As a Grey Knight In Naruto

Chapter 56 – "Release the Vessel"

Kimimaro moved through the forest like a ghost, his pale form weaving between branches as the wind tugged at his long white hair. Sasuke's coffin-barrel was strapped to his back, but even in his frail condition, he moved with grace and purpose. Still, each leap sent fresh pain through his chest. He could feel it, his body was failing. The disease that had long haunted him was finally catching up.

He could sense them now. Chakra signatures, rapidly approaching. The Konoha shinobi, closer than he expected. One of them… different. Towering. Alien. The pressure that rolled off that presence reminded him of Orochimaru's warning.

Kimimaro landed in a clearing, his breathing calm despite the growing weakness in his limbs. He gently unstrapped the barrel and set it upright in the center of the white grass. His fingers hovered over the seal.

"If I fight… I can't protect the container," he murmured. "So… he must be released."

He dropped to one knee and began a rapid series of hand seals, each one exact and deliberate. Purple chakra coiled around the coffin, drawing dark tendrils of smoke from the seal lines. The coffin rumbled. The cursed energy swirled like a storm, shaking the ground and rattling the trees.

With a high-pitched hiss, the barrel cracked open.

Steam and dark chakra burst outward, blasting the clearing with oppressive heat and killing the surrounding plants. From within, a shadow rose, lean, powerful, and changed.

Sasuke Uchiha stepped out barefoot onto the grass, transformed. His skin had paled to a sickly ash-grey. Black, flame-like marks curled across his neck and cheeks. His eyes, now blood red with pitch-black sclera, radiated quiet, sinister resolve.

He said nothing for a moment, then raised his eyes to Kimimaro. "Where is Orochimaru?"

Kimimaro pointing. "Beyond the northern cliffs. Go."

Sasuke vanished in a blur of motion, leaving only a trace of corrupted chakra in the wind. Kimimaro remained kneeling, silent. His mission was almost complete.

Moments later, branches cracked as the Konoha retrieval team burst into the clearing. Naruto led the charge, eyes darting for the container. Shikamaru and Neji flanked him, while Kiba scanned the air for scents. Hajime trailed behind them, walking at a measured pace. Over his shoulder, Tayuya remained unconscious, bound in cloth, behind him is Ino.

Naruto saw the shattered barrel and cursed. "Damn it, we're too late!"

Kimimaro stood silently between them and the direction Sasuke had vanished.

"You will not pass," he said without emotion.

Kiba growled. "Get out of the way, freak!"

But before he could leap forward, Hajime extended one hand. Everyone stilled as Hajime stepped forward, his eyes locked on Kimimaro. There was no expression on his face, only thought.

"He's buying time," Hajime said flatly. "And Sasuke… is already gone."

He turned to Naruto. "This is your fight now. Go. Bring him back… if you still can."

Naruto's fist tightened. He looked at the others, then nodded and bolted forward. Kimimaro made to intercept him, body tensing,

, and in a pulse of blue psychic light, Hajime appeared in front of him.

The earth split beneath his feet as he landed. His halberd swung down from his back with a soft hum, psychic fire dancing along its edges.

"He's not your concern," Hajime said quietly. "I am."

Kimimaro's arm blurred into motion, bone bullets erupting from his shoulders and wrists. They streaked through the air toward Hajime, but stopped a foot away, bouncing harmlessly off a translucent psychic barrier.

Kimimaro lunged, drawing a bone blade from his forearm and slashing with deadly elegance.

The halberd met the sword with a crack of energy. Sparks exploded outward as psychic flame clashed with living bone.

Kimimaro moved like a dancer, every step, every motion honed by a lifetime of training. He ducked, twisted, and stabbed, unleashing a flurry of attacks. The ground around them shifted as he plunged his hand into the earth.

Bones erupted in every direction, hundreds of white spears tearing through the soil, surrounding the clearing in a skeletal forest.

"The Kaguya clan Kekkei Genkai," Shikamaru muttered, stepping back. "This guy's no joke."

But Hajime remained still.

He raised one hand and calmly spoke a single word.

"Fire."

Golden fire erupted from his palm. The entire bone forest ignited in a column of cleansing light, reducing it to molten ash in an instant. The trees nearby caught fire from the shockwave. The battlefield was now a ring of cracked earth and flickering flame.

Kimimaro staggered from the blast, blood dripping from his mouth. Still, he charged forward with a roar, channeling the last of his chakra into a final strike.

Hajime met him head-on.

The halberd spun in a perfect arc, guided by both hand and will. Kimimaro's bone sword shattered. Hajime caught him by the throat, lifted him into the air, and slammed him into a splintered tree.

Kimimaro coughed, blood staining his chin. "You… are strong… but you lack… devotion…"

Hajime's voice was calm. "No. I lack delusion."

He drove his halberd through Kimimaro's chest, impaling him fully. The tree behind him cracked, then froze as the halberd pulsed with psychic energy.

Kimimaro's body began to disintegrate, first the bones, then the flesh. There was no scream. No resistance. Only silence, as the last loyal soldier of Orochimaru faded to light.

Just as the quiet settled, a green blur rocketed into the clearing.

"KONOHA WHIRLWIND—!"

Rock Lee flew into a wide kick, landed, and winced from the impact on his still-healing body. He looked around with wild eyes, fists raised.

"I have arrived to assist—!"

The battlefield was empty. Just flame, ash, and Hajime standing alone in the smoldering ruin.

Shikamaru blinked. "You're late."

Lee scratched his head. "Ah… so… it's over?"

Hajime glanced at him. "But your spirit is admirable."

Lee smiled sheepishly, giving a thumbs-up. "That still counts, right?"

The others gave short chuckles, the tension easing for a moment.

Hajime turned away from them, facing the direction Sasuke had gone. He could still sense the boy's chakra, flickering like a cursed star across the horizon. Naruto was chasing him. That much was certain.

Hajime raised his halberd to his shoulder and exhaled softly.

"Let the boy face him. Let's see what the Uchiha's pride is truly worth."

He walked away, leaving only scorched earth, broken bone, and silence behind.

End of Chapter 56 – "Release the Vessel"