Chapter 8: Manipulation of metals

But what no one in Sunagakure knows is that Rasa not only successfully cultivated in the direction of the gold dust that everyone saw, but he also successfully cultivated in the iron sand, or rather, the manipulation of metals in general.

Which was extremely rare, as cultivating in only one direction was already extremely difficult for the few who had the Kekkei Genkai Magnet, so difficult that only Rasa and the Third Kazekage had succeeded.

This was also because those born with the Kekkei Genkai Magnet were very rare and in most cases were not even able to use it successfully.

The first to manage to master this Kekkei Genkai was the Third Kazekage, but even he was not able to use it properly since manipulating large metals would require knowledge of magnetic fields that he does not have.

But if it were not for the fact that the Third Kazekage studied Shukaku and managed to imitate his techniques, the Kekkei Genkai Magnet would likely be useless since controlling metal is simply impossible without knowing the basics of magnetism.

He only discovered a small part of the enormous potential that this Kekkei Genkai has and the truth is that all the Third Kazekage really managed to do was to combine sand and iron dust and thus create iron sand, this sand was manipulated through magnetic fields made with his chakra, allowing him to mimic the control over the sand as Shukaku.

And this was only achieved after several years of study on Shukaku, only then he could unite sand and iron dust to create iron sand to copy Shukaku's techniques to control the sand at will being able to use it defensive and offensively.

In short, the Third Kazekage only uses the Kekkei Genkai Magnet to convert his chakra into magnetic fields and thus use his chakra to mold the sand into weapons and also crush his opponents with it.

But the jutsus that were used by him based on the Iron Sand can only be used thanks to the fact that he has the Magnet Element that allows him to naturally convert his Chakras into magnetic fields, otherwise not knowing how a magnetic field works, it would be impossible for him to master this Kekkei Genkai.

Currently, Rasa is the only one to have successfully mastered more than one direction of cultivation in the Kekkei Genkai Magnet (Iron and Gold).

But Rasa did not plan to tell anyone about this.

Besides currently being able to master gold dust was more important than mastering iron sand for Sunagakure.

This is because everyone in the village can distinguish the value of iron and gold.

That is to say, a magnetic ninja mastering gold dust will bring a great growth point for the village hidden in the sand, just for this alone Rasa was already highly valued by everyone in the village.

"Not bad, to be able to master the magnetic gold dust escape at your age is enough to prove your talent!" nodded the third Kazekage satisfied.

"Well, it's all thanks to my innate ability to control Gold Dust, without the limits of the blood succession I have it wouldn't have been possible!" said Rasa modestly.

"It's part of your talent Rasa, don't take credit for it. I also heard that you defeated one of our Sunagakure Chunin in just one minute with the use of your Gold Dust, very impressive!"

"So it was sir, although the Chunin was overconfident and I just took advantage of the moment to use all my strength and defeat him in one move, if the situation had been different I don't think I could have defeated him without suffering lethal injuries" expressed Rasa telling the whole truth about the situation without bragging.

Rasa already suspected that the Kazekage not only knew that this was the real reason, but that the third Kazekage was probably looking to see the attitude he had after overwhelmingly defeating a Chunin at a young age.

It was almost obvious for Rasa to assume that the Third Kazekage wanted to see if he was arrogant after such an accomplishment or if he could still analyze the situation clearly.

The Third Kazekage nodded in relief and seemed satisfied with Rasa's response.

"Well, it seems that you know your limits and your strength, so you should also know that consuming all your chakra in one move is extremely dangerous in a mission, as unexpected situations can always happen and one must always be alert to this."

"I understand sir Kazekage."

"I don't doubt that you understand, you are extremely intelligent Rasa despite your young age and you are also the second after me to succeed in mastering and manipulating the Kekkei Genkai of the Magnet, I am happy to say that you did not let me down like many others, is there anything you wish for as compensation for your achievements?" asked the third Kazekage.

"Well...yes there is something I would like to ask of you if possible," said Rasa.

"Oh, tell me, some kind of ninjutsu perhaps?" the third Kazekage asked inquisitively.

There was nothing Rasa asked for that would be hard for him to get unless Rasa went overboard with his request, but no smart ninja would do that.

For the Third Kazekage to indulge Rasa a little with benefits was the best way to keep him happy and loyal to his side, thus keeping him away from the opposition he had in the village.

"I..., I wanted to take the chunin exam, I know I am already at the level of a mid-grade Chunin, so I should be able to take the exam," said Rasa catching the attention of the Third Kazekage who was not expecting him to ask for that.

The truth is that Rasa wanted to become a Chunin as soon as possible because in Sunagakure the Chunin didn't have to team up with anyone to go out on missions and Rasa didn't want to be part of a team with other Genin, he preferred to continue working on his own and research his Kekkei Genkai more.

"I see, ambitious, I can understand that, but I can't agree with you taking the village exam to become a Chunin, your strength may be on par with a common Chunin, but you still lack combat experience and your chakra is still low, in a long combat you wouldn't stand a chance" the third Kazekage answered him.

Rasa wanted to insist, but he knew it wouldn't help.

"Even so, your achievements must be compensated and since I cannot grant your request, as compensation from now on you will become my apprentice" the Third Kazekage suddenly said, this time catching Rasa's attention who despite thinking about the possibility of this happening, didn't think it would be so soon.

After all, the Third Kazekage can't go out on missions with him or spend much time teaching him since in his position he is usually very busy.

And it is known that when the Third Kazekage is not busy with village affairs, he is constantly studying and improving his mastery over his Kekkei Genkai, it is said that he is often looking to create new jutsus that will help him be more offensive in a fight.

Rasa had even heard rumors that the Third Raikage had mocked the Third Kazekage's famous defense by saying that he was just a scared ninja hiding behind his iron shell and that offensively he was no better than an ordinary Jonin from his village.

"That would be quite an honor sir Kazekage."

"Well Rasa, from now on you are my apprentice, so no need for formalities in private, you just call me Master would be fine."

"I understand, thank you Master for accepting me as an apprentice."

"Very well, now Rasa, as you may already know, I don't have much free time and I can't go out on missions with you either since I have to be in the village, that's why I have other things planned for you as my apprentice."

Rasa looked at him confused not knowing what he might have planned.

"Skull!" called the third Kazekage and quickly the Anbu ninja appeared in front of him.

"Lord Kazekage!" said Skull as he knelt down.

"From now on you will take my apprentice Rasa and include him in an Anbu team to perform missions given exclusively by me."

"Understood Kazekage-sama" Skull nodded quickly.

While Rasa looked at the whole situation astonished, he had not planned to join Anbu, but now that he thought about it, it was the best option.

Now he would not only be the direct apprentice of the Third Kazekage, but he would also be able to gain real experience with the best ninja in the village.

Anbu may not be the most powerful ninja compared to some Jonin, but the Anbu were always noted for being very skilled geniuses for all kinds of missions.

What better than to learn from those ninjas who have an understanding and skill above most ninjas.

"Rasa, from now on you are part of Anbu's corps and my apprentice. Now Skull will take you to meet your team."

"I understand Master."

"Good, you are dismissed" the third Kazekage waved his hand and dismissed them both.

Skull nodded and walked out of the office along with Rasa.

"Follow me," Skull said in a deep voice to Rasa once they were both out of the Kazekage's office.

Rasa nodded and followed Skull.