"What should I do?"
"The host's Kekkei Genkai abilities are evolving. When quantity turns into quality, your power will reach a completely new level. If you continue to cultivate, you'll eventually attain power comparable to that of the Sage of Six Paths—or perhaps even beyond. However, acquiring a true Six Paths Sage Body would provide a solid foundation to amplify your strength further."
"Then it's decided. Gaining the Six Paths Sage Body will be my next goal."
While Kimimaro was conversing with the system, the Nine-Tails' chakra within Sora was slowly absorbed. The tailed beast's violent aura receded as Sora's breathing steadied and he collapsed, unconscious.
Fubo looked on curiously and touched her lips, "My lord… You weren't affected by the Nine-Tails' chakra at all?"
"I have my own method," Kimimaro replied calmly.
He placed a hand on Sora's chest, injecting chakra to rouse him.
"Did I lose control again?"
"Don't worry. It won't happen again. I've already drawn out the residual Nine-Tails chakra sealed in your hand."
Sora glanced at his right hand. It indeed felt different—lighter, calmer. The malevolent force was gone.
"Thank you!"
Kimimaro extended his hand. "Let's go. No matter what your father did in the past, you need to hear the truth from him yourself."
Sora nodded seriously. "Alright. I'll go with you."
After regrouping with Suigetsu and Ranmaru, Kimimaro led his companions north.
"Where to now?" Suigetsu asked.
"The Land of Waterfalls."
"Oh? Going to meet that wild beauty again?" Suigetsu grinned, remembering the green-haired girl from their last stop in that region.
"Wild beauty?" Kimimaro's eyes narrowed. "You're not thinking anything indecent, are you?"
"Relax, I'm not you. You're always surrounded by women. But that Fū girl is something else, you've gotta admit."
"She's a Jinchūriki. Getting on her bad side could get you killed."
"Tch, I just said she was interesting—not that I'd try anything."
Kimimaro smirked faintly. He hadn't seen Fū in some time, but she had left an impression. Lively and straightforward, she had helped him back when he first awakened his Mokuton abilities. Though she wasn't fully synchronized with Chōmei, her compatibility had improved noticeably.
It helped that Chōmei, the Seven-Tails, was more docile than the Nine-Tails—Naruto's struggle had been far greater by comparison.
Despite Fū's status, Kimimaro didn't see her as a target to subjugate or romance. She was a friend—someone he respected. To thank her for her help, he had previously synthesized an Uzumaki bloodline gene agent for her—one that enhanced vitality and improved Jinchūriki compatibility.
Now, his reason for visiting was simple: to collect Seven-Tails chakra—either through blood or a chakra sample—before the Akatsuki could move.
Fū was elated to see Kimimaro again. She buzzed around, collecting food and cooking a large feast for them.
The Hidden Waterfall Village was an unusual shinobi settlement. In Kimimaro's past life, he had seen an old OVA that depicted it as weak, centered around a sacred Hero Water. But in this world, the Hidden Waterfall had once been powerful. It even produced the S-rank rogue shinobi Kakuzu, who mastered the forbidden jutsu Earth Grudge Fear.
In this reality, it made perfect sense: Kakuzu had used Earth Grudge Fear to steal the hearts—and thus power—of the village's elders, leading to the fragmentation of their leadership.
The village had no Kage and no true central authority. Ninja operated in independent clans scattered across the region, only cooperating during national emergencies. This allowed Fū, the village's Jinchūriki, far more freedom than other hosts typically had.
"You better stay at my place for a few days this time!" Fū insisted.
Her bright smile was infectious. As a Jinchūriki, she had few friends, and Kimimaro's visit clearly meant a lot to her.
Kimimaro didn't mind. She was easy to get along with and didn't complicate things. He wasn't interested romantically, and he was glad to let Suigetsu—or anyone else—pursue their own paths.
"Fū, I need a bit of your chakra. Blood will do too."
"Sure!"
"You're not even going to ask why?"
"We're friends, aren't we? Besides, you helped me last time. I've gotten stronger and more in sync with Chōmei thanks to that agent you gave me. I should be the one saying thanks."
Kimimaro smiled. Friends like this were rare.
But deep down, he felt a twinge of urgency. He couldn't let Fū die.
The Uzumaki gene therapy had only been a precaution. The best option would be to prevent her capture altogether. He vaguely remembered reading in his previous life that Fū had been killed by Kakuzu and Hidan, but the details were unclear.
This time, he would not allow it. He silently vowed to keep her safe—and that meant closely monitoring Akatsuki activity in the Land of Waterfalls from now on.
After successfully obtaining the Seven-Tails' chakra, Kimimaro and the others lingered in Fū's village for two more days before bidding farewell to the reluctant Jinchūriki.
"Suigetsu, did you seal the deal?" Kimimaro asked with a smirk as they resumed their journey. "I saw the two of you sneaking off together."
"No way!" Suigetsu actually blushed, uncharacteristically flustered. "It's not like that! We just held hands, that's all!"
Kimimaro raised an eyebrow, amused. "Didn't expect you to be so innocent."
Suigetsu's pace quickened to avoid further teasing. On the way to the village, he'd only half-joked about Fū being cute—but in just two days, he'd actually made a move. Fū, naive about romance due to her isolated upbringing and status as a Jinchūriki, didn't fully understand the dynamics between men and women. But Suigetsu's attention flattered her, and their brief but sincere connection led them to exchange shy glances—and hands.
As they parted ways, Kimimaro handed Suigetsu a critical task.
"You'll stay behind and keep watch," he said. "The Akatsuki will start moving to capture the Tailed Beasts soon. We may not be able to stop them, but we can protect our allies. Don't let them get to Fū."
Suigetsu's expression turned serious. "Got it. I'll handle it. You can count on me."
Though often flippant, Suigetsu had a sharp mind—especially in intelligence work, where he'd already been managing field reconnaissance and surveillance. This assignment, however, carried more weight.
Kimimaro gave him a warning glance. "And don't abuse your position."
Suigetsu grinned. "Heh. No promises—but I'll behave."
As Kimimaro traveled on, he began planning for the inevitable confrontation with Akatsuki. He couldn't afford to treat them as a monolith—they had to be approached individually.
Sasori of the Red Sand was already an enemy. Kimimaro had once admired his craftsmanship, but admiration wouldn't stay his hand.
Deidara, however, had potential. Though impulsive and obsessed with art, he wasn't ideologically bound to Akatsuki's greater cause. If handled correctly, Deidara might be turned—or at least convinced to stay out of Kimimaro's way.
If Kakuzu or Hidan came for Fū, they'd have to be eliminated immediately. Hidan's immortality made him particularly dangerous, but not invincible—sealing or containment would be necessary.
Kisame Hoshigaki was a wild card. His sword, Samehada, was a valuable asset—perhaps even obtainable—but subduing Kisame himself would require precise timing and leverage.
Uchiha Itachi was off-limits. His goals were too deeply personal, and he operated under a hidden agenda tied to Konoha. Kimimaro saw no point in approaching him—Itachi's fate was sealed by illness and his own resolve.
Obito, masquerading as Madara, along with Zetsu, were out of reach. They moved in the shadows and were too deeply entrenched in their plans. Kimimaro saw no benefit in exposing "Madara's" identity prematurely—Obito's delusions served a useful purpose, at least for now.
That left Nagato and Konan.
Kimimaro had yet to decide what to do about them.
Nagato possessed the Rinnegan and led Akatsuki under the guise of "Pain." His ideology was extreme, but not inherently evil. If anyone within Akatsuki could be reasoned with—or made to doubt—perhaps it was him. And where Nagato went, Konan would follow.
But all of that was a problem for another day.
For now, Kimimaro walked onward, mind sharp, spine straight, eyes on the storm that was coming.
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