The blinding blue pillar of light swept across the isolated island, instantly derailing Mangetsu Hozuki's assassination plot. Shiraishi had seized the initiative with a ferocity that left Mangetsu's team reeling.
On the remains of the island pulverized by Origin Pulse, Shiraishi stood with calm indifference as Mangetsu Hozuki and the Kaguya clan powerhouse arrived.
Holding the twin-sword Hiramekarei, Mangetsu's teeth were as jagged as a shark's, his burning gaze reflecting a terminal resolve.
This relentless, predatory obsession was exactly what made Hidden Mist ninjas so troublesome to deal with.
"Black Mist Shiraishi... since my defeat last time, I have thought of nothing day and night but how to carve your head from your shoulders."
The Hidden Mist's control over its own shinobi was truly the weakest among the Five Great Villages. Whether it was this unauthorized assassination or the casual theft of legendary blades from their previous owners, the village was a hotbed of lawlessness.
Shiraishi had no interest in small talk. The Origin Pulse in his palm flared again, manifesting as a blue beam of light. Mangetsu swung Hiramekarei, instantly whipping up a massive vortex of blue chakra.
It looked like a brilliant blue butterfly blooming over the ocean—a beautiful, tragic scene that masked a high-speed battle of predation.
As the giant blade fell, jets of steam erupted from the area surrounding Shiraishi. Amidst the searing high-temperature currents, and much to Mangetsu's horror, Shiraishi flicked his sleeves and unleashed a swarm of bubbles.
"Water Gun Jutsu?! How is that possible?"
"No," Shiraishi replied coolly. "This is just a simple bubble attack."
Rumors had circulated within the Mist that Shiraishi had inherited the secret arts of the Second Mizukage.
At the time, Mangetsu had dismissed them with disdain; how could the Hozuki clan's secret techniques be leaked so easily? Furthermore, the Second Mizukage had died in battle, and many of his techniques were thought to be lost to history.
But today, every method Shiraishi displayed—from the steam to the bubble projectiles—shared the exact same lineage as the Second Mizukage's arts.
"I see. You really did obtain the Second's secret techniques."
As Mangetsu spoke, Hiramekarei glowed with even greater intensity. Seeing this, Shiraishi slowly drew his silver blade.
The moment the steel left the scabbard, his silhouette blurred. He struck with a speed that defied the eye.
The blue radiance of the Origin Pulse merged with his Body Flicker, transforming into a lightning-fast Iaijutsu strike.
The extreme-speed slash tore through Mangetsu, bisecting his body. However, having learned from his previous close-quarters defeat, Mangetsu had entered his Hydrification state the moment the battle began.
Shiraishi's blade passed through him, but the high-temperature steam coating the silver edge hissed, rapidly evaporating Mangetsu's watery form.
Crap!
As Mangetsu retreated to avoid being boiled alive, the Kaguya powerhouse, Kaguya Tenyue, made his move. The lethal Dance of the Macabre Bone Pulse erupted with chilling killing intent.
A bone blade of grotesque design arrived with cold, ruthless precision. Tenyue, having survived the initial round of Origin Pulse, was undeniably formidable. Curiously, this Kaguya warrior appeared to be roughly Shiraishi's age, yet every strike he unleashed carried the concussive force of an explosion.
He was easily the strongest Bone Pulse user Shiraishi had ever encountered.
Tenyue coughed lightly, a spray of blood hitting the ground. He was a severe sufferer of the clan's genetic "Bloodline Disease."
Though his life force was nearly depleted by the agony of his condition, he had forced himself out of retirement for the glory of the Kaguya clan, teaming up with Mangetsu to take down the Black Mist.
"The higher the degree of Bone Pulse development, the greater the strain on the user's life force. Until his life is completely spent, he is the Mist's most perfect killing machine," a third Mist ninja mused from the shadows.
Because the opponent was Shiraishi, this third ninja—Kisame Hoshigaki—did not rush into the fray. Instead, he stayed hidden, utilizing the combined assault of Mangetsu and Tenyue to collect and organize intelligence on Shiraishi's capabilities.
As a subordinate of Fuguki Suikazan, Kisame had been sent to record this unsanctioned operation. It was clear that the Mist's high command, while not officially supporting the move, was eager to see Shiraishi humiliated.
"Hiramekarei... let's give it everything we've got!"
Mangetsu had seized Hiramekarei from its previous owner within the Seven Swordsmen, even going so far as to cruelly decapitate the man.
Though the "Blood Mist" era hadn't fully begun, the village's culture was already this brutal—if you couldn't defend your weapon, it didn't belong to you.
As the new master of the blade, Mangetsu's mastery far exceeded that of his predecessor. He released a concentrated burst of blue chakra that manifested as a powerful shockwave.
Boom!
Shiraishi countered, his Origin Pulse scattering into a sky full of blue light beams.
Both Tenyue and Mangetsu were at the Elite Jonin level. Though the hidden Kisame's exact strength was unknown, Shiraishi knew he wasn't a simple observer. To avoid a battle of attrition, Shiraishi chose to end it quickly.
The Mist had previously analyzed Shiraishi's Origin Pulse, labeling it a "photon-based Water Release" similar to Particle Dismantling. Their desire for this technique far outweighed their interest in the Second Mizukage's old scrolls.
Under the faint blue glow, Shiraishi used his Body Flicker a second time, charging straight at Kaguya Tenyue.
Dead Bone Pulse: Dance of the Camellia!
Tenyue didn't dodge. He met Shiraishi's instant-draw Iaijutsu head-on with his bone blade. In a flash of sparks, Shiraishi's silver blade shattered the bone sword—but in the same heartbeat, dozens of sharp ribs erupted from Tenyue's chest like a lethal cage.
Shiraishi didn't flinch. The silver blade, acting as a Sage's Weapon, didn't slow down. As the hardened, peak-level bones of the Kaguya clashed with the silver steel, Shiraishi's gaze darkened.
"Impressive defense. But unfortunately... It's still not hard enough!"
The silver blade began to vibrate at a high frequency, generating a massive Wind Release cutting edge. The resulting metallic screeching sound was deafening.
Tenyue spat out a mouthful of blood as the dozens of bones protecting his chest shattered simultaneously under the grinding force.
He... he crushed the peak defense of the Dead Bone Pulse in a single strike...
Kisame, watching from the shadows, could hardly believe his eyes. Kaguya Tenyue was considered the Mist's most terrifying living weapon—a peerless beast. Yet Black Mist Shiraishi had just broken his defense with one sword stroke!
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