Just as Ryoma looked toward Gaara, Gaara was also studying Ryoma with open curiosity.
Although he had seen Ryoma's image countless times—on television broadcasts, computers, and mobile screens—this was the first time Gaara had encountered him in person.
Ryoma was far younger than Gaara had expected.
According to the information available, the man before him should have been in his early thirties, yet his appearance was closer to that of someone barely past twenty.
His tall, well-built frame was concealed beneath a loose black robe. Black hair, black eyes. His pale, handsome face bore no expression, and his gaze was calm—like an ancient well untouched by ripples, unshaken by the outside world.
"He certainly has the aura of a true powerhouse… but I can't tell how far his real strength goes."
Gaara pondered silently.
When he was still a child, he had heard countless tales of Ryoma's deeds from the elders of Sunagakure. In their words, Ryoma was invincible beneath the heavens—a being without equal. Because of that, Gaara had always harbored deep curiosity about him: how he cultivated, and what realm of power he had truly reached.
Sensing Gaara's gaze, Ryoma naturally perceived his thoughts. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly as he spoke:
"Young man, you seem very interested in my strength?"
"Eh—!?"
Gaara froze.
Those deep eyes felt as though they could see straight through him, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words. Beside him, Kankurō and Temari stiffened, worried that their brother might have offended the so-called God of the Ninja World, and quickly stepped forward to smooth things over.
"You don't need to be so nervous," Ryoma said with a light chuckle. "I'm not a monster."
Then he beckoned to Gaara.
"If you're curious about my realm, we can talk about it. Consider it… my personal evaluation of you as Kazekage."
The moment those words fell, everyone present was stunned.
Lord Ryoma was planning to personally test him?
Seeing Gaara hesitate, Ryoma waved his hand again, his expression calm and indifferent.
"Go on. This is your assessment. If you pass, then you truly deserve the title of Fifth Kazekage."
Gaara took a deep breath.
Looking straight at Ryoma, his expression turned solemn.
"I understand."
Chakra erupted from Gaara's body. The gourd on his back trembled as vast quantities of yellow sand surged forth, rising and condensing in midair.
"This place isn't suitable," Ryoma said casually. "Let's change locations."
The instant his voice faded, everyone felt their bodies jolt.
In the next moment, the room vanished.
They were now standing in the training grounds behind Konoha.
"This—!"
Gaara's pupils shrank violently.
Before he could even process what had happened, Ryoma had already made his move—and the mere act of relocating them all had left Gaara shaken to the core.
Everyone present possessed considerable strength. Some were even at Kage level. Yet Ryoma had transferred all of them here silently, instantaneously, without the slightest fluctuation.
Even before exchanging blows, Gaara already felt utterly inferior.
"So this is the God of the Ninja World…"
Any lingering doubt he once had—about whether Ryoma's reputation had been exaggerated—vanished completely.
"But since I've been given the chance to face such a being… I won't waste it."
His resolve hardened.
With a single thought, the sand around Gaara rapidly formed dozens of sharp sand arrows, shooting straight toward Ryoma.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The attack was stopped instantly.
A wooden wall rose from the ground, blocking the sand arrows effortlessly. Then, with a casual flick of Ryoma's right hand, a massive wooden pillar erupted upward and crashed directly toward Gaara.
"Drink!"
Gaara leapt into the air as a mass of sand surged beneath his feet, lifting him upward.
Facing Ryoma, Gaara had no intention of holding back. He extended his left hand and clenched it in midair toward the figure below, as if trying to seize him outright.
In response, an overwhelming tide of yellow sand erupted.
The sand spread through the air, forming thick clouds that blotted out the sky. At the same time, the ground beneath Ryoma's feet rapidly turned to sand, surging upward and binding his body, attempting to drag him down into the earth.
Above Ryoma's position, the sand gathered and reshaped itself, forming a massive humanoid face dozens of meters tall.
The sand face opened its mouth wide and lunged downward, as if intent on devouring him whole.
"Quicksand Waterfall!"
Gaara roared.
This technique could completely alter the terrain, instantly transforming an entire area into a desert and burying the enemy hundreds of meters underground beneath crushing pressure.
"Hah!"
With a thunderous crash, Gaara forced the yellow sand to surge downward in one overwhelming wave.
Yet Ryoma did not react.
He did not dodge.
He did not raise a hand.
Only when the sand was less than five meters away did the chakra around Ryoma suddenly rise.
His body remained motionless—but a terrifying force erupted from his surface.
A shockwave burst outward.
The surrounding sand was violently repelled, blasted away as if struck by an invisible wall, the impact slamming directly back toward Gaara.
The chakra shockwave tore through the air, dispersing it violently. A visible ring of compressed air expanded outward in all directions.
Boom!
The massive sand construct collapsed instantly upon contact, breaking apart midair and scattering downward like a torrential rain of yellow sand.
Hidden within the collapsing sand, Gaara's body was thrown off balance and sent crashing toward the ground.
His limbs felt numb.
For a moment, his entire body was paralyzed. Dizziness washed over him, and just as he struggled to steady himself—
A black shadow appeared before him.
Ryoma stood there.
He merely glanced at Gaara.
That single, indifferent look was enough.
In that instant, Gaara understood with absolute clarity—he was no match for this man. Not now. Not even close.
Without hesitation, Gaara clasped his hands together and bowed deeply.
"Lord Ryoma's strength… truly opens one's eyes."
At this moment, not a shred of fighting intent remained in his heart.
Ryoma's overwhelming power had completely crushed any thought Gaara once had of surpassing him. For the first time in his life, Gaara felt absolute, unquestioning conviction toward another person.
So this… is what true strength looks like.
Looking at Ryoma, admiration unconsciously surfaced in his eyes.
Gaara's strength had undeniably reached the level of a Kage. That much was clear—and it was acknowledged by Ryoma.
With that, the assessment came to an end.
The ceremony was completed.
Gaara was officially recognized as the Fifth Kazekage—and the youngest Kazekage in history.
(End of Chapter)
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