Kimimaro and the others had returned to the Land of Waterfalls.
Since Fū mentioned she needed to return home, they decided to escort her close to Takigakure. The journey had been a scenic one, full of unexpected beauty and experiences.
"This is so much fun! I never realized there were so many different sights outside Konoha," Hanabi exclaimed, beaming with excitement.
"We'll visit a few more countries next. I'm sure you'll see even more amazing things," Kimimaro replied with a faint smile, eyes already calculating the next step in their journey.
The timing was right. He took a deep breath and turned to the group. "Watch carefully—I'll show you something important. Fū, do you remember when I said I could help you control your body better? I'm sure you've been curious about how I intended to do that."
Fū blinked, a bit surprised. "Huh? I almost forgot. It's okay, Kimimaro. I told you back then—I didn't help you because I expected something in return. We're friends."
Kimimaro gave a faint nod. "Still, a promise is a promise. You're all important to me. Today, I'll show you my true ability. After a near-death experience, I awakened something unique. The reason I can rapidly heal and control my body so well comes from that."
He gave a simple explanation of his power, avoiding mention of the system—something too mysterious and difficult to grasp.
With the Fourth Shinobi War still years away, and clandestine experimentation on bloodlines already rampant in the shadows of the shinobi world (such as what Orochimaru and Danzo pursued), the others were surprised but didn't dismiss his claim. The idea of bloodline augmentation wasn't unheard of.
"I know it sounds unbelievable, so I'll demonstrate it now. But promise me—keep it secret. At least until we're strong enough to protect ourselves. Not a word to anyone else."
The four of them nodded solemnly.
Kimimaro closed his eyes and activated his inner system silently.
[System: Begin activation.]
The life energy he had extracted from Yamato was depleted first. Then, an additional 1,000 units of stored life energy fueled the process.
The potion entered its synthesis phase, normally a month-long wait. But Kimimaro poured in another 6,000 units of life energy, bypassing the time requirement entirely.
Time was no longer a luxury. Though Konoha no longer viewed him as a threat thanks to Fū's influence and Hiashi's endorsement, threats remained—Orochimaru's remnants, rogue Kaguya blood seekers, even Akatsuki. They needed power, now. Hiding in caves for weeks was not an option.
This Wood Release wouldn't be pure—far from the level of Hashirama Senju—but even a diluted version fused with his Shikotsumyaku would provide overwhelming versatility.
From his storage scroll, Kimimaro took out the small vial and injected it into his bloodstream.
Pain exploded through his body.
This was no mere enhancement. Unlike before, when his Shikotsumyaku had evolved naturally from his Kaguya lineage, this was true genetic recombination. His cells were being forcibly rewritten, meshing Senju DNA with his own.
He collapsed to his knees, trembling, sweat drenching his body. But minutes later, he rose again, stronger.
[Updated Bloodline Status – Name: Kimimaro]
Kekkei Genkai: Shikotsumyaku – Completed (Note: potential instability remains)
Kekkei Genkai: Senju Lineage + Mokuton (Incomplete Version)
"Are you okay, big brother?" Hanabi rushed forward, concern in her eyes.
Karin stepped up, offering her arm. "If you're injured, bite me."
Kimimaro shook his head, panting. "I'm fine. This is expected during bloodline fusion. I now possess the Wood Release."
He brought his hands together—not in a standard seal sequence, but a simplified form—and declared, "Wood Release: Four-Pillar Prison!"
Thick wooden columns erupted from the earth, forming a prison of sturdy timber around them.
"This is Wood Release?" Jugo was awestruck.
Kimimaro nodded. "Yes. One benefit of the gene-based enhancement is that it doesn't require complex hand signs to use ninjutsu. Eventually, I might not need hand signs at all."
He followed up immediately with Water and Earth Release techniques, each performed effortlessly. "Since Mokuton is a combination of these two natures, I've gained control over them as well."
Jugo whistled. "That's way cooler than anything my body can do."
Fū's expression softened. "So... is this what you meant earlier? Do you want me to inherit the Wood Release too—to help me suppress the Tailed Beast inside me?"
Kimimaro smiled faintly. "No... it's not that I wouldn't let you inherit Wood Release. The problem is, to make a genetic potion like this, I need the original cells—raw material. Right now, I don't have anything suitable. But I've prepared something else for you."
Fū tilted her head. "What is it?"
"Do you know why Jinchuriki lose control?"
Fū shook her head slowly.
Kimimaro explained, "The Tailed Beast's chakra is immense and overwhelmingly powerful. When sealed into a host, it tends to dominate the jinchūriki's chakra system. That's why most jinchūriki struggle to maintain their individuality or control. Essentially, the host and the beast end up sharing chakra—but it's rarely a balanced relationship."
Hanabi blinked. "But isn't it said that Wood Release can suppress Tailed Beasts?"
Kimimaro nodded. "That's a common misconception. It's not the Wood Release itself that suppresses them—it's the First Hokage's unique physical constitution. Hashirama Senju had an extraordinary life force and chakra reserves that far exceeded normal shinobi. His ability to control the Tailed Beasts came from his immense vitality and chakra—qualities that aren't necessarily tied to Wood Release alone."
"So... it's about the body, not just the jutsu?" Hanabi asked.
"Exactly," Kimimaro said. "And there's another clan known for an even more resilient life force and massive chakra reserves—the Uzumaki clan. Unlike most jinchūriki, Uzumaki can withstand the overwhelming chakra of a Tailed Beast and retain their sense of self. Some can even survive the extraction process, which is usually fatal."
Karin's eyes narrowed. "Wait... you're not seriously talking about me, are you?"
Kimimaro looked at her directly. "Exactly. The Uzumaki bloodline. You carry it."
Hanabi's eyes widened. "Then that explains Naruto. He could suppress the Nine-Tails' chakra because of his Uzumaki lineage."
Kimimaro nodded. "Naruto's survival of Kurama's power wasn't just about willpower. His heritage gave him the foundation to endure it. Karin, I need some of your blood. For now, it's to help Fū—her survival might depend on it. Later on, I'll use your bloodline to enhance the Senju lineage traits I've already acquired. But let's focus on saving Fū first."
"Hmph," Karin muttered. "Didn't even consider upgrading me first."
Still, she rolled up her sleeve and leaned toward him, whispering with a teasing smile, "Want my first blood that badly?"
Kimimaro raised an eyebrow. "I do. Are you brave enough to give it now?"
Karin flushed and immediately pulled back her arm with a scoff.
Kimimaro smiled. "Little rascal. I can deal with you later."
He handed over 5,000 life energy to the system, generating an additional vial of bloodline solution.
Time was of the essence. Fū had to leave Takigakure soon, and Kimimaro had no idea when the Akatsuki would track her down. But if he could give her a fighting chance, he would.
He remembered Kushina Uzumaki—how she didn't die instantly when the Nine-Tails was extracted. Her survival for a time after the extraction proved that with the Uzumaki's vitality, death wasn't guaranteed. She only perished later due to exertion in battle, not the extraction itself.
Maybe it was a gamble. But Kimimaro had grown attached to Fū. She'd helped him greatly—emotionally and tactically. Sparing one vial of bloodline potion and some life energy for her was something he wouldn't regret.
He checked the system notification.
[Uzumaki Bloodline Gene Potion: Activation Cost – 10,000 Life Energy; Incubation Period – 1 month.]
The energy cost was surprisingly lower than the hybridized Hashirama cell potion he had made from Yamato's blood—likely because the Uzumaki didn't possess a Kekkei Genkai like Wood Release. Still, their life force alone was an invaluable trait for a jinchūriki's survival.