"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"
The Third Kazekage placed his hands on the ground, and refined chakra slowly surged from his palms.
The rocks and sand on the ground rustled, and specks of black light rose from beneath the earth, gradually forming a thin rope of iron sand in front of Rasa.
"Teacher, is this the Magnet Release you use to suppress Shukaku?"
Rasa, only fourteen years old, looked with excitement at the iron sand surrounding him, his eyes filled with yearning.
"Indeed!"
The Third Kazekage nodded gently.
"Rasa, you are now a qualified Chunin."
"With your chakra reserves and control, it's time for you to begin training in Magnet Release."
Rasa stood ramrod straight, his eyes burning as he looked at the Third Kazekage.
"Yes!"
"Thank you for your kindness, Teacher!"
A look of satisfaction crossed the Third Kazekage's eyes as he gently shook his head at Rasa.
"As my disciple, you must understand the significance of Magnet Release to Sunagakure."
"I previously promised Elder Chiyo that if Sasori's talent and strength proved outstanding in the future, I would pass on the position of the next Kazekage to him."
Rasa's excited expression faltered, a barely perceptible flicker of jealousy in his eyes.
"Teacher, but..."
The Third Kazekage saw through his disciple's thoughts at a glance. He offered a comforting smile and said meaningfully,
"But the one I favor most is not him..."
"A puppeteer's potential is too limited. I cannot gamble the village's future on an unknown genius."
"Therefore..."
"Rasa, work hard!"
Fervor instantly ignited in Rasa's eyes as he clenched his fists tightly.
"Yes!"
The Third Kazekage nodded with satisfaction.
"Magnet Release was originally inspired by Lord Second Kazekage's ability to control sand from Shukaku."
"After long observation and combat, the Second Kazekage gained Magnet Release and sand control abilities from Shukaku."
"Magnet Release is inherited by successive Kazekages, while the sand control ability is inherited by those who assist the Kazekage."
"For example, after I became Kazekage, Elder Chiyo's son and daughter-in-law each assisted me with their puppetry and sand control skills, respectively."
"After teaching you Magnet Release, I will choose a suitable ninja from the village to inherit the sand control ability."
"That person will be your future wife, do you understand?"
"As for the puppeteer..."
"If you prove outstanding enough in the future, I will find a way to have Sasori assist you once he has grown."
A strange light flickered in Rasa's eyes as he nodded solemnly.
"Yes!"
"I will do as you arrange, Teacher!"
After outlining his plans for Rasa's future, the Third Kazekage officially began today's private lesson.
"Magnet Release is a special kekkei genkai that combines wind and earth chakra, after their nature transformations."
"Its principle is to use the adsorption ability of wind-style chakra to rapidly condense earth-style chakra, thereby imbuing both chakras with the power to generate magnetism towards metals."
"The specific training method involves a certain ratio..."
One explained meticulously, the other listened intently.
Rasa, indeed a future Fourth Kazekage, took little time to make his first attempt at releasing Magnet Release under the Third Kazekage's guidance.
"Magnet Release: Iron Sand!"
Rasa uttered softly, placing his hands on the ground with solemnity. One hand with wind chakra, the other with earth chakra, the two chakras combined rapidly under his control, undergoing a wondrous transformation.
A heavy pulling force emanated from underground. Rasa carefully controlled the weak force in his palms, slowly directing it towards the substance from which he felt the pull.
As his hands slowly rose, strands of sand shimmering with golden light ascended from the desert along with Rasa's palms.
Seeing the sand grains, their color starkly different from the iron sand released by the Third Kazekage, Rasa flushed with embarrassment and awkwardly released his control over the golden sand.
"I'm sorry, I failed on the first attempt..."
"Teacher, I have disappointed you!"
The Third Kazekage looked at the golden light shimmering in the sand at his feet, a peculiar glow rising in his eyes.
"No, I am not disappointed!"
"Rasa, you have given me a tremendous surprise."
Rasa blinked, a bad premonition creeping into his heart.
"Sur... surprise?"
The Third Kazekage placed his hands on Rasa's shoulders, patting them firmly, and said with heartfelt sincerity:
"Indeed!"
"Do not be overly modest. Your method of releasing Magnet Release is perfectly fine."
"Keep working hard. I believe you will become an even more outstanding Kazekage than I."
Rasa was somewhat taken aback by the Third Kazekage's sudden enthusiasm, stammering,
"Yes... yes..."
"I will work hard!"
A barely concealed smile played on the Third Kazekage's lips. Just as he was about to offer some encouraging words to this disciple who had given him such a great surprise, he heard a panicked shout from behind.
"Kazekage-sama, bad news!"
The Third Kazekage frowned, released Rasa's shoulders, and slowly turned to face the approaching figure, his expression one of displeasure.
"Panicking, what kind of demeanor is this!"
The Sunagakure ninja flinched, glanced at Rasa beside him, gritted his teeth, and approached the Third Kazekage, whispering a few words.
"Kazekage-sama, just now, as per custom, I arranged for someone to deliver food to Shukaku, but..."
"The two companions guarding Shukaku have been sacrificed, and Shukaku has fainted for unknown reasons."
"I dared not delay and immediately came to report to you, Kazekage-sama!"
The Third Kazekage nodded gravely, signaling the messenger ninja to return.
"Rasa, Teacher has some urgent matters and must return for now."
"You stay here and practice diligently, do not be lazy. I will check your progress later."
"Mm..."
The Third Kazekage pondered for a moment, then pulled out a sealing scroll from his robe.
"For today's training, pack the sand you extract with Magnet Release into this sealing scroll. The more you fill it, the greater the reward I will give you."
Rasa stared at the scroll in his hand, disbelief etched on his face.
"This... how long will this take to fill?"
The Third Kazekage paid him no mind about how long it would take. He waved his hand, activated his Magnet Release chakra, stepped onto a mass of iron sand, and flew back towards the village.
"Notify Elder Chiyo to come over. Tell her that her sealing jutsu might be needed. She will understand."
"Also, do not alarm anyone else in the village."
"Simultaneously seal the entrance to the underground prison. No one is to enter or leave until Elder Chiyo and I have resolved the issue and emerged."
"Yes!"
The Sunagakure ANBU ninja solemnly acknowledged the orders and departed.
Rasa's chakra flashed as a layer of iron sand rapidly encased his body. Without bringing anyone else, he headed directly into the underground prison.
Of course, aside from two corpses and the unconscious Fū, Rasa would find absolutely nothing else.