395. Kimimaro's New Companion

After Danzo quietly left with Kimimaro, Orochimaru slowly emerged like a shadow amidst the devastated remains of the Kaguya clan.

His long tongue lightly licked his dry, cracked lips, and his narrow, snake-like eyes radiated a chilling coldness as he muttered in a low, icy voice:

"Damn it, has that child also caught the attention of Danzo?"

As a mad scientist obsessed with researching various Kekkei Genkai and collecting reincarnation materials by any means necessary, Orochimaru had long coveted Kimimaro, a child with a unique bloodline limit.

In his view, the Kaguya clan's decision to imprison Kimimaro as a "war weapon" in their dungeon was an utterly irrational waste.

In Orochimaru's plan, Kimimaro was supposed to feel an overwhelming emptiness due to the annihilation of his clan and begin questioning the meaning of his existence.

At that moment, Orochimaru would appear, like a beam of light dispelling the darkness in Kimimaro's heart, becoming his "purpose."

This way, Orochimaru could effortlessly obtain a gifted and talented vessel for reincarnation.

However, he never expected that the cunning Danzo would notice the child first and take Kimimaro away, shattering Orochimaru's carefully laid plans.

At this thought, a flash of intense resentment crossed Orochimaru's eyes.

But despite his anger, Orochimaru didn't dare to confront Danzo directly.

After all, even someone with the ghostly abilities of "Madara Uchiha" had been cut down by Danzo and gone missing.

It was better for Orochimaru to remain cautious.

Even though the body he was using here was just a snake clone, who knew what strange abilities Danzo might have recently acquired?


At this point, regret and anger were meaningless.

Orochimaru suppressed his frustration and regained his composure.

His gaze swept across the battlefield, taking in the scattered, mutilated corpses of the Kaguya clan, and a sinister smile crept onto his lips.

"Hmph, even if I didn't get what I wanted most, these corpses still hold considerable value."

With that, he waved his wide sleeve, and a flood of white snakes hissed and slithered out from his sleeve.

The snakes moved like lightning, their scales glinting with a cold light as they darted through the battlefield remains, precisely swallowing the corpses one by one.

After collecting enough samples, Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction.

With these samples, he could now thoroughly study the secrets of the Shikotsumyaku.

---

Half a day later, sunlight shimmered on the sparkling sea north of the Land of Water, where a bustling port was alive with noise and activity.

Kimimaro followed Danzo to this busy port, funded by Konoha.

With Konoha's recent technological explosion and the rise of the Land of Fire's manufacturing industry, this port had become a crucial hub for transporting goods from the Land of Fire to the Land of Water, filled with the roar of steam-powered machinery.

Cargo trucks rumbled along, their wheels clattering as they moved between the docks and warehouses under the power of steam.

Sturdy tractors chugged along, puffing white steam as they pulled heavy cargo containers like tireless oxen.

Conveyor belts stretched from the docks to the warehouses, continuously transporting goods to their designated locations.

"This is Konoha's port in the Land of Water. It won't be long before it becomes the most prosperous place in the entire country," Danzo said with confidence, his hands clasped behind his back.

With the end of the Blood Mist policy and Mei Terumi's rise to power, the Land of Water was inevitably opening its borders and seeking development.

Currently, Konoha was far ahead in both industrial manufacturing and commodity production across the ninja world.

If the Land of Water wanted to develop and escape the deep mire of its years of isolation, cooperation with the Land of Fire was its only option.

As for other countries? They were too preoccupied with their own internal issues to pay attention to the Land of Water.

With the boost from extensive trade, it was only a matter of time before these ports surpassed the capital of the Land of Water.

Hearing Danzo's words and seeing the bustling scene before him, Kimimaro's face was filled with awe.

Since childhood, he had been seen as a freak due to his innate, terrifying power and had been imprisoned in a dark, damp dungeon, cut off from the outside world.

To him, the outside world was nothing more than vague rumors and wild fantasies.

Now, this bustling world filled with strange machinery and crowds of people was completely reshaping his understanding of reality.

He was beginning to understand the meaning behind Danzo's words: "As long as you keep moving forward, you will eventually find your purpose."

Although Kimimaro had already found his purpose, it seemed that taking in the vibrant scenery along the way wasn't a bad idea.

Seeing Kimimaro's tense shoulders gradually relax and his initially reserved expression slowly transform into one of curiosity and wonder, Danzo nodded slightly, a look of satisfaction on his face.

He had high hopes for this child.


After all, Kimimaro's performance in the original story had been nothing short of stunning.

Not only had he assisted Orochimaru in assassinating Rasa, but even while gravely ill, he had nearly defeated Rock Lee and Gaara, who had just begun to master Shukaku's power.

His strength was already close to that of a Kage-level ninja.

If they could find a way to cure his innate bloodline disease, becoming a Kage-level powerhouse would be a certainty.

But before that, it was important to let him experience life.

With this in mind, Danzo suddenly patted Kimimaro on the shoulder.

"Come, I'll introduce you to a new companion."

"A new... companion?" Kimimaro looked up at Danzo, his voice tinged with confusion.

For Kimimaro, the word "companion" had only ever existed in the mouths of others.

He had never had a companion, nor had he ever had the chance to imagine what having one might be like.


It wasn't that he couldn't imagine it—it was that he had never even thought to try.

However, under Danzo's guidance, he obediently followed to a Konoha outpost, where he met the person Danzo had referred to as his... companion.

She had long, jet-black hair and skin so pale and delicate it seemed almost unreal.

Her eyes were timid, like rippling waves on a lake.

Only when she saw Danzo did a look of relief appear on her face.

Danzo affectionately ruffled her hair and introduced her to Kimimaro with a smile:

"This is Haku, another war orphan I found in the Land of Water."