Naruto: I, Uchiha, Just Want to Die

Chapter 163: Rasa's Decision, Ebizō's Death!

At this moment,

In the desert near the edge of the barrier.

"It feels so quiet…"

"Minato Namikaze hasn't caught up? And that Uchiha brat as well…"

Staring into the vast, silent desert, where only the wind howled amidst the sands, Ebizō's heart sank slightly.

But he quickly shook off these thoughts, squinting as he gazed at the pale red barrier riddled with cracks.

After enduring the residual blast of Uchiha Ci's Fire Release Chakra Mode, the barrier now swayed precariously, no longer as solid as it had been. This sight brought a hint of joy to Ebizō's heart.

"It's almost done, almost!"

"This barrier can't stop me anymore!"

"All those desperate battles weren't in vain!"

Ebizō strode forward, looking outside the barrier to the Sand Shinobi reinforcements rushing toward him from afar.

Leading them was none other than the Fourth Kazekage of Sunagakure—Rasa—coming to rescue him.

Initially, Ebizō had thought this young man, obsessed with power struggles, lacked the resolve or ability to uphold Sunagakure's future. He had always opposed Rasa's rise to Kazekage.

But now, it seemed he had been too harsh on the young man.

Look at him—acting so reliable as the Kazekage.

Still, why is he here?

"Forget it; it doesn't matter anymore."

Ebizō shook his head, flames spurting from the puppet armor on his back. His eyes burned with hope as he fixed his gaze ahead.

"Almost there, almost!"

"As long as I reach that point!"

"And in the future, as long as Sunagakure remains united, continues forward, the road will extend endlessly!"

However—

At that moment,

Screech—

A sound akin to brakes suddenly pierced Ebizō's ears.

Startled, he looked up and realized the noise came from outside the barrier.

---

At this moment,

Rasa, the Fourth Kazekage rushing toward the barrier,

Also saw Ebizō trapped within it, standing alone.

But as his eyes fell on Ebizō, Rasa abruptly skidded to a halt, his face filled with astonishment.

What the hell?

Why is this stubborn old fossil, Ebizō, here?

And why is this obstinate elder standing on the very secret route Rasa had designed to ensure his safe arrival at the frontline?

Moreover, judging by his bruised and battered state, it looked as if he'd been beaten half to death!

Rasa's heart skipped a beat as he realized this was a critical decision-making moment for him.

At this spot, using his Gold Dust Burial technique, he could easily gather the gold dust within half a kilometer and shatter the barrier instantly, rescuing Ebizō.

But—

He had already sacrificed and endured so much to become the Kazekage.

Yet his authority in the village had never been truly realized.

Ebizō and Chiyo, along with other elders, controlled Sunagakure's military and government, reducing Rasa's title to a mere figurehead. He had even risked his life for this hollow position.

Was this really what he wanted?

Now,

Saving Ebizō might change the old man's view of him, gaining his support and solidifying his position as Kazekage.

Or—

Rasa's eyes turned cold, his face expressionless as he stood still, watching Ebizō, who was rushing toward him with desperate hope.

Half his face, hidden under the moonlight, was shrouded in gloom.

---

In the next moment,

A yellow flash suddenly appeared behind Ebizō!

A young man wearing a Konoha Jōnin flak jacket emerged as if teleporting. With a kunai in hand, he aimed straight for Ebizō's throat.

A clear, angry voice followed:

"Ebizō!"

"Carrying the will of my comrades and the mission of my village, I cannot lose!"

"This is the combined technique: Flash Super Wheel Dance Howl Farewell Slash!"

Ebizō's head snapped up, his face contorted in fury and despair as his roar echoed across the desert.

"Impossible!"

"How could this be the end for me?!"

---

Inside the barrier,

Ebizō turned, roaring as Minato Namikaze closed in on him with dizzying speed. His scalp tingled in fear.

This speed was beyond human comprehension!

Even facing Uchiha Ci had been overwhelming. To fend him off, Ebizō had deployed all his lion puppets and nearly all his ninja tools, relying on sheer firepower to force Ci back.

Now, he could no longer replicate such an overwhelming attack. Even if he could, it might not stop the even faster Minato Namikaze.

In that case—

"If the speed of humans is beyond me…"

"Then—"

"I'll stop being human!"

Ebizō's eyes widened in madness, veins bulging as blood vessels streaked across the whites of his eyes. His bloodied face now resembled a demon.

He raised his hands and plunged his fingers into his chest, flooding his body with chakra strings.

"Technique: Human Puppet Refinement!"

This advanced puppet technique allowed him to control his own body like a puppet, pushing past human limits!

His once rigid movements became unnaturally fluid.

With a Wind Release: Gale Palm, he blasted himself into the air, avoiding Minato's lethal strike before tumbling to the ground in a controlled crash.

Behind him, a pair of puppet eyes shot out from his mechanism and inserted themselves into his eye sockets, bursting his original eyes. Blood tears streamed down his wrinkled face as the puppet eyes began to move, locking onto Minato.

"I can see it now—I can see all your movements clearly!"

"Minato Namikaze!"

Ebizō sneered grimly.

"Using this human puppet technique, my death is certain!"

"You've won! Konoha has won!"

"But you hateful brats—I'll bury you all here for the future of Sunagakure!"

Minato remained silent, his expression cold as he threw four Flying Thunder God kunai and charged toward Ebizō in a yellow flash!

To ensure Ebizō's defeat, he needed to land a decisive blow.

---

Suddenly, Uchiha Ci leapt into the fray, joining Minato with a synchronized attack.

Their combined efforts overwhelmed Ebizō, whose desperate defense faltered against the relentless assault. In the end, Minato's Flying Thunder God technique struck true, and blood splattered across the battlefield.

Their voices echoed triumphantly:

"This is the Combo Technique: Flash Super Wheel Dance Howl Immortal Triple Slash Version Two!"

And with that, Ebizō fell, his death marking the end of a fierce and desperate battle.