Chapter 174: Chapter 173: Rasa
Chapter 173: Rasa
When the blade of the Circular Dance Blade touched Rasa's body, Tonari immediately sensed something was off. It didn't feel like piercing flesh.
The blade sank into Rasa's body, but his form crumbled into sand.
Tonari wasn't surprised. With a sharp shake of his arm, sparks of lightning surged outward, dispersing all the sand at his feet.
The scattered sand grains quickly gathered a short distance away, reshaping into Rasa's figure.
Although he managed to avoid the attack by transforming into sand, the sheer sharpness and lethality of the Circular Dance Blade left him shaken. Even the slightest graze could have resulted in deep wounds.
From beyond the oasis, streams of golden sand coalesced, forming tiny golden rivers that swirled around Rasa's feet.
In the desert, even in an oasis, Rasa was at home.
But the sanctity of the oasis—a precious resource in the desert—prevented him from unleashing his full power, limiting his combat options.
"Impressive, Blue Cat. Such a sharp weapon," Rasa said, raising his right hand. The golden sand at his feet spiraled upward, forming a glowing golden orb that hovered above his palm.
Tonari ignored the remark, extending his left hand. His tone was cold: "The scroll."
Rasa frowned. He hadn't expected this ANBU operative to be so impervious to flattery.
A flicker of pride flared in Rasa's heart. The golden sand around him thickened as he smirked. "Defeat me, and it's yours!"
"You court death," Tonari muttered, his figure vanishing in an instant.
Rasa's sharp reflexes kicked in. He twisted his shoulder, conjuring a curved golden shield of sand behind him.
Clang!
Sparks flew as Tonari's blade struck the golden shield. Lightning crackled around the Circular Dance Blade, forcing its way through the golden shield with ease.
Through the crack in the shield, Rasa's confident smile was visible.
He extended his hand, and the golden sand shifted direction, rushing to entangle Tonari's weapon.
"Sand Binding Coffin!" Rasa growled.
The golden sand surged faster, threatening to envelop Tonari entirely.
Tonari's body shimmered as dazzling white lightning surged from his blade. A sound reminiscent of chirping birds echoed, the heat and energy melting the sand's surface.
Tonari wrenched his blade free and escaped the sand's clutches just in time.
Rasa smirked and raised his hand again. The sand once more lunged at Tonari with uncanny precision.
"The speed of the sand depends on my eyes. As long as I can see you, the sand will always find you," Rasa taunted.
The golden sand closed in on Tonari's legs, ready to immobilize him.
Tonari narrowed his eyes. His body twisted midair, executing an unnaturally sharp maneuver to evade the incoming sand.
Boom!
He landed heavily on the ground, but the lingering grains of sand clung to his foot. The additional weight and resistance made movement noticeably harder.
"It's futile," Rasa said, his tone dripping with confidence. "Even if you evade the bulk of the sand, a single touch is enough. The sand clings to you, weighing you down and slowing your movements."
Rasa's magnetic release was different from the Third Kazekage's. While the Third preferred using dense iron sand for brute force, Rasa combined his gold dust with advanced sand manipulation techniques.
This made his methods versatile—capable of offense, defense, and even control.
Tonari muttered, "The speed of your eyes, is it?"
White energy surged around his feet, and faint green light began to glow around his body.
"If I surpass the speed of your perception, your sand becomes useless."
"Gate of Life, open!"
Tonari's movements grew lighter, his speed significantly faster. The golden sand struggled to keep up.
Rasa's expression darkened. He poured all his focus into controlling the sand, barely managing to keep pace.
From beneath his mask, Tonari's lips curved into a mocking smile.
"Is this your limit?"
"Gate of Pain, open!"
"Gate of Closing, open!"
Without hesitation, Tonari activated the Fifth Gate, the Gate of Closing.
Boom!
The ground beneath his feet cracked as he launched himself forward, leaving behind a shallow crater.
To Rasa's dismay, Tonari's figure disappeared entirely.
Before he could react, a crushing force slammed into his jaw, propelling him skyward like a ragdoll.
The golden sand responded a fraction too late, rushing upward to shield him.
Just as the sand reached him, another fist smashed into Rasa's face, sending him flying in a different direction.
"Crack!"
The metallic sound of gold breaking echoed as the protective layer of gold sand on Rasa's face began to crumble.
A third punch connected, this time shattering his last layer of defense. Blood sprayed from Rasa's mouth as his vision dimmed.
To an observer from afar, it might have appeared as though a white-and-blue streak was darting around a helpless target, delivering relentless blows.
Each strike dislodged fragments of gold sand from Rasa's armor, while the remaining sand swirled helplessly, trying and failing to protect its master.
Rasa, however, gradually adapted to the rhythm of the attacks. Using the remaining gold dust, he created a half-shield that intercepted the strikes, reducing their impact.
While enduring the relentless assault, Rasa's eyes glinted coldly. The sandstorm outside the oasis intensified, building into a colossal wave that loomed over the battlefield.
The sky darkened as the massive sand wave surged forward, threatening to engulf the oasis.
"Quicksand Waterfall!"
Rasa hesitated for a brief moment. The oasis was a vital resource for Sunagakure, both strategically and environmentally. Destroying it would be a devastating loss.
But if Tonari pushed him further, Rasa resolved to abandon restraint.
Noticing the encroaching wave, Tonari realized it was time to end things. Killing Rasa wasn't his goal. If it were, he would have used his blade instead of his fists.
Rasa's death would undoubtedly escalate tensions between Konoha and Sunagakure, undoing the fragile peace established by the treaty.
Tonari delivered one final blow, shattering Rasa's shield, then retreated.
Panting heavily, Tonari deactivated the Eight Gates. Though his body had grown stronger, opening the Fifth Gate still took a toll.
Rasa landed unsteadily, his body coated in gold dust that quickly re-formed into armor.
Despite his injuries, Rasa maintained a composed demeanor. His gaze locked onto the scroll in Tonari's hand—the object of their confrontation.
The scroll represented Sunagakure's obligation to share 20% of their mission revenues with Konoha, a humiliating stipulation of their treaty.
Though Rasa had lost this bout, his resolve remained unbroken. He would bide his time.
Tonari, too, observed Rasa with newfound respect. This man's ability to adapt and his political cunning made him a formidable figure.
"Rasa," Tonari thought, "you truly are destined to lead Sunagakure."
(End of Chapter)
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Chapter 175: Chapter 174: The Organization
Chapter 174: The Organization
Tonari raised the scroll in his hand, casually tucking it into his ninja tool pouch.
Watching this, Rasa's face darkened further.
This bastard…
"You can leave now!"
Rasa flicked his hand, and the golden sand that had scattered across the oasis began to flow away like streams, exiting the area.
Yet Tonari didn't move. He stood motionless, silently watching Rasa.
Seeing this, Rasa frowned, misinterpreting the silence as an intent to continue the fight.
The sandstorm outside the oasis stirred again, the waves of sand that had just receded threatening to surge back, as though ready to swallow the entire oasis.
While Rasa had chosen to preserve the oasis, he wasn't going to allow anyone to exploit his restraint. If Tonari insisted on pressing the matter further, Rasa wouldn't hesitate to end him, regardless of the consequences.
But then Tonari calmly slid the Circular Dance Blade back into its sheath.
Rasa froze for a moment, unsure of what this meant.
Then Tonari spoke, his voice raspy but steady: "Rasa, Jonin of Sunagakure, your current standing in the village… it doesn't seem all that secure, does it?"
Rasa's frown deepened. He couldn't discern Tonari's intent, but he replied coldly, "My position in the village? What does that have to do with a Konoha ANBU member like you?"
For someone of Rasa's rank and stature in Sunagakure, his position was naturally secure. While he wasn't universally adored, respect and deference were never in short supply.
Tonari waved his hand dismissively. "Perhaps it's unrelated if I'm merely an ANBU operative. But if I were to offer you a partnership… then that changes things."
"A partnership?"
Rasa narrowed his eyes, suspicion rising. He had no recollection of ever forming alliances with anyone outside his village, let alone a foreign ANBU member.
Such actions were considered betrayal and treason under any village's laws. Even minor interactions with outsiders could lead to accusations of collusion.
Tonari raised an open hand, indicating his lack of hostile intent.
"Rasa, you're pragmatic. Don't be blinded by appearances. Think from your own perspective, your own needs. If you truly believe you can achieve your goals without assistance, feel free to ignore me. But if you're honest with yourself, I'd wager you're in dire need of a reliable partner right now."
For a brief moment, Rasa's composure faltered, his heartbeat skipping as the implications of Tonari's words sank in.
Tonari continued, "If your goal is merely to become a pillar of Sunagakure—an elder one day—then yes, your current abilities and connections are more than sufficient. But to be more than that? To ascend to greater heights?"
"Enough!" Rasa snapped.
Outside, the sandstorm intensified, its roaring winds now resembling a tiger prowling the desert, ready to pounce.
Tonari remained unfazed. "Rasa, you're talented, no doubt. A disciple of the Third Kazekage, one of the brightest stars in your village. If left undisturbed, your path to becoming the Fourth Kazekage would have been certain.
But unfortunately…" Tonari's voice trailed off, as though relishing Rasa's suspense.
He sighed dramatically, shaking his head as if in pity. "Unfortunately, there's another prodigy in your village—'Sasori of the Red Sand.'"
At the mention of Sasori, Rasa's face turned stony.
Tonari's voice carried a mix of feigned regret and intrigue. "A true genius. The grandson of Elder Chiyo, born into a family of prestigious lineage. Despite his parents' tragic deaths, their influence lives on, and their legacy bolsters Sasori's rise.
He's a prodigious puppet master. By the age of seven, he became a Genin. At eight, he was promoted to Chunin. By now, his fame eclipses that of any other ninja in your village."
Tonari's words struck a nerve. While Rasa remained expressionless, the faint flicker in his eyes betrayed his inner turmoil.
Tonari had pinpointed his dilemma with surgical precision.
Three years ago, Rasa was confident that he would succeed the Third Kazekage as Sunagakure's next leader. His efforts, skills, and connections all pointed toward that destiny.
But in recent years, Sasori's meteoric rise had changed the narrative.
The young puppet prodigy, aided by Chiyo's influence, had shifted public sentiment. Many now viewed Sasori as the future of Sunagakure, eclipsing Rasa's once-dominant position.
"You've said enough. What is your goal? To sow discord within Sunagakure and watch us tear each other apart? Or perhaps to install a puppet leader in our village, one who will bow to Konoha's whims?" Rasa's voice grew sharp, his killing intent unmistakable.
Tonari chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "No, no, you misunderstand. I'm not saying 'we.' I'm saying 'I.'"
"'I?'"
Rasa's eyes narrowed, the ambiguity of Tonari's statement putting him on edge.
He began to doubt Tonari's identity. Could this truly be Konoha's Blue Cat, the famed ANBU operative? Or was there something more?
Tonari's expression remained calm as he responded, "I am merely an ANBU operative of Konoha. My code name is Blue Cat."
"And you think I'll let this go unreported? Your words alone could brand you a traitor in Konoha. I could expose you, and you'd be hunted as a rogue ninja," Rasa threatened.
"Who would believe you?" Tonari countered smoothly.
Rasa froze. The bitter truth was that no one would take his accusations seriously.
Satisfied with Rasa's silence, Tonari continued, "I don't expect you to trust me outright. But soon, you'll see my sincerity. When that time comes, we'll talk again."
"What do you want from me?"
Rasa's tone was wary. While his ambition for the Kazekage title burned fiercely, he wasn't about to sell his village for personal gain.
"Nothing that would harm Sunagakure. All I ask is for you to wait and observe. The opportunity will reveal itself in time," Tonari replied cryptically.
The tension hung heavy in the air as Rasa stared at Tonari. Ultimately, he turned and left, the sandstorm around him subsiding.
Watching Rasa disappear into the distance, Tonari removed his mask and smirked.
"Such a man is destined to be the Fourth Kazekage," a deep voice remarked from behind.
"Not just destined—inevitable," Tonari replied without turning. He knew the speaker's identity.
It was Kakuzu, summoned by Tonari as a precaution. The mercenary had been keeping an eye on the meeting, ensuring Tonari's safety.
"Do you think he's worth it?" Kakuzu asked, his glowing green eyes reflecting a cold light.
Tonari's smirk widened. "Rasa's ambition knows no bounds. Men like him, willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals, always find a way to succeed. They're the ones who thrive in this world."
Kakuzu grunted in acknowledgment. A man driven by greed and profit, he understood Tonari's perspective all too well.
Their partnership was built on mutual benefit, and it was this shared pragmatism that kept their alliance strong.
Turning to Kakuzu, Tonari asked, "How are things progressing in the Land of Fields?"
"Smoothly," Kakuzu reported. "The daimyo has been cooperative, funding our operations as agreed. We've recruited four Jonin, twelve Chunin, and forty young recruits with potential. Ten of them have already reached Genin-level strength."
Tonari nodded, impressed by the rapid progress. The organization they were building had the makings of a formidable force.
For now, it remained nameless—a shadow network hidden from the eyes of the great nations.
"Let's keep it that way for now. No names, no unnecessary attention. Our time will come," Tonari concluded.
(End of Chapter)
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