Sasori Makes His Move

Rasa usually traveled with an Anbu squad. Moreover, this time he was going to meet the Daimyo. He did not believe he would run into any trouble within the Land of Wind.

The matter involving the Yasunori Trading Company had always been kept strictly confidential in Sunagakure. In such a short time, Daimyo Manor could not possibly have received the news and made preparations. Rasa also wanted to settle matters at Daimyo Manor as quickly as possible, then return to finalize the alliance agreement with the Yasunori House Head.

However, while Rasa was traveling through the desert, he suddenly encountered four people blocking his path.

The four wore identical Black Cloud Cloaks, and the forehead protectors on their heads bore the marks of rogue ninja. Their original Ninja Villages were not the same, either.

"An eight-hundred-million bounty. I won’t hold back."

After Kakuzu spotted Rasa, he could not wait to make his move. His opponent was one of the current Five Kage, so Kakuzu intended to summon all four Earth Grudge Fear masks from the start and eliminate the Fourth Kazekage as quickly as possible.

"Rogue ninja? I don’t know who hired you, but the Land of Wind is not a place for rats like you."

Rasa spoke coldly. The Anbu at his side instantly moved in front of him, shielding Rasa.

Kakuzu tore off his cloak and said to Rasa, "I hope you can still talk that tough in a moment."

"Kakuzu-san, let me test the Fourth Kazekage’s strength first."

Kisame Hoshigaki held Samehada upright before Kakuzu and grinned at him, revealing shark-like teeth.

"Wasn’t the leader supposed to test my strength this time? The Fourth Kazekage should make a sufficiently worthy test, shouldn’t he?"

Raiga Kurosuki clicked his tongue after hearing that. He thought this junior was far too arrogant. They were fighting the Fourth Kazekage in the desert, yet Kisame Hoshigaki still dared to go alone. He truly did not know his limits.

Once Kisame Hoshigaki got beaten flat, Raiga Kurosuki would definitely mock him properly.

"Let him make his move, Kakuzu."

Konan spoke from the side. Since Kisame Hoshigaki had volunteered, this was a good chance to see what the new member could do.

"Hmph. I hope you don’t lose too disgracefully, or we’ll be embarrassed along with you."

Since Konan had said so, Kakuzu could only compromise. He stepped back slightly and let Kisame Hoshigaki attack first.

Seeing these rogue ninja dare to look down on him so much, Rasa could not help but feel anger rising in his heart.

"Stand back!"

Rasa spoke to the Anbu beside him, then pressed his hands together. Chakra instantly erupted from within him.

Rumble!

The ground shook continuously. In only a few seconds, Gold Dust surged up from beneath the earth like a tsunami. This was Rasa’s Kekkei Genkai, the Magnet Release: Gold Dust Technique.

He used magnetic force to gather Gold Dust beneath the ground in quantities as vast as the sea, creating a battlefield favorable to himself.

"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial!"

"I’ll wipe out the four of you arrogant fools in an instant!"

Rasa spoke with a cold expression. Under the control of his Chakra, the Gold Dust beneath his feet rolled up into waves seven or eight meters high and surged endlessly toward the four members of Akatsuki.

Creating Gold Dust waves comparable to ocean swells in the middle of the desert left Raiga Kurosuki deeply shocked. The corner of his mouth twitched as he thought, As expected of the Fourth Kazekage.

"Heh, Gold Dust? That happens to be incompatible with me."

Kisame Hoshigaki grinned, baring his shark-like teeth, then tossed Samehada into the sky and rapidly formed hand seals.

"Water Release: Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave!"

An enormous volume of water instantly spewed from Kisame Hoshigaki’s mouth. Using Water Release in a waterless place was normally a tremendous disadvantage, yet Kisame Hoshigaki insisted on using Water Release against the Fourth Kazekage.

Although Water Release held certain advantages against Gold Dust, the environment was always a factor Ninja could not ignore.

Yet Kisame Hoshigaki seemed to have shattered that common sense. The amount of water produced by this technique was simply too astonishing.

Splash!

The sound of roaring waves rang out continuously. In an instant, tsunami-like waves appeared that were no weaker than the Gold Dust.

"Hey, hey, isn’t that Chakra reserve completely unfair?!"

Raiga Kurosuki spoke with a shocked expression. This technique alone made Kisame Hoshigaki stronger than Suikazan Fuguki. How had this guy still been Suikazan Fuguki’s subordinate back in Kirigakure?

After seeing Kisame Hoshigaki’s technique, Kakuzu could not help but acknowledge his strength. Still, he snorted and said, "Looks like I won’t need to make a move. But the Kazekage’s head belongs to me."

Kisame Hoshigaki continued pouring out his technique without pause, only stopping after turning several kilometers of the surrounding area into a small lake.

Rasa’s Gold Dust had also lost control under the impact of the waves, becoming like muddy water and sinking beneath the surface.

Magnet Release could not be used underwater, and once the Gold Dust became soaked, it was difficult to control.

After evading the Great Exploding Water Colliding Wave, Rasa and several Suna-nin Anbu stood atop the water.

A Suna-nin Anbu said in shock, "It’s him. I remember now—the Kirigakure rogue ninja Kisame Hoshigaki. Not long ago, he defected after failing to assassinate the Daimyo of the Land of Water."

Another Suna-nin Anbu added, "He can use a technique like this in a waterless region? His Chakra reserves are too terrifying! Go help Lord Kazekage!"

However, just as the Suna-nin Anbu moved to approach Rasa, a bolt of lightning shot toward them from the distance.

The powerful Lightning Release technique struck the water’s surface, instantly creating an electrified area that separated Rasa from the Suna-nin Anbu.

"Don’t go making trouble. Your heads aren’t worth much. Stay put obediently, and you might survive."

One Earth Grudge Fear floating beside Kakuzu had just used a Lightning Release technique. Kakuzu spoke coldly to the Suna-nin Anbu.

"Damn it!"

Naturally, the Suna-nin Anbu would not listen to Kakuzu. He immediately formed hand seals and used a technique.

"Wind Release: Wind Cutter Technique!"

A sharp wind blade instantly shot toward Kakuzu. Seeing that Kakuzu had used Lightning Release, the Suna-nin Anbu countered with Wind Release.

Kakuzu snorted coldly. "If that’s the case, then just die!" As he spoke, another Earth Grudge Fear emerged from his body, opening its strange mouth wide and unleashing a Fire Style technique.

"Fire Style: Head Hard Work!"

After the Earth Grudge Fear spat out a burst of flame, it instantly expanded into a fireball over ten meters wide. It swallowed the Suna-nin Anbu’s Wind Release technique and forced them even farther back.

"I’ll deal with the small fry. Remember to tell that guy the Kazekage’s head is mine."

After saying that, Kakuzu removed his cloak, and another Earth Grudge Fear broke free from his body. He then charged toward the Suna-nin Anbu.

Konan did not care much about the Kazekage’s head, but if they did not leave the eight-hundred-million bounty to Kakuzu as he demanded, Kakuzu would definitely fight Kisame Hoshigaki even if Pain were here.

I should tell Kisame Hoshigaki later. At the very least, he needs to leave the body behind. If Kakuzu doesn’t get the bounty, he might go berserk.

Konan thought to herself. Seeing Kisame Hoshigaki use Water Release against the Fourth Kazekage while faintly gaining the upper hand, she acknowledged the new member. Strength like this would greatly help advance Pain’s plans.

Not far from Rasa and Kisame Hoshigaki’s battlefield, Sasori was waiting on standby. Through a surveillance puppet, he could clearly observe the battle between Akatsuki and Rasa.

"I’m supposed to save one Anbu from those four later? You really know how to give me trouble."

Sasori complained to Hyuga Mirai. The four members of Akatsuki clearly did not look weak. He only had seven modified puppets, so it was hard to say whether he could defeat all four.

"Don’t worry. Once they kill Rasa, they definitely won’t dare stay long. Besides, Sasori, your puppet-control skill is the best in the Ninja World now. Saving one Suna-nin Anbu from those four is no problem at all."

Hyuga Mirai’s voice reached Sasori’s ears. It had to be said that praise like this worked rather well on Sasori.

"I’m not trying to save anyone. Rasa, who can use Magnet Release, is simply excellent material."

Although he said that, the corners of Sasori’s mouth still lifted slightly. He then continued observing the battle in the distance.

The battle between Rasa and Kisame Hoshigaki was simply too one-sided in terms of restraint. Water Release not only countered Magnet Release, but also made the Gold Dust incomparably heavy.

Every use of Gold Dust now consumed several times more Chakra than before, and Rasa’s opponent was Kisame Hoshigaki, known in Kirigakure as the Tailed Beast without a tail.

Unless Rasa immediately escaped this lake, but Raiga Kurosuki and Konan were still in the distance, ready to block his retreat at any time.

This is dangerous!

That thought surfaced in Rasa’s mind, but Kisame Hoshigaki gave him no time to think. Ninjutsu and Taijutsu attacks came one after another, leaving him unable to cope.

After some more time passed, both Rasa and the Suna-nin Anbu were in grave danger. Two of the four Anbu had already died, and the remaining two were barely holding on.

"It’s about time. But when will the Space Capsule be developed? It feels much more convenient than a Sealing Scroll."

"Soon. I’m researching a new generation of Nano Space Capsules. Once it’s finished, you’ll be the first to use one. Sasori, I won’t disturb you any longer." After saying that, Hyuga Mirai cut off the communication.

Hyuga Mirai had absolute confidence in Sasori’s abilities. With the new combat-armor puppets and control methods, the trouble Sasori mentioned was merely that killing those four would be troublesome.

As they spoke, Kakuzu used an Earth Grudge Fear to kill another Anbu. Only the oldest one remained, and even his mask had been shattered.

This Suna-nin Anbu gritted his teeth and said, "Damn it."

Kakuzu sneered. "You already missed your chance to live. Accept your death obediently."

Boom!

A scorching beam cannon instantly shattered one Earth Grudge Fear mask. The sudden change left Kakuzu stunned for a moment, and he immediately turned his head. "Who was that?"

An Earth Grudge Fear represented one life, and the method that had just shattered the mask had been nearly silent. Kakuzu’s vigilance instantly rose to its peak.

Just as Kakuzu turned his head, he saw another attack. He hurriedly controlled an Earth Grudge Fear to evade it. The beam cannon grazed Kakuzu’s body and blasted a two-meter-deep crater into the ground.

At the same time Kakuzu was dodging, Sasori controlled a puppet to rescue that Suna-nin Anbu, bringing him to his side.

"Suna-nin are getting worse by the day. Four Anbu couldn’t even handle one rogue ninja."

After saying that to the Suna-nin Anbu, Sasori tossed him aside.

"A puppet? Are you Lord Sasori of the Red Sand?"

Seeing that somewhat familiar face and short red hair, the Suna-nin Anbu instantly recalled Sasori’s identity.

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