The night of the Sand Festival felt unusually long.
Although the Yamaji clan had withdrawn, that did not mean the trouble was over. Shiraishi stood quietly as one corpse after another was carried away, his expression unreadable.
"Earlier… that chakra fluctuation inside your residence—what was it?"
Before leaving, Ebizō suddenly asked. He had sensed something unusual within Shiraishi's home—chakra similar to Pakura's Scorch Release, yet subtly different.
"Just a few contingencies," Shiraishi replied.
Ebizō studied him for a long moment, then shook his head.
"We'll handle the aftermath. Just don't keep giving us heart attacks."
That scorch-like chakra fluctuation was, in truth, Azure Flame energy. Though sealed layer upon layer, Ebizō had still caught a trace of it. Beyond the visible Triangular Sand Towers used for defense, many more were hidden throughout Shiraishi's residence—each storing vast amounts of Azure Flame.
Had those seals been released, Ebizō would not have left so calmly.
If fully unleashed, the Azure Flame stored beneath the compound could have reduced everything nearby to ash—potentially destroying half the village. Due to its nature, Azure Flame was nearly impossible to extinguish by conventional means. Only sealing could contain it, and at that scale, even delayed containment would have led to catastrophic consequences.
Mutual destruction was never Shiraishi's first choice.
But if pushed to the brink—if Sunagakure truly failed to restrain Yamaji Ryōko—he would not hesitate, even if it meant becoming a missing-nin, to erase the Yamaji clan completely.
Fortunately, Ryōko's withdrawal at the final moment, combined with intervention from the Arakawa clan and the Elder Council, suppressed the turmoil—for now.
Bloodstains smeared the walls, stark and unsettling.
Killing brought Shiraishi no joy.
Moonlight reflected coldly off the silver blade in his hand.
"So this is the ninja world…"
He needed to grow faster.
Before the war ended, he had to reach at least Kage-level.
There was no precise measure for such strength—only chakra reserves, mastery of forbidden techniques, and battle results.
A sudden weariness washed over him.
Holding the blade, Shiraishi closed his eyes—and slipped briefly into sleep.
In a crimson world, a colossal bat hovered in the sky. Its blood-red wings spread wide, spewing countless scarlet bubbles into the air.
Shiraishi formed seals instinctively—
Then snapped his eyes open.
"I actually fell asleep… What was that just now?"
Because he had not yet put on his glasses, Shiraishi failed to notice that within the Summoned Beasts interface, a creature of unique quality had appeared.
That night, no one slept easily.
The Sand-Release Three Lineages had suffered a severe blow. By morning, their fury erupted. Yamaji Ryōko led several major clan representatives to confront the Elder Council.
Within the council chamber, aside from Chiyo and Ebizō, some elders were deeply displeased with Shiraishi's unrestrained actions. Though they dared not speak openly, their resentment lingered.
Chiyo's past indulgence toward Sasori had already led to disaster—his defection and suspected assassination of the Third Kazekage. And now this one? Slaughtering fellow villagers openly?
Was someone like this fit to become the future Kazekage?
Compared to the others' indignation, Yamaji Ryōko appeared calm.
After a night of reflection, her attitude had shifted. Though she formally read out accusations, her thoughts were clearly elsewhere.
"As long as the Elder Council wants to avoid civil war," she said coolly, "they'll give us an explanation."
Arakawa Akita's words echoed in her mind. As a clan leader, his perspective ran deeper.
"So pressing Shiraishi achieves nothing. The Council will protect him. Instead, we change our approach."
"Change it how?" Ryōko asked.
"That depends on what price the Elder Council is willing to pay."
As Akita finished speaking, he stepped forward and placed a hand on her shoulder—then suddenly began coughing violently.
"Uncle!"
Ryōko and Arakawa Maru rushed to him, but Akita waved them off, wiping a trace of blood from his lips before straightening once more.
"Do not fixate on momentary gains or losses. Patience brings opportunity. If now is not the time, then we wait."
"Do not forget—our Sand-Release lineages are the Kazekage's true foundation. Those two old relics in the Elder Council won't live forever."
"I understand," Ryōko said quietly.
At the council meeting, Ebizō tapped the table while Chiyo spoke coldly:
"Yamaji Kippē was a retired ninja—not an active one. Furthermore, he openly disrupted the Sand Festival and damaged village unity. His execution violated no law."
"As for those who invaded a private residence…"
She paused.
"My condolences."
Her words spared Ryōko no dignity. It was clear the Elder Council's tolerance toward the Yamaji clan had reached its limit.
"If this conflict continues, both sides will suffer irreversible damage," Ebizō added more mildly. "Sunagakure cannot endure internal chaos."
"Besides," he continued, changing the subject smoothly, "today's primary agenda is not the Sand Festival incident—but the expansion and redevelopment of the Oasis Ring District."
As Shiraishi's sole disciple, Ebizō would protect him. As for offended noble interests, those could be compensated by other means.
The clan representatives were momentarily stunned. The sudden shift in topic disrupted the tension, leaving the room uneasy and silent.
Meanwhile, having changed into clean clothes, Shiraishi walked toward the academy with his silver blade in hand, as though the previous night had never occurred.
Villagers who spotted him instinctively stepped back.
They resented the great clans' arrogance—but Shiraishi's ruthless slaughter of so many Yamaji ninja in a single night terrified them.
Shiraishi noticed their fear—and found it understandable.
No matter the justification, blood had flowed like a river.
Power was meant to inspire fear.
And yet… something inside him felt off.
"Shiraishi!"
Shikasa hurried over, clearly worried.
"You alright? I was honestly scared last night. My father forbade me from leaving the house—and even had people bring Maki over for protection."
Shiraishi nodded.
"This time… thank your father for me."
The Jogaki clan's clear stance moved him.
Shikasa shrugged.
"We're comrades. Helping each other is natural, isn't it?"
Then his expression grew serious, clearly imitating his father's tone.
"There's one thing he wanted me to tell you."
"A strong man must not only have the courage to draw his blade—
but also the resolve to sheathe it."
The resolve to sheathe the blade…
That single sentence struck deep.
Shiraishi exhaled slowly.
"Thank you," he said quietly.
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