With the war against Konoha concluded, Iwagakure redirected its main forces to clash head-on with Konoha.
By contrast, Sunagakure entered a rare period of peace.
Although the Kazekage remained stationed at the Revelation Mountain Range to monitor Iwa's movements, overall, the Land of Wind had finally stabilized.
Shiraishi returned to the village together with Maki, Jōgaki Shikasa, and the others.
Along the way, aside from Pakura—whose expression remained dissatisfied and subdued—most of the Sand ninja let out long, exhausted sighs of relief.
More than two years of warfare had drained Sunagakure to the bone.
The hatred toward everything surrounding Kikyo Mountain ran deep, and the endless war with Konoha had left countless shinobi physically and mentally worn down.
"For the time being, you should stay in the village and rest while focusing on cultivation."
Both Ebizō and Shiraishi understood clearly—
After single-handedly breaking through the southwest front and killing the head of the Kurama clan, Shiraishi's promotion to jōnin was already inevitable.
If his war achievements continued to expand, the situation would become even more sensitive.
Because of this, Rasa would absolutely not assign Shiraishi to the Revelation Mountain Range.
In fact, Rasa would likely avoid mobilizing even Shiraishi's companions and his genin students.
"What do you think about Orochimaru's proposal for cooperation, Master?"
Not long after the battle of Kikyo Mountain concluded, Orochimaru severed ties with the Third Hokage, Jiraiya, and the others—officially defecting from Konoha.
Although his current whereabouts were unknown, the cunning Orochimaru had already sent a letter proposing cooperation with Sunagakure.
From a technical standpoint, Orochimaru possessed a vast amount of Konoha's classified knowledge.
Cooperating with him was undeniably tempting for Sunagakure.
However, Orochimaru was also exceedingly dangerous.
Sunagakure feared being used by him instead.
Rasa, on the other hand, showed strong interest in working with Orochimaru and even expressed willingness to shelter him—
Only to be flatly refused by the former Sannin.
"Cooperation is unavoidable," Ebizō said, glancing at Shiraishi with a smile.
"Orochimaru knows far too much. Including what you've always wanted—natural energy and Sage Mode. He has records on both."
After so much time had passed since the Kikyo Mountain battle, the rift between master and disciple had long since healed.
Ebizō knew very well that Shiraishi had always yearned for knowledge related to Sage Mode and natural energy.
This remark was half-teasing, half-earnest.
"As for the method and scope of cooperation, Rasa and Orochimaru are still negotiating," Ebizō continued.
"But during the talks, Orochimaru mentioned you several times. He wants to collaborate with you directly. He values you highly."
When Sunagakure's main forces returned to the village, they were greeted with the highest level of reception.
Villagers cheered as they welcomed back loved ones who had survived the war.
Even Jōgaki Hayato was moved to tears upon seeing his son return safely.
Meanwhile, Shiraishi met with a representative of the Kitajima family—Kitajima Jūjin—inside a teahouse.
"Captain, you're truly famous now," Kitajima Jūjin said with a grin.
"Even the Daimyō prepared a medal just for you."
Kitajima Jūjin was dressed normally today, but every gesture still carried that same alluring flair.
Shiraishi took a sip of tea—and immediately frowned.
Tea in this world was more of a dietary custom.
Tea bricks were roasted over fire, then ground into granules using a bronze grinder.
The granules were sifted into fine powder.
To reduce bitterness, mint, salt, red dates, or ginger slices were often added, along with aromatic substances like borneol.
The resulting tea paste was then consumed together with other foods.
The tea Shiraishi remembered was… very different.
In truth, even the tea bricks used here could be improved significantly with minor processing changes, producing entirely different flavors.
"Captain doesn't like the tea?" Kitajima asked.
"This is the finest brew from our Kitajima family's chain teahouses."
Shiraishi shook his head slightly.
"It can be improved. With some refinement, it could become a much better product—and more profitable."
"Oh?" Kitajima's eyes lit up.
"Sounds like you have another idea, Captain."
"I'll show you the finished version in a few days."
Skipping past the topic, Shiraishi asked instead:
"How many cards did you collect this time?"
Kitajima Jūjin was well aware of Shiraishi's obsession with collecting cards.
However, these cards were regulated items within the Land of Wind, so the Kitajima family usually gathered them abroad.
"Seven cards in total."
Seven cards carried an enormous cost, but Shiraishi was now well-funded and could afford them easily.
Although none were gold-tier, three were purple-tier cards.
Purple-tier cards were inferior to gold ones in general—but if they matched the user's environment and combat style, their value could be extraordinary.
Just like Sand Gathering.
The icons on these three purple cards indicated Water Release skills, which immediately sparked Shiraishi's anticipation.
One of them, however, he already recognized.
When the Bubble Technique reached 100% proficiency, it unlocked a branching path:
Ballad of Bubble Phantom
Bubble Beam
The system map inside Shiraishi's glasses showed that Ballad of Bubble Phantom was right in front of him—
One of the three purple cards in Kitajima's hands.
"Please continue collecting cards," Shiraishi said.
"Compensation won't be an issue."
Kitajima patted his chest confidently.
Still, he asked cautiously:
"Captain… have you developed any new body modification techniques recently?"
"Not for now."
"I know you don't enjoy developing such techniques," Kitajima said carefully,
"But the Daimyō still needs some… diplomacy. For the sake of your future path toward Kazekage."
Now that their alliance was established, the Kitajima family no longer hid their investment in Shiraishi.
Shiraishi nodded, signaling he would keep it in mind.
At present, however, he cared far more about what the other two purple Water Release cards contained.
Collecting cards alone was inefficient—
Future acquisitions would still require cooperation from various factions.
Outside the teahouse, Jōgaki Shikasa and Maki waited.
Unfortunately, their conversation had drifted into deeply awkward territory.
"Don't worry," Shikasa said awkwardly.
"Kitajima Jūjin may look feminine, but he's still a man. Shiraishi's tastes aren't that extreme."
"…He went to see him the moment we returned," Maki muttered.
"The Kitajima family is investing in Shiraishi. It's normal for them to meet."
Shikasa understood this clearly and tried to reassure her.
Still, Maki remained uneasy.
She had heard that the Kitajima family's kunoichi were exceptionally skilled in all kinds of secret techniques.
What if Kitajima Jūjin was the same…?
Her face turned red.
At that moment, Shiraishi and Kitajima exited the private room.
Kitajima smiled gracefully and bid farewell with dramatic flair.
"Shiraishi…"
"Let's go home," he said.
"I made something good for you."
At Shiraishi's home, all the pink cherry blossoms had been harvested.
They were placed into a container, sprinkled with a special powder, and mixed thoroughly.
Then Shiraishi poured in a bottle of blue-green fruit wine.
"Shiraishi, what is this?" Maki asked, holding a silver-white box curiously.
"Mist Village specialty—white agar," he explained.
"It makes better jelly than ordinary konjac powder."
"That must be expensive…"
Most Kirigakure products were costly.
Transport alone made them expensive to bring to Sunagakure.
"Mission rewards cover it easily," Shiraishi replied.
"Just wait for the dessert."
After the Kikyo Mountain battle, although the Wind Daimyō had not fully redistributed all missions back to Sunagakure, portions gradually returned.
Shiraishi's performance on the southwest front earned him an Ultra-S rank mission evaluation, with extremely generous rewards.
This wasn't the era where mission rewards had depreciated tenfold.
Combined with profits from working with the Kitajima family, Shiraishi was far from poor.
He added crystalline rock sugar into water along with the cherry blossoms and fruit wine, simmering it gently until the pink hue fully infused the liquid.
After removing the petals, he mixed the syrup with the white agar and continued heating it slowly.
A unique fragrance filled the room.
He prepared molds and poured in the pink liquid, placing a piece of pink fruit flesh into each mold.
This fruit was from Shiraishi's first successful cultivation batch—
Tender, refreshing, and perfect for Sunagakure's scorching climate.
Once set, the jelly was chilled.
Less than an hour later, the cherry blossom jelly was complete.
Gold leaf and petals were added as finishing touches.
Maki and Shikasa devoured the dessert enthusiastically.
The jelly paired with the fruit flesh was incredibly refreshing.
Maki ate four or five in quick succession before Shiraishi stopped her.
"You'll ruin your appetite for the main course."
"I—I understand!" she said quickly.
"It's not that you can't eat it," Shiraishi added, sighing.
"There's still food coming."
While cooking, Shiraishi began unlocking the cards.
One by one, the three purple Water Release cards activated.
Ballad of Bubble Phantom not only surpassed Bubble Technique in power—it could also heal burn status and suppress Fire Release far more effectively than normal Water Release.
With Bubble Technique already maxed, Shiraishi unlocked it quickly.
Though only purple-tier, it synergized well with Mirage-type illusions, offering strong compound potential.
The second purple card was unlocked in a zone where Water and Fire attributes overlapped.
Water Release… requiring Fire Release?
The revelation surprised him.
The system classified it as a combined-attribute technique.
As the light intensified—
Composite Technique: Steam Explosion
It appeared as an independent-zone card.
Directly learnable.
This was rare.
Many of Shiraishi's cards required prerequisite mastery—
Gravity Technique, for example, couldn't be learned until Telekinesis reached 100%.
Independent-zone skills were extremely valuable.
Steam Explosion released superheated steam, burning enemies.
If the user also possessed Ice Release (Water + Wind), it could even cure freeze effects.
This technique closely resembled the steam techniques of Han, the Five-Tails Jinchūriki of Iwagakure.
Han—the Steam Ninja—was a tall man with an umbrella hat, brown mask, and ochre armor.
By manipulating steam, he enhanced his taijutsu, strength, and speed.
In the normal state, he was jōnin-level.
In partial or full transformation, he rivaled Kage-level power.
Compared to the Four-Tails Rōshi, Han's control was far more refined.
Steam techniques could also combine with bubble illusions.
Two purple cards—perfect synergy.
Finally, the last purple card…
The progress bar filled steadily.
With his now-abundant chakra, Shiraishi unlocked it effortlessly.
What appeared made his expression change.
The skill projection showed endless cyan-white light cascading across the land.
This was—
Though purple-tier, it belonged to the same independent category as Azure Flame, Sand Accumulation, and Steam Explosion.
The chakra cost…
was terrifying.
Beyond Water Release, it also required Yin-attribute chakra nature transformation.
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