Fuguki's sudden entry made Shiraishi's situation even more perilous.The raging current beneath his feet and the chilling killing intent closing in from behind both foretold a deadly outcome.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Countless ice needles shot through the air. From the darkness, an elite member of the Yuki Clan struck, forming one ice mirror after another, sealing off Shiraishi's escape routes.
"Black Mist Shiraishi, surrender."
Fuguki's objective was the Second Mizukage's techniques within Shiraishi. While examining a corpse could reveal some secrets, a dead body had no soul, making it impossible to scan memories. Capturing him alive was far more valuable.
Shiraishi, knowing Kirigakure's methods all too well, ignored Fuguki's words. He sidestepped the ice needles—but Juzo's executioner blade came crashing down again.
Shiraishi blocked with his silver blade—only for a second wave of ice needles to pierce into his back.
Even he couldn't suppress a grunt as blood splattered. The freezing pain stabbed deep into his bones, yet he clenched his teeth and forced his blade forward in a counterstrike.
With Shiraishi wounded again, Juzo increased the force of his swing. The executioner blade slammed into the silver blade, cracks spreading across its surface.
Shiraishi felt a wave of sorrow.
The silver blade was not some legendary weapon—but it had fought beside him for years. Now it had reached its limit.
Fight with me until the very end…
Though riddled with cracks, the blade still carried the same unyielding will as its wielder. Shiraishi roared, unleashing a violent cyclone of wind blades that nearly took Juzo's head off.
Juzo instantly became wary.No matter how weak he looked now, this was still Black Mist Shiraishi.
Fuguki and the Yuki Clan expert moved to opposite sides, forming a pincer around him.Meanwhile, Shiraishi's blood continued to drip into the flowing river.
Faced with absolute despair, Shiraishi's fighting spirit instead ignited.
Steam erupted from his body in a violent explosion, shattering the ice mirrors surrounding him.
"The Second Mizukage's technique!"
The remaining chakra in his body surged like molten heat along his spine—then exploded into his legs.
His speed reached its absolute limit.
Like an arrow released from a bow, he flashed directly in front of Juzo, his silver blade carving out a dazzling Instant Flash Slash.
Juzo reacted in time. Their blades collided again, and Shiraishi was forced back—but at that moment, the Yuki Clan expert rushed in with ice needles.
In a split second, Shiraishi twisted his torso violently, his thigh muscles tightening as his knee rocketed forward—
It smashed straight into the Yuki ninja's abdomen.
The man's eyes bulged, tears and mucus pouring from his face as his body went limp.
Fuguki immediately swung Samehada, releasing a violent water shockwave that carved another bloody wound into Shiraishi's chest.
Boiling steam churned beneath Shiraishi's feet—but Juzo was already moving, his executioner blade summoning a massive water vortex around him.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique
Using the river, Juzo became a roaring torrent and surged straight at Shiraishi.
Shiraishi raised his silver blade to the sky.
His final cyclone blade gathered into a raging storm.
The two ultimate attacks collided.
The shockwave tore through the air, sending the river into violent upheaval—
His final cyclone blade gathered into a raging storm.
The two ultimate attacks collided.
The shockwave tore through the air, sending the river into violent upheaval—
Crack!
The silver blade shattered.
The executioner blade slashed straight across Shiraishi's chest.
"Black Mist Shiraishi… It's over."
Broken blade.Broken body.Blood dripping to the ground.
Far away, Maki felt her heart twist in agony.
An overwhelming unease made her clutch her hands together. All she could do was pray for Shiraishi's safety.
In the Sand Village camp, Shiraishi's puppet clone suddenly stiffened.
Its connection to the real body had vanished.
The real one… was in trouble.
"You okay?" Pakura asked.
"I'm fine. Just tired."
She did not understand how this clone could grow tired—but seeing his tightly furrowed brow, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
Because the massive waterfall blocking the only route between the Thirteen Southern Districts and the Wind Country was occupied by Kirigakure forces, Sunagakure had been forced to camp beneath it—placing them in a terrible strategic position.
Blood blurred Shiraishi's vision.
After being slashed again and again by Fuguki and Juzo, his body was riddled with dozens of wounds, kunai, and senbon. Gasping, he stared at the growing number of Kirigakure ninja.
Using his blood as a guide, countless explosive tags appeared floating on the water's surface.
From the very moment he first used Sand Control here, Shiraishi had secretly buried explosive tags throughout the area.
Because water weakened explosive tags, he used his own blood as a catalyst to amplify their power.
Fuguki.Juzo.Kirigakure's elite assassination force.
They were all inside the blast zone.
"Kirigakure… did you forget what Sunagakure loves most at Kikyo Mountain?"
Fuguki and Juzo exchanged a glance, unimpressed.
In this watery environment, explosive tags should have little effect.
It was a bluff.
As Kirigakure tightened the encirclement, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Shiraishi's lips.
He slowly removed his glasses.
The weakness he had shown… was bait.
Boiling blood turned into superheated steam, momentarily evaporating the water around the explosive tags.
Shiraishi formed seals.
The tags ignited.
BOOM!!!
A thunderous roar tore across the Thirteen Southern Districts.
Fuguki and Juzo barely leapt away—but even so, both were blasted back, coughing blood violently.
"That bastard… he really loves explosions…"
They stared at the inferno swallowing the battlefield—and at the many comrades who had been unable to escape.
Within the sea of flames, Shiraishi's consciousness faded.
As he closed his eyes, a relieved smile appeared on his face.
Memories of Kikyo Mountain—of those who had sacrificed themselves—played through his mind.
This time…
He had chosen to be the one who stayed behind.
If he had any regret, it was only for Maki.
He had wanted to build a family with her once the war was over.
Meow~
Inside a quiet mountain cave in the Land of Rivers, a chubby orange cat lay lazily in the sunlight, sipping homemade juice.
The massive explosion in the distance made it jump, spilling the drink.
With agility completely at odds with its body, it leapt upright.
"Scared me to death!"
"Who set off such a huge firework?!"
If you want to read more, join my Patreon/kazama677
I will drop 1 bonus chapter for every 50 Power Stones