Shiraishi was not surprised by Hiruzen Sarutobi's appearance. As he gripped the Sage's Blade, a sharp, piercing aura began to radiate from his body.
Compared to his duel with Uchiha Zhan, Shiraishi had yet to reveal his full potential.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage of the Leaf, was the direct disciple of the First and Second Hokages and the mentor who raised the world-renowned Sannin.
Proficient in all five nature transformations, he held the title of "Professor" of ninjutsu and was the longest-reigning Hokage, ushering in the Leaf Village's golden age.
As the pillar of the Leaf, Hiruzen knew he had to step forward to contain the "Black Mist" after Uchiha Zhan was killed in a single strike. If he didn't, this war could not be sustained.
Rasa and Karura moved to support Shiraishi, but were immediately locked down by a massive surge of chakra. Turning, they saw Hyuga Tenmon initiating the Hyuga Style Taijutsu, forcing them back into a fierce struggle.
However, Shiraishi's execution of Uchiha Zhan had revitalized the Sand's morale. Across the village, Sand ninjas fought with renewed vigor against the Leaf's invaders.
"So, is it your turn next? Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi."
"Black Mist Shiraishi, cast aside your ambition. The Sharingan is not for you." While the Uchiha clan had its frictions with the Leaf, it was still a bloodline limit of the village. Hiruzen's primary goal was to reclaim those eyes.
Shiraishi scoffed. "It's merely a collector's item. I have no intention of transplanting such a thing."
Though the Sharingan was powerful, Shiraishi had already mastered the Circular Pupil abilities. These "Fairy-type" moves, developed through natural energy, possessed potential that rivaled any dojutsu.
There was no more room for talk. The moment Shiraishi finished speaking, Hiruzen condensed a fireball and launched it toward him.
Shiraishi's silver sand swirled, and under intense electromagnetic fluctuation, he fired a pale purple orb of lightning that streaked across the sky like a meteor.
As they were about to collide, Hiruzen's fireball suddenly split in mid-air—one diving, one rising, one hugging the ground, and one leaping over obstacles.
A masterfully executed Fire Style: Phoenix Sage Fire Technique. The splitting paths were designed to test Shiraishi's magnetic defenses; Hiruzen was clearly prioritizing data collection.
Shiraishi remained unfazed. He reached out with both hands, activating a Magnetic Interference Field. Everything around them seemed to slow down under its pull. The fireballs decelerated in mid-air and were ultimately swallowed by Shiraishi's sand.
But the Third Hokage had already completed his next set of seals. The ground beneath them began to churn.
Earth Release: Earth Flow River!
As the mudslide swept away Shiraishi's foothold, his form distorted and vanished, reappearing on the flank. Immediately, a massive Water Encampment Wall erupted, attempting to bind him in a vortex.
Hiruzen closed the distance with startling speed, manifesting from the water. He leaned his weight into a high-speed shoulder strike.
Even in his old age, his physical strength was suffocating, augmented by a specialized application of Chakra Enhanced Strength and Nintaijutsu.
As the "Professor," Hiruzen's repertoire of secret and forbidden techniques was vast. This sudden burst of physical prowess caught the onlookers off guard.
"Incredible! Is this the power of the Lord Third?" Several Leaf ninjas cheered. Seeing the Hokage suppress the Black Mist with a combination of nature transformations and Taijutsu restored the morale they had lost earlier.
Shiraishi sensed the danger. He twisted his torso, raised his left arm, and threw a downward punch. Scorch Style heat converged at a single point, manifesting Hellfire that spiraled outward.
Just then, Hiruzen's strength surged again. His speed accelerated, trailing afterimages as he closed in before Shiraishi's punch could even land!
Shiraishi's body distorted and dissolved into a Dimensional Hole. Hiruzen's face changed, and he decisively aborted the attack. Both men stood apart, sweat dripping from their brows simultaneously.
As expected of the Professor, Shiraishi thought. A few simple jutsu almost cut my connection with the sand and targeted my Space-Time Ninjutsu.
Hiruzen was even more shocked. His combinations looked simple, but very few in the shinobi world could block them so effortlessly.
As the probing phase continued, Shiraishi launched a Whirlwind Blade. Water walls rose again to meet it, and through the spray, Hiruzen charged forward, wielding a massive staff!
Adamantine Staff!
This weapon, the transformation of the Monkey King Enma, was lethal in both offense and defense. Shiraishi expanded his electromagnetic pulses, forming a powerful Magnetic Field Domain.
Bathed in the glow, Shiraishi's body became coated in a layer of electricity, mimicking the Lightning Release Chakra Mode of the Cloud Village.
The Sage's Blade swung with a sound like a dragon's roar. Silver light swirled amidst the crackling current. Guided by the magnetic field, Shiraishi's blade moved faster and more violently, like a leaping thunder dragon or a fired Railgun.
The explosive force forced Hiruzen to block with the Adamantine Staff. Upon impact, the brilliant electrical discharge left Hiruzen's arms numb. He was forced back a step.
"Impossible... Lord Third lost a contest of Taijutsu?" Shikaku Nara couldn't believe his eyes. To his generation, Hiruzen was an invincible symbol of power. To see him pushed back by the young Black Mist was world-shattering.
"He's getting old..." Jiraiya sighed. In his prime, the old man wouldn't have been so easily shaken.
But Shiraishi's assault wasn't over. Accelerating within the magnetic field, the Sage's Blade lunged forward with a blinding silver radiance.
Too fast!
Grit and determination in his eyes, Hiruzen swung the staff to deflect the blade, but the residual electromagnetic cutting force left a gruesome wound across his palm.
To the shock of everyone watching, from the very start of the battle, Shiraishi was the one holding the advantage.
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