Ninja Art: Reflective Shield!
This was a specialized technique Shiraishi had taught Uzuki Tomoki. It condensed chakra into solid energy shields upon the user's forearms, designed to absorb and deflect physical impacts.
However, the shield wasn't just for defense; it could also be thrust forward as a weapon, channeling the kinetic force to generate a powerful concussive blast.
While the principles listed on Shiraishi's "Skill Card" were straightforward, the execution required the "luxurious" chakra reserves native to the Uzumaki clan to maintain the solid-energy form.
When training Tomoki, Shiraishi didn't choose overly complex sealing formulas. Instead, he selected practical techniques from his skill card database—the Reflective Shield and other psychokinetic-based "Ninjutsu" to serve as Tomoki's primary tools for offense and defense.
Tomoki's psychokinetic development had been meteoric. Under the accelerated learning model of multiple shadow clones, his training speed was doubled with half the effort.
Enveloped by the massive chakra energy of his dual shields, Tomoki launched himself forward with a boom, like an erupting volcano. The sheer atmospheric pressure radiating from him turned the Root agents' faces pale with terror.
Danzo's order was to capture the Uzumaki heir. At the mission's start, the elite agents hadn't thought much of a mere child, but the raw, destructive power Tomoki now displayed forced them to treat him as a high-threat target.
The Psychic Shinobi
Tomoki's explosive speed was incredible. Arriving in an instant, his Chakra Shields warped under his will, morphing from barriers into razor-sharp Psychic Blades that slashed through the air.
This weapon of the heart, forged from sheer mental energy, was another skill Shiraishi had granted Tomoki. Manifesting his willpower into tangible form, the blades in Tomoki's hands pulsed with a blood-red light.
A Root agent tried to intercept, but Tomoki's Psychic Blade passed clean through his body. Despite having no visible physical wound, the agent's eyes rolled back, and he collapsed instantly.
A combination of mental and physical attack?
Indeed, the attack carried a potent mental-assault component, bypassing physical defenses to strike directly at the target's consciousness, leaving them in a comatose state.
Another Root agent charged in to neutralize Tomoki. He used Earth Style to harden his body and condensed chakra into his fists for a powerful strike.
Tomoki didn't flinch. He focused massive amounts of chakra at his forehead and slammed his head directly into the agent's attack with a sickening crunch!
Zennou-Zutsu (Iron Headbutt)—another technique in the same telekinetic category. By concentrating mental fortitude at a single point, the user could unleash a devastating impact that often left opponents in a "flinched" or disoriented state.
The headbutt sent the agent flying. Tomoki, whose head was clearly "iron-hard," re-solidified the Psychic Blades on his reflective shields, sinking into a combat stance once more.
Although Tomoki knew only three techniques, he was a near-perfect combatant: a head of iron, absolute defense, an inexhaustible tank with unparalleled sustain.
He tore through the group of Root agents alone, showing no signs of fatigue, only growing more focused and ferocious as the battle raged.
Three Root agents were already trapped in a comatose slumber from his Psychic Blades. Several others were terrified of his unstoppable headbutt. The Root cell found itself entirely on the defensive, unable to gain any ground.
Seeing half his elite unit incapacitated, the Root commander was forced to order a tactical retreat. Tomoki watched them go, still breathing easily, his eyes calm.
"Is this truly Konoha's style?" he whispered to the two Uzumaki elders.
The elders shared a look of deep disappointment. The tragedy of Uzu no Kuni may not have been Konoha's direct fault, but the village leadership had almost certainly played a passive role in its demise—otherwise, Danzo wouldn't have been so desperate to cover his tracks by silencing the remaining heirs.
"Danzo! You should not have acted!"
In a high-level Konoha leadership meeting, Hiruzen Sarutobi looked weary. Danzo had acted unilaterally once again, sending his men after the Uzumaki heir.
Not only had they failed to capture him, but they had also left behind irrefutable evidence that would cause political blowback.
Danzo, who held zero regard for the Third Hokage's authority, showed not a trace of remorse. "Hiruzen, I ask you only this: When is Konoha planning a total, comprehensive war against the Sand?"
A total war? Does this man still have a brain? Does his lust for power make him entirely ignore Konoha's current, weakened state?
Danzo's question infuriated Hiruzen to the point of nearly passing out. This old vulture just wouldn't let it go.
With the situation so heavily against Konoha, he still dreamt of triggering a new Great Ninja War? Such infighting for power and influence was unacceptable in Konoha's hour of need.
Hiruzen fought back his rising irritation. "Danzo, the alliance with the Rock and Cloud is solely to curb the Sand's expansion. But as for an all-out war, now is simply not the time."
"Then, when will be the time? When the Fifth Kazekage is old and frail? I recall he is even younger than Minato was," Danzo mocked. The council chamber fell into a deafening silence.
Hokage Advisor Homura Mitokado let out a series of dry coughs. "Danzo, you oversimplify war. Konoha's odds of victory against the Sand are currently low. Furthermore, have you forgotten the Uchiha clan?"
The mention of the Uchiha made Danzo's expression turn icy. The clan within Konoha was becoming increasingly restless. If war broke out, who knew what their true intentions would be? At the very least, they were directly implicated in the recent Nine-Tails incident.
Since an immediate war was impossible, Konoha had to choose another path. Thus, in November of Konoha Year 48, Onoki of the Rock, Ay of the Cloud, and Hiruzen Sarutobi of the Leaf met at the borders of their respective nations to sign a mutual defense treaty.
From this point forward, the Triple Alliance of the Leaf, Rock, and Cloud to contain the Sand was formally established within the shinobi world.
Inside a private delivery room in the Hidden Sand, Maki was escorted into the medical bay, her face pale.
An early birth was something Shiraishi had not anticipated. Having just witnessed the tragedy of the Nine-Tails' birth in Konoha, the Sand leadership took no chances with Maki's safety.
In addition to the standard Anbu security perimeter, Shiraishi utilized his own Magnetic Style to construct a unique barrier field that enveloped the delivery room.
Still, he remained uneasy. He loathed the masked man who could effortlessly bypass Konoha's space-time barriers; that level of elusive ability was a constant threat. For the duration of the labor, Shiraishi personally stood guard right outside the door.
Despite being premature, the birth process was swift and successful. With a final, sharp cry, Maki and Shiraishi's child was born into the world.
A Nurse carried the infant out. Shiraishi stared at the black-haired child, identical to himself in every way. Since becoming Kazekage, he had rarely smiled, but in that moment, Shiraishi smiled with pure, unadulterated joy.
Seeing him thus, Chiyo gently handed the child to him. "Lord Kazekage, have you decided on a name?"
Cupping his son in his arms, Shiraishi smiled brilliantly. "I've thought long and hard. This little guy will be called Aoki Shigeru."
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