The fragile balance could be shattered at any moment.
Within the higher echelons of Konoha, a segment of the leadership realized that a conflict with the Uchiha clan would inevitably trigger a cataclysmic storm across the entire shinobi world.
However, the deepening animosity between the two sides had pushed the situation into a bizarre and dangerous deadlock.
Uchiha Obito was also feeling frustrated. Over in the Land of Rain, Nagato had been constantly reproaching him for stirring up trouble.
In reality, Obito had been quite restrained lately, focusing on monitoring the situation and gathering intelligence without taking direct action.
Yet, the internal problems within the Uchiha were becoming increasingly severe of their own accord.
Could it be that Uchiha Kaede's doing? Obito wondered.
Recently, Fugaku's posture had shifted subtly. It was obvious that because Kaede had shown him his Mangekyo Sharingan, Fugaku had regained the confidence and political capital to maneuver against the Konoha high command.
Although Obito's original plan was to manipulate the conflict between the village and the clan to maximize his own gains, the current volatility made him feel the need for stability.
Under these circumstances, he was forced to appear before Uchiha Itachi and reveal his "identity."
Though Itachi maintained a healthy skepticism that this man was truly "Uchiha Madara," he agreed with the stranger's assessment: under Kaede's influence, the internal state of the Uchiha was spiraling toward total collapse.
"Uchiha Kaede's Mangekyo ability is troublesome," Itachi noted.
Having inherited Shisui's Mangekyo, Itachi had used its power to gather data on Kaede's energy signature.
That terrifying high-temperature power, capable of altering the surrounding weather and paired with unique fire-control methods, made Kaede's Fire Style nearly invincible.
With Zetsu currently away, Obito felt confident he could manipulate Itachi. He said straightforwardly, "If you and I join forces, we can certainly dispose of this Uchiha Kaede."
Facing Obito's invitation, Itachi appeared to accept with a look of profound sincerity. It must be said that Itachi's demeanor always projected the image of a "loyal, honest man."
Obito harbored no suspicions and, quite pleased with the arrangement, vanished before Itachi using his space-time ninjutsu.
As I suspected... this man is indeed the mastermind behind the Nine-Tails incident.
Now that he had detected Obito's flaw, Itachi began formulating his own counter-strategy.
Meanwhile, in the Uchiha district, Kaede looked at an envelope with a curious gaze. It was rare for Itachi to actively invite him out. Is he finally unable to hold back and wants a decisive battle?
Based on Kaede's understanding of Itachi, nine times out of ten, this was a challenge letter.
"Then I'm not going... Who says I have to agree to his meeting?" Kaede muttered.
Consequently, Itachi and Obito spent an entire night waiting at the designated location, but their target never showed his face.
Itachi appeared silently at Obito's side and said coldly, "It seems he has refused to appear."
Obito clenched his fists, his voice tinged with irritation. "Is that guy even an Uchiha? How can he be so cowardly?"
While the continental situation was in upheaval, Shiraishi was in the Kazekage's office receiving the true head of the Loulan Chamber of Commerce, the young master Lop Nur.
Although this authentic Lop Nur shared a facial resemblance with the persona Shiraishi had once impersonated, his temperament was far more melancholic.
As the head of one of the largest merchant guilds in the Land of Wind, Lop Nur was undoubtedly a formidable player.
"These are the cards the Chamber has acquired from the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth," Lop Nur stated.
Beyond normal trade, Shiraishi frequently commissioned large merchant groups to recover skill cards scattered across the nations.
Currently, aside from the cards stockpiled by the Leaf, Cloud, and Stone villages, Shiraishi had managed to obtain most of the cards circulating in the wild.
Among the cards Lop Nur brought back, a Gold-Grade Lightning Style card immediately caught Shiraishi's eye.
Seeing the Kazekage's expression, Lop Nur knew the acquisition was a success. If a card could move the Kazekage, it was of immense value.
"Regarding your conflict with the Kitajima family, I will send men to mediate. Additionally, you may proceed with investing in the mines in the Land of Frost, but you must handle the risks of passing through the Land of Fire yourselves."
Shiraishi had personally inspected the Frost mines and, with Rasa's cooperation, confirmed their worth before giving the Loulan Chamber the green light.
"My thanks, Lord Kazekage..."
As Shiraishi concluded his business, he heard a commotion outside. Kankuro was anxiously trying to keep his sister, Temari, from wandering while dragging along a babbling, toddler-aged Gaara.
"Sis, this is the Kazekage's office... you can't just wander around."
Seeing her brother's worry, the blonde little Temari laughed boisterously. "Don't worry! I'm just saying hello. We've been back from the hot springs for months and I haven't seen Uncle Shiraishi once!"
Compared to Temari, Kankuro harbored a genuine fear of Shiraishi. To him, Shiraishi was the Lord Kazekage—the most respected and powerful figure in the village.
Temari scurried into the office. Seeing a clean-shaven Shiraishi, her eyes lit up and she demanded a hug as she always did. "Uncle Shiraishi looks even better without the beard!"
The "beauty" effects of Inorganic Reincarnation were quite potent; Shiraishi's skin was currently exquisite and refined.
However, he had no desire to end up like Orochimaru—looking pale as a ghost all day—so he made an effort to maintain a natural appearance.
Shiraishi brought out three sets of fine desserts for the children to eat while he focused his attention on the new skill card.
Over the years, Shiraishi had "read" most cards, but he didn't practice all of them. He only mastered those specifically suited for himself or his split consciousnesses.
However, Gold-grade cards almost always possessed overwhelming power, and since Gold Lightning-type cards were rare, his expectations were high.
In the past, reading a Gold card took days. Now, Shiraishi could unlock one in moments.
Wait... is this a Lightning Style Taijutsu move similar to a 'Lightning Fist'?
But why is it Gold-grade?
In the demonstration mental image, a golden light enveloped the user. In an instant, thousands of golden electric particles erupted, radiating from the user like a sun illuminating the earth.
Every punch was blindingly fast, moving with the momentum of a thunderclap, sweeping through the surroundings and obliterating every obstacle.
As the demonstration ended, the lingering light particles seemed to continuously stimulate and activate every cell in the user's body.
Shiraishi's pupils dilated.
This technique... it was arguably the most perfect Lightning Style card he had ever seen!
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