NARUTO: I, KIMIMARO EVOLVE MY BLOODLINE LIMIT

"Just enter the mirror?"

"No, I'm not proficient enough yet. Once I master it, I'll be able to create multiple ice mirrors, each showing my reflection. My real body will be able to move instantly between them."

"That sounds cool," Suigetsu commented, "but I feel like it wouldn't be very practical in high-level combat. It might work against weaker opponents, but if you go up against someone strong, one jutsu could wipe out all the mirrors."

Kimimaro stepped out of the ice mirror, nodding slightly. "You're not wrong."

He agreed with Suigetsu to an extent. Haku's Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals was a formidable jutsu due to its speed and unpredictability, but it had clear weaknesses. Against a high-level opponent—like a Jōnin or someone with wide-range ninjutsu—its mirrors could be broken before the technique's full effect was realized. In Kimimaro's case, his Shikotsumyaku would allow him to withstand the initial assault, and brute force could likely shatter the mirrors, despite their resilience.

"But you're saying there's more to it?"

"Yes. Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals isn't just about speed or ambush tactics. It's considered an advanced Ice Release technique because it demands extremely precise chakra control over both Water and Wind natures. Mastering it allows for smoother use of other Ice Release techniques. And there's another aspect—space."

"Space?"

Kimimaro's tone deepened. "When I entered the mirror just now, I noticed something unusual. There was a slight dimensional distortion. It formed a small internal space."

"Like a pocket dimension?" Suigetsu's eyes widened.

"Exactly. It's subtle, but it explains how Haku could phase into the mirrors. It's not pure physical speed—there's a spatial shift happening. If this technique is developed further, it might even open the door to space-time ninjutsu."

In the world of shinobi, what was broadly labeled "space-time ninjutsu" actually covered a range of jutsu involving spatial manipulation—Summoning Jutsu, Flying Raijin, Kamui, even some of Sasori's puppet techniques with hidden compartments and seals. They all involved manipulating space in non-linear ways.

"But to really utilize that, I'll need to refine this technique a lot more," Kimimaro admitted.

Suigetsu folded his arms. "Still, if this helps you understand Ice Release more deeply, can you try the technique we talked about earlier?"

"I'll give it a shot."

Kimimaro activated the Hōzuki clan's Hydrification Technique—unique to those with their bloodline—and began modifying it. Instead of turning into water, he tried converting his body into ice, drawing from the similarity between water and ice.

It took a few minutes of delicate chakra adjustments.

"…It worked."

His body slowly turned translucent and rigid, composed of solid ice, and began to move.

"With practice," Kimimaro said, "I should be able to shift freely between water and ice states. I don't even need additional elemental natures for this—it's a natural extension of Ice Release's foundation in Water Release. And the Hōzuki bloodline supports this kind of transformation."

He looked at Suigetsu. "So, have you decided? Do you want to try the Ice Release serum?"

Suigetsu grinned. "Hell yeah. Unlike you, I can't endlessly absorb bloodlines. I have to pick one that matches me. I already have Water and Wind natures, so Ice Release is perfect. I'll probably master it faster than you did."

He eagerly took the vial from Kimimaro's hand and injected it.

"Damn, that hurts—!"

Suigetsu instinctively turned into water to reduce the pain, but something unexpected happened—his liquefied form rapidly began to freeze.

"You really are compatible with Ice Release," Kimimaro remarked.

"Haha, I've finally mastered Ice Elementalization!" Suigetsu said proudly. "From now on, I'll be the strongest among us—well, aside from Lord Kimimaro!"

He wasn't just bragging. If Suigetsu could shift between liquid and ice states freely, his notorious weakness to lightning-style attacks would be greatly reduced. Physical attacks would also become harder to land effectively. While his ceiling hadn't drastically improved, his floor—his vulnerability—had been significantly raised.

"Karashi, it's your turn." Kimimaro handed the final Ice Release bloodline serum to Karashi, then turned to Karin. "Be ready to heal him immediately if anything goes wrong."

This was the first time Kimimaro had administered a kekkei genkai serum to a civilian without any chakra training. Even with all precautions, the outcome was uncertain.

Even Haruna, watching from the side, clenched her hands nervously. If Karashi could successfully integrate the bloodline, it meant that even she—someone born without chakra—might one day gain ninja abilities.

Karashi himself was a bundle of nerves and anticipation. Since arriving in the Land of Vegetables, he had taken on two primary responsibilities.

The first was to lead a team in gathering and attempting to cultivate the rare herbs needed for producing Life Curry.

The second was to await the completion of the Ice Release gene serum—his only chance to gain chakra and walk the path of a shinobi.

The Life Curry project was already showing signs of success. And now, the long-awaited moment had arrived.

Kimimaro had warned him beforehand: the process would be excruciating, and survival wasn't guaranteed. But Karashi had made up his mind.

He swallowed the serum.

The liquid glowed faintly as it coursed into his system. Almost immediately, an intense chill invaded his body, as if he had been thrown onto the frozen peaks of the Land of Snow with nothing but his bare skin.

But this pain didn't just slash his skin—it carved through his blood vessels and bone marrow like icy blades.

He nearly lost consciousness.

Yet something deep within him roared: Hold on!

You want to become a ninja, don't you? This is your only chance. Lord Kimimaro has given you a gift—don't waste it!

He didn't know how long he endured the torment. At some point, Karin's hand pressed against his chest, the soft glow of the Mystical Palm Technique stabilizing his frantic heartbeat.

"You scared me half to death," she muttered. "Your blood vessels ruptured all over your body, and the blood that came out instantly froze. But you're healing fast—your body's already adapting."

Karashi slowly stood up, his breathing ragged but steady. He walked to Kimimaro and bowed deeply.

"Lord Kimimaro, I will never forget your kindness!"

Kimimaro nodded. "I understand your gratitude. How do you feel?"

Karashi straightened and gave a shaky but bright smile. "Amazing! I don't know how to use the power yet, but I can feel it... I'm different now."

The successful fusion had invigorated him. His senses were sharper, his body more balanced, and his chakra coils—newly formed—buzzed with nascent energy.

"Train hard," Kimimaro advised. "Start by learning control and theory. Suigetsu can guide you—he's experienced with elemental transformation. And remember: with your chakra now active, you can theoretically learn any ninjutsu your affinity allows."

Haruna, curled in Kimimaro's embrace, looked pale. "Is… is becoming a ninja always this painful?"

"Painful?" Kimimaro chuckled. "I've given you the simplest path. Ask any real ninja—they all suffered, trained for years. I gave you a Kekkei Genkai. That's something most could only dream of earning through bloodline or fate. Just think about what kind of power you want—I'll handle the rest."

"Lady Haruna," Karashi added with a grin, "it hurts, yes, but afterward, you feel better than ever."

Haruna blinked, then suddenly blushed and turned away with a quiet ptui. Her thoughts had clearly gone elsewhere.

"Did I say something wrong?" Karashi asked, confused.

Kimimaro laughed and patted Haruna's rear. "No, you said it just right."

Author's Note:

When I first read about Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals, I thought it was flashy but lacked impact. It relies more on speed and illusion than destructive power. Once you have the necessary speed, the mirrors seem redundant.

So I plan to redesign it—maybe turn it into an Ice Release version of Flying Thunder God Technique. Instead of simply reflecting and dashing, the user could teleport between mirrors or launch attacks from multiple angles through spatial linkage. That would give it true battlefield dominance, especially if it can bypass conventional defenses like chakra sensing or barriers.

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