The Gossip Seal—the Eight Trigrams Seal—was originally used to seal the Nine-Tails. As one of the most powerful fūinjutsu techniques, it renders even tailed beasts powerless, including a weakened version of the One-Tailed Shukaku. Without interference from others, the effect of Mizuki's sealing technique proceeded more smoothly than expected. With the "Little Shukaku" successfully sealed into a clone of Naruto Uzumaki, Mizuki finally achieved the core objective of the month-long operation.
He sealed both the clone and the sealed Shukaku into a storage scroll and tucked it away, then calmly walked toward the real Naruto Uzumaki, who lay unconscious nearby. Dragging him alongside Temari and Gaara—both incapacitated—he waited for his allies to clean up the battlefield.
"In the original timeline, only Kankurō was seriously injured, and Gaara was saved by Temari," Mizuki thought. "But this time, Temari didn't even make it to rescue Gaara. I captured both of them. The losses Sand suffered here are far worse than they did in the manga…"
Just as Mizuki secured his targets, Orochimaru's breakout attempt reached a critical point. Amid the chaos of the failed invasion, Konoha's main forces couldn't keep up with the retreating Otogakure (Sound) operatives. Only a handful of elite shinobi were able to pursue Orochimaru's group.
"Lord Orochimaru, the situation is dire," Kabuto Yakushi said while performing medical ninjutsu to ease Orochimaru's pain. "Should we rendezvous with the Sand forces?"
"No need," Orochimaru replied after a pause. "Now that my identity as the imposter Kazekage has been exposed, our alliance with Sunagakure is broken. They're no longer our accomplices."
"I see," Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his voice heavy. "In that case… escaping Konoha may be nearly impossible."
He glanced toward the Sound Four, standing nearby and shielding the retreat. "If no one stays behind to delay them, none of us will make it out alive."
"A rearguard? Who do you propose for that?" Orochimaru snapped. "Didn't you say you made arrangements?"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto replied. "When I first sensed that our alliance with Suna might collapse, I made contingency plans. I didn't expect them to become necessary… but now they'll prove useful."
"Oh?" Orochimaru narrowed his eyes. "Anyone capable of buying us time wouldn't be here now. So your backup must be… Kimimaro?"
"Correct," Kabuto said. "He may be physically frail due to his illness, but he's still our strongest."
"Kimimaro helped us assassinate the real Fourth Kazekage despite his condition. Are you sure he can still fight?" Orochimaru asked.
"He was born and raised in the darkness of Otogakure because of you, Orochimaru-sama. He would gladly die for you," Kabuto said. "Kimimaro's body may be failing, but I've prepared methods to stimulate a temporary power surge. His iron will can carry him through the mission. He doesn't have long to live regardless—he won't hesitate to give his last breath for your escape."
"All of them would die for me?" Orochimaru asked, eyes glittering. "Even you, Kabuto?"
"Of course," Kabuto replied.
"Heh… truly reliable," Orochimaru smirked. "Especially you. This decision to act alone—was it yours?"
"All for your ideals, Lord Orochimaru…"
"My ideals?" Orochimaru chuckled darkly. "Never mind. Where's Kimimaro now?"
"Not far. Just ahead."
As they passed through a deserted residential district, Kimimaro finally came into view—stoic and pale, waiting with arms crossed. When he saw Orochimaru approach, he immediately stepped forward and bowed.
"No need for formality, Kimimaro," Kabuto said. "Orochimaru-sama is injured—we need to retreat quickly."
"This happened because of your incompetence," Kimimaro said coldly, glaring at Kabuto and the Sound Four. "How could you let Lord Orochimaru get injured?"
"That's enough, Kimimaro," Orochimaru interjected, not blaming the others nor praising Kimimaro. "Hold them off. That's all I ask."
Orochimaru knew Kimimaro's abilities, personality, and loyalty all too well—a direct order was the most effective approach.
"I understand." Kimimaro didn't hesitate. "Kabuto, leave the rest to me…"
Kimimaro had never trusted the Sound Four—he barely considered them comrades. The only reason he tolerated being grouped with them was out of loyalty to Orochimaru's wishes.
And Kimimaro also knew—Orochimaru had found a new vessel. Though Kimimaro was once the prime candidate to be Orochimaru's host, his degenerative illness had disqualified him. Now, that role would go to Uchiha Sasuke.
"I hope Uchiha Sasuke is worthy of Lord Orochimaru's will…"
For Kimimaro, dedicating his remaining life to ensure Orochimaru's safety—even if only once more—was a fulfilling final act.
"Let's go," Orochimaru finally ordered, and the group vanished into the forest, leaving Kimimaro alone to confront the Konoha forces.
As they moved deeper into the woods, Orochimaru's voice turned cold.
"Kabuto, as I recall, Kimimaro wasn't supposed to know about Uchiha Sasuke, correct? Did you tell him?"
"…Yes, I did, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto admitted. "Otherwise, he would've lacked the motivation and willpower to burn through the last of his life. I had no other way to make him unleash his full strength."
"Your logic is sound," Orochimaru muttered, "but remember this, Kabuto: only I decide what to do with my tools. Do not overstep again."
"…Understood."
Back on the battlefield, Kimimaro stood ready as the Konoha shinobi closed in. And soon, the Hidden Leaf would once again witness the terror of the Kaguya clan's Shikotsumyaku—the deadly corpse bone techniques of the Hidden Mist, resurrected in this lone, dying warrior.
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