"I didn't expect you to be hiding something like this…"
The Fourth Kazekage's expression darkened.
Chen Xing didn't bother replying.
The massive wings of the Peacock Eudemon spread wide, violet chakra surging as its body blurred forward, tearing through the air straight toward the Fourth Kazekage.
"!"
Gold Dust erupted from the ground at the Kazekage's command.
Magnet Release—Gold Dust.
Thousands of golden hands and blades condensed in midair, surging toward the Peacock Eudemon in a dense storm.
Metal rang sharply as the attacks struck—but in the next instant, the Fourth Kazekage's pupils shrank.
The Gold Dust weapons shattered on contact, scattering uselessly across the ground.
Before he could react, the Peacock Eudemon was already upon him.
Its long beak stabbed down like a spear.
The Fourth Kazekage immediately raised a towering wall of Gold Dust in front of him.
"!!"
The wall was pierced clean through.
The Peacock Eudemon's claws followed, ripping apart the defense as if it were paper.
A flash of purple lightning struck straight through the Kazekage's chest—
And passed harmlessly through.
The body dispersed into flowing Gold Dust.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Flow."
The scattered Gold Dust surged like a river, coiling rapidly around the Peacock Eudemon. Countless streams rose from the battlefield, wrapping layer after layer until the massive summon was sealed inside a gigantic golden pyramid.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial."
The Fourth Kazekage clenched his hand.
The pyramid compressed violently, the Gold Dust growing denser and heavier by the second, intent on crushing everything sealed within.
Then—
Boom!
The pyramid exploded outward.
Gold Dust rained from the sky as a massive shadow burst free. The Peacock Eudemon emerged unscathed, its eyes cold and arrogant as it dove once more.
"!"
Blades of Gold Dust formed again, striking its body repeatedly. Sparks flew, but the Peacock Eudemon didn't slow in the slightest.
Its right wing swept forward, feathers gleaming like blades.
Clang!
The Fourth Kazekage barely managed to reinforce his defense before being sent crashing into the ground.
He coughed, steadying himself as he rose. His expression was grim.
Chen Xing stood atop the Peacock Eudemon, looking down calmly.
"What's wrong?" he asked coldly. "Weren't you planning to take my head back to Sunagakure?"
"Don't get arrogant, brat," the Fourth Kazekage snapped.
Gold Dust surged again, forming towering waves that rolled across the battlefield.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Burial!"
The sandstorm expanded outward, swallowing everything in its path. Several unfortunate Sand ninja were caught within the waves and crushed instantly.
Chen Xing sneered.
"Still using that?"
At his command, the Peacock Eudemon shot straight into the sky, escaping the Gold Dust's range in an instant.
But instead of diving back down at the Kazekage, it turned—
And charged toward the surrounding Sand ninja.
The Fourth Kazekage's face changed.
"Damn you!"
He rushed after it, but it was useless. Despite its size, the Peacock Eudemon's speed far exceeded that of ordinary summons.
Screams echoed across the battlefield.
Blood sprayed as the Peacock Eudemon tore through Sand ranks like a streak of purple lightning. Limbs scattered, bodies fell, and panic spread instantly.
The Fourth Kazekage's eyes burned red as he chased, abandoning formation entirely.
Chen Xing watched coldly.
"Lost control already?" he muttered.
---
The battlefield shifted.
With the Peacock Eudemon intercepting the Fourth Kazekage, the pressure on the Celestial Shadow Village forces eased immediately.
One elite ninja, previously trapped, looked toward Chen Xing with complicated eyes—gratitude mixed with lingering resentment.
"Go support the others," Chen Xing said flatly. "He's mine."
The elite didn't hesitate and withdrew.
The Fourth Kazekage stopped pursuing, his gaze locking onto Chen Xing once more. He laughed coldly.
"I underestimated you. But this war was never meant for you to win."
Chen Xing raised an eyebrow.
"Oh?"
"My forces have already killed hundreds of your Celestial Shadow ninja," the Fourth Kazekage said confidently. "Even with your summons, it's only a matter of time before—"
Chen Xing smiled faintly.
"A loss?" he interrupted. "Are you sure that's what you're looking at?"
The Fourth Kazekage's expression stiffened.
---