to avenge me."

Ōnoki: ...

Damn it, he's even more ruthless than I imagined. If this brat becomes the Kazekage, Sunagakure will not be so easy to deal with.

A few hours later, Kitsuchi returned and handed the collected supplies to Rasa.

Rasa took the goods, pulled a slip of paper from his robes, and handed it to Ōnoki, saying: "Roshi is at this inn in the small town outside the city."

"I shall take my leave now. Rest assured, if you don't find Roshi, you are more than welcome to lead your troops to attack Sunagakure."

With that, he took Pakura by the arm and strolled away from the scene.

Ōnoki clutched the note, his heart in turmoil. There was truly no truth in this brat's mouth; didn't he just say he was in the city?

After a long while, he let out a faint sigh and ordered: "When we return to the village, remind me to issue a new regulation."

"From now on, if any ninja in the village encounters Rasa while on a mission, they will face no punishment for abandoning it."

[Seeking recommendation tickets]

Seeking recommendation tickets... The second arc is finished for now. Care to guess what the next arc will be?