"You truly have the strength to back your words." Kazekaze looked at the Third Kazekage before him, offering high praise.
Unlike Toroi's Magnetic Release, the Third Kazekage's ability was far more advanced. He could instantly summon an ocean-like wave of Iron Sand and freely manipulate the iron particles within the earth. If he wished, he could replicate Gaara's Absolute Defense.
In fact… The quality of the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand surpassed even Gaara's sand during the Chunin Exams.
"However, my taijutsu has already surpassed Rock Lee's level from the Chunin Exams. And with my ability to heal, I can counteract the damage from the Eight Gates. This battle is essentially..."
A high-tier Rock Lee vs. a high-tier Gaara!
"Come at me." Kazekaze's voice rang with certainty, signaling the Third Kazekage to make his move whenever he was ready.
Kazekaze was never one to be arrogant. Furthermore, the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand naturally countered taijutsu to some extent. Charging in recklessly would be foolish. The most reliable approach was to first gauge the Third Kazekage's level—how well he could utilize Iron Sand at this stage.
"If that's your choice, then I have no reason to refuse, Konoha ninja."
Seeing that Kazekaze had made up his mind, the Third Kazekage stopped trying to dissuade him. Standing firm, he formed the Ram hand seal. In an instant, granular Iron Sand materialized around him, appearing like black grains of sand.
The next moment— The Iron Sand condensed into needles and shot toward Kazekaze at high speed.
"Magnetic Release: Iron Sand Drizzle!"
Just as the Third Kazekage claimed, his attack came like a torrential downpour. However… Kazekaze wasn't Rock Lee—he wasn't limited to taijutsu alone. The instant he saw the Third Kazekage launch his attack, Kazekaze formed hand seals and unleashed a Water Release technique.
"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"
With a low shout, the ground beneath Kazekaze trembled, and a clear spring gushed forth, surging into a towering water wall. It blocked the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand Drizzle completely.
In the Kage Seating Area
"As expected of the Hokage's grandson, to summon such a large-scale Water Release without any water source." The First Tsuchikage, Ishikawa, couldn't help but exclaim in awe.
It wasn't flattery—he was genuinely stunned by Kazekaze's talent. Kazekaze's Water Formation Wall stood four to five meters high! Forget about a seven-year-old kid—even most Jonin couldn't cast a Water Release of that scale without environmental advantages.
My Four-Tails, Son Goku… Are all Senju just chakra monsters?
Even Hashirama himself was visibly surprised. He had been too busy hosting the Kazekage, Tsuchikage, and discussing the Chunin Exams with the feudal lords to pay much attention to Kazekaze's performance in the preliminaries.
'Kazekaze, when did you learn Water Release?' Though internally shocked, Hashirama maintained his composure out of courtesy.
"That Sunagakure Genin is also quite impressive—I've never seen such a peculiar technique before." Hashirama praised Kazekaze's opponent.
"Of course." The First Kazekage, Reto, nodded before explaining.
"The technique he uses is a Kekkei Genkai that allows him to freely manipulate Iron Sand for both offense and defense. Especially in terms of defense. Not only can he turn enemy kunai into his own weapons, but he can also use Iron Sand to shield himself, creating a defense akin to an iron fortress." A smirk formed at the corner of Reto's lips, his tone filled with pride.
In his eyes, the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand was the strongest defense in the ninja world! Given enough time to grow, the Third Kazekage would surely surpass him!
"Hokage-sama, while your grandson's ability to perform such large-scale Water Release at his age is impressive enough to be called genius—compared to my disciple, he still falls short." Reto didn't miss the opportunity to highlight the Third Kazekage.
"A mere Water Release technique won't be enough to stop Iron Sand."
Even though the current ninja world was at peace, the number of available mission contracts was limited. Competition and suppression between villages were necessary tactics to secure more missions. Even if Reto personally couldn't defeat Hashirama, he would never waste a chance to showcase Sunagakure's strength.
"However, to have trained Kazekaze into such an exceptional Water Release user at only seven years old—Hokage-sama, you must have put a lot of effort into him." At this, Ishikawa interjected.
No matter what, he wasn't about to let the Kazekage steal all the spotlight. However…
"Huh? This is my first time seeing Kazekaze use Water Release. I actually thought he didn't know any ninjutsu." Hashirama blinked in surprise.
Though known as the God of Shinobi, he was simple-minded at times—whatever popped into his head, he would say directly.
Reto: "???"
Ishikawa: "???"
'What do you mean you thought he didn't know ninjutsu?!'
'Then how did he become a ninja?'
'And how did he pass the preliminaries?!'
"Tobirama, what's going on here?" Hashirama turned to his younger brother. But Tobirama wore a blank expression.
"Wasn't it you, big brother... who taught Kazekaze Water Release?"
"???"
For a moment, the two brothers locked eyes, utterly confused. Then, almost instinctively, they spoke in unison— "Could it be... that Kazekaze taught himself again?"
Reto: "???"
Ishikawa: "???"
'What do you mean, 'taught himself'?!'
'Is ninjutsu something you can just self-study?!'
'And why 'again'?!'
'Wait a minute…'
'What was with their reactions?'
'A First Hokage and a future Second Hokage—why were they so shocked by a seven-year-old kid?'
'This unsettling feeling—what was it?'
With this in mind, Reto and Ishikawa turned their focus back to Kazekaze.
Back in the Arena
"As expected, it won't hold?" Kazekaze narrowed his eyes and shook his head slightly.
Though his Water Formation Wall had blocked the Third Kazekage's Iron Sand initially, over time, the Iron Sand still managed to penetrate through.
"As expected of the future Third Kazekage."
While acknowledging his opponent's strength, Kazekaze's eyes burned with excitement. This was exactly the kind of powerful opponent he needed!
"It seems I have to get serious too!"
As he spoke, Kazekaze channeled his chakra, breaking past the natural limits of his body.
The Third Gate—Gate of Life, open!
His skin flushed red, and vibrant green energy erupted around his entire body. At the very moment the first Iron Sand needle breached the Water Formation Wall— Kazekaze vanished from sight. For the first time, the composed Third Kazekage's eyes widened in shock.
"Di… disappeared?"
Then—
"Behind you!" Kazekaze's voice rang from behind him.
A fist came crashing down!