The cold hum of machines filled the underground experiment chamber. Pale blue lights flickered above, casting a dull glow over the steel walls. Three children stood in the center of the room. None of them moved. Their shadows stretched behind them, long and silent.
The first child had calm eyes, but his jaw was tight. His fists were clenched at his sides. His breathing was even, but every part of him radiated restraint, as if he was holding back something sharp beneath the surface.
The second had black hair and dark, hollow eyes. Fear ran through him like a current, but buried beneath that fear was something colder. Hate. He didn't show it on his face, but his eyes couldn't lie.
The third boy was different. He had pure white hair, and his expression was soft. A small smile played on his lips, his posture relaxed, as if the air in this cold chamber didn't bother him at all. He looked ahead, almost amused, as though he understood something the others didn't.
In front of them, a man sat behind a steel desk, slowly swirling a half-full wine glass. His long black hair was tied into a high ponytail. A black marking stained his chin. His white robe draped over one shoulder, loose but regal. His gaze was sharp, his demeanor controlled. He took a slow sip and set the glass down with a quiet clink.
"So," he said, voice low and dry. "Only one succeeded."
His gaze locked onto Kawaki.
"Impressive," he said. "The Karma seal has integrated properly. Stable. Exactly what I needed."
Then his attention moved to the other two. He stood from his chair and slowly walked toward them, hands behind his back.
"The white karma seal didn't fully take. Still, better than the rest of the trash that died," he said. "Tolerable."
The man was Jigen, the leader of the Kara organization.
He turned away, walking toward Amado, who stood quietly beside the main console. Amado wore a long lab coat and held a tablet in one hand, data scrolling across the screen.
Jigen put a hand on his shoulder.
"You delivered, Amado," he said. "Kawaki is perfect."
Amado gave a nod. "His cellular compatibility exceeded expectations."
"As long as the plan moves forward," Jigen said, voice calm, "your daughter will be brought back. You've earned that."
Amado didn't answer. His expression remained unreadable.
Jigen walked toward the exit, but paused at the door. Without turning back, he gave his final orders.
"Kael has a higher Karma resonance than Code, but it's still incomplete," Jigen said, his tone flat. "Useless for a vessel... but he can still be fed to the Ten Tails. Keep him alive."
"Code... not fit for a vessel. But he has potential as a guard dog.
"But Kawaki... prepare him.
" He's for my vessel. Prepare him for my transfer."
The steel door slid open with a heavy mechanical sound, and Jigen walked out, leaving only silence and tension in the chamber.
---
The cold, metallic room echoed with silence. Harsh silver walls reflected the pale overhead lights. Kawaki stood alone, facing Kael.
Their eyes locked.
Without warning, Kawaki activated his Karma. Black lines surged up his arm, snaking to his eye. His arm morphed into a sharp, pointed weapon. With a burst of chakra, he kicked off the ground—vanishing.
Kael's sky-blue eyes lit up. He moved in an instant, blurring as he rushed toward Kawaki. He weaved left, then right, dodging the deadly arcs of Kawaki's transformed arm, which slashed with precision, aiming straight for Kael's head.
Kael suddenly found an opening—bam!—he drove his fist straight through Kawaki's stomach.
Pfft!
Kawaki gritted his teeth, pain flooding his senses. Kael thought it was over.
But in that moment, a black, sharp-edged weapon shot up toward Kael's face, stopping just before it could pierce through his skull.
A strange force had blocked it.
Kawaki's eyes widened in shock.
Kael didn't hesitate. Bam! He kicked Kawaki hard in the gut.
"Ghhk—!" Kawaki's eyes nearly bulged as his body slammed into the steel wall with a sickening crunch.
Haah… haah… Blood dripped from his lips as he tried to steady his breathing.
"Aaagh!" Kawaki screamed, pain and fury mixing in his voice as Kael stepped forward, pressing his foot down hard on Kawaki's chest.
"You can't survive like this, Kawaki," Kael said, his voice calm, almost friendly—like he wasn't the one beating him down.
"Shut up!" Kawaki snarled, clenching his jaw. "I'll kill all of you…"
Kael raised an eyebrow, pretending to be afraid. "Oh? Don't say such mean things, Kawaki. If you want to do it, do it kindly," he smiled, mocking him. "I understand wanting to kill Jigen... but me? I'm just helping you get stronger, aren't I?"
Kael lifted his leg, aiming directly for Kawaki's head.
Haah… haah…
Suddenly, in the Uzumaki household, Kawaki jolted awake, drenched in sweat.
He sat up, clutching his chest, his breath ragged. The nightmare clung to his skin like ice.
He wiped his forehead and whispered, "Ah…"
"Why…?" he muttered, pain cracking through his voice. "Why can't you just let me live?"
He clenched his fists.
I just wanted a normal life… He screamed the words in his mind—but no one could hear him.