In the room, Kimimaro sat cross-legged.
Since coming to this world, his nerves had been on edge.
But now, he finally relaxed completely.
This place felt safe.
Orochimaru was in the next room. Even if Mist ninja came looking for him, Kimimaro had no need to worry.
At this time, in the Hidden Mist Village, no one could snatch someone away from Orochimaru.
Kimimaro closed his eyes. He didn't sleep immediately but instead began to review the memories of his original self.
More specifically, the Kaguya clan's Fluid Art that he had learned.
During his previous battle, Kimimaro mostly relied on Kirito's swordsmanship. The power of his Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) was only used for defense.
But the potential of Shikotsumyaku was far greater than that.
Its defensive power was formidable, but its offensive capabilities were also impressive.
In the memories of his original self, there were several techniques related to Shikotsumyaku.
It's worth noting that abilities granted by a kekkei genkai (bloodline limit) don't always need to be taught by others. A highly gifted individual can discover them on their own.
Just like how Neji Hyuga figured out the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms and Rotation by himself.
And speaking of talent, Kimimaro, as the last member of the Kaguya clan, was even more gifted than Neji.
"Shikotsumyaku is mainly a taijutsu style, so how I use it depends on me."
After reviewing the Shikotsumyaku techniques, Kimimaro came to this conclusion.
He extended the index finger of his right hand and aimed at a cup not far away.
In the next moment, he activated his chakra and could clearly feel the bone in the distal phalanx of his index finger regenerating an extra segment.
The original bone was pushed out.
The skin at the tip of his finger broke open, and the finger bone shot out!
*Bang!*
The cup three meters away was hit by the bone, instantly shattering into pieces.
"Not bad power. Given time, it might even exceed the destructive force of a bullet."
**Ten-Finger Drilling Bullets!**
This was one of the techniques of Shikotsumyaku.
However, for now, it could only be called **One-Finger Drilling Bullet**.
It wasn't that Kimimaro couldn't use all ten fingers, but that the ten-finger technique was a wide-area attack, while the one-finger technique focused on a single target.
In terms of raw power, concentrating chakra into one finger made the **One-Finger Drilling Bullet** even stronger.
The chakra that would normally be spread across ten bones was now focused on just one, making it naturally more potent.
Just as Kimimaro was about to continue his exploration, his ears twitched—he heard sounds of fighting outside.
He immediately stood up, hid behind the window, lifted the curtain slightly, and looked toward the street.
It was already deep into the night, and there were no streetlights.
He could only make out vague shapes under the moonlight.
On the street, a Mist ANBU ninja was chasing down a white-haired, purple-eyed boy.
The sounds of battle came from them.
Aside from the two of them, the street was completely deserted.
In times of war, few dared to go out at night.
The white-haired boy looked to be about Kimimaro's age. He was fighting while retreating, clearly struggling.
The Mist ANBU ninja thrust his long sword forward, piercing the white-haired boy's chest.
"Ugh…"
The white-haired boy clutched his chest with his right hand, his pupils dilating as he stared straight at the Mist ANBU.
The ANBU's face was hidden behind a mask, revealing no expression, but through the two eye holes, Kimimaro could see the cold, ruthless gaze.
"The remnant of the Hozuki clan—Hozuki Suigetsu—target eliminated."
The Mist ANBU spoke coldly.
But just then, something unexpected happened!
Suigetsu's left hand shot out suddenly, forming the shape of a gun aimed directly at the Mist ANBU's right eye.
"Not good!"
The ANBU ninja was startled and tried to evade, but his right hand, holding the sword, was tightly gripped by Suigetsu's right hand.
That small hand, much smaller than the ANBU's, somehow summoned a surprising amount of strength, locking his hand in place.
Suigetsu's exposed chest had no blood. Instead, it was made of water!
"Water Release: Water Gun Technique!"
*Bang!*
A stream of water shot out from Suigetsu's left index finger like a bullet.
At such close range, there was no avoiding it.
The water bullet pierced through the Mist ANBU's right eye, blasting through his skull.
The Mist ANBU fell to the ground, lifeless.
Suigetsu pulled out the sword from his chest and took deep breaths.
Not from exhaustion, but from the fear of coming so close to death.
"This…"
Kimimaro had witnessed the entire scene, surprise flashing across his face.
This white-haired boy was quite the actor.
If he hadn't faked being hit, the Mist ANBU wouldn't have been so easily killed, even if he was only a Chunin.
"The Hozuki clan's unique Hydrification Technique allows them to turn their bodies into water, making them immune to all physical attacks."
Orochimaru had appeared silently beside Kimimaro, explaining in a soft voice.
Clearly, Orochimaru thought Kimimaro was curious about the technique Suigetsu had used.
Orochimaru's sudden appearance made Kimimaro tense up, once again reminding him of Orochimaru's terrifying strength.
At this time, Orochimaru was in peak condition, one of the strongest shinobi, even among the Kage level, unlike his weaker, sickly state during the events of **Naruto: Shippuden**.
"That Mist ANBU underestimated him. He probably didn't expect a boy under ten to have already mastered a technique even some Hozuki clan Jonin couldn't."
Orochimaru continued, his tone betraying his growing interest in Suigetsu.
The Hozuki clan wasn't a bloodline limit clan, strictly speaking; they were a secret technique clan.
Similar to the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi clans of the Hidden Leaf, they had their own unique secret techniques.
But the power of these techniques was comparable to most kekkei genkai.
It seemed the Mist Village's purge of kekkei genkai clans had also implicated clans with secret techniques.
The Mist didn't want such talent, but Orochimaru certainly did.
"Kimimaro, let's go meet this young Hozuki."
With that, Orochimaru pushed open the window and jumped down.
Kimimaro followed closely behind.
He knew Orochimaru's love for orphans had been piqued once again.
One of Orochimaru's hobbies was collecting talented children.
Suigetsu, who had just taken down the Mist ANBU, sighed with relief, grumbling, "These Mist ANBU just won't give up. I'm so close to escaping the Land of Water, but here's another one. I need to get rid of this body fast, or they'll figure out my abilities."
Suigetsu was about to dispose of the body when Kimimaro and Orochimaru approached.
He immediately became alert.
"Who's there?"
Seeing that the two weren't dressed like Mist ninja, Suigetsu relaxed slightly, but his guard was still up.
After being hunted for so long, his vigilance was high.
"Young Hozuki, come with me. I need your strength."
Orochimaru flashed his signature smile.
With that smile, he had lured many orphans before.
But Suigetsu wasn't buying it.
"You need me, so I have to go with you? Keep dreaming! Who the hell are you?"
Orochimaru: "…"
Seeing Orochimaru flustered, Kimimaro chuckled to himself.
Who would've thought that the great orphan-collector Orochimaru would fail?
"Kimimaro, take him down."
(End of Chapter)