Deidara crafted a massive clay bird and took to the skies above the lake...
This man must be from the Hidden Stone's Explosion Corps, Shiraishi thought. Having clashed with Explosion Style users in the Revelation Mountains before, he immediately recognized the methodology.
According to the Leaf's future intelligence, this Deidara would one day single-handedly breach the Sand's defenses and abduct the Fifth Kazekage, Gaara. His explosive clay was notoriously difficult to deal with.
Although the Sand Villages in these two timelines were not the same, Shiraishi still felt a surge of irritation at the sight of him.
However, as Obito's Sharingan locked onto his position, Shiraishi's expression shifted sharply. Realizing his disguise was compromised, he manifested a wooden blade and unleashed it as a spiraling gale of rotating blades.
This swordplay...
Obito's eyes flickered with a trace of recognition. The way Shiraishi handled the blade was reminiscent of Hatake Kakashi's "White Fang" style, yet it possessed a distinct, alien nuance.
"Who are you?"
Obito had thorough intel on Yamato, but the sword skills shown just now, combined with the eerie sensory-shielding techniques, simply did not appear in the current ninja world's records of Yamato.
"And who are you?" Shiraishi countered.
Obito flickered behind Shiraishi, but the "Yamato" he struck erupted into searing, high-temperature steam. Simultaneously, massive wooden spikes surged from the ground.
Obito was forced to phase through the attack, but by the time he solidified, Shiraishi had already used Body Flicker to vanish into the distance.
Given the masked man's bizarre abilities, the lack of intel, and the power constraints of Yamato's body, Shiraishi decided a tactical retreat was the wisest course.
Obito chose not to pursue; Deidara was still active nearby. However, deep in his mind, he made a mental note of this "strange Yamato."
The Original Timeline: Sand Year 47
"Karura's third child is expected to be born early next year. Recent tests show he is the most suitable candidate to become the One-Tails Jinchuriki."
Ebizo took a sip of the tea Maki had prepared, looking satisfied. He then brought up the Kazekage's latest moves: "Chiyo has already performed the possession ritual, placing the seal of Shukaku into Karura's fetus."
"Doing that will take a massive toll on the mother," Shiraishi remarked solemnly.
Over the last two years, Shiraishi had moved to a larger estate in the Oasis Ring District, neighboring Chiyo and Ebizo.
He was fundamentally opposed to creating a Jinchuriki this way—sealing Shukaku into a fetus was cruel and a direct threat to Karura's life.
Rasa had been quiet on the surface, but he had been plotting in the shadows. Both sides knew the peace was merely a facade.
"The existence of a Jinchuriki is a necessity," Ebizo countered gently. "The Leaf, Mist, Stone, and Cloud have all developed mature Jinchuriki weapons. If the Sand falls behind, we lose our strategic deterrent."
"Rest assured," Ebizo continued, "even if Rasa wants to use that power, it will take over a decade for the child to grow.
By then, would you really fear a mere Jinchuriki? This is a political symbol. Besides, Karura is prepared; she is a woman who deeply loves her husband."
While Shiraishi held the authority of the Jonin Class, effectively stripping Rasa of much of his power, he still respected the position of Kazekage.
Karura and Yashamaru had looked after Shiraishi in the past, which left him in a conflicted position.
"Our main objective isn't the Land of Fire itself, but we can't ignore the Leaf's reaction. Minato Namikaze is even more formidable than before. Do you have confidence in facing him?" Ebizo asked.
Minato was currently at Kannabi Bridge, but if he appeared on the Sand's front, his Flying Raijin could dismantle their defense lines in seconds.
"My Sand Body Flicker isn't as fast as the Flying Raijin," Shiraishi admitted, "but my Magnet Release defense is more comprehensive. I will focus on a defensive-counter strategy."
Meanwhile, the Leaf was not blind to the Sand's buildup. Hemmed in on all sides, they had deployed the Uchiha Clan as the primary force on the southern front.
The new head of the clan, Fugaku Uchiha, personally led their elites. The Leaf knew that compared to Kikyo Pass, the Sand's buildup in the Land of Rivers was the true threat.
The total force under Fugaku was only about a thousand ninjas, but Shiraishi did not underestimate them. The Sharingan was not a bloodline to be taken lightly.
"Report! The Third Raikage has been surrounded by the Stone and died after fighting ten thousand ninjas! The new Fourth Raikage has sworn revenge and decided to prioritize an invasion of the Land of Earth?!"
Just as the Sand was ready to move, this shocking news derailed the plan for a perfect four-way encirclement of the Leaf. Shiraishi stared at the report.
The Stone and Cloud are playing by no rules. We agreed to crush the Leaf, and they started a civil war instead?
The Third Raikage had ruled for decades; his death meant the Cloud and Stone were now locked in a blood feud that made reconciliation impossible.
This meant the pressure on the Leaf's western front would soon vanish.
"Contact all divisions," Shiraishi ordered, his eyes hardening. "We move now."
Before the battle at Kannabi Bridge could conclude, Shiraishi had to accelerate the invasion of the Land of Rivers while another force pushed into the Land of Rain.
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