i am kimimaro

"Kimimaro, don't be discouraged. I promise you, I will never let you die, definitely not!"

Seeing him silent, Tsunade thought he was in despair, and quickly expressed her determination.

Kimimaro came back to his senses and showed a gentle smile that only appeared in front of Tsunade.

"Tsunade-senpai, I believe you."

"Brat, don't always have that expression. It makes me feel like my comfort is unnecessary."

Although she said that, Tsunade's expression obviously looked much better.

Pikachu jumped onto Kimimaro's shoulder, rubbing its cheek against his face, the worry on its face disappearing, replaced by a silly smile.

"Pika!"

"Little guy, I'm sorry for making you worry."

"Pika! Pika!"

Kimimaro rubbed Pikachu's head and held it in his arms.

"Kimimaro, you should rest well for the next two days, and when you're fully rested, we'll start the next step of research."

"Okay, Tsunade-senpai."

The three of them chatted for a while, and then Tsunade and Shizune left, leaving Kimimaro alone in the room.

Looking at the closed door, his expression showed a hint of reluctance.

"Two years have passed, it's time for me to leave this place."

Knowing the true cause of his illness, he had already thought of a solution.

This solution didn't lie with Tsunade, but with the Byakugan.

Transplanting the Byakugan!

Completing his missing genes was the only way to control the increasingly powerful Shikotsumyaku within him.

This was currently the most likely solution.

If the Hyuga clan's Byakugan still didn't work, Kimimaro would also consider the Sharingan.

If that didn't work either, he could only plan for Kaguya Otsutsuki's Byakugan.

These three methods were increasingly difficult, and he could only start preparing from the easiest one.

Byakugan, Hyuga, Konoha!

A complete plan quickly formed in Kimimaro's mind.

Sound Ninja, Sand Hidden, Orochimaru, Konoha Crush Plan!

This was the best opportunity.

The plan to seize the Byakugan from the Hyuga clan was formed, and the rest was the treatment method.

Kimimaro's current medical skills were not much inferior to Tsunade's, so formulating a treatment method to complete his genes was not difficult.

But if he directly transplanted the Byakugan from the Hyuga clan onto himself, it might not be 100% compatible.

On the one hand, there might be rejection reactions, and on the other hand, there might be problems with the fusion taking too long.

If it was like Madara, who only completed gene fusion and awakened the Rinnegan decades after transplanting Hashirama's cells, Kimimaro's body would have already rotted away.

So, he needed to come up with a suitable method.

Simple transplantation might not achieve the results he wanted.

This was the key issue Kimimaro needed to think about next.

And he couldn't tell Tsunade about these thoughts.

If Tsunade knew he was targeting the Hyuga clan, she might not be willing to help him, and might even stop him.

Kimimaro didn't want to gamble, and he didn't want to fall out with Tsunade.

After two years of getting along, he also had a sisterly and teacher-like affection for Tsunade.

Unless absolutely necessary, he didn't want to destroy this bond.

He could complete the rest on his own.

Leaving was inevitable.

When he left the Sound Village, Kimimaro had also promised Orochimaru that he would return within two years at most.

Now, the time was almost up.

Everything was just right.

Three days later.

"You're leaving?"

Seeing Kimimaro proposing to leave, Tsunade and Shizune were both a bit surprised.

"Tsunade-senpai, Shizune-nee, there's something I need to do, and I must do it. After I complete this, I will definitely come back to find you."

"What is it that's so important? You have to go?" 

Tsunade frowned, her bright brown eyes fixed on Kimimaro.

"I'm sorry, Tsunade-senpai, but I can't tell you about this matter." Kimimaro's face showed a hint of guilt.

"Kimimaro, your health is getting worse. If you leave Tsunade-sama's side and have an attack, it will be very dangerous. Whatever you need to do, we can go with you. That way, we can look after you on the road." Shizune said anxiously.

"I want to do this alone."

"You! How can you be so stubborn!" Even the usually good-tempered Shizune was a bit angry.

Tsunade sighed. "Alright, how long do you need to be gone?"

"Three months."

"Okay, you can go."

"Tsunade-sama! This is too dangerous!"

"Shizune, Kimimaro has his own ideas, we can't restrict him."

"Thank you for understanding, Tsunade-senpai." Kimimaro bowed deeply to Tsunade, expressing his apology.

"Kimimaro, I won't stop you from leaving. But after three months, you must come back to me safe and sound. Otherwise, I won't let you off easy." Tsunade showed a hint of a smile.

"Of course. Tsunade-senpai, you know I cherish my life."

"Hahaha." Tsunade laughed loudly, then said, "When are you leaving?"

"Tomorrow morning."

"So soon?"

"The sooner I go, the sooner I return."

"Alright."

The next morning, Tsunade and Shizune saw Kimimaro off at the edge of town.

"Kimimaro, be careful on your journey. I know you're very strong, but take this for self-defense, it will be safer. Maybe one day it will come in handy." Shizune handed Kimimaro a strange object that looked like a wrist guard.

The object had five launchers, each connected by a string. There were also five senbon on the launchers.

"What is this?" Kimimaro took it, a bit surprised.

"This is a ninja tool I made myself, called the Needle Bullet." Shizune said, pulling up the sleeve of her left arm, revealing an identical device.

"Pull the string, and when you release it, the senbon on top will shoot out. It's very fast." Shizune said, pulling one of the strings. Upon release, the senbon immediately shot out!

Whoosh!

The senbon embedded itself in a tree five meters away at an incredible speed.

"Such speed, such amazing power." Kimimaro exclaimed in admiration.

"The senbon is coated with a potent poison. Even a Kage-level shinobi would be affected by this toxin. There are five senbon in total. Pull as many strings as you want to release the corresponding number of senbon. You can retrieve them after use.

This kind of thing is suitable for sneak attacks. It's also suitable for turning the tide of a battle when your chakra is depleted. You're so smart, you can figure out how to use it. This is the antidote, keep it safe. Don't accidentally hurt yourself." Shizune took out another bottle of medicine and handed it to Kimimaro.

"Thank you, Shizune-nee." Kimimaro took it and expressed his gratitude.

If used properly, this thing could really turn the tide of a battle. Shizune's poison skills were definitely among the best in the ninja world, there was no doubt about that.

"Don't be so polite with me. Your safe return is more important than anything."

Looking at the smile on Shizune's face, Kimimaro's heart warmed.

It was so good to be here.

"Put it on and let me see if it fits."

"Okay."

Kimimaro attached the Needle Bullet to his left arm, and Shizune showed a satisfied smile again.

"It seems to fit well."

"Shizune-nee's hands are really skillful."

"You're such a smooth talker." Shizune patted his head gently.

"Shizune gave you a gift, so it wouldn't be right if I didn't give you anything." Tsunade said, taking out a scroll from her bosom and handing it to Kimimaro.

Looking at her smooth movements, it was obvious she had prepared it beforehand, yet she still acted reluctant.

What a tsundere.

"Destroy the scroll after reading it. Don't teach it to anyone else without my permission, understand?"

Hearing Tsunade say this, Kimimaro opened the scroll curiously.

"This is... the Strength of a Hundred Seal?"

(End of Chapter)