The soul-construction method of the Sage Art: Eight-Headed Serpent (Yamata no Orochi) shared striking similarities with Shiraishi's own Heavenly Curse Of The Five Phantom.
Consequently, Shiraishi understood that dealing with Shirohebi-hime—or the original White Snake Sage—was a logistical nightmare.
A being possessing this technique essentially has eight lives and can initiate a "Living Corpse Reincarnation" at any moment. To kill such a monster, one needed a partner with an unparalleled understanding of the human soul. Orochimaru was the perfect candidate.
While the White Snake Sage had been busy plotting against the Hidden Sand, Shiraishi had been quietly setting the stage for the Sage's downfall.
However... back at the village...
"It looks like this cat hasn't changed a bit," Shiraishi muttered.
Little Orange's potential had jumped to Gold Grade, but it looked ready to drop back to Green at any moment. Having successfully undergone its "transcendence," the fat cat had celebrated by eating a mountain of food and was now snoring loudly in the living room.
Since the toads and snakes couldn't breach the Sand's defenses, the cat had decided to settle back into its role as a pampered mascot. It had zero ambition. It was, quite literally, a "trash cat."
"Little Orange doesn't like fighting; he loves peace," Maki said, picking up the squinting cat and scratching its chin. The cat let out a soft, spoiled "Meow" and burrowed deeper into her arms.
It was almost comical. If Mount Myoboku knew the "ferocious beast" they were terrified of was currently acting as a fuzzy paperweight, they might die of shame.
Yet, Shiraishi knew better. Through his system interface, he reviewed the cat's newly unlocked data. It lacked complex ninjutsu, but its four innate talents were staggering:
Morning Sun: A recovery skill that, when paired with Shiraishi or Pakura's "Sunny Day," rapidly restores chakra and heals the cat's physical body.
Solar Blade: An offensive physical move that uses the cat's paws and claws, drawing power from intense sunlight.
Cosmic Power: A buff that raises both physical and special defense. It essentially turned the cat into an indestructible tank.
Meteor Mash / Sunsteel Strike (Z-Move): The cat's ultimate destructive techniques, putting it on the same power tier as the evolved Moon-Ring Bat.
The cat rolled over lazily. "Meow~"
"I get it," Shiraishi sighed. "I'll get you a snack."
The Wasteland Confrontation
Far away, Orochimaru stood at a stalemate with the two fractured halves of the White Snake Sage.
Over the past few years, Orochimaru's research into cellular biology had yielded massive breakthroughs. Even without Sage Mode, his biological modifications and the Psychic Terrain (Spiritual Domain) secret technique provided by Shiraishi made him a lethal threat.
"Orochimaru, you dare involve yourself in our affairs?" the Old Snake Sage hissed, his voice cold and threatening.
Orochimaru laughed. Suddenly, a massive Spiritual Domain expanded, covering the entire battlefield. The two Sages' expressions changed instantly.
This technique again!
While Maki used this domain for sealing, Orochimaru used it to amplify his soul-snatching reincarnation techniques.
He had long suspected Shiraishi's origins weren't simple—no one man could develop such a vast array of unique secret arts.
The White Snake Sage was currently in a state of spiritual schism—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Orochimaru, a man of few words when blood was involved, lunged. His Kusanagi Sword sliced through the air with murderous intent.
As the Old Snake Sage dodged Orochimaru, Shirohebi-hime tried to slip away, only to find an invisible force pinning her feet to the ground. A pulse of pure Earth-style energy shot through the domain like a thunderbolt.
Through the rising dust, a mysterious figure emerged. He wore the same red-clouded black cloak as Orochimaru and wore the Azure Dragon (Seiryu) ring.
Another Akatsuki member?
Due to the friction between Orochimaru and Sasori, Pain had recently paired the Sannin with a new recruit—a "genius of explosive Earth Style" from the Hidden Stone. However, this black-haired youth had deep, unspoken ties to the Hidden Sand.
The youth's eyes were cold as he gathered a blinding sphere of light in his palm. It wasn't just Earth Style—it was the Dust Release.
"Dust Release? How is that possible?" Shirohebi-hime gasped. She could feel a soul-resonance from this boy that felt nearly identical to Shiraishi.
The battle escalated instantly. Orochimaru's physical Kenjutsu pressed the Old Snake hard, forcing the ancient Sage to expend his energy just to survive.
"Sage... you are far too weak in this divided state," Orochimaru teased.
"Orochimaru, you bastard!"
Shirohebi-hime turned to the youth. "Are you the Kazekage's final trump card?"
"Shirohebi-hime..." a heavy, electromagnetic voice hummed from behind the boy's mask. The Dust Release in his hand shifted, taking on a murky, chaotic energy. "Are you prepared to accept your fate?"
"And who determines that fate?" she snarled.
"I do!"
The youth flickered, appearing directly in front of Shirohebi-hime. He thrust his palm forward, unleashing a devastating torrent of Dust Release energy.
Simultaneously, his other hand erupted with the searing heat of a miniature sun, slamming into her chest.
"Meeting me is your greatest misfortune," the youth said coldly. "Because I have no reason to hold back!"
The heat shattered a portion of Shirohebi-hime's physical form, sending a spray of blood across the wasteland.
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