[Repulsive Force] nullifies [Magnet Release]. To the Third Kazekage, this meant that Satori Hyūga had learned of his abilities and specifically devised a method to neutralize them.
This kind of thing wasn't unusual in the ninja world.
Gathering intelligence and developing countermeasures tailored to an opponent's techniques—this was standard procedure.
The Third Kazekage had used Magnet Release to manipulate iron sand, dominating the battlefield without ever meeting an opponent who could counter him.
Now, he had encountered Satori Hyūga and assumed it was personal.
The Third Kazekage stared sharply at Satori, his voice icy. "Even without Magnet Release, I still have other methods. You don't really think you can defeat me like this, do you?"
As Kazekage, his strength didn't rely solely on bloodline limits—he also possessed masterful taijutsu and deadly combat prowess.
He swung his arm, and from the sleeve at his back, countless kunai and poison-coated senbon flew toward Satori.
A seasoned ninja always began with conventional tools and techniques.
Under the cover of this storm of projectiles, the Third Kazekage followed closely behind. His body suddenly surged forward with a powerful burst of speed.
Spinning mid-air, he dashed to Satori's side and threw a punch.
In his mind, Satori would dodge the incoming weapons, leaving himself momentarily vulnerable—the perfect opening for a fatal blow.
Or perhaps Satori would attempt to evade using superior taijutsu.
But when the punch landed, he realized Satori hadn't even tried to dodge.
Satori watched the trajectory of the punch, eyes gleaming with contempt.
Ninjas are all glass cannons—he just isn't.
The punch came hard and fast, slamming into Satori's shoulder. Instead of triumph, shock twisted the Third Kazekage's face as he yanked back his arm.
Gazing at Satori, now cloaked in dark chakra, the Third Kazekage's expression turned wary.
"Evil chakra… overwhelming physical power… Who exactly are you?"
Satori had too many hidden strengths. The Third Kazekage's eyes flickered with suspicion and wariness.
Each of his techniques had been neutralized. The battle was turning against him.
At this moment, regret crept into his heart.
If only he had known, he'd never have come alone.
Maybe he should've brought along some Anbu support.
This opponent had completely nullified his most powerful technique, Magnet Release, and even in taijutsu, he couldn't match him.
Troublesome—way too troublesome.
And now he was trapped deep within enemy territory.
He stole a glance over his shoulder, but the path they'd entered through was already gone.
Satori smirked. "Don't worry. I actually came to Sunagakure seeking out promising talents—I was even considering making an investment here."
"But your reception has disappointed me. Is this how the Third Kazekage greets guests?"
Confident in his overwhelming strength, Satori felt relaxed and playful.
Faced with questioning, he simply flipped the script.
Of course, he wasn't lying either.
Hunting down Sasori of the Red Sand qualified as seeking out talent. Pakura counted as well.
As for investing in Sunagakure? Naturally, that meant seizing control and reshaping the village from within.
As the Third Kazekage hesitated in confusion, Satori Hyūga suddenly surged forward, propelling himself into the air with explosive leg strength and closing the gap.
He raised his arm and launched a fierce elbow strike straight at the Third Kazekage, taking him completely by surprise.
"Damn it, you…"
The Third Kazekage's body trembled and instantly transformed into a mass of iron sand, vanishing from the spot.
Sand Clone Jutsu.
Moments later, the iron sand reformed into the figure of the Third Kazekage behind Satori Hyūga, who immediately threw a punch.
But Satori Hyūga, with the Tenseigan activated, had 360-degree vision—there was no way he could fall victim to such a basic trick.
He raised his palm without flinching and met the attack head-on. With the Eight Gates released, his physical body was unbeatable.
No techniques, just brute strength.
*Bang!*
The Third Kazekage absorbed the full force of the blow and was hurled backward across dozens of meters.
"You underestimate me far too much, mortal," Satori said coldly, striding forward with an air of superiority as he looked down on the Third Kazekage.
"I'm telling you sincerely, yet you still tried to ambush me."
Before the Third Kazekage could speak, Satori placed a hand on his head and used the power of the Tenseigan to alter his memories and consciousness directly.
A moment later, the Third Kazekage's eyes changed expression. He became respectful toward Satori.
"Master."
Seeing her idol kneeling before Satori, Pakura's face turned pale with shock.
Her eyes widened in terror as she screamed, "What have you done to the Third Kazekage?!"
"Could this be Genjutsu? No… Wait, did I fall into his illusion?"
Pakura refused to believe that Satori could defeat the Kage of an entire village and then control him so easily.
After all, as the leader of a hidden village, what kind of illusion technique could possibly dominate someone like the Kazekage?
Reality clashed with fantasy, shaking Pakura's beliefs.
She started doubting her own sanity, suspecting she had unknowingly fallen into Satori's Genjutsu, ensnared in a fabricated illusion.
Seeing that Pakura was deceiving herself, Satori wore a strange smile.
"You actually figured it out. You truly are the genius girl of Sunagakure, Pakura."
"You were caught in my illusion jutsu just now—the [Hellish Vision Jutsu]."
Satori snapped his fingers, and the illusion of the Third Kazekage vanished instantly.
Witnessing this scene, Pakura's conflicted expression finally faded as she let out a long sigh of relief.
"I knew it! The Third Kazekage would never be defeated by someone like you—it was all an illusion."
"Hahaha, if you say so," Satori chuckled. "I was just playing around. Since you saw through it, I'll let you go this time."
Satori lifted his arm, and dark chakra chains retracted from Pakura's body, releasing her.
Then, Satori snapped his fingers once more, stepped back, and vanished into thin air.
In an instant, Pakura felt the world lurch violently around her. When she opened her eyes again, she found herself back home.
Everything that had just happened felt like a distant dream.
"So he really let me go?"
She let out a soft sigh and gently patted her chest in relief.
"Right, I need to report this to the Third Kazekage immediately—a mysterious, powerful intruder sneaking into the village is a major issue."
Pakura, who held Sunagakure dear to her soul, immediately went to the Kazekage building and asked to meet with the Third Kazekage from an Anbu member on guard.
The Anbu member eyed Pakura strangely before ushering her in.
Once she stepped into the office, she was met with the sight of the Third Kazekage.
"Lord Kazekage," she said. "A moment ago, a strange ninja sneaked into my home. We don't know who he is. Please order a thorough investigation."
The Third Kazekage remained calm and showed little reaction to Pakura's words. He simply nodded and said, "Understood. I'll handle it."
"This stays within these walls. Don't let it cause panic in the village. Understood?"
"Yes, Lord Kazekage." Pakura nodded, then cast a furtive glance at the Kage.
Something felt off about the Third Kazekage, though she couldn't put her finger on it.
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