Explosive Cyclone Blade!
Scorching, violent wind blades roared forward.
For the first time, Orochimaru's gaze turned solemn. The destructive power of the Wind Release before him far exceeded his expectations.
Binding Technique!
Orochimaru used the simplest of ninjutsu.
In an instant, an overwhelming restraining force descended upon Shiraishi.
Though the Binding Technique was only a D-rank ninjutsu, a basic skill even genin could use, its essence lay in chakra restraint. In the hands of a powerful shinobi, it became invisible steel cables locking down the opponent's body.
And Orochimaru's Binding Technique affected Shiraishi almost instantly.
The nature of the technique was simple—
chakra suppression through forceful interference.
Under Shiraishi's control, the Explosive Cyclone Blade in his palm erupted with violent tearing force, forcibly shredding the surrounding chakra flow, crushing the structure of the Binding Technique itself.
The massive wind vortex burst outward.
As the cyclone surged forward, Orochimaru's body softened and collapsed into flowing mud.
Earth Substitute.
Yet at the instant of the substitution, the Explosive Cyclone Blade adjusted its trajectory, slashing toward another direction.
Lock-on.
The spinning arc twisted unnaturally as the superheated cyclone broke all limitations, lunging toward Orochimaru at extreme speed.
This locking capability—
For a moment, interest flashed in Orochimaru's eyes.
Shiraishi's Wind Release looked like a simple composite technique, yet it clearly hid a deeper operating principle.
Wanting to test its limits, Orochimaru formed seals. Mudslides surged around him—
But at that moment, dense mist suddenly erupted from the ground, restricting his movement.
So this is Black Mist Shiraishi's Black Mist…
The icy chill seeped into his skin, and the violent Explosive Cyclone Blade descended from above. For an instant, Orochimaru felt as though there was nowhere left to evade.
Savage wind blades spun wildly, intertwining with the Black Mist below, forming a spectacular and terrifying scene—
Like a colossal black tornado.
Then—
The searing energy detonated.
A shockwave blasted outward.
Orochimaru was locked inside the impact zone.
At the same time, Shiraishi mounted the Desert Blood Wolf and withdrew immediately.
Orochimaru, one of the Legendary Sannin, would never be killed so easily.
This Explosive Cyclone Blade was already Shiraishi's absolute limit. Though it successfully restrained Orochimaru, breaking free was only a matter of time.
The severe burns left on Shiraishi's hand proved just how dangerous that Wind Release had been.
Black Mist Technique!
Black fog surged once more, enveloping the area struck by the Wind Release and forming an impenetrable mist zone.
At the center of the explosion, Orochimaru's body shattered—
Then another Orochimaru emerged from his mouth.
Orochimaru's Style Body Replacement Technique
A unique replacement method using an external body, allowing the true self to relocate without seals. Perfect substitution.
For anyone else, this technique would consume an enormous amount of chakra.
Only Orochimaru could use it freely.
"Impressive. Forcing me to use that substitution… your combined Wind Release is quite remarkable."
Orochimaru smiled faintly.
"Black Mist Shiraishi… I look forward to the day we truly cooperate."
To Orochimaru, this battle was little more than indulging his own curiosity. He had no intention of capturing Shiraishi, nor was his fighting intent strong.
He was already planning for the future.
And some of those plans might require Sunagakure's cooperation.
That was why his attitude toward Shiraishi remained ambiguous.
On the Desert Blood Wolf in the distance, a white snake flicked its tongue once—then vanished from Shiraishi's sight.
That single action was enough.
Orochimaru needed Sunagakure.
Though only a subtle signal, it clearly showed how deeply divided Konoha had become.
Orochimaru's defection from the village was no longer a matter of if—only when.
On the battlefield of Kikyo Mountain—
As Konoha accelerated its offensive, it appeared that Sunagakure was being pushed into a dire position, with defensive lines falling one after another.
In reality, this was intentional.
Sunagakure was retreating step by step.
To stubbornly defend Kikyo Mountain and exhaust themselves against Konoha was utterly unwise.
Shiraishi had always opposed turning Kikyo Mountain into a meat grinder.
"Master, no matter how many defenses we build here, we cannot stop Konoha's elite forces. Instead of that, we should exploit their obsession with Kikyo Mountain and set a trap."
War had to be fluid.
Sunagakure's earlier decision to die-hold Kikyo Mountain had blinded Konoha to other possibilities.
This was the core of the plan Shiraishi had discussed privately with Ebizō before the war began.
"And your proposal?" Ebizō asked seriously, listening carefully.
"Make Konoha believe that Sunagakure has reached its limit."
That was step one.
Using regeneration-core human puppets to display Gravity-Enhanced Rock Technique before Konoha's greatest noble clan, with the Hyūga clan as witnesses, forced Nara Shikaku into two possible conclusions.
This drove Konoha to accelerate the assault on Kikyo Mountain, abandoning its previous cautious advance.
"The mountain itself becomes the trap."
The plan was ruthless.
Using Sunagakure's stockpile of one hundred billion explosive tags, every single one would be embedded into Kikyo Mountain.
Once Konoha entered—
What awaited them would be endless annihilation.
Ebizō agreed.
But he hesitated.
"Luring them in won't be enough."
The atmosphere between master and disciple grew heavy.
Shiraishi calmly looked at him.
"Please instruct me further, Master."
Ebizō laughed bitterly and waved his hand.
"No need. I'll handle the rest."
Yet his fingers tapped lightly on the table as he sank into thought.
The plan had a fatal flaw.
If Sunagakure simply withdrew after luring Konoha in, their real intent would be exposed. With Konoha's mobilization capability, the trap would be uncovered quickly.
Konoha had to be absolutely convinced that Sunagakure intended to die defending Kikyo Mountain.
Did the boy truly not see this flaw?
…Or did he see it perfectly?
Time passed.
With Minato Namikaze leading the central front, Konoha finally broke through Sunagakure's defenses. The northern and southern forces regrouped and pushed into Kikyo Mountain's core.
According to the original plan, Sunagakure would retreat step by step—
Then detonate one hundred billion explosive tags.
But when Shiraishi reached the designated rendezvous point, he froze.
Aside from his students, Jōgaki Shikasa, and Maki—
Thousands of Sunagakure shinobi were still fighting on Kikyo Mountain.
"Master… they're still—"
The slaughter continued.
Powerful jōnin and chūnin clung to the battlefield, fighting desperately against Konoha.
Ebizō's gaze was heavy.
"Three thousand remain."
They were fighting against enemies several times their number.
"Why weren't they ordered to retreat?"
"If they retreat… would Nara Shikaku still fall for it?"
The words struck like thunder.
"If we're doing this, we maximize everything."
"Those three thousand already knew their mission."
As if answering his words—
Every remaining Sunagakure shinobi ignited the explosive tags on their bodies.
One hundred billion explosive tags detonated.
Kikyo Mountain roared.
The entire mountain was swallowed by fire.
Even elite Konoha jōnin and chūnin could not all escape.
At least half of Konoha's forces were annihilated in that instant.
Most of the Sunagakure shinobi who remained were clan members—many closely tied to Rasa's faction.
They were deliberately left behind to die together with the enemy.
Cannon fodder—
Yet every one of them detonated willingly.
For the Land of Wind.
For Sunagakure.
"An extraordinary tactic…"
Orochimaru gazed at Kikyo Mountain, now a sea of flames.
He didn't know who planned it—but for some reason, the image of a certain Sunagakure youth surfaced in his mind.
Nara Shikagawa stood frozen, his face drained of color.
He had considered the possibility of mutual destruction—
But the false appearance of Iwagakure forces, combined with Sunagakure's desperate resistance, had blinded him to the real danger.
Shikagawa nearly collapsed.
Konoha's losses were catastrophic.
Though Kikyo Mountain was captured, it was destroyed outright.
Over five thousand shinobi were lost.
Even Hatake Kakashi nearly died in the explosion—saved only by Minato Namikaze's Flying Thunder God.
Sunagakure lost the mountain—but preserved its core forces.
Even weakened Rasa's own faction.
At the Revelation Mountain Range, Rasa stared at the report, his expression conflicted.
"Three thousand lives… in exchange for peace with Konoha."
But because of Ebizō's decision, many Sunagakure clans were erased entirely.
Sand Release's Three Lineages followed him—
Yet the cost was unbearable.
"Wind Shadow, do we let this go?"
Yamaji Ryōko's face was dark. Many shinobi loyal to the Yamaji clan had died at Kikyo Mountain.
"From the results alone… it was perfect."
Arakawa Akita was far calmer.
"The Wind Shadow can only commend the Elders. To preserve unity."
Ebizō's name shook the shinobi world.
Sacrificing thousands to reverse the war—
More infamous than Danzō.
"Did he really take all the blame himself…?"
The Third Hokage set down his pipe.
"…Cease fire with Sunagakure. Negotiate with Kikyo Mountain as the boundary."
Konoha could no longer sustain three wars.
Iwagakure and Kirigakure were pressing harder.
And Orochimaru remained unresolved.
Sunagakure was poor—continuing this war gained nothing.
That night, Shiraishi stood outside the camp in silence.
Maki watched him anxiously, unsure how to comfort him.
Shiraishi knew—
His small test had been seen through.
He had proposed an imperfect plan deliberately, unwilling to bear the stigma of sacrificing comrades.
Ebizō completed it himself.
To protect Sunagakure.
To protect his disciple's future.
Even Rasa could not condemn him.
Three thousand lives ended the war.
Reasonable.
But cruel.
Guilt crushed Shiraishi.
"Master… I…"
Ebizō, eyes bloodshot, looked at him tiredly.
"Train well. Sunagakure's future rests on you."
"I only hope… this is the last sacrifice."
He had sent three thousand to their deaths with his own hands.
Shiraishi bowed deeply.
"I swear… I will never let our comrades die again."
"I'm tired. Let me rest."
Shiraishi turned and left the tent.
Ebizō watched his back, dazed.
"…Was my choice right… or wrong?"
Outside, Shiraishi collapsed.
Maki rushed forward, supporting him.
"Shiraishi… are you hurt?"
He gripped her sleeve weakly.
"Believe me… next time… I'll protect you all."
"I believe you!"
She smiled brightly, stroking his hair—
And gently coaxed him to rest.
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