59: Pluto has come, Lord Kazekage, times have changed!

Tang Yan etched his own Bloodline Limit information into the 'Pluto' core, each etching bearing the imprint of his Bloodline Limit.

With incredibly precise control, he forcefully guided this nascent power to merge with the puppet's metallic body.

The grayish-white petrified bones within him glowed faintly, as if resonating across space with the newly created being in the center of the workshop.

Hours later.

A humanoid puppet, entirely black like obsidian and covered in bizarre, rock-veined patterns, stood silently in the center of the workshop.

It had no exposed weapons, nor did it show any hint of sharpness, yet it emanated a chilling sense of deathly stillness and oppression.

Pluto.

Was born.

Tang Yan extended a finger, and a Chakra thread silently connected to Pluto.

Then he switched to the Tang Clan's secret technique, Tang Clan Object Manipulation.

An unprecedented feeling of 'blood connection' instantly flooded his consciousness.

He felt as if he possessed a second body, able to clearly perceive the Qi Poison - Petrify power, which originated from himself, flowing within Pluto.

With a thought, Pluto, in the center of the workshop, synchronously clenched its left fist, emitting a dull metallic grinding sound.

Perfect.

Behind him, Shura Kai, Owl · Stealth, Armor · Fortification, Morra - Thousand Unbinding, and medicine child, Diligent, four upgraded puppets, stood silently, their killing intent restrained, like the most loyal guardians.

The energy fluctuations in the workshop ultimately could not escape Sunagakure's sensory barrier.

The heavy metal door was opened from the outside, and Rasa, accompanied by Maki and other high-ranking officials, arrived in person, their expressions grim.

He scanned the refreshed puppet army, his gaze finally locking onto Pluto, then turned to Tang Yan.

"Those old fogeys from the Council of Elders have almost worn out the threshold of my office."

Rasa's voice betrayed no emotion.

"They demand that I test your creation to see if you are worth the Village investing such vast resources."

He looked directly at Tang Yan, complex light flickering in his golden pupils, and made a request that no one had anticipated.

"To the training ground."

Tang Yan frowned slightly, muttering, "These trash."

"Let me see its value, prove that you are worth the Village staking its future."

Sunagakure's highest-level Training Ground Number Seven.

The atmosphere was 肅殺.

Tang Yan stood in the center of the field, with only the silent Pluto behind him.

Opposite them were ten elite Sunagakure Jonin, each exuding the formidable aura of countless life-and-death battles.

"Start!"

At Rasa's command, the Sunagakure Jonin struck first!

"Wind Release - Wind Blade!"

Sharp vacuum blades sliced through the air, whistling directly towards Tang Yan's face.

Tang Yan remained motionless, but Pluto behind him moved.

It neither dodged nor evaded, simply extending its dark right hand.

The wind blade accurately struck its palm.

There was no explosion, no impact.

"Crack..."

The wind blade, strong enough to cut metal and stone, shattered like fragile glass in Pluto's palm, turning into original airflow and dissipating.

Not even a scratch was left behind.

"How is that possible!" one Jonin exclaimed.

"Taijutsu squad, go!" another Jonin's face darkened, issuing a new command.

A Taijutsu Jonin, known for his speed and strength, instantly closed in, his Chakra-infused fist striking with immense force directly at Pluto's chest.

Pluto's speed was ghostly fast; while evading the attack by turning sideways, its five dark fingers lightly touched the Jonin's steel arm guard.

"!"

The Jonin instantly stiffened as if struck by lightning.

A deathly gray pallor spread rapidly along his arm guard, visible to the naked eye; his entire right arm's muscles instantly became stiff, heavy, and lost all sensation.

"My arm!" he shrieked in terror, the flow of Chakra in that arm forcibly severed.

"Disperse! Use Ninjutsu!" Maki's roar carried a hint of alarm.

The Jonin immediately reacted, forming hand seals rapidly.

"Fire Release - Dragon Fire Technique!"

"Water Release - Water Trumpet!"

"Earth Release - Earth Flow Spear!"

Overwhelming elemental Ninjutsu assailed them from all directions, aiming to completely engulf the bizarre puppet.

Pluto remained standing, but an invisible ripple emanated from its body.

All Ninjutsu entering the ripple's range, whether roaring fire dragons or surging water bullets, had their internal energy structures rapidly eroded and disintegrated by an invisible force.

Ultimately, they lost all energy in mid-air, turning into powerless sand, stones, and water vapor, falling to the ground with a clatter.

On the high platform, Rasa's pupils sharply contracted.

He understood!

This was not defense; this was 'annihilation'!

It was using that strange Bloodline Limit power to dismantle all forms of Chakra attacks from their energy source!

Seeing the Jonin helpless and retreating, Rasa personally intervened.

He clapped his hands together.

"Magnet Release - Gold Dust Imperial Funeral!"

The sky-filled yellow sand instantly took on a magnificent golden hue; countless sharp swords and spears made of high-density gold dust formed in the air, descending upon Tang Yan and Pluto with the terrifying pressure of a Kage-level expert.

This was the true attack of a Kazekage!

Facing this world-destroying scene, a slight curve finally appeared at the corner of Tang Yan's mouth.

His consciousness fluctuated slightly.

Pluto's knees sank slightly, and its hands slammed onto the ground!

"Buzz--!"

A gray, deathly energy spread out along the ground like ripples!

Rasa was horrified to discover that his proud gold dust, upon contact with that gray energy, rapidly lost the luster and sharpness bestowed by Chakra!

The golden sand became heavy, coarse, and fragile gray-white particles, as if they had undergone thousands of years of weathering in an instant.

Finally, a few meters from Tang Yan, they completely disintegrated and dispersed, turning back into ordinary sand, rustling down.

His Chakra connection with the gold dust was forcibly severed!

His Bloodline Limit was actually countered by Tang Yan's Bloodline Limit!

"Stop."

Rasa waved his hand, halting the test that no longer held any suspense.

He slowly descended from the high platform, his expression a complex mixture of shock, ecstasy, and a hint of deep-seated apprehension.

He had his answer.

An answer far exceeding his wildest expectations.

Rasa walked into the arena and, in front of all the high-ranking officials, announced in a loud voice to the entire Sunagakure Village:

"Effective immediately, I appoint Tang Yan as the Commander of the Sunagakure Puppet Brigade, concurrently serving as the Kazekage's Chief Tactical Advisor!"

"His authority is second only to mine and the Council of Elders!"

For a moment, the entire venue was silent.

All eyes looking at the young man were filled with complex emotions, a mixture of awe and fear.

This young man had, by virtue of his unrivaled strength, ascended to a high position overnight!

Rasa needed to return to the front lines immediately; a war that would determine the Village's fate awaited him there.

Before leaving, he took one last look at Tang Yan.

"I'll give you seven days to handle everything in the Village."

"In seven days, bring your squad and meet me on the front lines."

Tang Yan nodded.

He planned to spend two days with his sister Cang Qi; he hadn't had a proper conversation with her since returning.

Then, it was time to visit that nation forgotten by history.

The ancient Loulan Kingdom.

He wanted to see the legendary Dragon Veins with his own eyes and verify if his crazy idea could find a true 'nuclear power bank' for his puppets.