The Battle Begins
Three days later, outside Wild Spirit City.
The Fourth Kazekage personally led an army of over three thousand Sunagakure ninja, advancing straight toward the city. His intent was clear—this battle would decide everything.
After the Bloody Valley massacre, Chen Xing's forces numbered only around five hundred. However, every one of them was an elite who had survived large-scale combat. In terms of experience alone, they far surpassed ordinary ninja.
Still—five hundred against three thousand was a disparity that appeared insurmountable.
Chen Xing stood calmly at the front of his formation, his expression indifferent. He had never once doubted the outcome of this battle.
The Fourth Kazekage surveyed the Celestial Shadow Village forces. Their numbers did not surprise him. After such losses, this was expected.
"You brat," the Fourth Kazekage said coldly, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "I underestimated you. You forced Sunagakure to suffer an unforgivable loss."
Chen Xing replied flatly, "The moment Sunagakure chose war, the outcome was already decided. Your village will become the foundation upon which Celestial Shadow Village rises."
The Fourth Kazekage laughed in fury, his killing intent surging.
"Stepping stone?" he roared. "I swear on the name of the Fourth Kazekage—today, your head will pay for Sunagakure's dead!"
"You?" Chen Xing smiled faintly, disdain unmistakable.
The Kazekage's eyes darkened. He clenched his fists.
"I admit your chakra is abnormal," he said coldly. "But power isn't decided by chakra alone. You are still far from me."
"Then you'll go down in history," Chen Xing replied evenly, "as the weakest Kazekage."
The battlefield erupted.
"Kill him!" "Revenge for our fallen!" "Destroy Celestial Shadow Village!"
Chen Xing said nothing more.
He bit his thumb, formed hand seals, and slammed his palm onto the ground.
"Summoning Technique!"
A massive shockwave rippled outward as thick smoke engulfed the battlefield.
When it cleared, a giant red lizard stood before the Kazekage's army.
Before anyone could recover, Chen Xing vanished and reappeared several meters away, forming seals again.
Another summoning.
Then another.
In the stunned silence of Sunagakure's forces, five giant lizard summons appeared in succession.
The Fourth Kazekage's expression finally changed.
He understood now.
No one from the earlier force had escaped—not because of strategy alone, but because of overwhelming summoning power. To summon multiple giant beasts in succession required monstrous chakra reserves—far beyond normal Kage standards.
Powerful summons were rare. Even Kage-level shinobi often lacked contracts with such creatures, as weaker summons were meaningless at that level.
"Chen Xing," Red See rumbled, eyeing the vast Sand army. "There are many of them."
Chen Xing nodded calmly. "Just hold them. Don't overextend. This battle is decided elsewhere."
"In that case," Red See replied, "we'll handle it."
"The Kazekage is ours," Gray See said, locking onto the Fourth Kazekage.
"I've been waiting to fight again," Blue See added with a grin.
---
"Attack!" the Fourth Kazekage commanded.
At the same moment, Chen Xing gave the same order.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!" "Wind Release: Wind Cutter!" "Fire Release: Fire Dragon Flame Bullet!"
The battlefield exploded into chaos.
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Celestial Shadow vs. Fourth Kazekage
Amid the raging battle, Chen Xing and the Fourth Kazekage finally moved.
Lightning flashed as Chen Xing drew the Sword of the Thunder God, its blade crackling with chakra.
In a burst of speed, he charged straight toward the Kazekage.
The Fourth Kazekage reacted instantly, forming seals.
"Magnet Release: Gold Dust Sword!"
Dozens of razor-sharp golden constructs shot forward, screaming through the air.
Chen Xing swung.
A single arc of lightning cleaved straight through them.
He advanced without slowing, electricity dancing around his blade as he closed the distance.
The real battle had begun.
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