Within the Fire Daimyo's envoy delegation, aside from the official court representatives, there were two young princes.
However, the moment they arrived at the Sand Village and beheld the Palace of the Wind Daimyo, their eyes were glued to the grand gates.
At first glance, the main palace had a grand irimoya (hip-and-gable) roof, decorated with white stone and golden roof tiles.
The side buildings followed a flowing Nagare style, blending smoothly with the main structure. Under the front eaves, extra square pillars (hashira) stood between each section, forming a strong and imposing I-shaped layout.
Inside, the Daimyō's seat was placed at the center of the main hall (hiroma), with a famous calligraphy scroll hanging above it.
In the Daimyō's private area, the space was divided into several rooms: a study (shoin) for work, a small tatami room (zashiki), and a kitchen area (daidokoro)—all used only by the Daimyō for rest and daily duties.
The layout was meticulously planned. For this reception, the Fire envoys were led into the Warm Pavilion, which was divided into front and back rooms by folding screens. A heated brick bed (kang) ran along the south window, and the east and west walls featured double thrones.
To put it bluntly, the princes of the Land of Fire were stunned by the sheer opulence. People said the Kazekage had kidnapped the Daimyo to interfere in national affairs, but looking at this, it didn't seem that way at all.
The Wind Daimyo, dressed in a custom-made formal robe, stepped forward and took his seat atop the pavilion hall.
Watching his two nephews—who were clearly at each other's throats behind a facade of politeness—the Wind Daimyo let out a yawn. "I didn't expect you two to have grown so much."
The two princes knelt in salute before taking their seats. The Second Prince of the Land of Fire couldn't hide his envy. "The Land of Wind truly is the most powerful nation in the shinobi world now; even the palace design is so magnificent."
"It's merely a token of the Kazekage's sincerity," the Daimyo replied.
Fed with the finest delicacies and provided with every luxury, the Daimyo still reviewed and issued all major administrative decrees, just as before.
Living in this grand palace made him increasingly content, and his mood had improved significantly.
"Your visit to the Kazekage... is it primarily about the Land of Rivers?"
The Land of Rivers was now entirely occupied. Though the nation hadn't technically "vanished," it was effectively gone. The Land of Fire likely wanted a return to the status quo—something even the Wind Daimyo wouldn't agree to.
The Eldest Prince, who had been silent, finally spoke with a stiff tone. "We simply hope the Kazekage can preserve the Land of Rivers as an independent sovereign nation."
The Wind Daimyo snapped his folding fan shut and shook his head. "As of this morning, the Land of Rivers has been officially annexed into the Land of Wind and reorganized into administrative districts."
Shiraishi wouldn't give them a chance for restoration. Dismembering the nation and absorbing it was, in a way, a form of mercy; at least the residents weren't protesting. They were likely tired of being the "buffer zone" between warring giants.
The Eldest Prince, possessing a rather fiery temperament, reacted sharply. "This is something the Land of Fire will likely not recognize."
"Even if you don't, it won't change the current geography of the continent."
The Wind Daimyo was growing annoyed by the Fire Country's persistent clinging to the past. This wasn't the era of your dominance anymore—why are you still acting like the big brother?
Regardless, neither the Land of Fire nor Konoha would dare provoke the Sand or the Land of Wind lightly. If they couldn't see that, they should pack up and go home.
The meeting ended on a sour note. As they left the Warm Pavilion, the Second Prince hesitated. "Brother, you shouldn't have provoked the Daimyo."
"Hmph. Then you stay here and enjoy the scenery of this 'magnificent' palace."
Watching his brother storm off, the Second Prince shrugged and continued to wander the outer palace grounds in awe.
Pressure and Progression
News of the meeting reached Shiraishi in the Kazekage's office. Since the Land of Fire was still being stubborn, he decided to turn up the heat. He ordered the warships stationed at the Land of Artisans to begin "patrolling" toward the Land of Bears.
The Land of Bears was a vital screen for the Land of Fire, even more important than the Land of Rivers. If Konoha didn't want to talk, Shiraishi would keep squeezing until they were forced back to the negotiating table.
With those chores finished, Shiraishi happily went back to Ryuchi Cave to train.
Weeks passed...
"White Snake Sage, I'm back again."
Every time the Sage heard Shiraishi's voice, a wave of irritation washed over it. This human was the most cunning it had ever met. He was never in a hurry to master Sage Mode; instead, he was obsessed with ancient secrets and unique jutsus.
To keep him focused on the training, the Sage patiently answered his questions. Today, Shiraishi was a "curiosity baby" again. "White Snake Sage, you mentioned before that there are other humans living on the Moon?"
The Sage, half-dosing, answered lazily. "Those are the descendants of Otsutsuki Hamura."
After the Sage of the Six Paths sealed the Ten-Tails on the moon, Hamura moved his clan there to guard the Gedo Mazo shell, leaving only one branch on Earth—which became the Hyuga clan.
After Hamura's death, his descendants split into two factions due to differing interpretations of his will.
The branch family believed the world created by the Six Paths was a failure and should be destroyed, so they fused countless Byakugan to create the Tenseigan, wiping out the main family who favored peace.
"Is the Tenseigan very powerful?"
"It should be," the Sage replied vaguely. "I don't know the details. That's a bloodline ability evolved by Hamura's line on the moon."
Tenseigan, I see...
Having obtained the info he wanted, Shiraishi entered meditation using the Dragon Ball's power. In truth, he had already reached the limit for a breakthrough, but he hadn't finished converting all the natural energy within the orb, so he hadn't rushed it.
The White Snake Sage was feeling the sting of "resource waste." Its treasure was being drained to benefit this kid.
If he weren't its future body, would it ever allow him to use its Dragon Ball? The energy inside didn't just help refine Senjutsu chakra; it also tempered the user's physique, making them immune to a hundred poisons.
However, today, Shiraishi didn't end his meditation when the usual time was up. Instead, he kept refining his Senjutsu chakra. Suddenly, a massive surge of energy erupted from him, and a thick purple beam of light enveloped his body.
The dragon sigils appeared beneath his eyes. He had successfully entered the Sage state—the most complete Sage Mode of Ryuchi Cave was finally mastered.
"Good boy... it's finally done..."
As Shiraishi's body began to manifest shimmering, solid chakra scales, the White Snake Sage finally struck.
Instantly, within Shiraishi's mental world, the Dragon Ball turned pitch black. Boundless, viscous black energy surged from all directions, polluting his entire consciousness in a heartbeat.
Amidst the howling of a cold wind, the mental projection of the White Snake Sage transformed into a gargantuan, demonic serpent, towering over Shiraishi in his own mind.
"Sage? What is this?"
"I'm going to eat you right now!"
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