Long awaited battle

Death was as inevitable as the midday sun, and their goal of extracting Shukaku was as clear as a cloudless sky.

I can't let them get what they want, Gaara thought, determination flickering in his mind.

A short while later, Baki stood up, recognizing that Gaara wasn't paying attention to him. With a dismissive sigh, Baki left the room, leaving Gaara alone in the academy, which should have been closed by now.

Gaara sat in the empty space, formulating escape plans, his mind racing with counterattacks. Hours passed, and the daylight faded as night crept in. Only then did he rise and leave the academy.

Suddenly—

Streak!!

A blade flew through the air, aimed directly at Gaara. With a fluid motion, he dodged effortlessly, the weapon missing its mark.

Gaara had seen this coming. Projectiles first, to test the target's dexterity.

Soon, more weapons followed, coming from all directions, each varying in range. Without moving an inch, Gaara raised a sand wall that easily blocked the barrage.

"Who sent you?" Gaara asked coldly, his eyes narrowing at a particular figure dressed as a chunin of Sunagakure. But the only response he received was silence.

Recognizing that his speed was not impressive enough to deter Gaara, the attackers switched tactics, deciding to engage in close combat. The first one charged forward but was swiftly caught by a hand of sand, which threw him effortlessly in another direction.

Seeing their failure, the others quickly adapted. Taijutsu was no longer an option; without the speed to dodge or counter, it was clear that it would be lethal.

They quickly transitioned into ninjutsu, working in flawless coordination.

Earth wall!

Earth wall!

Earth wall!

Earth wall!

Four more followed, casting four additional earth spikes on top of the growing earth walls.

It was now Gaara's turn to act, and he considered taking to the air to avoid the impending onslaught. However, he was not alone in his thoughts. As soon as he began to move, a wind splice from four of the ninjas simultaneously cut off the only viable escape route.

Boom!

The earth walls and spikes slammed into Gaara—only to reveal an earth clone that had taken the brunt of the attack.

Chop, chop, chop.

In a blur, three of the chunin were knocked out in an instant, their bodies falling into the sand, leaving only their heads exposed.

They were obviously the weakest among the group, but this will help lessen their numbers, Gaara thought, his smirk widening as he taunted the others.

"Three down, nine more to go."

His words rang out mockingly, clearly aimed to provoke the remaining attackers.

Meanwhile, hidden from sight, Rasa observed the battle from afar, frustration building within him.

Even after giving the order to kill him unless otherwise instructed, they still can't touch him?

He clenched his fists in anger.

"Baki."

"Yes, Lord Kazekage."

"Let them know they must push Gaara to his breaking point. Once he's at his wit's end, execute the plan. I want to see how far the One-Tails will be negligent."

"Yes, Lord Kazekage."

With that, Baki disappeared as quickly as he had arrived.

Rasa's frustration deepened as one of the jōnin, watching the scene unfold, muttered bitterly.

"Hmph, he taunts us for going easy on him. He really thinks just because the One-Tails is inside him, he's invincible. He's still a spoiled brat."

Another jōnin spoke up, shaking his head.

"Lord Gaara is strong, yes, but it's all based on his power from the beast. He hasn't faced a true challenge in battle. Without real combat experience, all that training is just a waste. When war comes, it will all fall apart."

The last jōnin, silent until now, kept his gaze fixed on the battle, watching intently as Gaara continued to dismantle his attackers, his expression unreadable.