"Thanks," Kimimaro said quietly, catching Fū as she collapsed.
She had reverted to her true form after exhausting her chakra completely. Her breathing was shallow, her skin pale from the toll.
"Don't mind me right now," Fū gasped out. "Whatever it is you need to do, hurry. That cat-masked ninja… his life force is unusually strong. He won't stay down for long."
"I understand." Kimimaro turned to Karin. "Please take care of her."
"I'm on it," Karin nodded, immediately kneeling beside Fū and beginning her healing.
Kimimaro appeared beside Yamato in a blur, crouching over the unconscious ANBU. His expression was unreadable as he retrieved a sealed test tube from his pouch.
"Good thing I prepared for this."
He drew a sample of Yamato's blood and considered his next move. Yamato, formerly known as Tenzo, had been infused with the cells of the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju—granting him Wood Release, albeit in a diluted form.
Kimimaro silently addressed the system in his mind.
"If life energy from one's own cells can activate a bloodline agent, what about drawing it directly from a living subject?"
System Response:
"Yes. Approximately 10% of the target's life force is required to trigger the reaction."
Kimimaro placed his palm over Yamato's chest, and in a moment, began drawing the latent life energy from his body. A rush of powerful vitality surged into him.
"Tch... that's a lot more than expected."
"System, how much life energy does this guy have?"
System:
"Estimate: over 100,000 units. Despite not being Kage-level in combat, Yamato's unique cellular structure—stemming from Hashirama's cells—makes his life force extraordinarily rich. You have currently absorbed 10,000, which is your safe limit."
"Figures. Damn this cursed limiter..."
"That's not enough to activate the agent, right?"
System:
"Correct. However, only a minor additional amount is needed now to initiate the synthesis."
Kimimaro glanced at Yamato again. His body was beginning to stir.
"No time. We retreat."
With practiced efficiency, Kimimaro and his companions disappeared into the trees, vanishing from the area.
As they regrouped further away, Hanabi looked up at Kimimaro.
"Big Brother… you didn't kill them. You're a good person."
Kimimaro gently brushed her hair back and smiled faintly.
"Don't get the wrong idea. I'm not a good person, Hanabi. I just don't kill without purpose. They're still Konoha shinobi—and it's only because of you that I spared them."
Hanabi nodded, her cheeks flushed with pride. "I know! You're the best to me."
As they traveled, Kimimaro refocused on the information provided by the system.
"How much more is needed to fully activate the Senju bloodline agent? And how long will it take to complete?"
System:
"There are two options based on the blood sample's current purity."
Option One:
Cost: 50,000 life energy
Time: 1 year for full synthesis
Result: Perfect Senju + Wood Release bloodline
Note: Investing 500 units of life energy reduces synthesis time by 1 day.
"So if I want it instantly, I'd need over 200,000? That's as much as a full Kage-level reservoir... insane."
Option Two:
Cost: 20,000 life energy
Time: 1 month for synthesis
Result: Basic Senju + Wood Release bloodline (similar to Yamato's)
Note: Since host already absorbed part of Yamato's life force, only 1,000 more is needed.
Bonus: Investing 200 life energy reduces time by 1 day.
"A low-tier version like Yamato's? Not ideal... but can I upgrade it later?"
System:
"Yes. If within two years, the host acquires and activates:
Uzumaki bloodline – enhances life force, catalyzes Senju physiology
Uchiha Sharingan – activates latent potential within Wood Release
These are required to evolve to the perfect state."
"And if I don't activate those within the two-year window?"
System:
"Then the opportunity to reach the perfected Senju state will be lost."
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes.
"Then there's no time to waste."
Compared to the rare and powerful Wood Release, even the basic form offered an immense leap forward. His own Kekkei Genkai, the Shikotsumyaku, was already a rare dojutsu-compatible bloodline. Now, with the chance to evolve into something akin to Hashirama's power, Kimimaro knew what he had to do.
He looked toward Karin from the corner of his eye.
"The Uzumaki bloodline? I already have a source right beside me."
The real problem would be the Sharingan—harder to obtain, and even harder to integrate safely.
"Two years… I'll make it work."
Hashirama Senju's bloodline gene agent typically took a year to synthesize. His lineage, as the progenitor of the Wood Release (Mokuton) and the Senju clan, was incredibly complex—combining immense vitality, potent chakra, and a unique kekkei genkai. In comparison, the Uchiha bloodline focused primarily on the Sharingan, but that didn't necessarily mean it would take significantly less time to refine.
At the very least, production would require over half a year.
Still, Kimimaro made up his mind. He would take the gamble. Even if the resulting Wood Release wasn't a perfect reproduction of Hashirama's original abilities, it would be better than passively waiting for a year just to obtain the bloodline.
A year… far too much could happen in that span of time.
"System," Kimimaro commanded, "use the life energy I just absorbed from Yamato to initiate the gene agent synthesis."
"Host, please wait. The absorbed life energy is currently being digested."
"Tch... I forgot." Kimimaro clicked his tongue. Life energy drawn from a living host can't be utilized immediately.
He remembered now—when he previously absorbed life force from a jōnin in the Land of Waterfall, it had taken three days for the system to fully convert it into usable energy.
But the system had also mentioned that both the absorption capacity and digestion speed would increase as his strength grew.
Strength... It always comes down to strength!
The group pressed on, traveling for another half-day until they finally reached the border of the Land of Fire.
"So... we're really leaving the Land of Fire?" Hanabi murmured, a mixture of excitement and nervous anticipation in her voice.
Just as they were about to cross the threshold into the next country, a furious voice thundered from ahead:
"Hanabi! Are you betraying Konoha?!"
Two figures blocked their path—both bearing the unmistakable white eyes of the Byakugan.
Kimimaro narrowed his eyes. He recognized one of them instantly: Hanabi's personal bodyguard. But the other man radiated a commanding presence, his expression cold and stern.
"This chakra... this presence... Is that Hiashi Hyūga?"
Indeed, the older man stepped forward. Hanabi's voice caught in her throat:
"Fa... Father..."
"Hanabi," Hiashi said, his tone deceptively calm, "others may believe you were kidnapped. But I know you left of your own will. Return with me now, and I'll overlook this. No punishment. No consequences."
Hiashi had arrived at the border as quickly as possible, not trusting the Anbu alone to recover his daughter. If necessary, he would handle the matter himself.
"Father, I…"
"Hanabi. Come home. Don't shame our clan. I know you fear the Caged Bird Seal... but believe me—I never intended to mark you."
Hanabi's eyes widened slightly, her body trembling. She had always doubted his intentions, always feared the destiny of the branch family. But hearing him say it directly...
"Really…?" she whispered. "Then... Big Brother was right..."
She hesitated, tears welling up in her eyes. But after a moment, she raised her head, resolve hardening in her gaze.
"But Father… even so… I want to see the world. I want to choose my own path."