Declining the Kazekage Position

The earth-shattering duel in the desert had come to an end, but the terrifying traces of battle that had reshaped the terrain, along with the final image of that steel giant wrapped in mysterious fluorescent patterns and radiating a divine majesty, were deeply etched into the hearts of every Sunagakure civilian and ninja who had watched.

The deathly silence lasted for a long time before it was finally replaced by cries of shock and uproar like a landslide and tsunami.

Shaye... won?

Minister Shaye defeated the Fourth Kazekage?!

In such an inconceivable, unprecedented way?!

The enormous shock shattered everyone's understanding. They had witnessed the birth of a legend—a mere fifteen-year-old boy who, with Puppet Technique far beyond his era and an almost miraculous command of Magnet Release, had defeated the Fourth Kazekage head-on at the height of his power, a man with Kage Level strength!

Within the massive crater, the torrent of black Iron Sand binding Rasa slowly dispersed. Rasa landed back on the ground, his steps unsteady and his face pale—not because his injuries were severe, but because of the mental blow and his disbelief. He watched Shaye lightly leap down from the Gundam's shoulder as the unnerving natural energy patterns around it gradually faded. His expression was incomparably complicated: shock, defeat, confusion, before finally turning into a long sigh filled with endless exhaustion.

He had lost, utterly and completely. In the field he was proudest of, he had been thoroughly crushed. At that moment, the title of Sunagakure's strongest fighter changed hands without dispute.

Shaye walked up to Rasa and bowed slightly. "Lord Kazekage, thank you for going easy on me."

His tone was calm, without a victor's arrogance, carrying only his usual composure.

Rasa looked at the young man before him and opened his mouth, but in