"What?!"
The Third Kazekage was stunned. He never imagined Kazuku had hidden in the water from the start!
"Was this part of your plan?!"
Having used all his iron sand to bind Kazuku's water clone, he couldn't recall it in time.
Nothing stood between him and Kazuku.
No defense.
No time to dodge.
Boom!
Kazuku's rising dragon punch struck his chin, sending him flying.
Thud.
Like a kite with a cut string, the Third Kazekage crashed, rolling several times before stopping.
Kazuku landed gracefully, standing firm.
The chin is a fragile spot; a heavy blow often causes fainting.
Especially a punch in the Gate of Limit state.
Kazuku felt the fight was decided.
"Examiner, can you announce the result?" Kazuku said to Sarutobi, releasing Eight Gates.
His opponent was the future Third Kazekage.
Kazekages shared a trait…
Early on, they beat no one; later, they beat everyone.
Even Eight Gates Rock Lee lost to Gaara.
The Third Kazekage's iron sand outclassed Gaara's in attack and defense.
"Knowing this and still clashing head-on? My battle sense would be pathetic."
Kazuku reflected. This tactic was effective and showcased his strategic mind.
It'd help his future as Hokage.
After all…
The Hokage, Kazekage, Tsuchikage, Konohagakure ninja, civilians, and the Fire Country daimyo were watching!
But just as Sarutobi prepared to declare the winner…
The Third Kazekage, flung ten meters, sat up!
Iron sand flaked off his face.
"That was close…"
He sighed. When Kazuku's punch hit, he thought he was done.
The Gate of Life punch dented his iron wall into a C-shape.
A Gate of Limit punch?
Even with iron sand, he couldn't withstand it.
But…
They had no mortal grudge.
This was just a chunin exam.
At the last moment, Kazuku threw a normal punch, not using monstrous strength.
In other words…
Kazuku held back.
A ninja as sharp as the Third Kazekage saw through it.
He even guessed why.
It was just an exam.
"Your name?" Supporting himself on his knee, he stood, emotions mixed.
Without Kazuku's mercy, he'd be in dire straits.
By rights, he'd lost.
But…
This exam wasn't just about his chunin promotion—it represented Sunagakure!
He wanted to surrender but couldn't easily.
"Kazuku," Kazuku answered without hesitation.
Iron sand armor minimized my damage, huh?
Like Gaara's armor in the chunin exam.
"Kazuku? I'll remember you. You're the strongest opponent I've faced, and I dare say I won't meet your equal again."
"Your tactics, experience, and strength."
"You're a monster."
"Without your mercy, even with iron sand armor, I couldn't take that attack."
"But…"
The Third Kazekage took a deep breath, summoning more iron sand.
"Eighty percent of our country is desert, resource-poor. Village missions are vital income."
"I must defeat you here to prove Sunagakure's strength!"
He formed seals swiftly.
He hadn't planned to use this.
But as he said, he couldn't lose.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand Wings!"
He compressed iron sand, forming giant bird wings on his back.
The black wings flapped, unleashing a gust, spreading dust.
Even examiner Sarutobi shielded his face.
Before all eyes, the Third Kazekage soared!
"Iron Sand Wings enable aerial combat, launching iron sand feathers for long-range attacks."
He shared the jutsu's details, repaying Kazuku's mercy.
"Kazuku, beware. The feathers are too fast to track and have homing ability."
When Kazuku struck, his skin caught tiny iron sand particles.
No need to aim—feathers would target Kazuku.
"This is my strongest jutsu. Let's settle this!"
He avoided this move to keep it secret.
Exposing it let other ninja record it, harming his future.
But…
Kazuku was a respectable, powerful opponent.
Crucially…
In Gate of Limit, Kazuku's speed outpaced his iron sand.
If defense couldn't match Kazuku's speed, it was useless.
Aerial combat restricted Kazuku's taijutsu!
On the Kage stand…
Tsuchikage Ishigawa gasped. "He can fly."
Flying ninja were rare.
They held tactical advantages.
Kazuku's failure to finish him meant no more chances.
"Mm." Kazekage Retto nodded. He'd instructed him to avoid using Iron Sand Wings.
Ninja battles were intelligence wars.
To beat Kazuku, the Third Kazekage revealed his trump card!
"This puts Kazuku at a disadvantage," Hashirama and Tobirama thought, wondering how Kazuku would counter.
But…
Kazuku, in the puddle, showed no worry.
He'd known about this trump card.
"I'll remember your name too."
(End of Chapter)