"Enemy attack!"
The Grass Village reacted swiftly. As a minor ninja village with ties to the Hidden Leaf, their strength was respectable.
At the very least, they now dared to provoke one of the five great ninja villages—the Hidden Sand.
Without wasting words, Rasa silently infiltrated the Grass Village's temporary camp, concealing himself in the desert.
His gold-panning over the past months had not only boosted his attributes but also sharpened his chakra control. At the very least, he could now carve a temporary tunnel beneath the desert sands.
Enhanced stamina, spirit, and chakra capacity had also improved his ninjutsu execution.
He figured that, in the future, he might pull off something like Yamato's Wood Release: Four-Pillar House Technique in the wild, except with a Magnet Release: Gold Dust Fortress Technique. No need for tents on missions then.
Of course…
Now wasn't the time to dream about using ninjutsu for convenience.
Burrowing beneath the Grass Village's camp, Rasa followed his plan, carefully controlling his chakra and aligning his actions with the layout of their tents. Then…
Moments later.
A massive, spiraling sand cone erupted from the ground, soaring into the sky and rolling forward!
The effect was spectacular. Though his chakra couldn't cover the entire camp, it was enough to make the Grass ninja feel the sting!
They were mostly Chunin and Genin—small-fry. A minor village's Jonin count couldn't compare to the five great villages.
If not for their backing from the Hidden Leaf and Hidden Rock, the Grass Village would've been flattened by the Hidden Sand long ago.
"Damn it! Magnet Release?!" a Grass ninja shouted.
Spotting the golden glint under the moonlight, they realized who their enemy was and quickly countered with their own ninjutsu.
But…
Wasn't this guy supposed to be dead?!
They stared at the figure standing proudly atop a platform of gold dust, faintly shimmering in the moonlight.
He tilted his face, revealing a handsome yet weathered visage, gazing sidelong at the nearly full moon with eyes full of endless melancholy and sorrow.
Yet… no one paid him any mind!
Seeing their village suffer such heavy losses from a single surprise attack, what was there to say?
One word!
Fight!
Dozens of Grass ninja charged furiously.
And…
"Don't be scared! It's just one guy! We've got this!"
"The Hidden Rock Village is nearby. With all this commotion, they'll come to back us up soon."
"Kill him! This lunatic will learn the Grass Village isn't to be messed with!"
"Get the wounded to the medical ninja. That woman's there—they'll be fine!"
They roared encouragements to their comrades while charging.
But…
Since Rasa dared to strike, would he come unprepared?
Sighing inwardly, he glanced at another precious card on his system interface. "One minute this time?"
[Sand Crocodile—Crocodile: Devil Fruit Sand-Sand Fruit User, includes Elementalization and Desert Sunflower. Weakness: Water. Takes double damage from water-based attacks.]
[Desert Sunflower: Controls the flow of underground water veins to manipulate sand dunes, creating quicksand that buries enemies alive, known as the "Tombstone-Free Desert Coffin"!]
What a terrifying skill~
Without hesitation, Rasa activated it, forgoing any defense. With elementalization, he didn't believe the Grass ninja could hurt him.
And this was a desert!
His home turf!
Rasa extended both hands toward the desert surface, shouting, "Desert Sunflower!"
Instantly, the entire desert writhed, emitting a chilling rustle. Moments later…
The Grass Village's camp sank, forming a massive bowl-shaped crater.
As the Grass ninja reeled in shock…
"Damn it, what's wrong? Muteless, what's happening?!"
"Liyou, you… you…"
"What the hell, why're you drying up?!"
Countless Grass ninja noticed their comrades suddenly shriveling, motionless, some even turning into desiccated corpses!
Panic and fear surged.
"Get out of that pit! Get out now!" a Grass ninja shouted, realizing the danger and urging his allies to escape the cauldron-like crater.
"What a terrifying ninjutsu! It's gotta be a forbidden technique—never heard of it!" another exclaimed.
Heeding the warning, the Grass ninja trapped in the pit reacted quickly, using ninjutsu to escape and launching attacks at Rasa on his gold dust platform.
"Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet!"
"Earth Release: Tearing Earth Turning Palm!"
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Divide!"
"…"
No surprise—the Grass Village, known for studying and adopting other nations' ninjutsu, mostly used techniques from other villages.
Rasa didn't dodge. Time was tight, and he couldn't waste it. With the Sand-Sand Fruit amplifying his sand control, he felt his mastery over the desert sharpen, as if it were an extension of his body.
Bang!
"A clone technique?!" a Grass ninja gasped.
Seeing Rasa dissolve into a pile of sand under their attacks, their faces paled, and they braced to dodge a counterstrike…
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Grand Burial!"
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust!"
"*Magnet Release…*"
Rasa, having already formed his hand seals, unleashed his ninjutsu in rapid succession.
…
Meanwhile…
The sky-high sandstorm, blotting out the moon, caught the attention of the Rock ninja and the distant Sand ninja.
Especially when they saw the glittering gold dust, many hearts skipped a beat, a single thought flashing through their minds.
Rasa (Lord Rasa)?!
After all, the only ninja in the village wielding Magnet Release: Gold Dust was Lord Rasa!
The Sand ninja buzzed with excitement, quickly rallying those still able to move to go meet Lord Rasa. This scene… it was obvious he'd stormed the Grass Village's camp. If not now, when would they act?
Especially Momu…
Since Lord Rasa resolutely drew the Rock ninja away, leaving him as temporary commander to protect the Land of Wind, the weight on his shoulders had been immense.
Especially facing the daily loss of comrades and the children who, fresh to the battlefield, immediately faced the cruelty of war and ninja life.
Who knew… how many nights he'd stared at the moon, silently weeping?
[Finally, I don't have to play this damn commander anymore!]
(End of Chapter)