The Third Kazekage now spread black iron sand wings behind him, lifting into the air.
Seeing the massive Susanoo, he couldn't help but think: "The Mangekyo really is that powerful…"
"A giant like this… maybe only the One-Tail could match it."
Yuki Seisui paid no attention to the Third Kazekage's thoughts.
"You are too strong… I must kill you here!"
"Hahaha! Then let's see about that!" the Third Kazekage laughed loudly.
There was no doubt about his strength, but Seisui's power was on an entirely different level.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!"
The Third Kazekage soared high into the sky, looking down at the fifty-meter-tall Susanoo.
He knew that if he wanted to buy time, he had to give everything he had.
Normal attacks and even powerful jutsu meant nothing against this child.
Sand Burial Funeral was his strongest move—using ninety percent of his chakra, he summoned the underground iron sand into an enormous, tidal wave of metal.
This was not the ten-meter iron sand wave from before.
Its power depended on the amount of iron sand beneath the earth, and this place had plenty.
Watching the iron sand constantly converge, a mocking smile tugged at Seisui's lips.
"So fond of iron sand… then let's play with molten iron!"
"Amaterasu!"
Red light flickered in Seisui's eyes, and black flames erupted over the iron sand within his vision.
The temperature was extreme, and the flames spread instantly.
Within moments, half of the iron sand melted into boiling molten metal, flowing across the ground.
"The Mangekyo is really that strong…"
The Third Kazekage's chakra was now barely enough to keep him airborne. Chakra was the combination of physical and spiritual energy; once depleted, it meant death.
Though not fully exhausted, his chakra had been drained significantly. His face visibly paled.
Seeing the iron sand melting, he realized his chances were slim.
Seisui, expressionless, continued unleashing Amaterasu flames, letting them spread through the air toward him.
The Third Kazekage didn't dodge. Instead, he looked at Seisui and smiled faintly.
"Am I going to die here…?"
He stared at Seisui in the Susanoo cockpit, thinking, "Konoha really has had luck on its side. The previous generation had Jiraiya, Tsunade, Orochimaru, and Sarutobi Hiruzen… and now this generation has you, Seisui."
"You occupy the best position, a prodigious new generation, with the strongest Nine-Tails…"
The Amaterasu flames paused just a short distance from him. Seisui didn't continue attacking.
The Third Kazekage would die today. If he wanted to say something before his end, he might as well speak now.
"By the way… can you tell me why you started this war?" Seisui asked, genuinely curious.
Although the sudden Third Great Ninja War fit perfectly into his plans, he still wondered why it had started years early.
In the original timeline, the war began when Chiyo's grandson, Sasori, assassinated the Third Kazekage and turned him into a puppet, prompting the Sunagakure to wage war.
This time… the reason was unclear, and Seisui was truly curious.
The Third Kazekage looked at Seisui, not rushing to answer. Instead, he spoke:
"Unlike Konoha, our Sunagakure is not weak… most of us, however, live in the desert. Why should we fight in such harsh conditions?"
He spoke calmly, then continued: "The reason… does it matter?"
"No," Seisui understood. It was simply about territory. No justification, no excuse required.
"Hahaha… your ambition is vast!" the Third Kazekage said, staring at him.
He had suspected as much when Seisui allowed the Sand army to retreat.
"Ambition?" Seisui smiled.
"Perhaps. People's desires grow without limit… but my desire is to end this chaotic world. For that, necessary sacrifices are worthwhile."
"End… the chaotic world?" the Third Kazekage murmured.
He adjusted his height to roughly parallel Seisui's.
"So… you wish to emulate your First Hokage, Hashirama Senju?"
He neither laughed nor held grudges. They simply stood on different sides. Losing was just losing.
Hearing this, Seisui shook his head. "No… only by uniting all nations, removing wars between them, can the world be called a true paradise."
"Unite all nations…" the Third Kazekage repeated, his expression complex.
"So… this is your ambition?"
"No. I prefer to call it an ideal rather than ambition."
A faint smile curved Seisui's lips.
"Dreams are distant… ideals can be realized."
"Your ideal… will it let the people of the Land of Wind live far from the desert?" the Third Kazekage asked.
"Of course! Unite the nations, and everyone can go wherever they wish! No more wars… the elderly cared for, the young educated, the poor supported, the weak aided, all orphaned or disabled protected!"
Hearing this, the Third Kazekage laughed again.
"Hahaha… a ninja like you should not remain unknown! With my life, I will make your name known across the ninja world!"
"Just as Hanzo the Salamander and the Three Legendary Sannins of Konoha did, I will grant you this name with my life!"
"I give my life to realize you!"
"I hope you truly achieve your ideals… and allow the people of the Land of Wind to live far from the center of sandstorms!"
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100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
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