While Subaru and Sirius clashed, Kimimaro silently observed the chakra flow within their bodies using both the Byakugan and his own Red Eye. The combination granted him an unparalleled level of perception.
"So this is the Peacock Method…" he mused. "The energy they're using is borrowed—foreign. It's not standard chakra but a blend, drawn from the meteorite's radiation to force their bodies to produce chakra. Without that external stimulus, their own chakra pathways would collapse under the strain."
Indeed, the Star Ninja had some advantages. Prolonged exposure to the radioactive meteorite had altered their physiology. Their tenketsu were wider, their chakra coils more durable, and their cellular activity was heightened—signs of extensive but dangerous adaptation.
"If given proper guidance," Kimimaro thought, "they could cultivate normal chakra. Not this pseudo-chakra warped by meteorite influence, but true, balanced chakra."
Karin sat nearby, arms crossed, watching Sirius and Subaru shape chakra into claws and energy beasts.
"So primitive," she muttered. "Isn't this just a flashy tug-of-war?"
Kimimaro chuckled silently. From a certain perspective, she wasn't wrong. At high levels, nearly all combat came down to overwhelming force—a clash of chakra natures and control.
"In the end," he reflected, "whether it's Wood Release, Susanoo, or Tailed Beast Bombs… it's all about who molds and channels chakra better. The Peacock Method just uses the meteorite as a shortcut."
Subaru faltered under Sirius's onslaught, bloodied and staggering. It was clear who would win.
Kimimaro sighed. Just as he was about to step in, Subaru was struck hard, flying backward—and straight toward them.
He smashed through the rocks in front of Kimimaro and Karin, exposing their position.
"How awkward," Kimimaro said with an ironic smile. He casually pinched his nose and raised a hand. "Hi there."
Sirius narrowed his eyes, shocked at the sudden appearance of two strangers. "Who are you?"
"That's not important. What is important is this—I heard you want to learn real ninjutsu. Come with me, and I'll teach you."
The gathered Star Ninjas stared in disbelief.
"Why should we believe you?" someone scoffed. "What kind of fool teaches ninjutsu for free?"
"Exactly," Kimimaro replied. "Only children believe free meals fall from the sky. Of course, there's a cost."
"So you're playing games with us?" Sirius snapped. Behind him, a large chakra beast in the shape of a wolf materialized—formed by the Peacock Method.
It charged.
But Kimimaro vanished in a flicker, reappearing in front of the wolf and striking it with a single open palm.
Gentle Fist.
The wolf dispersed instantly, its unstable chakra structure collapsing.
The crowd gasped.
Unlike most outsiders, Kimimaro had full access to the Hyūga clan's Gentle Fist techniques. Hanabi Hyūga, years ago, had personally taught him the basics. Her father, Hiashi, hadn't objected—seeing the value in sharing knowledge with a strong ally outside the village.
But without the Byakugan, Gentle Fist was limited. With it, Kimimaro saw every flaw, every disrupted chakra point.
The wolf had been riddled with weak spots.
Sirius paled and began to retreat, but Kimimaro raised a hand.
"Leaving already?"
A Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique exploded ahead of Sirius, halting him in his tracks. Before he could flee again, a gust of Wind Release yanked him backward, followed by Earth Release that rose and bound his limbs.
A rapid, seamless display of ninjutsu. The Star Ninjas were stunned.
"You saw that. I can use all five basic chakra natures. You want to learn? You can. But only if you become my subordinates."
Silence.
Then, murmurs of interest. Several who had previously followed Sirius looked uncertain now, tempted.
"But what do we have to pay?" a voice came from behind. Subaru—freshly healed by Karin's Mystical Palm Technique—stood up slowly. "And what do we gain?"
Kimimaro looked at him coolly.
"Loyalty is the price. Strength is the reward. Follow me, and I'll show you how to break free from dependence on a rock. You'll become real shinobi."
Subaru, however, remained calm. "Sir, your strength is undeniable—perhaps you could even make us stronger. But we Star Ninjas are not wandering rogues. We don't just follow anyone who promises power. If that were the case, we wouldn't have stood against the former acting Hoshikage."
"Oh? Then what is it you want?"
"I want to understand clearly—what exactly do you intend for us to do? If we agree to follow you, does that mean abandoning our village? Do we have to cast aside the name of Star Ninja? And…"
"Enough," Kimimaro cut him off, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. "You're quite perceptive. No wonder you've earned the respect of your peers at such a young age. You speak a lot, but I value independent thought. If you only submitted out of fear, I would look down on you."
He stepped forward slightly. "Subaru, if you want to know what I'll ask of you, then come with me. See it for yourself."
Then he glanced at the others. "As for the rest, I agree—select a few to visit my territory and witness it firsthand. You don't have to abandon your name. But from now on, you'll publicly say the Star Ninjas have been reborn."
"You mean… you want to rebuild Hoshigakure?" Subaru asked. "You want to become our new Hoshikage?"
Kimimaro shook his head. "The title of Hoshikage holds no meaning for me. But if using it helps you, I won't refuse. You're worried about rogue ninja from the Land of Birds causing trouble, right? I can solve that. Consider it a transaction. In return, all I ask is that if anyone inquires, you tell them your protector is a new Hoshikage—one who rarely reveals himself. Understood?"
Subaru looked around at his comrades, then nodded. "That's acceptable."
He understood well—Star Village had lost its meteorite, the very source of their power. If they didn't adapt, they'd fade into irrelevance. Kimimaro wasn't forcing anything; he was offering a deal—protection in exchange for nominal allegiance. It was worth accepting.
Kimimaro, of course, had a deeper plan. These were only some of the village's younger generation, but gaining their loyalty was the first step toward bringing the entire village under his control.
Suddenly, Sirius stepped forward. "Sir, I'm willing to submit. Please take me in—I'll do anything, as long as you teach me powerful jutsu!"
Kimimaro didn't even look at him. "There's nothing wrong with seeking power. But I don't need someone like you—someone who would murder former comrades over a disagreement. Subaru, kill him."
Subaru's eyes widened. "Kill him…?"
"That's right," Kimimaro said coldly. "Someone like him is a threat to everything you're trying to rebuild. When he tried to kill Hokuto—and you—did he consider that you were comrades once? Hokuto only spoke out, she didn't harm him. I'm giving you all a choice: execute him, or let him go. Your decision will determine how I view all of you going forward."
It was never about Sirius's life. Kimimaro wasn't afraid of vengeance, nor did he care if Sirius died. But this was about something else—establishing dominance. Making it clear that betrayal had consequences, and that loyalty had weight.
Even if the Star Ninjas only saw this as a transaction now, Kimimaro wanted to shape their mindset from the very beginning: to make them understand that obedience wasn't optional—and naivety had no place in the world they were stepping into.
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