Capítulo 108: Kimimaro
As Arthur maneuvered through the hallways, he felt the tension build within him. The air here was thick, laced with malevolence. How anyone could thrive in this melancholy atmosphere was ridiculous.
The faint sounds of medical machinery could be heard, indicating he was close to his destination.
He stayed alert, ever aware of the countless traps and defenses that could spring forth at any moment, waiting for an intruder to falter.
Finally, he reached the hospital area—a cold clinical space filled with the scent of antiseptics. In one of the rooms, he recognized a flickering white candle beneath a mountain of ash.
It was unmistakable. This was him: Kimimaro, who laid on a stretcher.
A tube was inserted into his mouth to assist his breathing. The sight was exactly as Arthur remembered: a pale adolescence who seemed to have no more purpose in this world.
From the doorway, he watched Kimimaro's still figure against the white sheets. The boy's breath was weak, but even in slumber, the power that emanated from him was palpable.
Arthur carefully moved closer, curving around the edge of the bed. He analyzed Kimimaro closely. Time felt suspended as he stood there, weighing the potential that lay before him.
Although this young man was sick and his time was near, Arthur knew of the right means to cure his illness.
While the Naruto world lacks modern medical advancements, Arthur, with his knowledge of real-world medicine, knew how to intervene. His understanding of anatomy, coupled with his access to medical resources, might allow him to devise a treatment or even a cure for Kimimaro's illness.
However, it's important to note that the Naruto world operates on its own unique rules and limitations. While Arthur's knowledge could be beneficial, it's uncertain whether the resources and technology available here would be sufficient to implement a successful treatment.
If Arthur could cure the lad, would it be possible to persuade him to join his side? No, not even close.
This character's devotion to Orochimaru was too tenuous; he had given everything to the snake. So much so that Arthur's Evil Illusion Flattery technique wouldn't work.
Regardless, now was not the time for diagnosing this character.
Arthur's heart remained steady as he considered the delicate task ahead. The mere thought of operating on Kimimaro, even in this state of unconsciousness, was extremely dangerous.
Especially considering that he was in the heart of arguably one of the top ten strongest characters in this world's lair. Yet wielding Kimimaro's Kekkei Genkai wasn't something to pass up on.
Anyone who'd seen what the Macabre Bone Pulse could do in battle would understand the sheer force that could offer anyone unparalleled combat potential.
To think Orochimaru had an opportunity to hone such a technique. So many prisoners, so many ninjas in his hand, and yet the snake hardly had any good Kekkei Genkai to tip fights in his favour.
As for why he hadn't taken Kimimaro's body prior to choosing Sasuke, it was because Kimimaro was a fragile vessel, one that was too sick for Orochimaru to use anymore.
Now Arthur desired to make Kimimaro his own.
He glanced fleetingly at the doorway, ensuring that no one was watching. Not a single footstep could be heard for some distances.
He formed a complex genjutsu that enveloped the room in an illusion. The genjutsu would not only keep Kimimaro asleep but also shroud Arthur's actions from any prying eyes.
With the immediate threat of discovery averted, he solidified himself and reached into his bag, producing a small scalpel.
In one swift motion, he scraped a substantial piece of flesh from Kimimaro's arm. The blood that welled did not make him panic whatsoever; he quickly sealed the flesh inside a scroll that was designed for safe transport and preservation.
'Healing jutsu…'
He pressed his palm against the wound, injecting chakra into the area to heal it. Arthur could see the deteriorating blood cells.
It's no wonder medical ninjas like Kabuto couldn't cure his illness. It was not something things like the average chakra could heal.
In moments, the skin knit back together, seamless and unmarred. There was no trace of Arthur's violation left behind, merely the stillness of Kimimaro's sleeping form.
Arthur relaxed as he glanced once more down the hallway with his Tamashii.
This was only the first step, so he stored the scroll, knowing full well he would need more than just Kimimaro's genetic material to carry out his ambitions. Once satisfied with his work, he carefully exited the room, gliding through the hospital's interconnected.
Each room was a potential hazard. It was like Orochimaru's fortress seemed to be waiting for the moment he would slip.
He navigated through the shadows, his eyes alighting on various spots that would serve as ideal locations for his flying raijin marks. This was where his ingenuity would become critical; he needed to ensure that these marks were placed discreetly, hidden within the structure of the walls and the corners of the ceiling.
The aim was to have a presence in the hideout, granting him a tactical advantage should things go awry one day. Because by keeping track of the Sound Village, he could make better plans against the other players.
As he moved through the corridors, he began to lay down the marks in strategic positions: behind a row of medicine cabinets, nestled between the second and third floors' supporting beams, and within the hidden recesses of the stairwell.
Each placement came with its own assessment, evaluating both visibility and the potential for quick escape or assault.
If alarms were triggered or if any typical guard were to see them, he would already be prepared for an exit strategy. But the chances of that happening were seldom low.
With each mark he placed, he enhanced his growing network of awareness within the hideout. He confirmed each of them by feeling out the faintest tremours of movement within the building.
One mark was placed beneath a sink in the mess hall, another hidden behind the wall of the patients' ward where hospital supplies were kept.
It almost felt like laying down the foundation for a greater web that would eventually ensnare Orochimaru himself. But it wasn't perfect considering no marks were placed where Orochimaru himself was located.
That was mainly due to them being methodical yet rushed.
Arthur could not afford to linger too long in any one place. He had already escaped Kabuto's watch numerous times; there was no way he could risk a slip now.
With the final mark placed behind a set of rusted air ducts, he deemed his mission was nearly complete.
Soon, he would potentially be armed not only with Kimimaro's physical essence but also with the ability to monitor Orochimaru's every move.
Satisfied with the work, Arthur retraced his steps back to the hospital room, ensuring there were no signs of failure from his covert procedure.
Perhaps where the marks were placed weren't perfect, but what he had done to Kimimaro had to be flawless. One sign, one little hint that Kimimaro's body had been tampered with, and a medical ninja like Kabuto would not brush it off as a mere coincidence.
'Wait,' Arthur thought to himself, furrowing his brows. 'If I'm able to cure this illness, who's to say one of the other players can't either?'
A plausible thing to ask, considering that these were Naruto fans. Many of them liked Kimimaro and felt as if he could be redeemed. Surely one of those individuals would try to "save" Kimimaro if they had the chance.
Arthur dismissed that possibility and left the hospital area. What he had on him now was already more than enough.
As he made his way toward the exit of the hideout, he could feel all his flying raijin marks he had placed. Each one was like looking through a camera lens, which tethered him to the hideout even as he prepared to depart.
And so long as he didn't activate them, their chakra could never be sensed.
Back in the Water Country.
In his hotel, he contemplated the possibilities of everything he could envision.
He spread the scroll before him, momentarily fixating on the chunk of flesh that represented a key to untold power. However, his excitement was tempered by the knowledge of what it would take to wield such power effectively.
Kimimaro's cells were unpredictable and volatile; he could not take the risk of experimenting with them until his laboratory was properly constructed. Plus, he needed enough time to understand what he was dealing with.
While Arthur was quite ambitious, he was by no means one to take risks without consideration.
What he needed was expertise, tools, and a place where he could wield both skill and caution. Until then, the cells would remain untouched—there was no hurry, after all.
He took out more scrolls containing cells and a lot of his tools he'd acquired since arriving in this world and placed them on his bedside.
After setting down dozens of scrolls and items, he paced the expansive room.
In Arthur's possession lies a formidable collection of weaponry and the essence of elite warriors. It was a sight incomprehensible that would leave even the most legendary of ninjas, like Hashirama, speechless.
All of his items were safeguarded within scrolls. And because his charka was linked to every one of them, he knew exactly which items were inside which scroll.
At the forefront is his latest tool, the Thunder Sword, a weapon he acquired after defeating Team 7. This weapon could be modified if he understood where its lightning chakra properties came from.
Then there are the Boltswords, a weapon quite similar to the Thunder Sword but with a completely different usage style.
Arthur understood the value of lightning attacks, to which he hadn't learned any lightning techniques personally. Lightning, in this world, was sharp enough to carve through a Tailed Beast. While he did have the Boltswords, they were damaged.
They proved their worth in the fight against the Jinchūriki, Utakata.
Arthur was by no means going to discard such a deadly weapon. He worked too in obtaining them, and they were still potent. Its provision for remote control offered strategic flexibility to engage enemies from a distance and could easily be paired alongside his other weapons.
Despite its broken state, with some ingenuity, he might find a way to repair it or even use the concept of remote control to manipulate nearby electrical fields for sabotage.
Next came the Executioner's Blade. There wasn't much to this weapon outside of its regular abilities. However, in Arthur's possession, he's able to execute swift, sweeping attacks capable of disorienting opponents while dealing critical damage.
He also possesses the Blunt Blade, optimal for non-lethal engagements yet often underestimated, serving as a tool to incapacitate foes. Alongside that was his Explosive Blade. With its explosion-style technique, it always has potential for mass destruction, transforming a swift cut into detonations.
Just having one of those aforementioned swords invites chaos into any battle. Not because they were deadly to use, but because they were in the one man who knew how to use them more effectively than any of their previous owners: Arthur Bennett.
Among his specialty weapons is the Long Blade.
That sword was perhaps his ideal choice to use due to the Massacre Method Formation and the Stitching Spider technique. Its multifaceted convention allowed for versatility in combat, chaining attacks with mercilessness.
In addition, the Twin Blades (Hiramekarei) are also very useful. Because it can transform its shape using chakra, dismembering enemies often makes the fight too easy.
If having such an armament of tools wasn't enough, he also had four out of the five Treasured Tools from Hagoromo!
Take away his arsenal, and he still had budding resources: Zabuza's cells, Kimimaro's cells, and Haku's body—stored elsewhere—represent the potential for genetic manipulation or resurrection.
Finally, there was the one weapon that greedy men always fell prey to: money.
Arthur was quite affluent in both knowledge and riches. But he did desire being rich. Money was a tool to be used, not one to be horded.
'It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God,' he recited from the bible (Mathew 19:24).
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