Yamaji Ryōko—one of Sunagakure's rising-generation jōnin—served as the captain of the First Squad of the Puppet Special Operations Unit. The legendary puppeteer Sasori of the Red Sand had once been her supervising jōnin, and Zi Ao had been her senior.
Her senior had been killed, and killed by a newly graduated genin at that.
Naturally, Yamaji Ryōko intended to investigate Zi Ao's death thoroughly. During her examination, she discovered that the internal mechanisms of the puppets had been destroyed by large quantities of special metal particles.
There was no mistake about it.
Magnet Release had been used.
"It is true that I used telekinesis to damage the internal mechanisms of the puppets," Shiraishi replied calmly. As the female jōnin spoke, it was obvious she was trying to push him into a corner, so Shiraishi's speaking pace gradually quickened.
"The special metal particles hidden inside the puppets caused damage during that process as well. But if there is a question about Magnet Release metals inside the puppets, shouldn't that be directed at the puppeteer himself—or at the origins of those puppets—instead of shifting the blame onto me?"
"What are you implying, brat?" Yamaji Ryōko's tone turned sharp.
"The connection between puppets and Magnet Release is something the Kazekage-sama and the ANBU seniors will investigate thoroughly," Shiraishi said evenly. "I only hope that certain jōnin will not maliciously guide the direction of this matter because of personal emotions."
During his battle with Zi Ao, there had indeed been special Magnet Release–type materials inside those puppets. When Shiraishi activated Treasure Accumulation, the metal particles he drew in had originated from the puppets themselves, which was why the damage had erupted from within.
Originally, Shiraishi had not thought too deeply about this point. But after being pressed by Yamaji Ryōko, he deliberately redirected the discussion—causing Maki's expression to change sharply.
Yamaji Ryōko was not a jōnin particularly skilled in debate. After discovering traces of Magnet Release, she had rushed over aggressively to question Shiraishi. Now, after being countered so directly, she found herself momentarily at a loss for words.
Only then did she recall that her teacher had once been involved in the creation of human puppets.
Magnet Release… puppets…
A chill ran through her body as a terrifying possibility surfaced in her mind.
The Third Kazekage… may already have been turned into a human puppet by my teacher.
"That's enough," Maki said decisively. "Recover the puppets for formal appraisal. Compile all findings into a sealed report and submit it directly to the Kazekage and the Council of Elders."
The truth behind the Third Kazekage's fate involved the direction of the entire ninja world. Maki decisively ended the confrontation between Shiraishi and Yamaji Ryōko, strictly classifying all discussions and sealing the materials for delivery to Sunagakure's highest authorities.
After receiving Maki's report, Rasa quickly convened an emergency elders' council.
The battle at Quicksand Ravine had involved Sasori of the Red Sand, who himself was a prime suspect in the Third Kazekage incident.
The puppet analysis report had already been completed. It confirmed that a sealed scroll inside contained special Magnet Release iron sand, and several release arrays also carried chakra signatures matching the Third Kazekage's Magnet Release.
The truth was almost laid bare.
Elder Chiyo collapsed on the spot.
As Ebizō supported her and prepared to leave, the Fourth Kazekage Rasa spoke gravely:
"But in our agreements with Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure, we have already committed to launching a joint attack on Konoha."
The justification of avenging the Third Kazekage was what fueled Sunagakure's determination to go to war with Konoha. If the truth about Sasori and the Third Kazekage were leaked, it would deal a devastating blow to Sunagakure.
"Putting aside the Magnet Release issue," Rasa continued, "what do the elders think about that genin—Shiraishi?"
The potential of telekinetic genjutsu had genuinely surprised the upper ranks. What had been thought a useless externalized mental technique could instead be reversed to strengthen the user, even achieving an effect similar to Light-Weight Rock Technique.
According to Maki's records, the telekinetic levitation was still far less refined than Light-Weight Rock Technique—but even so, it was more than enough to astonish Sunagakure.
The emergence of Whirlwind Blade was less surprising. The higher-ups already believed Shiraishi to be a rare research-oriented prodigy.
After all, his telekinesis and Whirlwind Blade were both techniques outside the existing ninja system. Combined with the fact that Shiraishi was a native-born Sunagakure civilian with a clean background, there were no issues of origin.
"He has completed an A-rank mission," one elder concluded. "That qualifies him for promotion to chūnin. After that, recall him to the village for more systematic training."
Unlike Konoha, which produced geniuses in abundance, Sunagakure's weak national strength made large-scale education and talent discovery extremely difficult. Shiraishi's appearance was something the village could not afford to ignore.
The externalized telekinesis and Whirlwind Blade alone had already proven his value. After careful consideration, Rasa decided to have Maki personally oversee Shiraishi's further education within the village.
Sunagakure might be traditional and conservative, but it did not neglect talent. Once someone reached a certain level, they were unquestionably worth cultivating.
Meanwhile, as Shiraishi returned to the village with Maki's group, he noticed something unexpected.
After unlocking ten skill cards, his glasses system had activated a new interface. A slow progress bar appeared, advancing from 1% at a glacial pace.
It was slow—but Shiraishi could afford to wait.
At the same time, he began organizing the ten skill cards he currently possessed:
High-Speed Movement
Telekinesis
Treasure Accumulation
Iaijutsu
Whirlwind Slash
Round Pupils
Spark
Jet Flames
Drink Milk
And the newly obtained purple skill card
After telekinesis reached full unlock, five branching paths appeared. The corresponding five cards were all outside the Land of Wind, making them currently unobtainable.
Among them, the third-stage card corresponding to Telekinetic Object Manipulation was precisely the purple card Shiraishi had just finished reading—
Gravity Technique.
Although he could not yet unlock it, the textual description alone allowed Shiraishi to understand its essence: an advanced form of telekinesis, enabling free control over gravitational strength.
At his current stage, Gravity Technique was still a distant dream. Shiraishi instead focused his attention on the newly unlocked interface.
After more than an hour, the progress bar finally reached 100%, fully opening the new content.
Compared to the world map used for skill cards, this time a small local map appeared—covering roughly a radius of several dozen li around Shiraishi's current location.
A mini-map?
Why was there a mini-map? Was it an enhancement to reconnaissance? Then why had it required analysis?
The rotating indicator spun continuously. After another half hour of refresh, the mini-map interface fully stabilized.
Suddenly, hundreds of white moving dots appeared—every single one in motion. As they moved, corresponding data and quality ratings gradually formed.
All white.
No other colors.
Seeing the information displayed, Shiraishi immediately understood the purpose of this new interface.
Ten skill cards… just to unlock one function.
"…That's really strict."
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