Chapter 186: Bloodline Mecha Unit 01: Shikotsumyaku! The Finals Approach!
Hidden Sound Village.
Underground Factory, Mecha Division Area.
Hiss—
The heavy metal isolation doors slid slowly apart, revealing a deep, dark corridor. Motion-sensor lights flickered on one by one, driving away the darkness ahead.
Tayuya walked at the front, pouting impatiently. Behind her was a solemn Kimimaro. His pale face betrayed no excess emotion, his reborn body filled with strange power. Jirobo and Kidomaru followed on either side, their expressions holding a mix of subtle awe and excitement.
"We're here."
Tayuya stopped, gesturing to a much larger space ahead. It was a colossal hangar. A soaring domed ceiling, cold metal walls reflecting ghostly blue lights. The air was thick with the strange smell of machine oil and metal.
In the center of the hangar stood a behemoth, radiating a silent, crushing pressure. Its height nearly touched the ceiling.
"Bloodline Mecha Unit 01: Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse)."
Kidomaru's voice trembled with excitement. "The first masterpiece of the Hidden Sound's Mecha Special Forces Division, the crystallization of the Kaguya bloodline limit and Sound technology."
Jirobo added in his deep voice, "This thing is the 'trump card' prepared by the Mecha Division, built specifically for the first live combat test in the Konoha Crush Plan!"
Kimimaro's gaze fell calmly on the giant white creation before him. The mecha was not yet fully activated, standing silent. Its main structure presented a bizarre sense of fusion.
Bone-white bio-alloy skeleton, with irregular organic forms, as if an extension of a living creature. These exposed skeletal parts contrasted sharply with the modular external armor covering them. The metal armor had a mix of smooth and matte textures, its clear geometric segmentation showing precision design.
Vents, like breathing lung lobes, were distributed all over its body. Hydraulic lines, or perhaps energy conduits, were faintly visible in the gaps of the armor. Some exposed precision joint structures glinted with a metallic chill.
Particularly striking were key areas like the shoulders and elbows. The armor design seemed to deliberately leave room for the internal skeleton to extend. One could even see some decorative bone-spur structures interwoven with the cold mechanical parts, revealing a strange beauty.
"This is an epoch-making work," Tayuya huffed, a note of pride in her voice. "Don't look at it like it's just an ordinary puppet."
Kimimaro remained silent. His gaze moved slowly from the overall silhouette of the mecha to every detail.
Just then.
The hangar's PA system suddenly activated. A cold, emotionless synthesized voice spoke.
"Lord Kimimaro."
"This 'Shikotsumyaku' is the precious Unit 01 of our division."
"Its primary mission is to collect detailed combat data."
Kimimaro tilted his head slightly, his eyes never leaving the mecha.
"At that time, your other objective will be to pin down Shisui Uchiha's Susanoo."
"Ensure he cannot interfere with Lord Orochimaru's 'reunion' with the Third Hokage."
The voice paused, as if emphasizing the next part.
"It took our division a lot of effort to develop this first unit."
"We hope to avoid unnecessary damage."
"We still need it for subsequent analysis and improvement."
"Please do not let it become a pile of useless scrap metal in its first battle, Lord Kimimaro."
Kimimaro nodded slightly. Understood.
He stepped forward toward the giant white mecha. Every step was steady and firm. As if he wasn't walking toward a cold killing machine, but toward a part of his own destiny.
The entry to the cockpit was located beneath the chest armor. Unlike traditional ninja tools, this was filled with a sense of technology. The hatch slid open silently, the soft blue indicator lights inside glowing invitingly. A strange sense of enveloping suggested an unusual "chakra link" would be established between it and the pilot.
Kimimaro calmly entered the cockpit. The hatch closed slowly behind him.
Vmmm— More indicator lights lit up inside the cockpit.
Outside, the giant white mecha's eye sensors suddenly flashed with an eerie red light. Then, the machine emitted a low energy hum. Like a sleeping beast about to wake. White steam-like particles vented from the joints with a soft hiss.
After a moment of silence.
Clack— The mecha's heavy right arm slowly raised. The fingers, a combination of metal and bone, flexed, making a faint, tooth-aching grinding sound. Every movement seemed incredibly heavy, yet possessed a precision beyond imagination.
Then.
It took a slow, steady step forward.
BOOM.
The floor of the entire hangar vibrated slightly.
Inside the cockpit, Kimimaro felt the massive power originating from the mecha. He tried controlling it, performing a few basic joint movements. Each action displayed a sense of power far surpassing the human body, yet simultaneously possessed a relative agility disproportionate to its massive size.
This machine was an extension and amplification of his own Shikotsumyaku Kekkei Genkai. Bone and iron, in this moment, resonated in a low hum.
In the corner of the hangar. Jugo's tall figure stood quietly. His eyes were complex. There was genuine joy for his best friend's recovery and acquisition of such power. A pure happiness for a friend's rebirth.
But at the same time, as his gaze touched the giant weapon fusing bloodline and technology, an unconcealable envy surfaced.
"Don't rush, Jugo."
A voice sounded beside him. Sakon and Ukon had appeared next to him at some point. Sakon patted Jugo's broad shoulder.
"Your 'Sage Transformation Cells' are unique and precious material."
Ukon chimed in, wearing the same grin. "Your exclusive 'Sage Mecha' is also under accelerated development in the Mecha Division."
"Trust me, it will be another, even more terrifying 'monster'."
…
Meanwhile.
Konoha Village.
The setting sun bathed the entire village in a warm golden light. Starkly different from the oppressive, cold technological atmosphere of the Hidden Sound's underground factory. Here, the training grounds were open and full of life. The air smelled of sweat and earth.
In a corner of the training ground. Naruto Uzumaki was shirtless, sweat rolling down his skin. His hands were clasped together, his brow furrowed with unyielding focus.
"Wind Style: Rasengan!"
A high-speed spinning ball of chakra formed in his palm, emitting a piercing shriek. In his mind, the image of Neji Hyuga looking at him flashed.
In another secluded training ground. Neji Hyuga, dressed in white training clothes, was meticulously practicing Gentle Fist. His movements were precise and sharp. Every palm strike carried the sound of breaking air. Byakugan activated, veins bulging on his forehead, he clearly perceived everything around him.
A fire burned in his heart as well.
"Naruto Uzumaki—"
"The new generation Yellow Flash—"
Time flew. On the streets of Konoha, pedestrians walked as usual. Ninja went about their missions and training. The sweat shed on the training grounds never ceased. The paperwork in the Hokage's office seemed endless. The calendar on the wall was torn off page by page. Day and night alternated unknowingly in the sky.
The day of the Chunin Exams finals.
Was getting closer and closer.