One-Punch Shiraishi
When Shiraishi arrived at Shirohebi-hime's residence, he was met with the sight of Master Pakura soaking in a specialized glass container filled with swirling foam.
Despite the intensity of the scene, there was a trace of undeniable elegance in her silhouette through the mist.
Shirohebi-hime sat cross-legged on the floor, her hands positioned to sense the natural energy of the world in meditation. Detecting Shiraishi's presence, the Sage of Ryuchi Cave slowly opened her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Shirohebi-hime asked, stepping out gracefully while dangling a cigarette from her lips. She looked slightly annoyed, as if she didn't appreciate the interruption.
"I was just worried about Master Pakura."
"Sister Pakura is fine. I am currently treating her bloodline disease."
It was clear that Shirohebi-hime was treating the hidden ailments caused by Pakura's Scorch Release.
Through the application of Inorganic Reincarnation, the specialized secretions of Ryuchi Cave had been transformed into an aromatic energy fluid.
This not only moisturized Pakura's perpetually dry skin but was also optimizing her cellular structure at a fundamental level.
"Inorganic Reincarnation can be used for cosmetic reconstruction on women?" Shiraishi asked, stunned.
Shirohebi-hime's expression soured at his bewilderment. "That is merely a trivial trick. At its peak, Inorganic Reincarnation can restore a broken body to its absolute prime in an instant."
For the longest time, Inorganic Reincarnation had been considered the ultimate Sage Art of Ryuchi Cave.
Yet, Shiraishi had shown little interest during his training, putting minimal effort into its extraction and refinement. His primary excuse was that the method—spitting out medicinal fluids—was "disgusting" and beneath his dignity as Kazekage.
In truth, spitting was merely one way to apply the technique; one could just as easily circulate internal energy for self-repair without the theatrics.
Having trained with the Dragon Ball, Shiraishi's mastery over Inorganic Reincarnation was actually quite formidable, though he hadn't yet reached the level of fluid, effortless bodily control that Shirohebi-hime possessed. Her words today, however, gave him pause.
Does she think I look down on this technique? Shiraishi wondered. If so, he had truly been misunderstood. He valued Inorganic Reincarnation more than almost any other art.
"Sister Pakura's Scorch Release is a powerful combination of chakra natures," Shirohebi-hime explained, exhaling a plume of smoke with a look of scholarly appreciation.
"While it doesn't harm the body much in one's youth, as one ages, it begins to incinerate the internal organs. Historically, Scorch Release users rarely live past forty."
Shiraishi checked Pakura's status. Indeed, compared to the aggressive, sweltering heat he usually sensed from her, her chakra now felt significantly more tempered and harmonious.
He shot a suspicious glance at the Snake Queen. "You didn't do anything... weird to Master Pakura, did you?"
Though Pakura loved to needle him, she was his original mentor, and she had looked after Maki for years. Shiraishi didn't want any "accidents" happening under his watch.
"I simply informed her of the risks and provided treatment and guidance," Shirohebi-hime rolled her eyes. "Do you really think so poorly of me?"
Pakura had originally intended to cause trouble for the "intruder," but as a veteran Jonin, her instincts were razor-sharp.
One look into the Snake Queen's eyes and she knew she was outclassed. Fortunately, Shirohebi-hime didn't take offense; instead, the two had struck up an unexpected rapport.
The naturally cold-blooded Snake Queen and the "boiling" Pakura found a strange, elemental attraction in each other's company.
Shirohebi-hime had even gone so far as to use the power of the Dragon Ball to modify Pakura's constitution so she could withstand the ever-increasing power of her bloodline.
With the misunderstanding cleared, Shiraishi shifted the topic back to the technique. "Actually, I never stopped practicing Inorganic Reincarnation..."
As he spoke, Shiraishi clapped his hands together. A surge of energy erupted as his muscles expanded tenfold. In an instant, his lean frame transformed into a massive, hulking juggernaut.
This was the raw power of the art. By reinforcing his flesh with Earth-style chakra, Shiraishi's muscles took on a deep, mutated green hue.
The air pressure radiating from his hands made even Shirohebi-hime hum in approval. He took a single step forward, and the ground beneath him began to crumble under the sheer weight of his presence.
"Explosive power is fine, but your stamina would be abysmal," Shirohebi-hime countered. As she spoke, an invisible wave of energy smoothed the cracked earth back into place.
"In this 'muscle monster' state, you are less effective than your normal self."
It was a clash of philosophies: the Hard versus the Soft. However, Shirohebi-hime's tone had softened; at least the boy hadn't neglected his secret arts.
Suddenly, the massive bulk of Shiraishi's muscles began to vent high-temperature steam. His body shrank by half, settling into a perfectly balanced, compressed form. "What about this state?"
He's compressing his power? Shirohebi-hime was genuinely impressed by his ingenuity.
Seeing Shiraishi's new form, her competitive spirit flared. "Boy, try hitting me with a punch."
"Are you sure, My Lady?"
"Quite!"
Facing the seemingly frail Snake Queen, Shiraishi didn't dare hold back. His muscles rippled with aesthetic precision, veins bulging as he pivoted his hips and threw a devastating right hook.
The punch carried a sonic boom, swallowing the distance between them instantly. The surrounding air began to churn, superheated by the friction of his Inorganic Reincarnation affecting the atmosphere itself.
Shirohebi-hime exhaled, her eyes gleaming as her clothes billowed out like a pressurized balloon.
Her left palm transformed into a giant white snake, lunging forward to intercept his strike. But at that moment, the color of her right pupil shifted.
Wait, what is the White Viper doing?!
The serpent in her hand changed; its fangs sprayed a foul, blood-colored mist. Realizing she had suddenly escalated to a lethal strike, Shiraishi reacted instantly, activating the Fifth Activation of the Seven Heavenly Breaths!
He had been diligently practicing this physical reinforcement art since obtaining it from Morimoto Ryoji. He had mastered the first six stages, though the final two remained elusive.
The snake's fangs dripped with a corrosive toxin that began to melt the flesh of Shiraishi's forearm upon contact.
A voice, slightly distorted, drifted from Shirohebi-hime: "Inorganic Reincarnation can be as blunt as your fist, or as insidious as my venom."
Then, her voice returned to normal. "You can handle this much, can't you, boy?"
The collision was a study in extremes: Shiraishi's explosive musculature against Shirohebi-hime's porcelain-white palm.
The shockwave sent gales of wind through the room. The giant snake's fangs shattered under the force of the punch, but a strange, crimson thread of energy managed to seep into Shiraishi's hand.
Shirohebi-hime wasn't unscathed either; the sheer destructive force of the blow left her visibly shaken. Both retreated a step to initiate self-repair.
But as Shiraishi used his medical ninjutsu and Inorganic Reincarnation to neutralize the toxins, he noticed something was wrong with Shirohebi-hime. A bone-chilling cold began to radiate from her entire being.
"Lady Sage? What's happening? Is the Inorganic Reincarnation backfiring?"
The strange, distorted voice from before echoed again, this time with a chilling cackle: "Jie-jie-jie-jie-jie!"
The laughter was wrong. Everything about the atmosphere had suddenly turned predatory.
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