Neji, who was caught in a bitter battle, did not know that his life had just wandered between life and death. However, even if he did not die this time, it was inevitable that he would have to lie down for some time after battling Jirobo.
"Strange, I actually sensed a sense of crisis just now. However, this feeling disappeared in an instant." Kakashi really lived up to his name from the Third War. Those who had experienced the baptism of the flames of war had a sense of crisis that far exceeded that of ordinary people.
"Aren't you thinking too much?" Asuma looked at Kakashi with a bit of amusement.
"If I were really overthinking things, Jiraiya-san wouldn't have turned one of his clones into a Kunai in my hand. This is to prevent Orochimaru and the others from making a move, so he can also bring his people here in time."
Kakashi waved the Kunai in his hand. Jiraiya was highly regarded by his allies and enemies. No matter if it were Minato, Pain, or Kakashi himself, they were all very impressed.
Others didn't care about trifles when they achieved great things, but Jiraiya was doing everything. For a big thing or a small thing, he calculated flawlessly. He planned for everything that might happen, and Kakashi appreciated this greatly.
Even when facing Danzo and the other higher-ups, Jiraiya kept this attitude. In Kakashi's eyes, such a person was a real Hokage material.
"This was quite dangerous. If the Third's body is really taken away, then Orochimaru probably will be able to break the curse on his hand."
Asuma had already learned about the whole thing from the missing of the Third's body and Jiraiya. Whether it was because the Third was his father or because he was a ninja of Konoha, he would not allow Orochimaru to get his hands on the Third's body.
Just as they were talking, Ryoha had already arrived in the battle between Tayuya and Shikamaru. Sure enough, not long after he arrived, Kimimaro also came. His elegant taijutsu suddenly took back Sasuke's coffin that was about to fall into the hands of Naruto and Shikamaru, as if he had done an extremely simple thing.
"You finally came, Kimimaro!" Ryoha's eyes flashed. The Bloodline Limit he wanted was Shikotsumyaku. If there were three types of Bloodline Limit that he liked the most in the Naruto world, then Shikotsumyaku was one of them, and the other two were the Wood Release and Rinnegan.
Unfortunately, Rinnegan was still too far away, and it was almost impossible to get it, so he could only hold back and choose the Sharingan that could evolve to a Rinnegan.
"Very good. The strongest physique, Shikotsumyaku... Let me have them! The Sage's body plus Shikotsumyaku will give me an extremely tough body with powerful recovery ability. It will be difficult to kill in battle and also have very powerful ninjutsu, the Wood Release, and the strongest chakra!"
"Finally, the Sharingan allows me to have Sage's eyes in the future. It's a perfect match for my body and jutsus."
Ryoha saw Kimimaro looking at Shikamaru and Naruto with contempt, and then left. He hurriedly chased after them, and Ryoha stopped Kimimaro on a grassland.
"Are you going to block my way?" Kimimaro had always been lying on the hospital bed, so he didn't know anything outside the window. Moreover, Kimimaro was a bit frail now. His body had collapsed, and he was relying on the willpower that transcended life and death to keep him alive.
"You can put it that way. I'll make a deal with you. I know that you are the owner of Shikotsumyaku. You are very strong, but your body has already collapsed. No matter how tough your will is, you can only exert about 50 to 60 percent of your strength at most."
Ryoha said in a shocking manner. However, what he said was the truth. Whether in the original work or in this world, Kimimaro's body was already dead. He was still alive because he relied on his strong willpower. Once he breathed a sigh of relief and let his guard down, he would immediately die.
In such a condition, he was still able to face Gaara. When he was stopped by Lee and Naruto, he was still able to suppress them with overwhelming strength. He was truly terrifying. No wonder what Orochimaru wanted the most was not an Uchiha's body but his body.
In fact, that was not his best at all. Right now, he could only use around 50 to 60 percent of his strength at his peak. Otherwise, let alone Gaara, even with Rock Lee and Naruto, it would be impossible for them to defeat Kimimaro. Of course, if Gaara turned into Shukaku's form, it would be another matter. However, even if he did that, Kimimaro would have a way to break it.
"So what?" Kimimaro's eyes did not change. He did not care about his own life and death at all. Only this kind of person whose will had transcended life and death would not even bat an eye on his own survival.
"There are three more people who are coming this way. Gaara, the one-tail's Jinchuuriki, Naruto, the Nine-tails' Jinchuuriki, and Rock Lee, a taijutsu user. Maybe you can defeat them with ease at your peak, but now you can't. Gaara alone can stop you.
Ryoha still did not care. He had already thought of the best way, and Kimimaro absolutely could not refuse.
"What do you want to say? Don't waste my time." Kimimaro said a little impatiently. He wanted to deliver Sasuke to Orochimaru.
"It's very simple. You're about to die. You've lived your whole life for the sake of Orochimaru. You are fine with that. But in your last moment, you might as well put down all your burdens and live for yourself. Fight with me, show your Shikotsumyaku, and fight for yourself. You shouldn't die from illness on the bed but die on the battlefield."
Ryoha's words obviously moved Kimimaro a little. Ryoha was right. He was indeed about to die. He was not afraid of death, but he didn't want to die from the illness. He wanted to die in battle, like a warrior.
"Are you worried that this coffin can't be sent to Orochimaru?" Ryoha saw through what Kimimaro was worried about at a glance.
"In fact, you don't have to worry at all. Now that Orochimaru is not waiting to be reincarnated, Sasuke is just tagging along. Therefore, this slave of power will wake up anytime soon. When the time comes, you don't have to take him with you. Just be honest with yourself."
"With my strength, I don't need to talk so much nonsense with you. But you are a warrior, a real warrior. I don't want to miss a chance to fight against the owner of Shikotsumyaku, so I told you all of this."
That's right. Ryoha said so much because he wanted to fight with Kimimaro. He didn't want to miss this opportunity because Kimimaro was going to die soon. It was a pity to miss this opportunity. At the same time, he also wanted to clearly understand the horror of Shikotsumyaku in actual combat.