Hozuki Mangetsu stared at Kimimaro, whose chakra signature pulsed with immense power. Yet, puzzlingly, he also possessed the Byakugan.
"You're from the Kaguya clan, aren't you?" Mangetsu observed, his gaze fixed on the figure before him.
The bone blade pressed against his throat was unmistakable; no matter how you looked at it, that ability had to be the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku. However, the presence of those stark white eyes defied understanding.
"Why would someone from the Kaguya clan have the Byakugan of the Hyuga?"
Hearing this, Kimimaro offered a faint, almost chilling smile. "Is that really your primary concern right now? Shouldn't you be more worried about whether you'll even survive this?"
Indeed, finding himself in such a predicament, Mangetsu's focus seemed misplaced. Worrying about the origin of the Byakugan instead of his own life...
"Whether I live or die doesn't particularly matter," Mangetsu countered, his voice surprisingly steady. "But if I could understand before I die... just why do you possess the Hyuga clan's Byakugan?"
Kimimaro sighed softly. "I'm afraid I cannot answer that question."
"Is that so?" If he couldn't answer, perhaps it meant the eyes were taken… stolen from someone of the Hyuga clan. Such things weren't exactly unheard of in the shinobi world. After all, if stealing entire Kekkei Genkai occurred from time to time, plucking out a pair of Byakugan eyes was certainly within the realm of possibility.
"Lad," Kimimaro's voice was cold, "for a member of the Hozuki clan, your skill isn't half bad." He paused, his Byakugan seeming to pierce through Mangetsu. "But unfortunately for you, challenging me is still far beyond your reach."
"Sleep now."
In the next instant, Kimimaro struck, knocking Mangetsu unconscious. He had another target to deal with now.
This other target wasn't just anyone. An old acquaintance, perhaps? Though they hadn't exchanged many words, he was, strictly speaking, a shinobi from Kimimaro's own era. This man was also the true reason Sasuke had come to Kirigakure this time.
Ao.
In the original timeline, he served as one of the Fifth Mizukage, Terumi Mei's, personal guards alongside Chojuro, tasked with ensuring her safety. However, under Sasuke's influence, the role of Mizukage Guard had fallen solely to Haku and Chojuro in this reality. Currently, Ao seemed to hold a position akin to an advisor or secretary to the Mizukage within Kirigakure.
Right now, he was rushing to the scene alongside Chojuro. They had received the alert and departed immediately, but distance had delayed their arrival until this moment.
Chojuro, leading a squad of ninja, leaped down from a nearby rooftop with Ao at his side. They landed, confronting Kimimaro. Their eyes immediately fell upon the dense forest of bone spikes that had erupted from the ground behind him.
Seeing this grotesque display, Chojuro couldn't help but draw a sharp, cold breath, his expression a mixture of shock and disbelief as he stared at Kimimaro. But his astonishment reached new heights when he noticed Kimimaro's eyes – the unmistakable Byakugan of the Hyuga clan.
The Byakugan! In the current era of peace within the shinobi world, even ninja born into the Hyuga clan didn't always succeed in awakening their Byakugan. For an outsider to possess them, likely through unnatural means… it was unthinkable.
"Who are you?!" Chojuro demanded.
Ao, however, felt an unsettling sense of unease the moment he laid eyes on Kimimaro. There was a distinct familiarity about him, yet Ao couldn't quite place where he'd seen him before. More alarming was the dangerous aura radiating from Kimimaro, a palpable threat. Ao knew his own capabilities had been significantly enhanced through modifications with Scientific Ninja Tools; theoretically, even the current Mizukage might not guarantee a victory against him. Yet, facing Kimimaro, Ao felt a distinct sense of peril. It suggested this individual might possess strength surpassing even the Mizukage.
"Who are you?" Chojuro repeated, his voice laced with fury now. "Coming here to cause trouble in Kirigakure? Killing so many of our ninja... do you have any idea what the consequences will be?" Anger burned within him. It had been a long time since the shinobi world had known peace, a long time since an incident like this had occurred. To think someone would dare provoke Kirigakure in this day and age… it was suicidal.
Kimimaro offered little response. He simply raised a hand, flicked his wrist, and instantly, bone bullets shot forth. They streaked past Chojuro with blinding speed, so fast they seemed to clip a few strands of his hair in the fraction of a second it took them to pass.
Chojuro froze, stunned. 'What was that just now?' he thought frantically. 'Something shot from his fingers... Too fast! I couldn't even see it clearly!'
Suddenly, Ao, standing beside him, stiffened. While Chojuro was bewildered, Ao had seen it perfectly.
"Is that... Shikotsumyaku?" Ao murmured, his visible eye wide with shock. "Impossible! How can there still be a member of the Kaguya clan alive?!" He scrutinized Kimimaro intently, scanning him from head to toe. Recognition dawned. "You're... Kimimaro?"
The impression Kimimaro had left during the Fourth Great Shinobi War was profound. A single warrior taking on four Kage-level opponents without backing down – even back then, Kimimaro stood among the absolute pinnacles of power in the ninja world. And now… he possessed the Byakugan as well.
That's right, Ao remembered. The Otsutsuki clan had appeared back then, and Uchiha Sasuke had apparently enabled this man, Kimimaro, to gain some of their power. That must be how the Byakugan...
"Chojuro, be careful!" Ao yelled urgently. "This man is Kimimaro! Kaguya Kimimaro! He used to follow Uchiha Sasuke—"
But as Ao spoke, Chojuro had already sprung into action. A blade formed of condensed Water Release shot straight towards Kimimaro, slicing through the air with a piercing shriek.
A flicker of disdain crossed Kimimaro's face. With a slight sidestep, he effortlessly evaded Chojuro's attack. Then, a sharp bone spike emerged from his palm, thrusting viciously towards Chojuro's side. In that split second, Chojuro tried to dodge but couldn't evade completely. A long, bloody gash opened on his abdomen, blood instantly starting to flow.
Chojuro stumbled back, steadying himself, barely having time to register the incredible speed of his opponent's counterattack. As he looked up, he saw Kimimaro staring intently at him. A sharp, agonizing pain suddenly bloomed in his chest. The bone spike in Kimimaro's hand was slowly, deliberately piercing through his torso.
"The little brat from back then has grown up somewhat," Kimimaro stated coolly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Decent enough, I suppose. But your speed has dulled considerably. Is it old age?"
He slowly retracted the bone spike. Chojuro collapsed, instantly incapacitated and out of the fight. For a ninja like Chojuro, who often needed time to reach his peak fighting condition, Kimimaro had no patience to waste.
He turned, his gaze shifting directly to Ao. Flicking the blood from the bone blade in his hand, Kimimaro looked Ao over.
"You've changed quite a bit," he observed. "Judging by your appearance, you're not exactly a standard shinobi anymore, are you?"
As Kimimaro spoke, Sasuke emerged from the nearby shadows, accompanied by Haku, Boruto, and the others.
The moment Ao saw Haku, he froze. "Lady Mizukage, what is the meaning of this...?"
"The Mizukage you betrayed," Sasuke interjected calmly, his eyes fixed on Ao. "As of now, she no longer holds that title." He surveyed the scene. "Since you're here, Ao, it seems our business in Kirigakure is nearly concluded."
Sasuke's voice dropped, becoming deadly serious. "Outer Member of the Kara Organization... Ao."
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