Compared to the previous battle at Kikyo Pass, Sunagakure was far more cautious this time. Before Ebizō and the others arrived, Pakura had already ordered a contraction of the defensive lines. Despite Konoha's repeated attempts to lure them out, she refused to take the risk of advancing recklessly.
"How's your Fire Release training coming along?"
The very first thing Pakura asked upon seeing Shiraishi was about his Fire Release cultivation. As the fighting at Kikyo Pass intensified, she placed even greater importance on the inheritance of Scorch Release, and the moment Shiraishi appeared, she was eager to test him.
Seeing his teacher's expression and demeanor, warmth stirred in Shiraishi's heart. He raised his palm, swiftly condensing several small fireballs. Crackling explosions echoed through the air, clearly displaying his refined fire-control ability.
Ever since obtaining Azure Flame, Shiraishi had placed tremendous emphasis on flame manipulation. His dedication to Fire Release training had only deepened.
Though it was merely an extended application of the Fire Spark Technique, Pakura's eyes lit up. At the very least, this child was genuinely putting effort into Fire Release cultivation—especially impressive considering how outstanding his Wind, Earth, and Water Releases already were.
"Scorch Release is a fusion of Fire and Wind chakra," Pakura said. "Although it's a naturally awakened dual-attribute ability, that doesn't mean you can't cultivate it step by step."
Aside from a few bloodline-exclusive cases, chakra-combination abilities could indeed be passed down through teacher-student inheritance—just like the relationship between the Second and Third Tsuchikage.
Pakura's Scorch Release differed from the later versions seen in future generations. Hers was primarily a Fire–Wind fusion, whereas the later Scorch Release involved Wind, Lightning, and Fire combined.
Over the years, though she and Shiraishi had met infrequently, Pakura had never neglected his Fire Release training. With no descendants of her own, she placed exceptional importance on Shiraishi's progress.
After all, her Scorch Release was a natural awakening, free of clan restrictions. She could teach as she wished.
In Shiraishi's long-term plans, Azure Flame would eventually be integrated into Scorch Release, creating an entirely new type of Azure Scorch Technique.
Pakura had already explained the core principles and cultivation framework. From here on, refinement and development were Shiraishi's responsibility.
"The coming battles will be extremely dangerous," she warned. "You must protect yourself."
"I understand."
Compared to the first Kikyo Pass campaign, Shiraishi's strength had skyrocketed. Against ordinary jōnin, he no longer felt any fear—especially now that he possessed a powerful summon like the Moonwheel Bat.
That said, the Moonwheel Bat's temperament was unpredictable. Borrowing its illusionary power required caution.
As commander of the Assault Recon Unit, Shiraishi oversaw fifteen sub-squads. Hoshino Mai's group followed him directly, while the remaining squads patrolled different sectors, conducting reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
"Let's begin our mission."
Outside the camp, Shiraishi wasted no words once his three students arrived. He formed hand seals as his psychic power surged violently upward.
A sudden gale erupted.
As his sleeves fluttered wildly, the pressure wave he released left his students staring in shock.
The teacher really loves showing off…
This kind of Wind Release that boosts style points—we have to learn it later.
Ignoring their thoughts, Shiraishi stepped on the wind itself, using psychic force to propel his body. He soared into the air and shot forward at extreme speed.
Hoshino Mai and the others watched in disbelief. Though they had mastered psychic-assisted Wind Release movement, none of them had imagined flight at this level.
"Let's go."
The three followed suit, combining psychic force with Wind Release. Nervous but determined, they hovered in midair. Morimoto Ryōji—whose chakra control was the best among them—was the first to accelerate.
"Wait up, Morimoto!"
Seeing him fly ahead, Hoshino Mai panicked. Beside her, Nagase Bizen had a sudden idea—he swung his blade and unleashed a Spiral Wind Blade, using the recoil to boost his speed.
That works?!
Realizing this, Hoshino Mai mimicked him. Her Bull-Head Moon Glaive spun violently, detonating the air and propelling her forward until she caught up with Shiraishi.
Seeing all three successfully follow, Shiraishi nodded. But almost immediately, his brows furrowed.
"Hide and lie in ambush!"
He signaled the trio to withdraw as his psychic perception expanded outward.
Unexpectedly, one area resisted his probing—it was likely a barrier technique deployed by Konoha.
Clearly, Shiraishi's team had run into a Konoha recon squad—and the enemy had sensed them as well.
Insects…
In addition to the barrier, countless tiny flying insects surrounded the area. Shiraishi immediately understood.
Aburame clan.
"Hm?"
"What is it, Yamai?"
Aburame Yamai's expression darkened. The insects he had dispatched encountered a terrifying chakra presence, yet he couldn't pinpoint its location. Every attempt at perception failed—the enemy had vanished.
Their four-man recon squad shared the same objective as Shiraishi's unit: intelligence gathering. Neither side expected to collide this quickly.
"It's Sunagakure," Yamai said grimly. "The chakra reaction is extremely strong!"
Before he could finish—
Darkness descended without warning.
Three Konoha ninja were pulled into a bizarre world before they could even react.
Genjutsu?!
Within the pitch-black realm, an elegant melody began to play. Before their astonished eyes, the world grew increasingly unreal, increasingly illusory.
They knew they were trapped in genjutsu—but breaking free was extraordinarily difficult. Worse still, none of them could tell when they had fallen into it.
Shiraishi's eyes shimmered with immense psychic power. A moonwheel sigil surfaced on his forehead—proof that he was drawing upon the Moonwheel Bat.
Compared to the Desert Blood Wolf, the Moonwheel Bat offered vastly superior enhancement to mental strength and illusion mastery.
Secret Technique · Dark Burst!
Black radiance flooded the space, suppressing all five senses. Aside from Aburame Yamai, the other two Konoha ninja struggled desperately to dispel the illusion—only to find their resistance strengthening it instead.
The Moonwheel Bat's greatest advantage was its lack of physical form. Existing purely as a psychic entity, it allowed Shiraishi to wield illusion techniques with devastating efficiency.
Just as Shiraishi prepared to act—
A sharp flash of light slashed in from behind.
A blade?!
A young Konoha special jōnin with silver hair charged in, wielding the White Fang blade.
Shiraishi turned instantly, drawing his silver knife.
The two blades collided midair—
sparks exploded violently.
As firelight scattered, the moonwheel sigil faded from Shiraishi's forehead. The three Konoha ninja seized the opening and broke free from the illusion.
Hatake Kakashi…
Black Mist Shiraishi…
In that instant, both recognized each other.
Two prodigies who rose to fame at a young age.
Two masters of the blade.
Two future figures destined to be known as technicians of war.
At Kikyo Pass—
Their first encounter had finally begun.
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