96-100

Chapter 96: Toying with Kimimaro 

“I’m so sorry, Kazama-sama. I never imagined Kabuto would cause you this much trouble,” Orochimaru said. 

“I thought Kabuto was completely loyal to you. Why would he betray you?” Kazama asked. 

“Truth is, Kabuto was never truly loyal. Back when I was dodging Akatsuki’s pursuit, I had him infiltrate as a spy under Scorpion. But Kabuto got greedy for Akatsuki’s power and started scheming to betray me. Later, during the Sannin battle when you defeated me, Kabuto took the chance to fully turn on me.” 

“Do you know what Kabuto’s planning by kidnapping Naruto?” 

“He’s likely after Kyūbi’s chakra to boost his own strength. But don’t worry, Kazama-sama. I know Kabuto. He’s aware that taking Naruto will enrage Konoha, so he won’t dare escape with him personally. He’s using his lackeys to do it, which means Naruto’s life isn’t in danger for now.” 

“Alright. You track down Kabuto and deal with him. I’ll handle Naruto.” 

“Yes, sir!” 

“Found him!” 

It didn’t take long for Kazama to locate Naruto, thanks to his powerful super-sensory abilities and thousands of Mokuton bunshin. Just as Orochimaru predicted, Yakushi Kabuto wasn’t personally involved in Naruto’s capture. 

The one holding Naruto was Kimimaro, one of the Sound Five, wielder of the kekkei genkai Shikotsumyaku. At that moment, Rock Lee, who was fighting Kimimaro, was battered and bruised from the bone blades Kimimaro wielded like swords. 

“Give up! You’re strong, but in the face of a genius, all your effort and sweat are worthless!” Kimimaro taunted. 

“Shikotsumyaku: Teshi Sendan!” 

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

Just as Kimimaro’s finger bones were about to strike Lee, a figure appeared out of nowhere, blocking every single attack. 

“With enough effort, even the most ordinary person can surpass a genius!” Kazama declared. 

“Sorry for the trouble, Kazama!” Lee gasped before collapsing from exhaustion. 

“What?! He blocked my Teshi Sendan with his body?!” 

Kimimaro, who’d always prided himself on his attacks, was stunned by Kazama’s incredible defense. 

“Kimimaro, I know you’re fiercely loyal to Orochimaru. So why betray him now and side with Yakushi Kabuto?” Kazama asked, genuinely puzzled by Kimimaro’s defection. 

“Nonsense! I’ve never betrayed Orochimaru-sama! It was Orochimaru-sama who told Kabuto to have me capture Naruto!” 

“I see,” Kazama said, realizing Kimimaro had been manipulated by Kabuto. 

“Kimimaro, you’ve been deceived. Orochimaru never ordered Naruto’s capture.” 

“Utter lies! How dare you try to sow discord! Let’s see how I tear you apart! Shikotsumyaku: Yanagi no Mai!” 

Without another word, Kimimaro launched an attack at Kazama. 

“Fine. If you’re too stubborn to listen, I’ll just have to knock some sense into you!” Kazama sighed, watching Kimimaro charge. 

Now that he’d found Naruto, Kazama had plenty of time to play around with Kimimaro. Plus, he’d been itching to acquire Kimimaro’s Shikotsumyaku abilities. Sure, Kazama already had a ton of powerful skills, but his motto was simple: you can never have too many techniques, and free skills are too good to pass up. 

Ding! Successfully absorbed Shikotsumyaku: Yanagi no Mai. Congratulations, host, for obtaining Shikotsumyaku: Tsubaki no Mai! 

Ding! Absorb six more ninjutsu to obtain the twelfth strange flame, Kyūryū Raigōka! 

“Perfect! You’re my ticket to Kyūryū Raigōka!” Kazama laughed. 

No matter how fiercely Kimimaro attacked, Kazama stood unshaken, completely unfazed. 

Chapter 97: Taming Kimimaro 

Not a single scratch marred Kazama’s body.  

Such terrifying defensive power left even the usually composed Kimimaro quietly stunned.  

“Kimimaro, let me show you my Shikotsumyaku: Tsubaki no Mai!”  

“How is that possible?!”  

Kimimaro’s jaw dropped as Kazama drew a bone from his left arm to use as a weapon, launching a relentless series of attacks.  

As the sole inheritor of the Shikotsumyaku kekkei genkai, Kimimaro was utterly dumbfounded.  

But with no time to think, he had to counterattack.  

“Shikotsumyaku: Karamatsu no Mai!”  

*Ding! Successfully absorbed Shikotsumyaku: Karamatsu no Mai. Congratulations, Host, you’ve obtained Shikotsumyaku: Teshi Sendan!”  

*Ding! Absorb five more ninjutsu to obtain Nine Dragons Thunder Flame!”  

“Kimimaro, your Shikotsumyaku isn’t quite the real deal. Check out my Shikotsumyaku: Teshi Sendan!”  

“What the—?! Is this guy even human?!”  

Seeing Kazama use his own signature moves—and with deadly precision—Kimimaro was both shocked and furious.  

“I refuse to believe you can block this! Shikotsumyaku: Yatsume no Mai!”  

Kimimaro formed hand seals, and a sharp bone spike erupted from the ground, rocketing toward Kazama’s head at blinding speed.  

Against an ordinary person, it would’ve been instant death.  

But in the face of Kazama’s Volcanic Rock Flame—an absolute defense—no attack stood a chance.  

*Ding! Successfully absorbed Shikotsumyaku: Yatsume no Mai. Congratulations, Host, you’ve obtained Shikotsumyaku: Ultimate Technique, Sawarabi no Mai!”  

*Ding! Absorb four more ninjutsu to obtain Nine Dragons Thunder Flame!”  

“It still didn’t work?!”  

Seeing his attack fail to harm Kazama, even the unflappable Kimimaro started to panic.  

“Kimimaro, now’s not the time to lose your cool! Shikotsumyaku: Ultimate Technique, Sawarabi no Mai!”  

When Kimimaro saw Kazama unleash his own ultimate technique, cold sweat poured down his face.  

As the original user, he knew all too well how terrifying this jutsu was.  

Before Kimimaro could recover from his shock, the ground for miles around sprouted countless sharp bone spikes, forming a chilling forest of bones.  

It was a sight that sent shivers down the spine.  

“Did I fail…? Orochimaru-sama, I did my best!”  

Just as Kimimaro braced for death, Kazama abruptly halted his final killing blow.  

“You!”  

Kimimaro was baffled. Kazama had unleashed such a powerful technique but chose not to kill him.  

“Kimimaro, I told you before—we’re not enemies. You were manipulated by Yakushi Kabuto, who’s already betrayed Orochimaru. Orochimaru and I are allies, so by extension, we’re friends, not foes.”  

“No way! Orochimaru-sama never mentioned you. How could you be his ally? Sure, your strength is impressive, but…”  

“Kazama-sama is right. We are indeed friends, not enemies!”  

At that moment, Orochimaru appeared before Kimimaro.  

“Orochimaru-sama, is this true?”  

“Absolutely. Not only is Kazama-sama our ally, but he’s also our master. From now on, you must serve him.”  

“As you command!”  

Though Kimimaro was stunned by Orochimaru’s words, he didn’t dare question them.  

Thud!  

Suddenly, Kimimaro coughed up a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground. 

Chapter 98: One Move Stuns Orochimaru and Kimimaro 

“Oh no! Kimimaro was already terminally ill, and now, after falling for Yakushi Kabuto’s trick and fighting you for so long, Kazama-sama, I’m afraid…”  

Orochimaru’s voice trailed off as he helped Kimimaro to his feet.  

Kimimaro’s face was pale as gold leaf, his breathing shallow and fading. It was clear he was on the brink of death. 

“You can’t heal him either?” Kazama asked. 

Orochimaru gave a bitter smile and shook his head. “Kazama-sama, you may not know, but Kimimaro’s illness is a curse of the Kaguya clan. No one can cure it…” 

“Yōka!”  

Just as Orochimaru was lamenting Kimimaro’s impending death, Kazama channeled the power of Yōka, the yang flame from his Yin-Yang Dual Flames, into Kimimaro’s body. 

“Kazama-sama, there’s no need to waste your energy. I’ve tried every method, and nothing…”  

Orochimaru’s words faltered as he noticed Kimimaro’s complexion gradually turning rosy. His breathing steadied, and the wounds from the battle began healing at a visible rate. 

“This… My goodness! Kazama-sama, you’re incredible!”  

Orochimaru was utterly floored, his admiration for Kazama boundless. 

“Orochimaru-sama, was it you who saved me?”  

Upon waking, Kimimaro immediately tried to bow deeply to Orochimaru in gratitude, but Orochimaru quickly stopped him. 

“It was Kazama-sama who pulled you back from the edge of the underworld. Hurry and thank him!” 

“What?!”  

Shocked by Orochimaru’s words, Kimimaro’s heart skipped a beat. He turned to Kazama and attempted a deep bow, only for Kazama to gently pull him back up. 

“It’s a small matter, not worth mentioning. You and Orochimaru are my comrades—how could I stand by and let you die?”  

Kimimaro’s eyes welled with tears, moved by Kazama’s words. He’d once wondered why Orochimaru would submit to Kazama. But now, seeing Kazama’s immense strength and boundless compassion, Kimimaro felt an urge to climb mountains or brave seas of fire for him. 

“Kazama-sama, that flame of yours is extraordinary—it can even bring someone back from the brink! What’s it called?” Orochimaru asked, his curiosity piqued. As someone obsessed with research, he was naturally drawn to such mysterious phenomena. 

“It’s a strange flame of the heavens and earth, called Yin-Yang Dual Flames!”  

Kazama held out his hands, revealing two entwined flames—one black, one white. Even Orochimaru, with all his vast knowledge, was captivated, let alone Kimimaro. 

“The black one is Inka, the yin flame. It kills without a trace!”  

Kazama directed a wisp of Inka toward a pile of bones left from Kimimaro’s earlier Sawarabi no Mai. In an instant, the entire bone forest was reduced to nothingness. 

Orochimaru and Kimimaro instinctively stepped back, stunned by the sight. Kimimaro, in particular, knew the bones from his Sawarabi no Mai were harder than steel—yet Kazama’s Inka had effortlessly turned them to ash. He shuddered, realizing that if Kazama had used this attack during their fight, he’d already be long gone. 

“The white one is Yōka, the yang flame. As long as there’s a single breath left, it can sustain life endlessly. But it’s not truly a resurrection flame—if someone’s already completely dead, even Yōka can’t save them.” 

“I see!”  

Orochimaru and Kimimaro nodded vigorously, hanging on to Kazama’s every word like eager students. 

Chapter 99: One Against Ten Thousand  

Kazama’s display of his Ika (Strange Fire) had completely shattered their understanding of the world.  

“Kazama-sama, could I possibly have a wisp of your Yōhi (Yang Fire) to take back and study?”  

“Sure thing!”  

At Orochimaru’s request, Kazama promptly sealed a trace of Yōhi into a scroll and handed it over.  

Orochimaru was floored by how readily Kazama agreed.  

“Orochimaru, I’m not giving you this Yōhi for free. Your next task is to recruit and build up the strength of Otogakure. You can study this Yōhi and use it to heal the wounds of those loyal to me. But listen up—don’t misuse it. When you run out, come back and ask for more.”  

Kazama’s plan was to turn Orochimaru’s Otogakure into his own personal armed force.  

That’s why he’d previously sent Zabuza and others to live there.  

His dream was to expand Otogakure into a powerhouse ninja village, rivaling Konoha or Sunagakure.  

“You can count on me, Kazama-sama. I’ll make it happen!”  

“By the way, did you take care of that task I gave you—dealing with Kabuto?”  

“Uh… my apologies! Kabuto, that bastard, teamed up with Sasori and Deidara. I couldn’t take on all three of them at once, so…”  

Orochimaru scratched his head awkwardly as he explained.  

“You didn’t complete the mission, and you still have the nerve to ask me for Yōhi?”  

Kazama chuckled to himself, half-scolding.  

But he knew Sasori and Deidara were formidable. It was no surprise Orochimaru struggled against them alone.  

“Fine, I get it. Since I’ve already rescued Naruto and foiled Kabuto’s plot, let’s call this matter closed for now. You and Kimimaro head back.”  

“But Kazama-sama, I heard four of the Sound Five—Kidōmaru and the others—have genuinely defected to Kabuto. They’re currently fighting the Konoha ninja who came here. Should I step in and take them out?”  

“No need, Orochimaru-sama. I’ll handle those four losers myself!”  

“This time, I’ll take them on alone. I’ve got some business with them anyway.”  

Kazama knew that absorbing four more ninjutsu would unlock a new Ika: the Nine Dragons Thunder Flame.  

Kidōmaru and the others were the perfect stepping stones for that goal.  

“As you command!”  

Though Orochimaru and Kimimaro didn’t know why Kazama wanted to deal with Kidōmaru’s group, they didn’t dare question him and promptly left.  

“Orochimaru-sama, just who is Kazama-sama? He’s way too incredible!”  

On their way back, Kimimaro couldn’t help but ask Orochimaru, his curiosity bubbling over.  

“When I fought him before, not only was his defense insane, but he could also use my Shikotsumyaku. And now he’s wielding this Ika we’ve never even heard of. Kazama-sama is like a god!”  

“You haven’t seen the half of Kazama-sama’s power. If you had, you’d realize the moves he’s shown so far are just child’s play!”  

Orochimaru’s mind flashed back to Kazama’s Kurei Chika (Turtle Spirit Earth Flame) and Yamata no Orochi.  

Even now, the memory gave him chills.  

“Kimimaro, stick with Kazama-sama and serve him well. The future with him is limitless!”  

“Absolutely!”  

Meanwhile, elsewhere…  

Facing the aggressive Sound Four, Neji was battered and bruised but refused to give up.  

He had to protect Shikamaru, Shino, Kiba, and Chōji, who were equally battered behind him.  

“Die!”  

“Kaiten! Damn it!”  

Neji tried to use Kaiten to block, but the next moment, he collapsed.  

His chakra was completely drained—he was powerless to keep spinning.  

“Accept your fate! Genin are just pawns. Why else would Konoha send trash like you on this mission?”  

“Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu!”  

At that critical moment, a powerful water dragon surged forward, shielding Neji and the others from the attack.  

“Konoha would never treat its Genin as pawns! The ones who need to accept their fate are you!”  

Neji broke into a relieved smile. The one who’d arrived was none other than Sanada Kazama—the man who could take on ten thousand foes single-handedly. 

Chapter 100: Acquiring Kyūryū Raigōka 

“Hmph! Konoha’s trash just keeps coming, one after another. Fine, I’ll send you all to the afterlife together!”  

“Hijutsu: Kumo Senkyū!” 

“Shūkyoku Dai Kyū Shō: Makyō no Ran!” 

“Kisei Kikai no Jutsu!” 

“Doton: Doryō Dango!”  

The Sound Four—Kidōmaru, Tayuya, Sakon and Ukon, and Jirōbō—unleashed their ultimate techniques on Kazama all at once. 

Ding! Successfully absorbed four ninjutsu in a row. Congratulations, host, for obtaining Kyūryū Raigōka! When used, this flame transforms into nine thunder-fire dragons that circle the host’s body. It attacks like a razor-sharp blade and defends like an unyielding rock, perfectly blending offense and defense to the extreme!  

Just when Kidōmaru and the others were certain Kazama was done for, they saw him standing there, completely unscathed, as their attacks dissipated. Not a single scratch marred his body. He even flashed them a cold smirk. 

To the Sound Four, that smirk felt like a death sentence. 

“You… you monster!”  

The four were utterly freaked out. 

“Kyūryū Raigōka!”  

With a single thought, Kazama summoned nine thunder-fire dragons that instantly coiled around him. 

“What kind of freak are you?!”  

Without another word, Kidōmaru and the others turned and bolted. But the moment they laid eyes on Kyūryū Raigōka, their fates were sealed. 

With a deafening roar, the nine thunder-fire dragons swept through. In an instant, the Sound Four were obliterated, not even leaving corpses behind. 

At that moment, Neji and the others, gravely injured, had long since passed out. Kazama quickly used his Yōka power to heal their wounds and carried them back to Konoha. 

When Hokage Tsunade saw that Kazama had not only completed the mission by rescuing Naruto but also brought back Neji and the others safely—without a single scratch on them—she was struck by how far Kazama’s strength and medical skills surpassed her own. 

What impressed Tsunade even more was Kazama’s unwavering loyalty to his comrades, never abandoning them no matter the situation. It was something even she couldn’t always manage, given how death constantly loomed on the battlefield. 

But Kazama was different. As long as he was around, his comrades would never die. 

Tsunade immediately wanted to make an exception and promote Kazama to jōnin, but to her surprise, he politely declined. 

This left Tsunade baffled.  

“Kazama, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity! Konoha has never promoted a genin directly to jōnin—you’d be the first. Why turn it down?” 

“If I became a jōnin, my missions would get heavier, which wouldn’t help my plans to absorb the tailed beasts. Plus, how am I supposed to keep playing the pig to eat the tiger if I’m a jōnin?”  

With that thought, Kazama put on a humble act and said to Tsunade and Shizune, “Thank you, Hokage-sama, and Shizune, but I’d like to stay in Team 7 and work my way up to jōnin with Naruto and the others.” 

“Alright, if that’s your choice, I won’t push you,” Tsunade relented. 

“Thank you, Hokage-sama!”  

As Kazama left, Tsunade broke into a smile. 

“Tsunade-sama, why doesn’t Kazama want to be a jōnin?” Shizune asked. 

“Hmph, that kid’s sly as a fox. He knows if he becomes a jōnin, I’ll pile more missions on him, and he won’t have time to slack off.” 

“That makes sense. He’s only thirteen, after all—still at an age where he wants to have fun.” 

“But with Kazama’s current abilities, keeping him on genin missions is a waste of talent. The daimyō of Hi no Kuni just sent word asking for a ninja to protect the princess. I think Kazama’s perfect for the job. Let him rest tonight, and tomorrow, Shizune, you’ll notify him to come see me.” 

Meanwhile, Kazama had already arrived at the Uchiha clan’s compound.