The news that the Kitajima family was selling detonation-tag weaponry had already drawn the attention of the Arakawa clan.
Unlike the Yamaji clan, one of the Arakawa clan's core businesses was trade networks, including arms trafficking.
After several days of investigation, they discovered that Kitajima's sudden expansion was tied to Shiraishi.
That was when the infiltration operation was set into motion.
Arakawa Ran was Akita's nephew and Arakawa Maru's cousin.
Though only a branch-family member, Ran was among the best in both talent and discipline within the clan.
At only eighteen years old, he had already reached jōnin-level combat power.
His specialty was sand manipulation, and he possessed exceptionally sharp sensory perception.
The instant Shiraishi's human-puppet activated, Ran detected the fluctuation in chakra.
He formed seals—
And a storm of wild sand surged forward.
A thunderous explosion erupted.
Black mist surged up, blocking the sandstorm.
Mist and sand churned together violently as Shiraishi stepped forward through the haze.
The Arakawa clan's two taijutsu-specialist chūnin exchanged glances and charged forward with their blades.
"Don't be reckless, you two!"
The silver blade clashed against both weapons.
Shiraishi struck with one hand, releasing a shockwave that blasted the two men backward.
His regeneration-core eyes locked onto them as the auxiliary calculation system rapidly analyzed and collected data.
According to intelligence, Black Mist Shiraishi should still be at home.
That means this one must be a clone.
Arakawa Ran made this judgment with calm precision.
At that moment, the black mist transformed into two serpents of smoke, lunging toward him.
Ran stepped back.
Perfectly controlled sand surged into multiple sand shields, blocking the attack.
This opponent was far more troublesome than expected.
Compared to Arakawa Maru, Arakawa Ran's ability and composure were on an entirely different level.
Even Shiraishi was surprised—
The Arakawa clan had produced a young warrior of this caliber.
Meanwhile…
"Sending people to infiltrate my school's laboratory—and now you appear here in person as the Arakawa clan's head."
"Are you here to stop me?"
Arakawa Akita answered calmly:
"The intruders in your laboratory are yours to deal with.
The Arakawa clan has no shortage of such foolish and useless individuals."
He showed not the slightest concern for Ran and the others.
Akita gestured for Shiraishi to enter a small private courtyard.
Dozens of servants in luxurious clothing knelt as they placed exquisite dishes and wine before them.
"Even if I kill them, you don't care?" Shiraishi asked.
"Of course not," Akita replied flatly.
"If it means securing the detonation-tag trade."
So that was it.
The Arakawa clan's goal was the detonation-tag market—just as Shiraishi had expected.
But the utter indifference toward the lives of subordinates…
Was this an intentional display of aristocratic power?
The two sat side by side.
Akita took a sip of wine.
"Your cooperation with the Kitajima family is too close. That is not good for you."
Seeing Shiraishi remain silent, Akita continued:
"The Arakawa clan possesses trade routes that Kitajima does not.
Our arms networks reach even into Konoha and Kirigakure."
"You're not concerned about Yamaji Ryoko?" Shiraishi asked.
"She still needs to grow."
Akita did not care about his niece's opinions.
This detonation-tag collaboration was not merely about profit—it was also a way to soften the political rift between the Arakawa clan and Shiraishi.
With Rasa's unstable position and Shiraishi's growing power, Akita was already considering the possibility that the Kazekage might fall.
If that happened, where would the Sand-Style factions go?
To follow Yamaji Reiko into confrontation with the Elders was not in the Arakawa clan's interest.
As clan head, Akita's concern was the survival of his entire family.
Thus, sending Shiraishi a signal of cooperation was one of his strategic moves.
After a moment of silence, Akita suddenly asked:
"How strong are those six?"
"They are all excellent ninja," Shiraishi answered honestly.
Arakawa Ran, in particular, was formidable.
Even this human-puppet clone would need time to defeat him.
With the remaining five supporting him, the fight was far from trivial.
But defeat was inevitable.
With regeneration-core surveillance, Black Mist techniques, and additional human-puppets on the way, the outcome would soon be decided.
"Then they will make fine human-puppet materials for you."
Even Shiraishi felt a chill run through him.
"You sent me materials on purpose?"
"If you had not discovered them, their mission would have succeeded," Akita replied calmly.
"Now that you have, their remaining value is as puppet cores."
To Akita, Arakawa Ran was merely a branch-family member.
No matter how talented, he was expendable.
This was the Arakawa clan's version of sincerity.
But it was something Shiraishi could not accept.
"I am not Sasori of the Red Sand. I don't have a fetish for turning people into puppets."
"As for cooperation—anyone is welcome to participate in the detonation-tag trade."
The detonation-tag business was never something the Kitajima family could monopolize.
Shiraishi had no objection to Arakawa's participation.
But approaching him in this way was needlessly brutal.
The cooperation terms were set.
Shiraishi did not give them the engraving machines.
He would only sell finished detonation-tag stock to the Arakawa clan for resale.
He trusted the Kitajima family far more than he trusted a major noble clan like the Arakawas.
The Arakawa clan was satisfied.
For a great family, spreading bets across many sides was instinct.
Akita believed he would outlive both Rasa and the Elders.
Time was on his side.
Back at the Ninja Public Academy, the battle had turned grim.
Arakawa Ran was growing desperate.
Shiraishi's chakra seemed endless.
The black mist kept pouring in, swallowing everything.
A sense of despair crept into his heart.
"You five—retreat first! I'll stay and hold them off!"
Knowing the mission had failed, Ran made his decision.
He formed seals and activated a forbidden technique.
A violent energy surged through his body.
The sand beneath his feet boiled and churned.
"Burning your own life force… is that really for the Arakawa clan?"
Shiraishi asked quietly.
Until now, he had not spoken once.
"I'm just buying time for my comrades," Ran answered through heavy breaths.
The sand surged into a massive giant hand, striking at Shiraishi with tragic resolve.
The silver blade flashed—
The sand hand was severed.
But in the next instant, Shiraishi's puppet body was engulfed by swirling sand, compressing into a towering sand pillar.
A trap.
A sealing technique.
Arakawa Ran's sealing arts were far more advanced than expected.
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
I will drop 1 bonus chapter for every 50 Power Stones