Rasa, though a student of the Third Kazekage who inherited his Magnetic Release, manifests it differently.
The Third Kazekage controls iron sand, while Rasa mixes gold dust with sand to increase its weight and density.
The attack on Haruki was undoubtedly from Rasa.
At this moment, he is far from the steadiness he shows after becoming Kazekage. Being young and impetuous, he was angered by Haruki's words and instinctively struck out.
However, Haruki did not move.
Just before the attack hit, a shadow swiftly moved in front of him. The shadow plunged both hands into the gold dust drill, scattering Rasa's chakra.
Haruki turned his head. The shredded sleeve revealed an inhuman arm of the shadow.
A puppet.
Haruki squinted his eyes and followed the chakra strings back to Chiyo.
"Rasa, Haruki is a guest from afar. How can you be so rude!"
Chiyo's face darkened, and she manipulated the puppet back to her side.
Rasa pulled a stiff smile, lowered his hand, but said nothing.
The atmosphere grew tense again.
Haruki removed his left hand from Tsunade's shoulder. If not for him, Tsunade might have already punched out.
"Rasa is immature. I apologize on his behalf for disturbing our guest."
The Third Kazekage showed an apologetic expression, waving his hand with a stern tone, "Rasa, leave and reflect on your actions!"
Rasa left silently.
The Third Kazekage looked at Haruki's calm face, frowning. Was Haruki really sure that Sunagakure would not harm him?
He knew Rasa's temperament well. When Haruki made his remark, he had already guessed Rasa would strike.
In fact, he allowed it.
Otherwise, Rasa would never have had the chance to use chakra in front of him.
This was the confidence of being the strongest Kazekage.
Haruki might have known this but still remained calm in the face of a potentially fatal attack. He was either scared stiff or confident that Sunagakure would intervene.
The former was impossible, and the latter meant that no matter what deals were made, Sunagakure would be at a disadvantage.
Power dictates diplomacy.
Moreover, the Third Kazekage shifted his gaze. He had been observing Haruki's team. In the earlier moment, he clearly felt the extraordinary presence of Haruki's three students.
Ignoring the well-known Namikaze Minato and Uchiha Mikoto, he was truly surprised by this Izumi Sagiri.
After hearing from Chiyo last night that she had broken her meticulously crafted poison, he had doubts. Now, detecting her astonishingly powerful aura, even for less than a second, the Third Kazekage could basically identify her as Tsunade. Therefore, he completely abandoned any idea of using force.
Not to mention the high cost of capturing one of the Legendary Sannin, but Konohagakure would definitely start another war upon finding out.
Haruki alone might not have much influence, but adding Tsunade makes it almost certain.
"Kazekage-sama."
Haruki shrugged and said, "It seems your disciple doesn't like us very much. He might accidentally die here."
The Third Kazekage's face stiffened.
His previous words were thrown back at him.
Though he knew it was a threat, he couldn't do anything.
As Kazekage, he couldn't act like a rogue ninja or a loner. He had to consider the consequences.
And these consequences, he could not bear.
Chiyo and Ebizo's expressions also changed.
Despite their greater composure compared to ordinary ninjas, being verbally attacked in a way that could be considered humiliating was both mentally and physically challenging.
"But I come with sincerity to help your Sunagakure out of poverty."
Haruki switched his tone and spoke seriously about the real matter.
The earlier words were a counter to Sunagakure, but he could understand their suspicions and actions.
It was a difference in mindset.
"Poverty alleviation?"
The Third Kazekage stared at him in amazement, trying to see if he was joking.
Though he knew Sunagakure's poverty, it seemed too surreal for a Konoha ninja to come over and talk about poverty alleviation.
"You may not be lying, but Sunagakure's poverty is due to the land and environment."
The Third Kazekage shook his head and said, "Unless you're Hokage and willing to cede land to us, one or two businesses can't change this."
"But that's not true. Deserts and oases hold unique resources that you've never noticed."
"Impossible."
The Third Kazekage did not believe Haruki's words at all. Although Sunagakure was not established long, they had lived in the Land of Wind for generations and knew the resources well.
"Sunlight, wind, water, oil, coal, ores." Haruki casually listed knowledge from high school geography.
"..."
The Third Kazekage was not shocked but bewildered.
What on earth are you talking about?
Can these make money?
With his limited knowledge, he couldn't understand how Haruki's ideas could bring wealth to Sunagakure.
Luckily, Haruki was prepared. He summoned a scroll and handed it to the Third Kazekage.
"This is the proposal."
Out of curiosity, the Third Kazekage opened the scroll.
And became more bewildered.
Afforestation? Intensive irrigation? Wind power? High-speed rail? Sheep farming and mining?
"Give me a moment."
The Third Kazekage pressed his temples, utterly confused.
Too many unfamiliar concepts made it hard for him to grasp, more challenging than developing his Magnetic Release.
"Kazekage-sama?"
Chiyo was equally baffled by his actions and grew interested in the scroll.
"You take a look."
The Third Kazekage handed the scroll to her.
Soon, another bewildered person joined the room.
"Can this really work?" Chiyo couldn't help but ask.
"Of course." Haruki replied.
The scroll only explained the concepts, not the methods.
Even so, it was hard for them to digest.
Ebizo also looked at the scroll's contents.
Soon, he scratched his head.
Couldn't understand.
The Third Kazekage took a deep breath and looked at Haruki, asking, "Can these really make Sunagakure prosperous?"
"I have no reason to lie, and deceiving you doesn't benefit me." Haruki said sincerely.
The Third Kazekage carefully observed his expression.
After a moment, he asked, "What should we do?"
Haruki smiled.
The answer did not surprise him.
Sunagakure had no choice but to believe him.
If they had any other options, they wouldn't have resorted to selling gold dust and jutsu.
"Kazekage-sama, this isn't something that can be explained in a few words. It involves a lot of details, so we need open and sincere cooperation based on trust."
"What are your conditions? As long as they are not excessive, I can agree." The Third Kazekage asked after a brief silence.
If it could truly change Sunagakure's situation, even a trap was worth trying.