NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 78: CHAPTER 78
After acquiring the complete Uzumaki and Senju bloodlines, Kimimaro noticed the most significant change was in the upper limit of his life energy absorption—it had surged from 20,000 to 50,000. However, the absorption cycle remained fixed at two days.
"It seems the absorption limit is tied to my own stamina and chakra reserves."
Still, he was fully aware that he hadn't yet reached Kage-level strength. The system had not unlocked the ability to produce enhancement potions for ordinary soldiers, and despite the dramatic increase in his red and blue chakra caps—signifying stamina and chakra capacity—his immediate combat capabilities hadn't substantially improved.
"It's close, though. Once I fully master Ice Release and awaken the Byakugan, and if I can completely remove the latent instability in the Shikotsumyaku, I should finally reach the level of a Kage."
The gap between a Jōnin and a Kage was vast. Even elite Jōnin weren't guaranteed to compete at that level. A prime example was Hatake Kakashi—with his Mangekyō Sharingan, he was considered Kage-level, but after losing it, his chakra flow became more stable, and his reserves increased, arguably returning him to Kage-level combat efficiency—but that was a tale for another day.
Kimimaro found an open field to test a new technique.
"Bone Release: Bone Giant!"
He didn't bother naming it anything fancy. After all, most jutsu names were straightforward—Water Dragon Bullet, Fire Dragon Bullet—so why not Bone Giant?
Countless white bones burst from his body, branching and extending until a five-meter-tall skeletal colossus stood before him.
"I can make it even larger... but there's a problem. When I use this form, my limbs get bound by the emerging bone structures, making it hard to weave hand seals or move freely."
Dismissing the bones, he tried again. This time, he mimicked the style of Hashirama's True Several Thousand Hands, letting bones erupt from the ground to form the giant construct instead.
"This version keeps my body mobile... but the cost is higher, and the bone quality is inferior to those created directly from my own skeleton. Is that the key to Hashirama's strength? That Wood Release naturally harmonizes with chakra and nature energy, while bone doesn't?"
After repeated testing, Kimimaro concluded that this Bone Giant was still less refined and powerful than the Bone Dragon he had created using the remains of thousands. It needed further refinement.
"But for intimidation alone... this will be perfect."
Satisfied for now, he returned to the Daimyō's residence. The place was massive, now serving as the shared home for Kimimaro and his trusted companions.
Haruna had just concluded a policy meeting with her retainers. When she saw Kimimaro, the ministers bowed and respectfully exited. Haruna's tone shifted to a firm but slightly playful one.
"Mr. Kimimaro, we have a few internal matters to discuss. Please accompany me."
The two moved to the backyard and entered her private chamber. Once inside, Haruna's expression turned flirtatious, her voice low and sultry:
"Master, how many rounds are you planning tonight?"
"I can't spoil you every day."
"It's been two nights already."
"When we first met, I never imagined this side of you."
"Only for you."
"Heh. Let's try something new tonight."
After their moment of intimacy, Haruna rested on his chest, drawing idle circles on his skin with a fingertip.
"Some of the ministers are still... uneasy."
"Let them be. With me here, they won't try anything. Even if they're dissatisfied, what can they do?"
"They might try seeking external help."
"External?"
"Yes. Back during the civil unrest, my father helped the Fifth Hokage. A few ministers still maintain contacts with Konoha."
"Your father helped Tsunade?"
"By paying off her gambling debts."
"...Fair enough. That does sound like Tsunade. Do you think she'd help them?"
"Maybe. But it was my father who helped her, not them."
"Either way, I'm not worried. Konoha and I aren't enemies."
But just a few days later, Jūgo brought urgent news.
"I've found several Konoha shinobi near the capital."
Jūgo was using his developing Crystal Release kekkei genkai for passive surveillance, which also doubled as a way to refine his chakra control. Guren handled internal and palace security using her more mature Crystal Release abilities.
This made Kimimaro rethink Haruna's safety.
"She still doesn't have a kekkei genkai... I'll need to grant her one soon. Otherwise, I'll always worry."
"Let's go meet them," Kimimaro told Jūgo.
They moved quickly beyond the city walls. Jūgo monitored the targets through a floating crystal orb, his control now precise.
"They've stopped moving. Looks like they're waiting. They probably detected us."
"Not surprising. Konoha has top-tier sensory types."
Kimimaro was envious of the precision and range of Crystal Release's surveillance capabilities. While he could use Karin's Kagura Shingan, its range and clarity were inferior.
Fortunately, that would soon change.
A few days ago, Kimimaro had used one of the latest experimental test tubes to extract a sample of Guren's blood. Activating the Crystal Release gene required 12,000 life energy and had a two-month maturation period. Fortunately, due to the purity of Guren's bloodline, only 10% of her life energy was needed, sparing Kimimaro from dipping into his 300,000-point reserve.
"Two months from now... Crystal Release will be mine."
Guren had also made a personal request. She wanted access to Kurotsuchi's Lava Release, having long admired the fusion of earth and fire chakra natures.
Her reason was that both her kekkei genkai and Lava Release originated from the fusion of fire and earth chakra natures. She was curious to see if combining them might trigger a unique reaction or an evolution of her existing abilities.
Kimimaro fully supported this line of thought. He appreciated his companions' willingness to explore the nature of chakra and kekkei genkai, so he readily agreed: the next time they visited the Land of Earth, he would help her obtain the ability—ideally through Kurotsuchi, the granddaughter of the Third Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, and a known user of Lava Release.
Karin, standing nearby, rolled her eyes at his eagerness.
"Huh? Is that… the Byakugan?" Jūgo finally got a clear view. The approaching shinobi clearly had the distinctive pale eyes of the Hyūga clan.
Kimimaro hadn't paid much attention at first, but the moment he heard the word "Byakugan," he leaned toward the crystal ball for a closer look. "It's them."
"You know them?" Jūgo asked.
"I've met one of them," Kimimaro replied. "And I've heard of the others. That girl with the Byakugan is Hanabi's older sister—Hinata Hyūga. She's the Hyūga clan's heiress."
"Then they're not enemies," Jūgo concluded.
"Right. If Tsunade sent them, there's no hostility."
Outside the city gates, the Konoha squad waited.
"Neji, are we really just going to wait here?" Ino asked, growing impatient.
"Yes," Neji replied calmly. "They'll arrive soon."
Hinata shifted nervously. Ino nudged her with a grin. "Sakura told me Kimimaro is super handsome. Is he as handsome as Sasuke?"
"Ah? Um… it's hard to say," Hinata stammered. "They're… both good-looking in different ways."
Ino smirked. "Oh please, we all know who you think is the most handsome. I bet it's still Naruto, right?"
"N-no! That's not—" Hinata's blush deepened.
Tenten laughed. "Alright, Ino, quit teasing her. We've got a handsome guy right here—you can admire him instead."
Neji gave a subtle cough, a slight blush touching his cheeks. "They're here," he said, focusing straight ahead.
Moments later, Kimimaro approached, calm and composed.
"Hinata, are you here to see me—or Hanabi?" he asked, smiling. "And are these all your friends?"
Ino's eyes lit up. "Wow, he is handsome! Hey there, I'm Ino Yamanaka. Nice to meet you, handsome!"
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