Chapter 117: A Living Legend
The Hidden Sand Village wasn't short on hardheaded individuals.
After all, a legend was just a legend.
While most ninja were deeply wary of Uchiha Dali's reputation and the tales surrounding him, not everyone felt the same way.
The enemy was already stomping on their heads—was this really the time to sit down and talk things out?
Of course not. You beat the hell out of them, obviously!
So, after a brief moment of rage, this jōnin from the Hidden Sand didn't say another word and launched a direct assault on Uchiha Dali.
At the same time, he shouted, "I don't care if you're the Hokage or some bigshot! What does that have to do with us?!"
"This village, this country, belongs to us! Don't even dream of taking it away! Submit to you? Delusional!!"
"Die right here!!"
The enemy struck without warning, and a raging sandstorm erupted on the spot.
It was a Wind Release technique, one that leveraged the Hidden Sand's natural terrain, enhancing a sandstorm with Wind Release to attack the enemy.
A powerful jutsu, no doubt.
But that depended on who the opponent was.
Uchiha Dali couldn't even be bothered to lift a finger. He merely turned to look at the charging Sand jōnin and gave him a glare.
In that instant, the air went still.
The raging sandstorm seemed frozen in time.
And in the next breath, it vanished like it had never been.
The once-furious Sand jōnin, who had launched a sneak attack, now stood there stiff as a board, dumbstruck.
"G-Golden Binding Genjutsu!!"
It was as if his body had been turned to stone—completely immobile.
But his mind remained fully conscious.
This was a classic sign of being caught in the Golden Binding Genjutsu. In the world Uchiha Dali came from in his past life, this phenomenon was referred to as "sleep paralysis."
Just a single glance—and a Hidden Sand jōnin was rendered completely useless.
Such a terrifying display stunned all the surrounding ninja.
Even Rasa's scalp tingled, and a deep sense of dread welled up within him.
"So this… this is the power of the Uchiha clan's Sharingan?"
Goosebumps rippled across Rasa's skin.
And yet, perhaps in an effort to prevent further casualties among his villagers, a strange surge of courage came over him. He stepped forward.
"Enough. I accept your challenge."
Rasa moved to stand between Uchiha Dali and his subordinates. With a wave of his hand, he directed chakra through the airborne sand and pierced the immobilized jōnin's body, instantly disrupting the genjutsu placed on him by Uchiha Dali.
But that had only been a minor display of Dali's power—a warning shot to keep the rest of the Hidden Sand ninja in check.
He gave Rasa a faint, amused smile.
"Can you speak for your people?"
After all, those were Rasa's own words just moments ago.
He didn't actually have the authority to decide on behalf of all the villagers.
But that statement wasn't just meant for the Hidden Sand villagers—it was also meant for Uchiha Dali.
It revealed Rasa's stance.
He could accept the challenge and make a wager with Dali.
But the outcome of their duel couldn't determine the fate of the Hidden Sand or the Land of Wind.
Unless the villagers themselves chose submission, resistance would be inevitable.
That was the underlying message behind Rasa's earlier words.
Uchiha Dali's half-smiling, half-serious expression made Rasa's heart tremble slightly.
He said nothing.
The surrounding Sand ninja also fell silent.
Their Kage had made his choice—now it was their turn.
The terms of the gamble between Rasa and Uchiha Dali were laid bare.
If Rasa lost, then the entire fate of the Land of Wind would be at the mercy of this outsider.
But who had the right to make such a monumental decision?
Only they did.
Every individual had to choose their own destiny.
If Uchiha Dali hadn't shown that terrifying technique just now, perhaps the skilled and experienced ninja of the Sand might have been willing to fight to the death and try to turn the tide.
But now, after witnessing Uchiha Dali's might, they hesitated.
Even a jōnin was defeated with just a glance.
What about the chūnin and genin?
And what about the civilians, those without any combat ability?
The Third Great Ninja War had left the Land of Wind gravely weakened.
The Hidden Sand's forces had suffered devastating losses.
To face another powerful enemy now would be a nightmare—one that could bring ruin to the entire village and even the nation.
The consequences were too great to bear.
For a time, the people of the Hidden Sand fell into silence.
No one knew how long it lasted, but eventually, someone raised a hand.
"Lord Rasa! I authorize you to represent me in the wager! If we lose, I'll accept whatever comes—no complaints!"
"You idiot! How can you make such a rash decision?! If we lose, we'll have to submit to the Land of Fire!"
"We'll be second-class citizens from then on…"
"I want to know—if we refuse, what will happen? Will that guy just kill us?"
"..."
Like a stone cast into still water, the ripple of one voice soon sparked a thousand.
Once one person responded, countless others began voicing their opinions.
This was a matter of life and death. Even ordinary people found it hard to decide their own fate so easily.
As the voices poured in from all directions, Rasa's expression grew bitter.
He felt like a failure of a Fourth Kazekage.
"Can't even protect your own village, Rasa?"
Just as the villagers buzzed with anxious debate and Rasa sank into shame, a calm voice rang out.
The chatter stopped immediately. Everyone turned their eyes toward the rooftop of the Kazekage Building.
Even Rasa flinched slightly at the sound of that voice.
Everyone looked toward the speaker.
Uchiha Dali did too.
They saw an elderly woman, short in stature and face etched with deep wrinkles, but with eyes sharp and full of life, walking toward them.
"Granny Chiyo…"
Rasa blurted her name instinctively.
It was none other than Granny Chiyo, the Hidden Sand's elder advisor.
She had fought in the Second Great Ninja War and witnessed the rise and fall of countless nations and shinobi villages.
On the battlefield, she had struck terror into enemy hearts with her exceptional medical ninjutsu and masterful puppet techniques.
You could say that Granny Chiyo was to the Hidden Sand what Uchiha Dali was to the Hidden Leaf—each a living legend in their own village.
The other ninja lit up with excitement the moment Granny Chiyo appeared.
As if her arrival might change the fate of the Hidden Sand.
"Rasa, I'm not here to lecture you."
"You were elected by the villagers themselves to serve as the Fourth Kazekage. That means they trust you, and they acknowledge that you're the strongest fighter in the village."
"If even you don't have the confidence to defeat this powerful enemy and protect our village, then what hope do the others have?"
"I'm here to tell you that this old woman respects your decision—and entrusts her fate to you as well, Rasa."