บท 106: Ch.106 A Different Sage Body
Neji was still in a daze on the ground.
It wasn't that he couldn't accept defeat—he had already prepared himself for the possibility of losing to Uchiha Shinji. But the way he lost was what he couldn't accept.
Taijutsu was his pride and joy!
Losing to ninjutsu, tools, or even genjutsu would be something he could face with equanimity. But to lose in taijutsu—it was a blow he struggled to digest.
At this moment, Rock Lee and Tenten rushed over to help Neji up and offered quiet words of comfort.
But Neji just stared blankly at Shinji's back as he left the field.
...
From afar.
Sasuke had a grim expression, surprised at what he had witnessed. "I thought that guy had been slacking off, always spending time with the medical-nin team... I didn't expect this."
Like Neji, Sasuke had been keeping an eye on Shinji in secret.
Seeing Shinji visiting the medical unit so often, Sasuke had assumed that Shinji's progress in training would be slower. He hadn't expected Shinji to defeat Neji so easily.
Sakura sidled up to Sasuke. "Sasuke, we're not in trouble, are we?"
Naruto clenched his fists. "Sakura, you'll see! I'll show you what I've got!"
Sakura rolled her eyes. "It'd be a miracle if you didn't drag Sasuke down!"
Sasuke smirked slightly. "Don't worry. Neji probably just got lazy recently, which is why he lost so badly. I'm not like him!"
At that moment, Iruka's voice boomed, "Next match! Sasuke's team versus Kimimaro's team!"
As soon as Iruka made the announcement, everyone's attention shifted from Shinji to Sasuke.
Feeling the eyes of the crowd on him, Sasuke smiled faintly, motioning for Naruto and Sakura to join him as he strode confidently toward the center of the field.
"Haha, it's my turn!" Naruto rolled up his sleeves and dashed onto the field.
As someone who had been shunned and avoided by everyone, Naruto had always longed for moments like these, where he could prove himself.
Sakura followed nervously, taking small steps. The thought of facing the cold and aloof Kimimaro made her anxious.
On the opposite side, Kimimaro led his team—Shion and Kurama Yakumo—onto the field.
Shion asked boldly, "Kimimaro, what's our strategy?"
"Strategy?" Kimimaro paused and shook his head. "We don't need one."
"Huh?" Shion was puzzled. "Then what are we supposed to do?"
"It doesn't matter what you do."
With that, Kimimaro began walking toward Sasuke.
Shion stamped her foot in frustration. "Hey, we're supposed to be a team!"
Kurama Yakumo rubbed her forehead. "I knew this would happen."
Seeing Kimimaro approaching, Sasuke stepped forward to meet him.
As he walked, he activated his Sharingan. "Kimimaro, I'll make you pay for the humiliation you've caused me. Today, you'll see that under my Sharingan, you're nothing!"
...
Up in the academy building.
The Third Hokage and the village elders all focused their attention on Sasuke and Kimimaro.
While the match between Shinji and Neji had been impressive, to the high-ranking decision-makers of the village, it was just a minor spectacle.
What they truly cared about was Sasuke, and more specifically, the pair of Sharingan in his eyes.
That's why, despite Shinji's remarkable performance, their attention was fixed on Sasuke. They weren't concerned with the current outcome of the match but rather with each participant's future potential.
Sasuke had awakened his Sharingan at the age of seven, and it was already double tomoe.
Coupled with the fact that he had potentially subdued the Nine-Tails, Sasuke's future was bright—potentially as great as Shisui's, if not more.
In contrast, even though Shinji had stood out at the academy, without unlocking the Sharingan, his future accomplishments would be limited.
Koharu Utatane suddenly grew curious. "Who do you think will win between these two?"
Danzo replied, "Sasuke has had enough time to adapt to Kimimaro's taijutsu. His chances of winning aren't bad this time."
Homura Mitokado smiled. "Don't forget, Kimimaro comes from a noble clan as well."
Danzo retorted coolly, "If Sasuke still can't defeat Kimimaro, it just means the academy's environment isn't suitable for his growth. He needs more intensive training."
Hearing the implications in Danzo's words, both Koharu and Homura fell silent.
The Third Hokage glanced at Danzo warily.
It was clear that Danzo still hadn't given up on the idea of taking Sasuke for himself.
...
On the field.
Swoosh!
Kimimaro made the first move, using his Body Flicker Technique to close in on Sasuke.
In the past, Sasuke would've been caught off guard, but after enduring so many beatings from Kimimaro, he had gradually learned to handle Kimimaro's style. While he still couldn't match Kimimaro's speed, his Sharingan allowed him to keep up, barely managing to counter Kimimaro's attacks.
Soon, the two became locked in a fierce exchange of blows.
They moved faster and faster, their techniques dazzling. Even the onlookers on the field—Naruto, Sakura, Shion, and Yakumo—were stunned into silence, becoming spectators themselves.
"I see it! I can see it all!" Sasuke grew more and more excited as the fight went on.
He realized that with every passing day, his Sharingan's perception was improving. He could now faintly catch Kimimaro's movements.
Thud.
With a solid impact, both fighters were forced to retreat.
Sasuke smirked. "You've noticed it too, haven't you? Your movements—my Sharingan sees right through them!"
Kimimaro, aware of the truth in Sasuke's words, focused on Sasuke's eyes, thinking, "No wonder even Orochimaru covets those eyes!"
Sasuke began forming hand seals as he lifted his arms. "Kimimaro, you should be proud to be a stepping stone on my path of revenge!"
Kimimaro said nothing.
He couldn't understand why Sasuke was so pleased with himself. He hadn't even used his full strength yet.
...
From a distance.
Haku sighed. "Sasuke's progress is remarkable. In less than a month, he's already adjusted to Kimimaro's speed."
Karin asked curiously, "Will Sasuke win?"
"I'm not sure," Haku replied with a shake of his head. Turning to Shinji, he asked, "Shinji, what do you think? Can Sasuke win this time?"
Shinji simply smiled without answering.
He knew just how strong Kimimaro was.
In the original timeline, while Sasuke and Naruto were training for the Chunin Exams, Kimimaro had already been involved in the assassination of the Fourth Kazekage.
The Sound Four, who had defeated special Jonin Genma and Raido and nearly killed Neji, Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba, were as meek as kittens in front of Kimimaro.
Sasuke had indeed caught up with Kimimaro's rhythm.
But Sasuke had pushed his Sharingan to its limit, while Kimimaro had yet to unleash his full strength.
And don't forget—Kimimaro possessed his own Bloodline Limit.
The fight on the field resumed, more intense than before.
Sasuke started with a Fire Release jutsu, using the flames as cover to launch a volley of kunai, each one attached to a steel wire.
The differing speeds of the kunai caused them to collide midair, changing their trajectory. The steel wires wove together into a net that descended upon Kimimaro, whose vision was obscured by the flames.
This maneuver left the surrounding students speechless.
The precision, the technique, the foresight—it wasn't something just anyone could pull off. Only someone with a dojutsu Bloodline Limit could perform such a move.
...
Up in the academy building.
Watching this, Koharu and Homura were visibly impressed.
To them, such mastery of ninja tools was far beyond what a seven-year-old should be capable of.
Even Danzo, usually expressionless, showed a hint of surprise. "Another Uchiha prodigy like Itachi."
The Third Hokage pondered in silence.
...
On the field.
Neji, who had witnessed Sasuke's tactics, glanced toward Shinji instinctively.
Sasuke's maneuver had mirrored the one Shinji had used during their encounter in the Forest of Death, when Shinji set a trap for the mysterious enemy.
"This guy..." Shinji chuckled to himself.
No doubt, Sasuke had been copying him, practicing in secret until he was confident enough to use it against Kimimaro.
But Shinji had to admit, Sasuke's ability to imitate was impressive.
Shinji had managed the maneuver by relying on the "Thread Manipulation Technique" he had obtained as spoils from Rui, the Spider Demon. Sasuke had learned it through pure observation and practice.
Just as everyone marveled at Sasuke's technique, Kimimaro ignored the steel wire net above him. Using the Body Flicker Technique again, he charged directly through the incoming fire jutsu, heading straight for Sasuke.
Swoosh!
In the blink of an eye, Kimimaro, his arms shielding his head, burst through the flames and appeared in front of Sasuke.
Still basking in his success, Sasuke was caught completely off guard by Kimimaro's direct approach.
Before he could even react, Kimimaro landed a knee strike to Sasuke's chest, then grabbed him by the throat, lifting him off the ground.
Sasuke struggled, trying to pry Kimimaro's hand off his neck, but no matter how hard he tried, Kimimaro's grip was unyielding, like an iron vice.
"What...!?"
"What just happened?"
"Did Kimimaro just run through Sasuke's Fire Release?"
Seconds later, the spectators finally processed what had occurred and gasped in amazement.
Kimimaro's clothes were indeed singed from the flames, but his body appeared unscathed. No blood, no visible injuries.
Even Sasuke, choking from the lack of oxygen, couldn't understand what had happened.
He could see that Kimimaro's clothes were badly burned, yet there wasn't a single wound on his body—not even a scar.
"Why...?"
Dizziness from lack of air clouded Sasuke's thoughts, and he weakly pounded on Kimimaro's arm.
Sakura was frozen in shock, covering her mouth, unable to move.
Naruto, regaining his senses, rushed at Kimimaro, yelling.
Without even turning, Kimimaro kicked Naruto away, sending him tumbling out of bounds.
Afterward, Kimimaro glanced at Sasuke for a moment before tossing him out of the ring as well, bored.
Seeing both Naruto and Sasuke eliminated, Sakura surrendered on the spot without waiting for Kimimaro to make a move.
Iruka, with a complicated expression, declared, "Kimimaro's team wins this round!"
Sasuke lay on the ground, gasping for air, his face filled with frustration. Even now, he couldn't understand how Kimimaro had withstood his Fire Release. Although he hadn't put much chakra into the jutsu, anyone caught in the flames should've been scorched.
At that moment, Sakura stepped over Naruto and helped Sasuke up. "Are you okay?"
With a dark expression, Sasuke shook his head.
Physically, he wasn't hurt. But losing in such a manner left him feeling deeply dissatisfied.
On the other side of the field, Shion and Kurama Yakumo gathered around Kimimaro, scolding him in unison. "Are you crazy? It's just an exam! Why'd you go all out?"
"All out?" Kimimaro tilted his head in confusion.
Checking Kimimaro's body, Shion and Yakumo were surprised to see that, although his clothes were in tatters, his body remained unscathed.
...
From afar.
Karin murmured in surprise, "Huh? What's going on with Kimimaro's body?"
Haku quietly explained, "That's the Dead Bone Physique."
Shinji, watching Kimimaro, seemed deep in thought.
The scene from moments ago had also surprised him, but he quickly pieced it together.
His initial impression of Kimimaro's Dead Bone Physique was that it allowed him to manipulate his bones for combat. However, as Shinji delved deeper into medical ninjutsu and the study of the human body, he realized that the Dead Bone Physique wasn't just about bone manipulation.
Think about it—whenever Kimimaro extended his bones outside of his body, he didn't bleed or injure himself.
This meant that the Dead Bone Physique granted an exceptional level of control over his body tissues and organs, as well as impressive regenerative capabilities.
Even if the bones could avoid major muscle groups when extending, they would still cause damage when piercing the skin.
The fact that Kimimaro wasn't constantly bleeding indicated one thing: his wounds healed instantaneously.
Rubbing his chin, Shinji glanced between Kimimaro and Neji, his thoughts racing.
He knew that the Hyuga and Kaguya clans were distantly related. Now, seeing Kimimaro's Dead Bone Physique in action, he wondered if the relationship between the Hyuga and Kaguya was similar to that between the Uchiha and Senju clans.
One clan representing the power of the Sage's eyes, while the other embodied the Sage's body.
Except in this case, the "Sage" wasn't the Sage of Six Paths, but his brother, Otsutsuki Hamura!
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