"You've got the skills to back it up." Kazuku eyed the Third Kazekage, giving high praise.
Unlike Chikusho's Magnet Release…
The Third Kazekage's was superior.
He could summon waves of iron sand instantly or manipulate iron in the soil.
If he wished, he could wield absolute defense like Gaara.
Even…
His iron sand surpassed Gaara's sand from the chunin exam era.
"But my taijutsu now exceeds Rock Lee's from that time."
"And with No-Seal Healing, I can negate Eight Gates' damage."
"This fight is…"
High-spec Rock Lee versus high-spec Gaara!
"Let's do this." Kazuku's voice was firm, signaling the Third Kazekage to strike.
Kazuku wasn't arrogant.
With iron sand countering taijutsu, rushing in was unwise.
The safest tactic was to gauge how far the Third Kazekage's iron sand mastery extended at this stage.
"Very well, I'll respect your choice, Konohagakure ninja."
Seeing Kazuku's resolve, the Third Kazekage stopped persuading.
Standing still, he formed a [Ram] seal. Granular iron sand materialized around him.
It looked like black sand.
Next second…
The iron sand formed needles, shooting toward Kazuku.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"
As he claimed, his attack was a storm.
But…
Kazuku wasn't Rock Lee, limited to taijutsu.
Noticing the preemptive strike, Kazuku formed seals, unleashing Water Release.
"Water Release: Water Wall!"
With a low roar, the ground trembled. A clear spring surged, rising like a wall, blocking the Iron Sand Drizzle.
On the Kage stand…
"As expected of the Hokage's grandson, using such a Water Release without a water source."
Tsuchikage Ishigawa gasped, not flattering but genuinely awed by Kazuku's talent.
Kazuku's Water Wall was four or five meters high!
Forget a seven-year-old.
Even most jonin, without terrain advantage, couldn't muster such a Water Release.
My Four-Tails Son Goku…
Are all Senju chakra monsters?!
Even Hashirama was stunned.
Busy hosting the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, and discussing the exam with the daimyo, he hadn't known Kazuku's preliminary performance.
"When did Kazuku learn Water Release?"
Though shocked, Hashirama suppressed it for courtesy.
"Sunagakure's genin is impressive too. I've never seen such a strange jutsu," Hashirama praised Kazuku's opponent.
"Naturally." Kazekage Retto nodded, explaining to Hashirama.
"His jutsu is a bloodline limit, freely controlling iron sand for attack and defense."
"Especially defense."
"He turns enemies' kunai into his weapons and shields himself with iron sand, like an iron wall."
Retto's lips curled, his tone smug.
To him, the Third Kazekage's iron sand was the ninja world's ultimate defense!
Given time, he'd surpass Retto!
"Hokage-sama, your grandson's Water Release is genius-level for his age, but compared to my disciple, he falls short."
Retto seized every chance to highlight the Third Kazekage.
"Water Release alone can't stop iron sand."
Though peace prevailed, client missions were finite.
Villages competed and suppressed to secure more.
Even if Retto couldn't beat Hashirama, he wouldn't miss showcasing Sunagakure's strength.
"But raising a seven-year-old into such a Water Release ninja, Hokage-sama, you've poured effort into your grandson," Ishigawa added, unwilling to let Retto steal the spotlight.
But…
"Huh? This is my first time seeing Kazuku use Water Release. I thought he couldn't use ninjutsu," Hashirama blinked.
A straightforward Ninja God, he spoke his thoughts.
Retto: "???"
Ishigawa: "???"
What do you mean, thought he couldn't use ninjutsu?
How's he a ninja?
How'd he pass preliminaries?
"Tobirama, what's going on?" Hashirama asked.
Tobirama looked dazed.
"Wasn't it you… who taught Kazuku Water Release?"
Hashirama: "???"
They locked eyes, confusion mutual.
Almost instinctively, they said in unison, "Don't tell me Kazuku self-taught again."
Retto: "???"
Ishigawa: "???"
Self-taught?
Ninjutsu can be self-taught?
Why "again"?
And…
What's with your reactions?
The First Hokage and soon-to-be Second Hokage…
Shocked by a seven-year-old?
What's this dissonance?
Retto and Ishigawa refocused on Kazuku.
"As expected," Kazuku's gaze sharpened, shaking his head.
The Water Wall blocked the iron sand, but over time, it would pierce through.
"As expected of the future Third Kazekage."
Admiring his strength, Kazuku's eyes burned with fervor.
He craved such opponents!
"Time to get serious!"
Kazuku channeled chakra, breaking his body's chakra flow limits.
Third Gate, Gate of Life, open!
His skin reddened, green energy bursting forth.
As the first iron needle breached the Water Wall, Kazuku vanished.
The composed Third Kazekage's eyes widened.
"Vanished?"
Then…
"Behind you!"
Kazuku's voice sounded, his fist swinging.
(End of Chapter)