The Aerial Ace technique was still a struggle for Shiraishi to manifest perfectly, but as a high-level Wind Release move cataloged within the glasses system, its destructive power was undeniable.
Even Kaguya Tenyue's final, peak-level bone strike had been ground into white dust by the relentless cutting force of the gale.
The remains of the bone forest now littered the ruins of the isolated island. Although Shiraishi had promised Orochimaru live experimental subjects, the targets had now become mere piles of skeletal debris and corpses; Tenyue had breathed his last long before the final impact.
Still, Shiraishi pondered that final strike. Tenyue had surpassed his limits, converting nearly all of his remaining vitality into bone structures.
This method was eerily similar to the Wood Release of the Sage Body. Could it be that the ancestors of the Kaguya clan were also linked to the Otsutsuki? Or are most Bloodline clans in the ninja world simply branches of a single source?
Meanwhile, on the surface of the ocean, a mysterious creature emerged. Its dark eyes watched the aftermath of the battle between Shiraishi and the Mist ninjas.
Once the Giant Hand of Bone was shattered, the creature silently submerged and retreated into the depths. Shiraishi's glasses system automatically recorded the data of this high-quality biological entity.
Shiraishi began clearing the battlefield. He unfurled a scroll, quickly sealing the remains of the Macabre Bone Pulse and Mangetsu Hozuki's body.
While he couldn't provide Orochimaru with living specimens, these corpses still held immense research value.
After setting aside a portion of the materials for his own study, Shiraishi picked up the legendary blade Hiramekarei and headed back to the inn.
"Sorry, I got caught up in a sudden mission."
Pushing open the door to the inn, he found Maki tidying the room while the orange cat napped nearby with squinted eyes.
"That's just the life of a ninja. I don't mind," Maki replied. As a kunoichi herself, she understood that even in a peaceful village, hidden conflicts and skirmishes were unavoidable.
Though the interruption to their vacation dampened her spirits slightly, she quickly adjusted. Her eyes then fell upon the weapon in Shiraishi's hand. "Isn't that... Hiramekarei?"
"Yeah. Spoils of war."
First, the Thunderswords (Kiba), and now the Hiramekarei. He wondered what kind of chips the Hidden Mist would offer this time to trade for the return of their blade.
Meanwhile, in the Hidden Sand Village, the Arakawa family estate was gripped by a heavy silence. An hour ago, Akita Arakawa's old injuries had flared up.
His long-dormant Bloodline disease had returned with a vengeance, causing him to age a decade in mere moments as his life force drained rapidly.
The onset was sudden and without warning. Panic-stricken, Maru Arakawa had spent the night summoning the village's best medical ninjas.
Even Lady Chiyo had come to examine him, but none could reverse the violent eruption of the disease.
The pungent scent of medicinal herbs filled the room. As the medical ninjas and Chiyo departed, Ryoko Yamaji and Maru Arakawa remained by Akita's side.
"I never thought... I would go before Chiyo and Ebizo," Akita whispered.
His first words caused Ryoko's eyes to flicker. She wanted to say something, but held back. Maru knelt by the bed, weeping as he clutched his father's hand.
Looking at his only son, Akita's eyes were full of reluctance; Maru still had so much to learn, so many schemes of the world to see through, but time had run out.
"Ryoko, I leave him in your care."
"I will, Uncle." Ryoko's eyes were also wet with tears. Seeing Akita like this reminded her of her own mother's passing.
Perhaps in her final moments, she too had been as worried about the next generation as Akita was now.
"After I die, formally invite Shiraishi to the house. Apologize for the 'C-rank Spark Technique' transaction from back then."
Maru froze. He hadn't expected his father's dying wish to involve a trivial past grievance. "But... that jutsu really isn't anything special."
"It's not about the jutsu anymore, Maru. Just do as your father says." Ryoko understood Akita's reasoning; if she were in his position, she would make the same choice.
To maintain the family's survival, they needed to bridge any remaining gaps with the strongest man in the village.
Too weak to explain further, Akita coughed several times. "Ryoko, try to convince the Kazekage to change his mindset. Tell him to stop planning such impractical schemes."
Rasa had appeared peaceful lately, but Akita knew he was secretly brewing something. Akita viewed the Kazekage's continued "death-seeking" behavior with disdain.
If necessary, he was prepared to discard the Kazekage entirely and join the Council of Elders to push Shiraishi into the position.
The cost of overthrowing Rasa was far lower than the cost of opposing Shiraishi—Akita was a man of cold calculation to the end.
"I will try to persuade the Kazekage, but it will be difficult. He doesn't trust us either," Ryoko admitted.
"It doesn't matter. If it comes down to it, we'll just replace the Kazekage." Akita struggled to sit up slightly, looking at Ryoko with narrowed eyes. "I'll leave the Cloud Village arms trade channels in your hands, Ryoko."
"I understand."
Ryoko wasn't surprised that Akita was ceding a portion of the arms trade profits. The Yamaji family had coveted a piece of that pie for a long time; by offering it now, Akita was buying time to ensure his son could grow up protected.
Akita lay back, exhausted. "And then there's Arashi Arakawa. Find a way to bring him back to the family... he is Ebizo's confidant now. With that connection, we will have fewer troubles."
No matter how much Arashi loathed the Arakawa family, the blood of the clan flowed in his veins. Years ago, to curry favor with Shiraishi, Akita had cruelly murdered Arashi's companions and delivered their heads to Shiraishi.
It was a move born of cold necessity, and Akita hoped the young man could eventually understand the burden of leadership.
With his affairs in order, Akita signaled for them to leave so he could rest in peace. As the door closed, Ryoko heard a faint, final sigh from within: "Time... only leaves behind regret, never the person..."
"Stop crying! If you keep this up, the head of the Arakawa family will be Arashi instead of you!" Seeing her cousin Maru's constant weeping, Ryoko felt a surge of irritation.
She scolded him sharply before leading him toward the Elders' office.
Regarding the issue of Arashi, Ryoko held an opposing view. She believed the priority was to ensure Arashi remained severed from the family's past to protect Maru's status as the legitimate successor.
At that same moment, in Ebizo's office, Arashi stood expressionlessly. He handed over a completed mission report, along with a special envelope.
"You want to formally leave the Arakawa family?"
"Yes."
Holding the letter, Ebizo was silent for a long time before speaking softly. "It seems you still harbor some feelings for them."
"I cannot forget the upbringing the clan provided. But from this day forward, I have no ties to the Arakawa family. I exist only for the village."
Ebizo sighed, putting the documents down. "Very well. I won't force you. We will proceed as you wish."
"Thank you!"
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