The faint glow of fluorite in the dungeon reflected off the mottled stone walls. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth, yet it couldn't suppress a trace of the sharp, cold Chakra belonging to the Shikotsumyaku.
Kimimaro squatted in a corner with his knees pulled to his chest, his silver-white hair falling over his thin prisoner's uniform. In his dark red eyes, there was no humble obedience, only the fury and resentment of being imprisoned—even in captivity, the innate pride of the Kaguya Clan still flowed through this young body.
"Control my own destiny?" He looked up, his voice still carrying the innocence of a child, yet every word was firm and without a hint of cowardice.
His small fists were clenched tightly, nails nearly digging into his palms. "The Hidden Mist people want to exploit my Shikotsumyaku, and the clan elders compromised and retreated just to survive, locking me here as a bargaining chip—what do you want from me?"
He understood the Kaguya Clan's situation all too well. Under the blood mist policy, the Kekkei Genkai Clans were heavily suppressed, but the Kaguya Clan had never been cowards to be slaughtered at will.
Though the Clan Members were forced to bow to the Hidden Mist high-ranking officials, they never gave up their obsession with power, nor did they lose the pride in their bones.
They imprisoned him not entirely to please the Hidden Mist, but to gamble on him—betting that he could grow into a powerhouse capable of freeing the Kaguya Clan from the Hidden Mist's control. However, this 'expectation' had ultimately become the shackles that bound him.
Uchiha Xia Yin slowly crouched down to meet his gaze. The Mangekyo in his eyes retracted its crimson glow, leaving only a calm scrutiny. "I want your strength, but more than that, I want you."
He said frankly, "I see the pride of the Kaguya Clan. But you chose the wrong path—compromising under the high pressure of the Hidden Mist will only allow the clan's pride to be worn down bit by bit, until you eventually become true Puppets."
He raised his hand, a wisp of gentle Chakra condensing at his fingertips as he lightly traced the air. "The Shikotsumyaku in your body is the pinnacle of Yang Release. Awakening it too early has caused an imbalance between Yin and Yang. The tearing pain in your chest and the violent Chakra are all warnings from your body."
In less than ten years, you will be consumed by your own power and die. The Hidden Mist people won't care if you live or die, and your clan elders might have guessed it, but they lack the ability to cure you."
Kimimaro's body jolted, a flash of shock crossing his dark red eyes.
The hidden pain in his chest was his greatest secret. Even the elders most skilled in medical arts only said it was from over-cultivation. How could this stranger see through to the root cause at a single glance?
He subconsciously touched his chest, where the pain seemed to be awakened by those words, throbbing faintly.
"I can cure you." Uchiha Xia Yin's voice carried an unquestionable power. "I can help you completely master the Shikotsumyaku and reach a balance between Yin and Yang. Not only will you not be consumed by your power, but you will also Breakthrough the limitations of the Kaguya Clan and become a truly top-tier powerhouse.
At that time, you can choose to return to the Kaguya Clan and lead them to escape the Hidden Mist's control; or you can choose to follow me and forge your own path."
Just then, a steady set of footsteps suddenly came from outside the dungeon, accompanied by the low, stern questioning characteristic of a Kaguya Clan Member: "Who dares to intrude upon the Clan Compound dungeon?!"
Unlike the panic of other clans, this voice carried a chilling killing intent and vigilance—the Kaguya Clan guards never let down their pride, even when facing the Kirigakure Anbu.
"My Lord, we've been exposed!" Qi's Three-Tomoe Sharingan instantly lit up, and his ninja sword was unsheathed with a cold, sharp glint. "There are at least ten Kaguya Clan Members outside, all experts skilled in the Shikotsumyaku!"
As soon as he finished speaking, the stone door of the dungeon was violently smashed open. Leading them was a tall Kaguya Clan Member with the clan mark engraved on his forehead. Veins bulged on his arms, and bones were faintly protruding—he had clearly activated his Shikotsumyaku. "Intruders in the Kaguya Forbidden Land, seize them!"
The Clan Members behind him all activated their Chakra. The 'clack-clack' sound of bones grinding echoed in the cramped dungeon, exuding a spine-chilling pressure.
Genki immediately formed hand seals. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!" A massive fireball surged out, but it was swatted aside by the leading Kaguya Clan Member—his arm was instantly covered in a layer of hard Bone Armor, forcefully enduring the burn of the fireball.
"Paltry tricks!" He barked coldly, several Bone Needles snapping out from his fingertips and shooting toward Uchiha Xia Yin's trio.
Uchiha Xia Yin sidestepped while holding Kimimaro to avoid them. His gaze swept over the Kaguya Clan Members who were unafraid of death, and a hint of appreciation curled at the corner of his mouth. "Impressive pride, but unfortunately, it's being used in the wrong place."
He turned to look at Kimimaro, his voice urgent but clear. "There's no time! If you stay here, you'll either die after the Hidden Mist drains your value, or be sacrificed as a pawn by your Family—come with me, and I will give you the right to choose!"
Leaning against Uchiha Xia Yin's shoulder, Kimimaro watched his kin attacking them to 'protect' the Family. He saw the familiar Bone Armor on their arms and the same pride and helplessness in their eyes, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
He knew these Clan Members didn't truly want to imprison him; they simply had no choice under the Hidden Mist's iron fist. But should this 'lack of choice' cost him his life?
"I don't want to die." Kimimaro's voice trembled slightly, yet it was exceptionally firm. "And I don't want to be anyone's pawn!"
He looked up, a light of determination flashing in his dark red eyes as he looked at Uchiha Xia Yin. "Is what you said true? Can you make me strong enough so that no one can ever control my fate again?"
"I swear it in the name of Uchiha Xia Yin." Uchiha Xia Yin's Mangekyo instantly blazed, its crimson light piercing through the gloom of the dungeon. "I will make you an existence that no one in the Ninja World dares to look down upon!"
"Fine! I'll go with you!" Kimimaro nodded heavily, the innocence on his small face fading, replaced by a resolve unbefitting his age.
He suddenly surged his Chakra, and several small Bone Needles instantly shot from his fingertips, accurately hitting the knees of the Kaguya Clan Members rushing at the front—not a lethal attack, but enough to delay them. This was his final compromise toward his kin and his rebellion against his own fate.
"Kimimaro! You dare betray the Family?!" The leading Kaguya Clan Member roared, his knee struck by a bone needle as he staggered back a few steps.
"I haven't betrayed anyone!" Kimimaro's voice carried a hint of a sob, yet it was remarkably loud. "It was you all who gave up on me first! When I become strong, I will return to tell everyone that the pride of the Kaguya Clan should not be protected through compromise!"
A flash of approval showed in Uchiha Xia Yin's eyes as he turned while holding Kimimaro. "Qi, clear the way! Genki, cover the rear!"
Qi charged forward at the command, his ninja sword clashing against the Kaguya Clan Members' Bone Armor with crisp 'ding-dong' sounds and flying sparks.
Genki quickly formed hand seals. "Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!" A thick wall of earth rose instantly, temporarily blocking the pursuers behind them...
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808