The surprise assault by Mount Myoboku on the Hidden Sand finally subsided. Although the Four Red Yang Formation and the Super Reverse Four Symbols Sealing had caused significant structural damage to the village's architecture, casualties were fortunately kept to a minimum.
Through this battle, the villagers' perception of the Kazekage's strength reached a new peak. Shiraishi's awe-inspiring Sage Mode sent a clear message to the entire shinobi world: the Fifth Kazekage was a force that could no longer be ignored.
In Konoha, the leadership was particularly intrigued by the dual application of the barrier techniques.
Though they knew Mount Myoboku was the architect behind the attack, they maintained diplomatic appearances, sending official condolences to the Sand.
Detailed intelligence regarding the battle reached the Hokage's office within thirty minutes of the conflict's end.
"Aoki Shiraishi's power is becoming terrifying..." the advisors noted, their faces pale. "However, Mount Myoboku's tactical approach provides a fascinating case study."
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage known as the "Professor," studied the data on the Four Red Yang Formation and the sealing arts.
"The transition to Senjutsu is the vital component. Mount Myoboku used specialized stone statues to allow the casters to enter a pseudo-Sage Mode." He made a decisive call: "Have Jiraiya return to the village immediately."
Internal Strife of the White Snake
Meanwhile, Shirohebi-hime was on her way back to the White Snake Abode, but her condition was dire.
While she had successfully sabotaged Mount Myoboku, the excessive strain of using space-time ninjutsu to jam their Reverse Summoning had left her pale and weakened.
Furthermore, the residual mental pressure from Maki's domain and the burns from Pakura's Scorch Release continued to gnaw at her.
Snakes are treacherous creatures, and in the process of consuming others, one often risks being consumed from within. As the other consciousnesses within the White Snake Sage's body began to stir, Shirohebi-hime used her Inorganic Reincarnation to suppress them.
Suddenly, a beam of searing heat erupted from her own body, twisting her elegant face into a mask of agony
. By devouring the consciousness of Hakuga, Shirohebi-hime had gained dominance over the "Old Snake" (the original White Snake Sage who mastered Yin Release).
What was meant to be a temporary exchange of control had become a long-term usurpation.
The internal consciousnesses were revolting, led by the original Old Snake, who had waited for this moment of weakness following the failed attempt to kill the orange cat.
"Old fossil," Shirohebi-hime hissed, her voice cold. "Do you think you can take back control now?"
"Hime, you were too reckless," the Old Snake's voice echoed slowly and calmly within her mind. "Your partnership with the Sand is fractured. A change in leadership is required to appease the Kazekage."
The Old Snake's aura erupted, causing Shirohebi-hime to stumble. The Dragon Ball (the Sage's core) appeared, releasing a blood-red light that vibrated through her internal organs.
Shirohebi-hime, the master of Yang-based Inorganic Reincarnation, pushed her life force to the limit to fuel a violent sealing hex.
"I told you, you are too impatient," the Old Snake chided. "Such crude use of the Dragon Ball's mental seal has no effect on me."
The ground beneath Shirohebi-hime's feet warped, manifesting the face of the ancient White Snake Sage.
Countless toxic silk threads shot from the Hime's hands, but they passed through the Old Snake as if he were an intangible ghost. He floated in the air, his form coalescing from the surrounding inorganic matter.
"Hime," the White Snake Sage said dangerously, "after all these years, it is time we determine who truly rules Ryuchi Cave."
The Third Party
Shirohebi-hime didn't waste words. She launched a swarm of snakes that detonated in mid-air, filling the wasteland with a lethal, toxic mist.
Sage Art: Wicked Snake Explosive Rupture!
The White Snake Sage allowed the explosions to tear through his form, unbothered. Being a spiritual entity sustained by Inorganic Reincarnation, he was essentially immortal against physical strikes.
However, Shirohebi-hime had a secret weapon. As her pupils shifted to reflect the absorbed consciousness of Hakuga, the Old Snake froze in shock.
"You... you completely assimilated Hakuga?"
Hakuga had been sent by the Old Snake to test Shirohebi-hime, only to be defeated by Pakura and "sealed" by the Hime.
The Old Snake had never realized the soul had been utterly consumed. The mental pressure of two combined souls began to push the ancient Sage into a corner.
The battle turned the surrounding wasteland into a dead zone where nothing could grow. Shirohebi-hime dominated with Yang Release and physical snake ninjutsu; the Old Snake countered with insidious Yin Release and spiritual manifestations.
As they both reached a state of exhaustion, their spiritual and physical forms battered, a cold, familiar voice echoed through the clearing.
"Hehe... I didn't expect to find two White Snake Sages out here."
Orochimaru emerged, wearing the red-clouded black cloak of the Akatsuki. The two Sages immediately recoiled, watching the Sannin with intense wariness.
Both knew Orochimaru was a man who understood the secrets of Ryuchi Cave almost as well as they did, even without having mastered Sage Mode.
"Orochimaru..."
The three parties stood at the points of a triangle, locked in a tense standoff.
Shirohebi-hime looked at the dangerous man before her and realized the truth. Aoki Shiraishi... is Orochimaru your unexpected trump card?
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