86-90

Chapter 86: The Final Choice

As Ibiki's explanation ended, the seating arrangement was rearranged by drawing lots, completely scattering the members of each team.

Naruto's face turned pale when he heard about the written test, unsure of what to do. This was his Achilles' heel.

During his time at the Ninja Academy, Naruto had always excelled in physical training, but his written exams were always poor, which is why he ended up at the bottom of the class.

No one else seemed as afraid as he was.

"Can't the Chunin Exams just be about fighting? Why do we have to have a written test?" Suigetsu's complaints were unstoppable.

Jugo, on the other hand, began to worry about holding the team back. The written test was also a challenge for him. There was no such education in Otogakure.

The Genin of Otogakure had all fought their way out of a sea of blood. They wouldn't know anything about written exams. They only thought about how to make their muscles bigger and stronger, not about arming their minds.

As the test papers were handed out, everyone's expressions gradually changed. These were not questions that Genin could answer.

"Just as I thought." Kimimaro put down the test paper and scanned the crowd.

He spotted a few Genin who started writing as soon as they got the paper. These were his sources of information, and their pens held the intelligence he needed to gather.

The written test was, in essence, a test of intelligence gathering ability. This might not be important for Genin, but for Jonin-level captains, it was a crucial skill.

Gathering the necessary information in a short time could help the team complete missions quickly and identify potential dangers, ensuring the safety of the team members. This was the purpose of this exam.

A ninja who couldn't gather information didn't deserve to be a Chunin.

There were many ways to gather information, and testing it in this way was the fastest.

Despicable cheating methods were not allowed, but advanced intelligence-gathering techniques were.

After looking through the questions, Suigetsu and Jugo had already given up on answering them themselves.

"Damn it, do all Konoha ninja know how to answer such difficult questions? This is insane."

"Sorry, Kimimaro."

Just as the two were feeling hopeless, Kimimaro's voice rang in their minds. Magic, telepathy!

"Jugo, Suigetsu, this exam is testing your intelligence-gathering abilities. This is not your strong suit. Later, I'll read the answers to you, and you just copy them down."

Suigetsu and Jugo were overjoyed upon hearing this.

Kimimaro, meanwhile, set his sights on the intelligence ninja in front of him.

"It's you."

Kimimaro used his unique technique to create three invisible chakra threads, connecting one end to the intelligence ninja's right hand and the other end to his own right hand.

A miraculous scene unfolded.

Through the connection of these three chakra threads, Kimimaro's right hand could mimic the exact movements of the intelligence ninja's right hand.

The intelligence ninja was completely unaware of this.

Feeling his hand smoothly writing out the answers, Kimimaro smiled with satisfaction.

At the same time, after completing each question, he would telepathically transmit the answer to Suigetsu and Jugo.

This exam was no longer a challenge for them.

The other examinees also began to realize that this was an intelligence-gathering exam, and they didn't hesitate to use their own abilities.

The Third Eye, Parasitic Insects, Ninja Dogs, Sharingan, Byakugan, Mind Body Switch Technique, and more all made their appearances.

Ibiki took all of this in, nodding silently.

"This batch of newcomers is not bad, much stronger than the previous one."

Compared to the others who were relying on intelligence gathering to pass the exam, Sakura was answering the questions on her own with her impressive knowledge.

And she was confident about every answer.

Even Sasuke, a top student, was struggling, but Sakura could handle it. This was the world of a genius.

In contrast, their teammate Naruto was on the verge of a mental breakdown.

"Hmm, I don't know the first question, let's move on to the next one. I don't know the second question either, it's okay, let's skip it, there must be one I can answer, right?"

By the time he reached the last question, Naruto was already in tears.

"It's over, it's completely over this time. Not only will I fail the Chunin Exams, but I'll also get beaten up by Sasuke and Sakura."

Naruto scratched his head frantically.

"No, I still have one last chance, and that's the last question!"

Naruto looked at the clock. There were thirty minutes left for the last question.

Time ticked by, and people were constantly being kicked out of the exam hall for using despicable cheating methods. The number of examinees had already decreased by one-fifth compared to before.

At this moment, there were fifteen minutes left until the end of the exam.

"Time's up, put down your pens. I'm going to announce the content of the last question."

Everyone stopped writing and looked at Ibiki.

"Before announcing the last question, you have another choice to make. Whether to accept the challenge of the last question or to give up."

As soon as he said this, everyone was puzzled.

"Of course we accept. We came here to become Chunin, how could we give up halfway?"

"Hehe, I admire your determination. But this question of mine is not something you can answer casually. The reason I let you choose is that once you answer this question incorrectly, you will forever lose the chance to become a Chunin.

In other words, if you answer incorrectly, you can only be a Genin for the rest of your life!"

Everyone was shocked.

"There's no such rule! Some of us here have taken the Chunin Exams more than once."

"That's because they were lucky enough not to have me as the proctor. I have that power now. If you're not satisfied, you can choose to quit and take the next exam in six months.

The proctor for the next exam won't be me, and there won't be such a cruel choice. Consider yourselves unlucky to have encountered me.

Now, tell me your choice.

By the way, if one person in a team chooses to give up, the other two will also lose their qualifications!"

These words instantly increased the mental pressure on everyone.

Kimimaro looked at Ibiki thoughtfully.

This guy was quite good at creating psychological pressure.

He was indeed the head of Konoha's Torture and Interrogation Force.

Step by step, he was breaking down everyone's psychological defenses. Those with weak minds couldn't withstand it at all.

Their own future, their teammates' exam qualifications, and the uncertainty of the last question.

These emotions intertwined, creating a huge test for these young ninja.

However, these emotions still couldn't compare to the choice between life and death.

If they couldn't even make the right choice in this situation, the probability of failure in future missions would be extremely high.

Ninjas needed a clear mind and accurate judgment.

The entire exam hall became incredibly quiet.

Finally, someone couldn't bear it anymore and raised their right hand.

"I... I quit..."

Ibiki sneered.

"Very well, you made the right choice. Those in the same team as him can leave."

After the first person quit, it seemed to trigger a chain reaction.

Soon, only eighty-one people were left in the room.

[The author then talks about their recent illness and hospitalization, assuring readers that they are recovering and will try to catch up on missed chapters. They also urge readers to take care of their health and avoid staying up late.] 3

Chapter 87 Target: Hinata!

"Stop talking nonsense! Even if I'm going to be a Genin for the rest of my life, I won't run away. Even if I'm just a Genin, I will definitely become Hokage! I'll do what I say, that's my ninja way!"

Naruto, bearing immense pressure, slammed the table, releasing all his stress through these words.

His bright blue eyes were filled with determination.

Naruto might hesitate and be confused, but once he made a choice, he would be incredibly resolute.

This was the most charming aspect of him as the Child of Destiny.

Naruto's words also dispelled everyone's anxieties.

Kimimaro looked at Naruto's figure, finding him a bit foolish.

But he had to admit, this foolishness was quite rare.

Not everyone possessed such unwavering courage.

Such a person was destined for greatness.

"Hehe, what an interesting kid."

Ibiki watched as the originally anxious crowd calmed down because of Naruto's words, and he knew that further delay was pointless.

These people had already solidified their beliefs.

His task was complete.

"Congratulations, you have passed the second exam."

Everyone was surprised.

Ibiki then explained the meaning of the last question, and everyone suddenly understood.

At the same time, they were glad they chose to stay.

This exam seemed trivial to Kimimaro now, but it undoubtedly left a deep impression on these young Genin.

In the future, when facing life-or-death situations, this lesson might play a significant role.

Just then, with a crash, the glass window shattered, and a dark figure entered the examination room.

Two kunai were thrown from her hands simultaneously, pulling open a curtain.

"Now is not the time to celebrate. I am the examiner for the second stage, Anko Mitarashi. Prepare to enter the second stage of the exam!"

The young kunoichi, Anko Mitarashi.

Orochimaru's second disciple, also one he abandoned.

Everyone was dumbfounded by Anko's actions.

The second stage of the exam came without warning.

The location: the Forest of Death!

This was also the most dangerous phase of the Chunin Exams.

Because in this stage, killing was not prohibited.

In other words, if there were powerful Genin who wanted to kill all other competitors, they could.

The Chunin Exams were a microcosm of war, and the second stage perfectly embodied this.

If it were a Chunin Exam held by the village itself, there wouldn't be such a cruel exam system.

After all, every village understood the importance of minimizing internal conflict.

Even the brutal Kirigakure, after Zabuza Momochi killed all his fellow examinees, abolished the exam rule requiring them to kill each other.

But in this joint Chunin Exam, killing could not be prohibited.

These Genin were representatives of their respective villages.

Their victory or defeat was related to the village's honor.

In this stage, there would be no rescue; they could only rely on themselves.

"Within five days, the team that captures both the Heaven and Earth scrolls and reaches the tower in the middle of the Forest of Death with all members will pass the second exam."

Anko explained the rules. Everyone just needed to sign the death waiver, take the corresponding scroll, and they could prepare to enter the Forest of Death.

The Forest of Death had forty-four entrances, enough for the remaining twenty-seven teams to enter from different points.

The exam officially began!

"Let's go!"

Kimimaro gave the order, and Suigetsu and Jugo followed closely behind him into the Forest of Death.

"Boss, let's just rush to the tower and ambush them. Or how about we make a big move and defeat all the participants?

Then only the three of us would be left, and we would definitely become Chunin. Back then, when Zabuza-senpai killed all the examinees in his year, it became a legend in Kirigakure.

Maybe we can become a new legend today."

Suigetsu cracked his knuckles, ready for a fight.

But Kimimaro's next words immediately dispelled his thoughts.

"Suigetsu, I didn't come to participate in these children's games."

"Huh? Then what do you want to do, boss?"

Suigetsu looked puzzled, and Jugo also focused his gaze on Kimimaro in front.

"I have only one goal, Hinata Hyuga! Find Hinata Hyuga's location as soon as possible and capture her!"

A cold glint flashed in Kimimaro's green eyes.

"Hinata Hyuga? You're after the Byakugan?"

Suigetsu was surprised.

"That's right. The Hyuga clan's Kekkei Genkai is very likely the key element to cure my bloodline disease."

Kimimaro revealed the crucial reason for his participation in the Konoha Crush plan.

The Hyuga clan's Kekkei Genkai!

To replenish his genes, he had to obtain the Hyuga clan's Kekkei Genkai.

But directly taking their eyes might not be useful and could even cause rejection, making it not worth the risk.

For example, Nagato was implanted with the Rinnegan by Madara, and although he gained immense power, it also put a tremendous burden on his body, and he couldn't fully unleash the Rinnegan's power.

If even Nagato, with his Uzumaki lineage, struggled, let alone another Sharingan recipient, Kakashi Hatake.

An elite Jonin who constantly ran out of chakra was unique.

Although Kakashi's Sharingan increased his potential, his shortcomings were also obvious.

Whether it was a blessing or a curse, only he knew.

There was also Ao from Kirigakure, who received a Byakugan transplant. Although he seemed to have no major problems, the increase in his strength didn't seem significant either.

From existing cases, directly transplanting eyes was definitely not the best strategy.

As for what to do, Kimimaro had already thought it through.

But before that, he needed suitable test subjects.

The Hyuga clan was divided into the main family and the branch family. The branch family existed to protect the pure bloodline of the main family.

The main family didn't need to form teams with other ninja and go on dangerous missions. They only needed to become strong under the guidance of the clan head.

The sign that Hinata was abandoned was her becoming a member of Team 8.

If Hiashi Hyuga hadn't been soft-hearted, Hinata's forehead would already have the Caged Bird Seal.

Kimimaro's bloodline disease was caused by pushing the Shikotsumyaku to its limits, so he needed the purest Hyuga bloodline for treatment.

The Hyuga main family was the best choice.

And currently, there were only four people in the main family.

One was Hiashi Hyuga's father, who was now old and frail, and his bloodline power was almost depleted.

The second was Hiashi Hyuga himself.

This Hyuga clan head was already over forty years old and hadn't even reached the Shadow rank, indicating that his bloodline wasn't that great.

The remaining two were Hanabi and Hinata.

Between these two, Kimimaro ultimately chose Hinata.

On the one hand, Hanabi was under the protection of the Hyuga clan, making it difficult to act.

On the other hand, Hinata was called the princess of the Hyuga clan by Toneri Otsutsuki, and her Byakugan was also called the purest Byakugan.

This showed that in terms of bloodline power, Hinata was even superior to Hanabi.

It was just that Hinata's personality couldn't awaken her powerful bloodline.

That had nothing to do with Kimimaro.

He currently only needed the purest Hyuga bloodline.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 88: Laying the Groundwork

The goal was clear; now it was time for action.

Kimimaro had already noticed where Hinata's team entered.

Luckily, the entrance wasn't far from theirs, so finding them quickly shouldn't be a problem.

"I knew there was a reason you were suddenly interested in the Chunin Exams, Boss. Hehe, Hinata Hyuga, huh? This is getting interesting.

There's no Konoha ninja surveillance in the Forest of Death, so no one will interfere if we do anything to the Hyuga heiress."

Suigetsu was excited.

His words were precisely why Kimimaro wanted to make his move here.

Orochimaru could assess Sasuke's abilities in the Forest of Death because no one would disturb them.

Within these five days, he had ample time to complete his experiment.

With a tap of his foot, the three accelerated!

Meanwhile, Hinata was unaware that she had become Kimimaro's target.

At that moment, Team 8 was setting traps.

"Hehe, once the traps are set, it's all up to luck."

Kiba Inuzuka grinned, showing his canine teeth.

"Kiba, don't get careless. Our opponents this time are not simple. Several of them give me a very dangerous feeling."

The speaker was Shino Aburame, the strongest member of Team 8.

Although Kiba seemed to be the leader of Team 8, Shino was the core of the team.

"I know, I won't be careless. That Kimimaro from the Sound Village, for example, gives off a very dangerous vibe. Akamaru shivered when he sensed his presence. That's never happened before.

If we encounter him, we better run as far away as possible. Otherwise, we're dead."

Kiba rarely showed fear.

But as the saying goes, fear attracts what you fear.

"It seems you're talking about me."

The sudden voice startled all three of them!

Their gazes fell on the same person.

Kimimaro Kaguya!

Not far away, on the treetops, Kimimaro, Suigetsu, and Jugo were standing there.

They weren't doing anything, yet they exerted immense pressure on the three.

Kimimaro smiled faintly and jumped down from the tree, landing in front of them.

"We meet again."

Kiba gulped and looked at Shino.

Their eyes met, and they reached a conclusion.

"Um, Kimimaro, we have the Heaven Scroll. Is that what you need? If not, let's not fight. Wasting energy is not good for anyone."

Kiba took out the scroll from his ninja pouch, forcing a smile.

"Ah, that's exactly what we need. Would you be willing to give it to us?"

Kimimaro smiled slightly, reminiscent of Orochimaru.

The expressions on Kiba, Hinata, and Shino's faces turned ugly.

Such a coincidence?

Were they going to lose the scroll right from the start?

Maybe they could still try to negotiate.

"Hand over the Heaven Scroll obediently, or we won't be polite."

Suigetsu added pressure at the right moment.

Kiba gritted his teeth slightly and looked at Akamaru, who was shivering in his arms.

"Akamaru, can you still hold on?"

As if sensing Kiba's determination, Akamaru desperately stopped his trembling.

"Good boy, Akamaru!"

Kiba took out a soldier pill and tossed it into Akamaru's mouth.

Akamaru instantly turned red, living up to his name.

Not only did his color change, but Akamaru's appearance also became more ferocious.

"Beast Human Clone!"

Akamaru transformed into Kiba's form and clung to his back.

Insects also emerged from Shino's body, forming a dense cloud of bugs.

Even the timid Hinata took a Gentle Fist stance.

Team 8 was ready for battle.

"Oh? So you're not giving up without a fight. Boss, can I loosen up a bit?"

Suigetsu found this interesting and wanted to test their skills.

"You have one minute."

"Alright, one minute is enough!"

Their conversation enraged the proud Kiba.

"One minute? Who do you think you're going to take down in one minute! Fang Passing Fang!"

Kiba and Akamaru spun their bodies simultaneously, transforming into whirling tops and charging towards Suigetsu.

Suigetsu didn't dodge or evade, continuing to walk forward.

Fang Passing Fang hit him head-on, landing squarely on his body.

But a strange thing happened.

Fang Passing Fang hit Suigetsu, but it didn't leave any marks; instead, it splashed a large amount of water.

"What!"

The three members of Team 8 were shocked to see Suigetsu turn into water after being attacked.

"That's all you've got."

Suigetsu grinned triumphantly, then extended his hands and fired two water bullets at Kiba, who had stopped spinning.

"Water Style! Water Gun Technique!"

Two consecutive shots, one hitting Kiba and the other hitting the Akamaru that had transformed into Kiba.

Both hit their targets!

The man and dog fell to the ground.

The absolute difference in strength!

"Kiba!"

Hinata shouted anxiously and rushed forward, launching a series of Gentle Fist strikes at Suigetsu.

Her Gentle Fist was well-executed, but it couldn't harm Suigetsu at all.

"Is this the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist? Seems pretty ordinary."

Suigetsu revealed his shark-like teeth, his face full of excitement.

Hinata didn't say anything, just continued to unleash the Gentle Fist she had practiced tens of thousands of times, trying to defeat Suigetsu.

"Run... We're no match for them."

Kiba, defeated by Suigetsu in one move, realized the absolute gap between them.

With the three of them, defeating Suigetsu was already a problem, let alone the other two.

The most dangerous one, Kimimaro, hadn't even made a move yet.

Kiba knew they were doomed.

"Kiba, we won't leave you and run away alone."

Hinata's Gentle Fist became even more forceful.

"It's time to end this, Hyuga heiress!"

Suigetsu was about to counterattack when he suddenly sensed something was wrong.

Black insects had crawled onto his body and were devouring his chakra.

"Oh no!"

Suigetsu exclaimed, not noticing when the opponent had sent the insects to attack.

Hinata's Gentle Fist was just a feint; Shino's insects were the real killing move!

The insects didn't care about his water transformation technique; as long as it was chakra, they would devour it.

Suigetsu tried to swat away the insects on his body, but there were more and more of them.

"Should we help him?"

Jugo looked at Kimimaro.

"I'll handle it. The minute is up, and the groundwork is laid."

Kimimaro extended his right hand, and white bones emerged from his palm.

Shino, who had been keeping an eye on Kimimaro, couldn't help but narrow his eyes behind his sunglasses when he saw this.

"This guy... What a freakish ability."

As Shino thought this to himself, it didn't occur to him that the Aburame Clan using their bodies as nests for insects was even more freakish.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 89: Dual Cards

White bones condensed into a bone flute, emerging from the palm of Kimimaro's right hand.

He extended his left hand, grasping the bone flute directly and placing it to his lips.

The flute sounded!

Demon Flute!

Dream Sound Lock!

This was the first time Kimimaro used genjutsu, and it was the sound genjutsu he obtained from Tayuya.

As the melodious flute sound echoed, Hinata and the others felt everything around them change instantly.

The original lush forest scene transformed into a crimson space.

White skeletons filled the surroundings.

"This... what's going on?"

Hinata stopped her attack, feeling an overwhelming sense of dread.

"Oh no! It's genjutsu, and it's sound genjutsu. We've fallen for it."

Shino's expression turned extremely grim.

In their injured state, Kiba and Akamaru were instantly bound by ropes that appeared out of nowhere, unable to move.

"Damn it, what the hell is this? Let me go!"

Kiba struggled fiercely, but it was useless.

Shino tried to control his kikaichu to break the genjutsu, but found that he could no longer command the insects within his body.

"How could this be?"

Shino panicked.

The kikaichu were his greatest reliance. If even they couldn't help him, then they could only wait for death.

"Ah!"

Hinata let out a scream as she, like Kiba, was bound by ropes, unable to move.

Shino didn't last much longer, ending up in the same state as the other two.

"Such powerful genjutsu, no weaker than Kurenai-sensei's. How could someone like this be a genin? What is Otogakure trying to do?"

Countless questions filled Shino's mind, but soon, he was unable to think.

Within the illusion, their bodies were gradually melting.

Team 8, completely annihilated!

Outside the illusion.

"Boss, you intervened too quickly."

Suigetsu, having shaken off the kikaichu's attack, complained.

"You were too slow. Dealing with three genin and still taking so long. The longer it takes, the more variables there are."

Faced with Kimimaro's retort, Suigetsu could only stick out his tongue, feigning innocence.

"Alright, let's find a hidden place. It's time to get down to business."

Kimimaro picked up the unconscious Hinata, while Jugo carried Kiba under his left arm and Shino under his right.

Akamaru was left to Suigetsu.

The three of them traveled quickly and soon found a cave.

"Boss, how about here? It looks pretty secluded."

Suigetsu looked around, confirming there were no issues before speaking.

"The concealment is sufficient, but there are still 75 people in the Forest of Death. We can't guarantee we won't be discovered. You two stay outside and don't let anyone step foot in here."

"Yes, boss. We'll complete the mission."

"As long as I'm still alive, I won't let anyone disturb you."

After giving the two some instructions, Kimimaro entered the cave alone with Hinata.

The cave was quite spacious and didn't feel cramped.

However, it was somewhat dark.

"Breaking Path 20, Shining Heavens!"

A blue sphere emerged from Kimimaro's right palm and flew upwards, illuminating the entire cave as if it were daylight.

Shining Heavens, a reward obtained from taking a photo at the Hokage Rock scenic spot.

The light shone on the still unconscious Hinata.

Her fair face was stained with a bit of dust, looking somewhat disheveled.

Hinata would remain unconscious as long as the genjutsu affecting her wasn't dispelled.

"Binding Path 73, Inverse Mountain Crystal!"

An inverted triangular pyramid appeared in the cave, encompassing both Kimimaro and Hinata.

Inverse Mountain Crystal, a reward obtained from taking a photo at the Konoha Village scenic spot.

It could form a triangular pyramid-shaped defensive barrier that couldn't be broken by anything less than a high-level offensive technique.

It was perfect for use as a medical room.

Kimimaro placed Hinata on the crystal and began his experiment.

"Pardon me."

First, blood.

The power of a bloodline limit largely stemmed from blood; it was an indispensable element.

Kimimaro was a meticulous person. He had studied medical ninjutsu for many years, all for this moment.

Hyuga blood could better adapt to the Byakugan's power.

Then, his own blood.

The power of the Shikotsumyaku, infused into it.

The two masses of blood converged in mid-air, undergoing subtle changes.

Divine Hands!

Kimimaro's hand bones turned golden, and then his hands manipulated the mass of blood in mid-air at an indiscernible speed.

With a flick of his right index finger, the single mass of blood split into two.

The two masses of blood formed a taiji pattern, yin and yang complementing each other, appearing remarkably harmonious.

Kimimaro's eyes lit up.

"It really works!"

The preliminary experiment was a success!

Next came the most crucial formal procedure.

Kimimaro had confirmed his medical plan from the very beginning.

Simply gouging out the eyes wouldn't achieve the desired effect.

Therefore, he never intended to take Hinata's eyes.

What he wanted were the Hyuga genes that could fuse with the Shikotsumyaku, and a fusion method that wouldn't cause rejection.

Achieving such a perfect result through ordinary methods would require an extremely long period of experimentation.

Kimimaro obviously didn't have that kind of time.

But he did have a cheat.

With a movement of his right hand, two Clow Cards materialized out of thin air, held between his middle and index fingers.

The Mirror Card, The Twin Card.

One for replication, the other for duplication; their abilities were quite similar.

The Mirror could replicate people or objects.

The Twin could turn people or objects into two.

Both required chakra to maintain and had a time limit.

If destruction was the price, the replicated things could exist forever.

And things replicated using one's own chakra would never experience rejection.

Killing two birds with one stone.

Of course, limited by the user's own strength, it was impossible to replicate something far beyond their capabilities.

For example, the current Kimimaro could absolutely not use these two cards to replicate the Rinnegan.

Even replicating the purest Byakugan before him required Kimimaro's full effort and the sacrifice of two cards to replicate both eyes, highlighting the limitations involved.

Although it was a pity to destroy two good Clow Cards, if it could cure his bloodline disease, this small price was nothing to him.

Kimimaro placed the overlapping Clow Cards in front of him, and with a flick of his fingers, the two cards instantly separated.

"Mirror! Twin! Unleash your powers of replication, with blood as the guide, destruction as the price, transform into my eyes, and be with me for all eternity!"

As he spoke, the two Clow Cards emitted an intense white light that shot towards the sky but was blocked by the Inverse Mountain Crystal, keeping the light within the triangular pyramid.

The white light took shape, forming three figures.

The Mirror was a green-haired girl, holding a round mirror in her hands.

The Twin were two children, one with blue hair and the other with pink hair.

The three of them glanced at Kimimaro simultaneously. The Mirror girl gathered one portion of blood, and the Twin children gathered the other.

The white light reappeared, connecting to Hinata's eyes.

The purest Byakugan of the Hyuga clan!

Bloodline power, replication, transformation, fusion!

With the aid of the two blood portions and the power of the two Clow Cards, a pair of brand-new Byakugan was being born out of thin air!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter 90: Shattered Soul Iron Claw

The white light dissipated, revealing a pair of illusory white eyes.

Kimimaro's eyes were filled with visible delight.

He had succeeded!

The power of the Mirror and the Dual Clow Cards had completely replicated the potential of Hinata's Byakugan.

At the same time, the bloodline power of the Hyuga clan was also copied.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

Excited, Kimimaro coughed up blood again.

But this time, he felt no pain, only excitement.

This might be the last time he coughed up blood.

The bright red flowers seemed to be celebrating for him.

Taking a deep breath, Kimimaro forced himself to calm down.

"Fuse!"

With a low shout, the newly condensed Byakugan flew towards Kimimaro's original green eyes.

Fuse!

The illusory pair of Byakugan directly merged into Kimimaro's eyes.

A stinging sensation instantly struck him.

It started from his eyes and spread throughout his entire body.

He gritted his teeth, clenched his fists, and silently endured the pain.

This pain lasted for a full half hour before it finally ended.

Sweat covered his entire body.

Fatigue immediately washed over him.

Kimimaro knelt on the ground, his face pale, but his eyes reflected an astonishing light.

Copying the Byakugan had consumed almost all of his usable chakra.

Coupled with the half hour of intense pain, even he had reached his limit.

But at this moment, Kimimaro could clearly feel that his eyes had merged with the newly copied Byakugan.

The nerves were perfectly connected.

The power of the Hyuga bloodline from the Byakugan was slowly flowing through his entire body.

Qi and blood circulated through all the meridians in his body, and the power of the Hyuga and Kaguya clans was colliding.

This collision was gentle.

Kimimaro felt the pain that had originally arisen from his bloodline disease gradually disappearing.

"This feeling is truly wonderful."

Kimimaro was ecstatic, but the stinging pain from his eyes hadn't disappeared.

He covered his eyes and looked at his reflection on the crystal.

His originally green eyes had now turned pure white.

The Byakugan!

Kimimaro channeled his chakra, trying to close the Byakugan, but found that he couldn't control it for the time being.

"The fusion hasn't completely finished, so I can't control this power yet. Based on the current progress, it will take at least seven days to fully fuse."

Kimimaro was now a medical ninja not much inferior to Tsunade, so he could see the problem at a glance.

Strictly speaking, this time, he didn't transplant the Byakugan.

Instead, he used the power of the Mirror and Dual cards to replicate the Hyuga bloodline with his eyes as the medium.

His original eyes were still there, just infused with the Hyuga power.

This fusion needed time to adapt.

During this period, he couldn't perfectly control the Byakugan, which meant he couldn't close it.

"It seems I need to hide these eyes first, otherwise, it won't be easy to explain if the people of Konoha see them."

Kimimaro smiled faintly. He was in a good mood now, and this minor issue couldn't ruin it.

He took out a Gojo Satoru-style blindfold that he had prepared beforehand from his ninja tool pouch and put it on, intending to use it to cover his newly born Byakugan.

The Barrier of Silence expanded, and his perception within five meters was instantly maximized.

Whether he had eyes or not wasn't that important anymore.

Besides, it was only for seven days.

The only thing he needed to do during these seven days was the Chunin Exams.

And he could pass that level of exam even with his eyes closed.

Done!

The first stage of his bloodline disease treatment plan was a success.

As for whether it could be completely cured, he would have to see the effects after the eyes were fully fused.

This matter couldn't be rushed.

Looking at Hinata lying on the ground, Kimimaro waved his right hand, removing the dirt from her face.

"Congratulations, tourist, the photo session was successful. You have obtained a Dojutsu Fragment (3/7)."

Was Hinata's photo reward also a Dojutsu Fragment?

Kimimaro held Hinata's hand, picked her up, and placed her aside, while pulling down his blindfold to cover his eyes.

"Suigetsu, Jugo, bring those two in as well."

Suigetsu and Jugo, who were guarding the entrance, immediately brought in the unconscious Kiba and Shino.

"Boss, you're okay? Hey... what happened to your eyes?"

Suigetsu found it strange to see Kimimaro wearing a black blindfold that almost covered half his head.

Jugo's face also showed concern.

"It's for treatment, no problem. You two just put them next to Hinata."

"Okay, boss."

Seeing that Kimimaro didn't want to talk about it, Suigetsu and Jugo didn't ask further.

"Congratulations, tourist, the photo session was successful. You have obtained Insect Jamming Technique."

Insect Jamming Technique, one of the secret techniques of the Aburame clan, allowed for easy communication and control of insects.

Kimimaro happened to have Explosive Bugs that he had been cultivating for two years but couldn't control.

With this Insect Jamming Technique, that problem was solved.

"Congratulations, tourist, the photo session was successful. You have obtained the Soul Shattering Iron Claw."

Soul Shattering Iron Claw, Inuyasha's signature bare-handed skill.

Golden light covered his five fingers, allowing him to easily tear apart enemies.

Kimimaro was slightly surprised. He didn't expect Kiba's photo reward to be so good.

This kind of skill was quite suitable for him.

After settling Hinata and the others, Kimimaro and his team prepared to leave.

Before leaving, Kimimaro released the genjutsu on them.

A few minutes later, the three slowly woke up.

"Ah, my head hurts."

Kiba pressed his head and groaned.

Shino and Hinata, who also woke up, felt dizzy as well.

"It's the aftereffect of the genjutsu. Fortunately, that person didn't kill us. At least we survived."

Shino breathed a sigh of relief. This was a blessing in disguise.

"He's Naruto's friend, so he wouldn't hurt us. But during the exam, he won't go easy on us either."

Hinata murmured.

"Ah! Our scroll is indeed gone. Those three robbers!"

Kiba was a bit angry, but the other party had spared their lives and even placed them in this safe place to wait until they woke up, which was already quite considerate.

"We can steal the scroll back if we lose it. Fortunately, none of us are injured, and our combat effectiveness hasn't been affected. We still have a good chance."

Shino analyzed the current situation and came to a conclusion.

"I don't know how long we were unconscious. Hinata, can you look around and see where we are? Are there any ambushes?"

"Okay! Byakugan, open!"

Hinata activated her Byakugan, and the veins around her eyes bulged. The scenery within a kilometer radius appeared in her mind.

"It seems we're not far from the entrance we came in from, and there are no ambushes. We're safe."

"Great! Then let's set off from here again. I don't believe this second exam can stump us, Team 8!"

Team 8, the Chunin Exams continue.

(End of Chapter)