Enlightenment

Several days later, at dusk, even the dust storms of the Land of Wind seemed to carry a grave, killing chill.

Sunagakure's current Kazekage, hailed as the strongest in history, had developed Hidden Sand Village's Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai to unprecedented heights.

The Third Kazekage, who could control chakra-infused Iron Sand, had finally arrived at the front lines in person.

His arrival was undoubtedly meant to salvage Hidden Sand Village's last shred of dignity and attempt to reclaim the sealed One-Tail.

Or at the very least, secure less disadvantageous bargaining chips at the negotiating table.

A small-scale clash limited to the highest-ranking members of both sides

inevitably took place in a desolate canyon far from the main battlefield.

On Leaf Village's side, the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, naturally handled it personally.

Tianyi, fortunate enough to watch from afar under Tsunade's lead, witnessed this battle.

He saw something completely different from the earlier battles against Tailed Beasts.

It was the art of a peak traditional ninjutsu duel.

Yes, the art of a duel.

The Third Kazekage truly lived up to his reputation. The Iron Sand he controlled contained a special magnetic force!

In his hands, the Iron Sand sometimes transformed into a black storm that blotted out the sky.

At other times, it condensed into countless fine needles capable of piercing anything.

And at still other times, it formed massive cubes or sturdy walls of shields, shifting endlessly between offense and defense.

He brought Magnet Release's control properties into full play, its power far surpassing Rasa's.

Every strike carried the sharpness and weight to slice through metal and shatter rock. Ordinary Kage-level fighters would likely struggle to withstand it.

However, the one facing him was Hiruzen Sarutobi, at the peak of his prime and known as the Professor of Ninjutsu.

This