In the future timeline, Shiraishi—still disguised as Yamato—carefully executed a mission alongside several colleagues.
The current state of the ninja world appeared stable on the surface, but a dark undercurrent was surging.
The Akatsuki organization had successfully captured several Tailed Beasts, a feat that even the mighty Hidden Leaf found troublesome.
The roster was a "who's who" of S-rank rogue ninjas: Sasori of the Red Sand, Deidara, Kakuzu, Hidan, Itachi Uchiha, Kisame Hoshigaki, and the former member Orochimaru.
A force this powerful was unheard of in Shiraishi's original era. However, according to the Leaf's current intelligence, the origins of Akatsuki likely stretched back to the Third Great Ninja War.
The historical trajectory of this Third Great Ninja War differed slightly from the one he knew. In this timeline, the Sand had suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Kikyo Pass.
Maki's team—the Pakura Platoon—had lost everyone except Maki herself; both Maki's teammate Maki (from the original timeline) and a Genin he had never heard of were killed. More importantly, in this history, the Hidden Sand never had a ninja named Shiraishi.
Considering the total divergence of parallel dimensions, Shiraishi didn't dwell on the cause. Instead, the intelligence on Akatsuki reminded him of the mysterious group that had ambushed the Leaf's Sensory Unit during the first Battle of Kikyo Pass in his time.
Currently, "Yamato's" mission involves a rescue operation for Naruto Uzumaki, which intersects with both Akatsuki and Orochimaru.
Naruto, the Leaf's most troublesome ninja, had been swallowed by the Three-Tails (Isobu), throwing the village into high alert. Elite Jonin like Yamato, Kakashi Hatake, and Shizune led the rescue.
The mission involved a boy named Yukimaru, who possessed the unique power to control the Three-Tails. Orochimaru had exploited the boy, whose mother had been killed by Guren. Guren and Naruto were now trapped inside the beast, and Yukimaru was frantic with worry.
As the sealing team's primary anchor, Shiraishi's job was to maintain a massive Wood Release Barrier.
He played the role of a bystander, which suited him perfectly. His combat style differed from Yamato's; while average ninjas wouldn't notice, a "slick old fox" like Kakashi Hatake certainly would. Thus, Shiraishi remained a "ghost" in the background.
As the rescue began the next day, Shiraishi observed the new generation of Leaf ninjas. Compared to the ones from his era, their talent was similar, but their growth potential seemed higher. He was particularly intrigued by Rock Lee's ferocious Taijutsu.
The Eight Inner Gates... Shiraishi was surprised the Leaf had developed such a savage system. He recalled the legend of Might Guy's father, Might Duy, who opened all eight gates to kill four of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, crippling the Mist's core strength.
Shiraishi sighed; even he, at his peak, found suppressing three swordsmen difficult. To kill four and wound three alone was a feat of terrifying power.
Rock Lee alone was proof of the Leaf's frightening depth.
The battle turned grim as Orochimaru's subordinates took prohibited drugs to enhance their Curse Marks, flooding their bodies with dark natural energy.
Orochimaru's human experimentation had clearly advanced since Shiraishi's time.
Suddenly, a large man, exhaling strange smoke, attacked. As a dragon of smoke surged toward him, Shiraishi mimicked Yamato's seals, creating a wooden shield.
In the blink of an eye, Shiraishi used a Body Flicker and stabbed his kunai into the man's head, only to find the skin hardened by the Curse Mark.
Interesting...
Chakra light erupted from the kunai, piercing the defense. The man exploded into a massive cloud of smoke, obscuring the sea. The attacker thought he had the upper hand, but the smoke only gave Shiraishi cover to act freely.
"A degraded Curse Mark... your body cannot handle this much natural energy," Shiraishi said coldly.
Incensed, the man lunged, but Shiraishi manifested a wooden blade. A flash of cold light followed. The wooden blade, imbued with high-frequency energy, pierced the man's heart instantly.
As Shiraishi stepped out of the smoke, the other Leaf ninjas were finishing off the rest of the fodder. To Orochimaru, these people were disposable tools meant only to stall the Leaf.
Shiraishi blended back into the group, leaving no flaws. His interest had shifted from collecting Leaf intelligence to investigating Akatsuki.
If the Three-Tails were their target, even a successful seal by the Leaf would eventually draw the organization's gaze. Shiraishi secretly channeled Iron Sand Magnet Release into the depths of the lake, leaving a hidden tracking mark.
While the "Future Shiraishi" investigated the Akatsuki, two years passed in the original timeline. The time reached Mid-Year 47 of the Leaf, Early Year 47 of the Sand.
The Great Ninja War was entering its final, most violent stage. However, the Hidden Sand Village was currently bathed in a festive atmosphere.
Today was the wedding of Black Mist Shiraishi and Maki!
Two years after their cruise to Kusunoki, the couple finally formed a complete family. But Shiraishi had little time for the joys of marriage; on his desk lay a top-secret intelligence report regarding Kannabi Bridge.
The decisive battle at Kannabi Bridge was about to begin—the final clash between the Hidden Stone and the Hidden Leaf. After two years of recuperation, the Sand was stirring.
They planned to launch the Third Battle of Kikyo Pass. Unlike the previous two attempts orchestrated by Rasa, the mastermind behind this third offensive was Black Mist Shiraishi!
"The day of the battle at Kannabi Bridge is the day the Sand launches its total invasion!"
Minato Namikaze... I have looked forward to your Flying Raijin Jutsu for a long time.
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