The world had long overlooked the Taijutsu style of the Fifth Kazekage. However, it was undeniable that Shiraishi with a blade was a different beast entirely compared to when he was unarmed.
As Shiraishi prepared to draw his sword, Onoki became exceedingly cautious.
Shiraishi took a single step forward. The instantaneous pressure he generated created a near-vacuum in the area, making the surroundings feel stiflingly oppressive.
The Gravity Manipulation he had held in reserve erupted the moment he drew his blade, and the silver edge began to emit a massive gravitational pull.
Through years of training, Shiraishi's swordsmanship had reached a level where his intent was perfectly hidden; it was impossible to predict where the next strike would originate.
At the moment of the draw, a flash of silver light—moving at a speed that defied evasion—slashed toward Onoki.
Amidst a massive explosion, Onoki was forced into a desperate, staggered retreat through the air.
Uchiha Shisui's gaze turned deadly serious. His uncle, Uchiha Zhan, had been slain by Shiraishi's blade.
As the Kazekage showcased his swordsmanship once more, Shisui endured the strain on his Sharingan to analyze every frame of movement.
As the Hokage's guard, his duty was to decipher Shiraishi's patterns to gather intelligence for Minato's upcoming bat
However, the swordplay was too erratic. The timing and trajectory seemed entirely spontaneous, yet the power was overwhelming.
Onoki coughed several times. Seeing Shiraishi in his "Sheathed Blade" state, he knew the battle had reached its climax.
He commanded a swarm of debris to rain down on the Kazekage. Shiraishi responded by expanding his gravity field, synchronizing it with his silver blade.
As he sliced through the boulders, a fluctuation in weight occurred within the rubble.
Onoki felt a sudden, heavy pressure weighing down his own body.
Is this... gravity alteration?
For a moment, even the Tsuchikage found it difficult to maintain his flight. Shiraishi did not let up. He twisted his blade, condensing a strike that surpassed all limits.
By infusing his gravity manipulation into his swordsmanship, he created his own Gravity Blade style. With a Body Flicker, he appeared before Onoki and brought the silver blade down.
At the moment of impact, the sheer weight concentrated on Shiraishi's edge sent Onoki plummeting vertically.
Shiraishi followed up with a horizontal swing, releasing a massive wave of lateral gravity that crushed everything in its path. The shockwave, shaped like a prowling tiger, lunged at Onoki's Dust release barrier.
This relentless, aggressive assault shattered Onoki's rhythm. As the old man retreated, he grew increasingly alarmed. During a final exchange, Shiraishi left an afterimage to evade a strike, appearing behind Onoki's neck. But in that instant, Shiraishi's intuition screamed danger.
The real Onoki had appeared high above, firing a massive beam of Dust release. The "Onoki" Shiraishi had been attacking and dissolved into a Mud Clone, which immediately launched its own beam from the side.
Dust Release: Detachment of the Primitive World Technique
Two beams converged on Shiraishi. Unmoved, Shiraishi perfectly fused his silver blade with his gravity arts, reversing the gravitational flow.
Under the explosive pressure, a cyclone of air combined with his sword light. The swirling debris rose into the air, coalescing into a massive, artificial meteorite around Shiraishi.
Shiraishi activated the Azure Flame in his right eye, igniting the entire stone mass. Under his command, the burning azure meteorite slammed into Onoki's Dust Release beams!
The Crisis in the Land of Vegetables
In the Land of Vegetables, Dojari Souji sheathed his long sword and looked upon the field of corpses with pity. He hadn't wanted to be this ruthless, but the disaster caused by the Box of Ultimate Bliss was tearing the country apart. He had to act.
"Souji, why did the Box appear here in the first place?" Morimoto Ryoji asked, watching medical ninjas remove the remains.
"I don't know the full details," Souji replied. "Only the Clan Head might know. Originally, the Dojari clan guarded the sealed Box here, but it was stolen by Grass ninjas during the wars."
Ryoji frowned. As the cornerstone of Shiraishi's "Sea Train" project, he couldn't allow the Land of Vegetables to fall.
He also sensed a connection between this crisis and the truth behind his father's death. Years ago, his father, Morimoto Muren, had disappeared after investigating the Yamaji family's "worthless" mines.
Shiraishi's later investigations suggested the Yamaji family had been a scapegoat for a deeper secret.
The Five Kage Summit: The Trap Closes
Back at the Summit, the Raikage watched Shiraishi's display with a predatory glint. The war of attrition had worked; the Kazekage was visibly fatigued. This was the perfect moment to eliminate him.
Although the Cloud and Sand were allies, Shiraishi's terrifying potential made Ay wary. Furthermore, the Sand's maritime strategy directly threatened the Land of Lightning's interests.
If the four Kage joined forces to kill Shiraishi now, the balance of power would be restored.
Just as the Raikage prepared to move, he felt a sharp gaze. Minato Namikaze was watching him. Flying Raijin markers had been placed around the Raikage without him noticing.
Minato's expression was calm, but the message was clear: he would not allow the Raikage to disrupt the duel.
Minato, as the new Hokage, did not approve of such underhanded tactics. Unlike Danzo or the Third Hokage, he wouldn't cooperate in an assassination.
Is the Hokage... an idiot? Ay thought, frustrated.
"Lord Tsuchikage, it's over," Shiraishi said, sheathing his blade. Onoki panted, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Very well. You truly possess the potential to be a modern-day Uchiha Madara. But remember, this is an era of five villages. I hope you understand that."
Shiraishi ignored the warning and looked up at the final seat: Minato Namikaze. "Lord Hokage, the data collection is complete. Will you come down and fight?"
Minato didn't flinch. He used a Body Flicker to land in the center of the arena, instantly scattering dozens of Flying Raijin kunai.
"The Leaf does not recognize this method of deciding disarmament. If you insist on this 'holding the stage' format, I will withdraw. The Leaf will not participate in such a calculation."
The "game" was a trap for Shiraishi. Minato saw through it and refused to play the Raikage's game.
"I understand the Leaf's stance," Shiraishi replied. "But I still wish to fight you."
"Why?"
"I don't want any regrets. Perhaps... we will not have another chance to cross blades after today."
Shiraishi felt a pang of regret for Minato's impending early death in the Year 48. Minato, however, misread it as Shiraishi thinking he might not survive the day's traps. Minato shed his Hokage cloak, entering his battle stance.
Meanwhile, the Tsuchikage and Raikage exchanged looks. The Mizukage's coral staff began to glow. They had recovered enough to strike.
"Shikasa," Arashi whispered, gripping his Lightning Blade. "Are you recovered?"
"Almost."
"Get ready. We're going to have to cover the Kazekage's retreat."
"Then let us begin, Hokage!" Shiraishi shouted. Six Dimensional Holes materialized, blanketing the entire arena!
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