Inside Orochimaru's laboratory, Shiraishi was sitting alone in a sealed chamber, cross-legged in meditation. His face was pale, and faint mist was constantly seeping from his entire body, as if impurities were being expelled.
During this period, the curse mark's corrosive power had been raging wildly inside his spiritual world.
If not for the suppression of the Moonwheel Bat's genjutsu, which kept the curse mark wandering within the realm of illusions, it would have already invaded his main chakra system.
As Shiraishi continued studying and experimenting with it, the special natural energy gradually revealed its ferocious nature. He had never expected the curse mark to be this domineering.
Thankfully, he had prepared countermeasures in advance—otherwise Orochimaru would have already succeeded in ensnaring him.
Suddenly, the chill spreading across Shiraishi's body reacted violently, transforming into countless ice needles that shot outward.
From the darkness, grotesque serpents lunged forward one after another. A flash of silver light streaked through the air as Shiraishi drew his blade, cutting down several venomous snakes in an instant.
He spun and slashed again—
Only to see Orochimaru standing there, calm and unhurried. His right arm lifted, and he thrust his fist forward. Several venomous snakes coiled outward from his sleeve!
A sharp burst of compressed air exploded. An invisible shockwave rolled across Shiraishi's arm, surging outward. Steam Explosion erupted violently, causing Orochimaru's eyes to flicker with surprise.
That technique… it resembles something from the Second Mizukage…
Steam poured from Shiraishi's body as countless bubbles, carrying strange melodic vibrations, drifted toward Orochimaru.
"Lord Orochimaru, there's no need for these games."
"Hehehe… Shiraishi-kun, your talent truly leaves me in awe."
"And the curse mark's power has also exceeded my expectations."
Although the curse mark's energy had been successfully diverted into the chakra framework of Shiraishi's spiritual world, he remained highly cautious of it.
Orochimaru's chakra was like a virus, lurking within him and never truly disappearing—deeply unsettling.
Orochimaru's method of granting natural energy made it clear that this Sannin was an extraordinarily dangerous man. Over this period of training, Shiraishi had already endured several of Orochimaru's deliberate tests.
"About the Yin–Yang chakra nature transformation data—what do you require in exchange?" Shiraishi asked, changing the subject.
Orochimaru did not mind at all.
"Hehehe. Yin–Yang chakra is not difficult to grasp. The real problem is that developing actual techniques with it is extremely difficult."
The development of Yin-attribute chakra was essentially a refinement of spiritual power—amplifying and strengthening one's will. Orochimaru's materials recorded the training methods and necessary precautions in detail.
However, despite these materials, there were almost no actual Yin-attribute techniques. As Orochimaru put it, aside from a few hereditary clans, once most people awakened Yin–Yang chakra, they wasted it, using it only for limited sealing or medical techniques.
This, however, did not concern Shiraishi. His goal in learning Yin-attribute chakra was for one thing alone—Origin Pulse.
"I need more detailed data on the Body Secret Art, especially that special restorative fluid."
The so-called Body Secret Art was essentially a unique bodily secretion. Although Orochimaru had no interest in practicing the technique itself, he was deeply fascinated by its underlying principles.
Orochimaru's own Orochimaru-Style Substitution Technique and various soft-body modifications could all be greatly enhanced by this secret art.
What Shiraishi had given the Wind Daimyō was only a crude fragment of the technique. He had no hesitation in handing the full version to Orochimaru—its special milk-like restorative fluid would dramatically strengthen Orochimaru's techniques.
It looked like Orochimaru was getting the better end of the deal, but Shiraishi knew the truth: even without him, Orochimaru would eventually recreate this fluid on his own. It was better used as bargaining material.
But if Orochimaru could personally use this technique…
Recalling Orochimaru's talk of immortality, Shiraishi suddenly understood.
Noticing Shiraishi's gaze, Orochimaru smiled.
"Changing gender is merely a necessary step in researching the secrets of the human body."
Among the Three Sannin, Orochimaru was the one most obsessed with such techniques. Jiraiya and Tsunade were repulsed by them—but Orochimaru was not.
Each side got what they wanted. Since the curse mark still needed time to be fully tamed, Shiraishi remained at Orochimaru's base for further training.
Aside from daily cultivation, Shiraishi frequently exchanged theories and experimental ideas with Orochimaru. To his surprise, however, the two clashed violently on many subjects—especially regarding the soul.
Orochimaru vehemently opposed turning the soul into data and splitting it, believing it destroyed the uniqueness of the self.
"Hehehe… I thought you were like me—someone who grasped the truth and found the road to immortality. But now I see, you're not like that Second Mizukage at all."
I was never him.
And did that Second Mizukage really agree with you, Orochimaru?
After many heated debates, Orochimaru began to believe Shiraishi was not a reincarnation of any past great ninja. His bizarre theories were so alien that even Orochimaru dismissed some of them as heresy.
Over these days, they argued dozens of times. The lab staff trembled, afraid the two might start fighting.
Despite the conflicts, Orochimaru had to admit that Shiraishi was one of the few who truly understood him.
He had once suspected Shiraishi was an ancient immortal in disguise—but he could not determine which legendary figure possessed such bizarre techniques.
After more than ten days, Shiraishi finally managed to convert part of the curse mark's power, though its boost to his strength was limited—likely due to its rejection by his original chakra.
In the southern thirteen districts of the Land of Rivers, Sunagakure ninjas were conducting routine patrols. The acquisition of such vast fertile land had thrown the entire village into celebration.
Many even planned sightseeing trips to the region.
But on the southern coastline, stationed Sunagakure ninjas stared in horror.
"Those are—!"
"Kirigakure ships! Damn it!"
More than a thousand small vessels surged across the sea. Senbon pierced a Suna ninja instantly, heralding a massive storm.
The defenders fought desperately, but Kirigakure's overwhelming force turned the harbor red with blood.
Stepping across the corpses stood a huge man wielding a grotesque blade.
Mangetsu Hozuki, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, was one of the commanders of the frontline assault force. He spat out, "I don't like the chakra sharkskin here at all; it's all sand."
In the summer of Konoha Year 45, Kirigakure launched a massive assault on the southern thirteen districts. In less than three days, the entire region fell.
Over seven thousand Kirigakure troops had been mobilized.
Their blade was aimed directly at Sunagakure.
This sudden change severed Shiraishi's route back.
The ninja world was shaken. The Land of Wind erupted in outrage.
The southern thirteen districts had been bought with three thousand lives at Kikyo Mountain—and Kirigakure dared to seize them openly.
War was inevitable.
"The Mist Village must be crushed!"
The elders demanded war—but Ebizō hesitated.
"Those positions they seized… they are all River Country grain depots. Someone here betrayed us."
War mobilization was ordered.
With Rasa injured, Ebizō decided:
"Pakura and Shiraishi will command this front."
As Shiraishi received the news, he departed Orochimaru's base.
Kirigakure scouts were already nearby.
He struck one down, used genjutsu, and learned the truth:
Kirigakure was hunting Black Mist Shiraishi.
Seven thousand Mist ninjas.
Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Assassination and sensory units.
Shiraishi was surrounded.
And as Mist and Konoha forces closed in—
Black mist swallowed him.
The hunt had Begun..
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