Realizing that Kimimaro's situation was quite similar to his own, Suigetsu's hostility subsided.
"Hey, hey, we're both being hunted by the Hidden Mist. Why fight each other? We should work together."
After witnessing Kimimaro's terrifying strength, Suigetsu had no desire to continue the battle.
If the fight dragged on, he feared that the life he had just narrowly reclaimed would slip away again.
Suigetsu wasn't ready to die yet—he still had his own dreams.
"I won't kill you, but come with me and be my subordinate."
No one is perfect, and the point of a ninja squad is to cover each other's weaknesses.
Suigetsu's water-based jutsu and Kimimaro's abilities would complement each other well.
Besides, Suigetsu was a decent guy, perfect material for a subordinate.
Having an underling in Orochimaru's ranks would make Kimimaro's tasks much easier.
"What?! You've got to be kidding me!"
Suigetsu wasn't happy at all.
A subordinate?
You wish!
"Refuse, and you die."
"You're pushing me too far! I'd rather die here than be your subordinate!"
As he spoke, Suigetsu gripped his long sword and attacked again.
Slash! Chop! Hack! Strike!
The long sword in Suigetsu's hand seemed to come alive, constantly shifting its attack patterns.
His swordsmanship was ferocious and not to be underestimated.
Kimimaro, facing this astonishing onslaught, focused with a serious expression. His bone sword spun and deflected every strike with impeccable swordsmanship.
Although Suigetsu's blade was fast, it was still within a range that Kimimaro—who had inherited Kirito's sword techniques—could handle.
After all, when it came to speed, Kirito was quite famous.
No matter how fierce Suigetsu's attacks were, they couldn't break through Kimimaro's swirling defense.
After dozens of clashes between the long sword and the bone sword, Suigetsu still hadn't broken through his defense.
"Damn it, if speed won't work, then I'll use strength to settle this!"
Suigetsu thought to himself before jumping back a few meters and suddenly accelerating.
His left arm holding the sword swelled, doubling in size.
"Water Style! Great Water Arm Technique!"
By concentrating all the water in his body into his left arm, Suigetsu's strength surged dramatically.
He swung his sword with far more power than before.
"Take this!"
Suigetsu leapt into the air, pouring all his strength into one mighty slash.
His speed and power both reached their peak.
Clearly, this was his last-ditch effort.
Kimimaro, facing the overwhelming attack, gripped his bone sword and crouched slightly, preparing to spring forward.
"Sonic Impact!"
His sword technique activated!
But that wasn't the end of it.
With a thought, Kimimaro triggered the Sword Clow Card.
A new sharpness radiated from the bone sword's edge.
In mid-air, Kimimaro's bone sword sliced through the air, its pale glow aimed at Suigetsu's descending blade!
Their eyes met, and in an instant, the clash between sword and blade erupted!
Clang!
The bone sword struck the center of Suigetsu's blade, and with a crisp sound, the powerful slash was cut clean in two!
The sword shattered in half, its tip spinning through the air before embedding itself into the ground.
Suigetsu stared in shock, still gripping the handle of his broken sword.
His sword… had been cut in half?
What just happened?
Whoosh!
The sound of rushing air signaled Kimimaro's bone sword now aimed at Suigetsu's throat.
The blade hovered less than a centimeter from his neck.
Suigetsu could feel the sharp energy radiating from the sword's tip.
If Kimimaro wished, he could easily pierce his throat.
Suigetsu gulped, tension building as death loomed so close.
"Do you have enough chakra left to use your Hydration Technique to evade my next strike?"
Kimimaro's cold voice rang out again.
Suigetsu chuckled bitterly to himself. He had no chakra left to perform the Hydration Technique.
That last attack had drained him completely.
"It seems you don't. Then, you can die now."
Kimimaro raised his sword to strike.
"Wait, wait! Boss! I was wrong! Don't take it so seriously! I was just messing with you earlier, heh heh."
Suigetsu forced a strained smile.
Outmatched and not wanting to die, he had no choice but to give in.
Fortunately, they were both being hunted by the Hidden Mist, which made Suigetsu feel a bit better about the situation.
Kimimaro's lips curled into a slight smile.
Got him.
Sheathing his bone sword, Kimimaro spoke softly, "Hold out your right hand."
Confused but compliant, Suigetsu extended his right hand.
Kimimaro gripped it, and Suigetsu felt a cold sensation.
"Congratulations! You've just been bound by Binding Spell No. 1!"
A new photo appeared on the team panel.
The Binding Spell, from *Bleach*, was a support technique.
It was used to bind and restrict a person's movements.
This particular spell could instantly immobilize someone's arms and legs, making it one of the most basic binding techniques.
Its effectiveness depended on the skill of the caster and the strength of the target.
Suigetsu, feeling Kimimaro's icy grip, shuddered.
"What's with this guy? Does he have some weird fetish?"
A flurry of strange thoughts flooded Suigetsu's mind, but Kimimaro soon released his hand, allowing him to breathe a sigh of relief.
"Let's go."
Kimimaro turned to leave.
Suigetsu's eyes darted around as he hatched another plan.
"Now's my chance! He thinks I've submitted and let his guard down. If I run to the stream and jump in, he won't be able to catch me!"
With that thought, Suigetsu bolted.
The stream was only ten meters away, and he was confident he could dive in before Kimimaro caught him.
However, Kimimaro noticed immediately.
Hearing the movement, he turned with a frown.
As Suigetsu neared the stream, joy filled his heart.
Looking back, he taunted, "Heh, you fool! I'm no one's lackey! See you never!"
He leaped into the air, aiming for the water.
But just then, Kimimaro whispered, "Binding Spell No. 1: Sai!"
Mid-air, Suigetsu suddenly felt an unseen force binding his arms and legs together.
His body twisted awkwardly, and he crashed into the water with a splash.
With his limbs bound, Suigetsu struggled desperately, fighting to break free.
He never thought he'd one day be at risk of drowning.
He thrashed as the binding slowly weakened.
After all, Kimimaro had only just learned the technique, so its effects weren't very strong.
It worked well in surprise attacks but wasn't enough to fully restrain Suigetsu yet.
Just as Suigetsu broke free, a white chain shot down from above the stream, wrapping around him tightly and yanking him out of the water.
"Cough, cough!"
Suigetsu gasped for air, realizing the chain that had saved him was a long spine.
A shiver ran through him.
Only someone from the Kaguya Clan, with their Shikotsumyaku ability, could pull off a move like that.
"Still want to run?"
Kimimaro's voice was icy.
Suigetsu forced a sheepish smile.
"Heh heh, actually, I was just feeling dirty and wanted to wash up before heading out with you, Boss. Clean start, right? Haha."
(End of Chapter)