The future Third Kazekage died just like that, as silently as he would be assassinated decades later by Chiyo's grandson Sasori. After remaining hidden for so long, he had emerged to display his power, only to meet this end. He had died before his campaign could even begin.
Only after confirming that he was truly dead did Kazemori Masaki slowly exhale. Once again, as in the battle at the Grain Depot, he had nearly exceeded his limits using Sage Art, leaving a faint numbness in his body. Still, he felt it was worth it, for the price had bought the death of the strongest Kazekage.
Looking back, he saw the gathered iron sand slowly falling apart. Soon, everyone else would know what had happened here. Without the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release to further destroy their defenses, they should be able to secure their lines swiftly. Unless Sunagakure Ninja Shinobi Village could muster even greater fighting strength, it would have no choice but to retreat.
Kazemori Masaki cast a distant glance ahead. In his field of vision, ripples like ocean waves were approaching—the Land of Wind's regular samurai troops. Clearly, Sunagakure Ninja Village did not believe it could break through alone. Its plan must have been to throw the Land of Fire's defenses into chaos first, then have the regular samurai troops overrun them in one decisive push.
Now I just need to buy some time.
Kazemori Masaki thought this silently, taking a moment to regulate his breathing and ease the faint numbness. Then his figure flashed away and vanished.
The first to notice Zhenming's death was the Second Kazekage, who was closest to him. A wave of dizziness struck him, and panic stirred in his heart. Someone had actually killed Zhenming—and so quickly. Even as he grieved Zhenming's death, his