The formal establishment of the Naval Department signaled the Hidden Sand's commitment to long-term maritime expansion.
While the other three major villages on the continent breathed a sigh of relief, they remained utterly perplexed as to why Shiraishi was so obsessed with the ocean.
Although a maritime encirclement strategy looked good on paper, the Land of Wind was fundamentally a land-based power.
Devoting such massive resources to the sea seemed, to many high-ranking officials, like a strategic blunder.
Even with the Sand's current wealth, the "Triple Sea Gate" project, combined with the naval headquarters and fleet maintenance, threatened to strain the village's finances into a "black hole" for the next three years.
Even Ebizo of the Council couldn't sit still. During a game of shogi with Shiraishi, he asked bluntly, "What is the real reason behind the Naval Headquarters? If you focused solely on land, we could achieve absolute dominance over the Leaf and Stone."
Shiraishi took a calm sip of the tea Maki had brewed. "There is a sensory ninja in the Akatsuki of the Land of Rain whose reach is incredibly troublesome. Practically nothing that happens on land escapes his eyes."
He was referring to Zetsu. After his clone, Uchiha Kaede, was nearly compromised while tracking Obito, Shiraishi had developed a healthy wariness of the creature.
Ebizo frowned. "Is a single organization worth this much diversion?"
Shiraishi placed a white stone on the board. "The power of the Akatsuki exceeds our initial estimates. And behind them... There may be even stronger entities, perhaps from beyond this world."
Through his training at Ryuchi Cave, Shiraishi hadn't just mastered Sage Mode; he had unearthed ancient secrets from the White Snake Sage.
He knew about Kaguya Otsutsuki, the progenitor of chakra, being an extraterrestrial. If the Divine Tree was so vital to them, it was only a matter of time before others of her kin descended.
The power of the Divine Tree and the Otsutsuki is rooted in the earth's energy. Historically, maritime regions—like the Land of Demons—seemed to possess a natural insulation against their influence.
By moving a core portion of the Sand's strength to the sea, Shiraishi was building a "Plan B" for humanity.
"White Snake Sage, I'm back."
Deep within Ryuchi Cave, the ancient White Snake Sage snapped out of a nap. Her expression shifted from drowsiness to pure annoyance as Shiraishi's voice echoed through the cavern.
"You've mastered Sage Mode well enough," she hissed, her eyes narrowing. "Why are you still loitering here?"
"It's not that simple. I've only just scratched the surface," Shiraishi replied, unbothered by her coldness. "I wanted to ask... a few years ago, I encountered the Dragon Vein in the ruins of Roran. What do you know of it?"
The Sage rolled her eyes. "The Dragon Vein is simply a massive concentration of natural energy within the earth's 'meridians.' Don't tell me you thought it actually involved dragons?"
She explained that in the context of the earth, "Dragon" refers to geographical pulses: the soil is the flesh, the stone is the bone, and the vegetation is the hair. Mapping the "Dragon Vein" allows one to sense the vitality of the land and, in some cases, predict the future.
"So," Shiraishi mused, "natural energy contained for long periods can gain the power to traverse space-time?"
"Space-time?" the Sage scoffed. "As far as I know, Dragon Veins usually just catalyze chakra or enhance tools. You aren't trying to swindle me, are you?"
"My puppets are currently infused with the Dragon Vein of Roran. You can check for yourself."
As the Sage sensed the vibrant, pulsating life-force within the puppet, her eyes widened. "This energy... It's different."
"Now you see I'm not lying," Shiraishi smiled. "Since I've provided such a valuable lead, why don't you join me in re-investigating the ruins of Roran?"
"Heh, you're a sly one, brat."
Suddenly, a massive eight-headed snake projection appeared behind the Sage. One of the heads glowed with a crimson light, signifying a shift in consciousness.
A mass of white fluid—an advanced form of Inorganic Reanimation—began to secrete from the Sage's body. It coalesced, shifted, and began to take a human shape.
In a few moments, a silver-haired woman with an ethereal, cold beauty stood before Shiraishi. Her skin was like snow, and her eyes held the clarity of a mountain spring, radiating a spiritual pressure that made even Shiraishi feel a momentary weight on his soul.
On the throne, the elderly form of the White Snake Sage entered a deep slumber. This "younger" version—the Snake Queen—felt just as powerful, if not more so.
"And you are?"
The silver-haired woman smiled, seemingly unconcerned with her lack of clothing. "Don't be so stiff. I am also the White Snake Sage. It's just a small trick of soul-splitting... You possess similar techniques, don't you?"
She stepped closer, her presence magnetic and overwhelming. "My body and soul are quite 'fresh' in this state. Tell me, little Shiraishi... are you tempted?"
Shiraishi stared at the magnificent, "fleshy" display of Sage transformation and blinked. Wait, is there a number I can call to report a Sage for harassment?
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