Yagura gritted his teeth, staring in the direction where Xia Yin and the others had disappeared, his eyes filled with venom and unwillingness.
He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails digging into his palms, drawing blood, yet he felt nothing—Uchiha Xia Yin, he committed that name to memory!
One day, he would personally take revenge!
The thick fog enveloped the battlefield once more, leaving behind only the ravaged ground, the Third Mizukage's solemn gaze, and the raging fire of revenge burning in Yagura's heart.
But Xia Yin and his group had long since vanished beyond the Hidden Mist Village's defensive range, speeding toward the Land of Whirlpools.
This dangerous ambush ultimately ended with Xia Yin's voluntary retreat, yet it laid a new foundation for future events in the Ninja World... After escaping the pursuit from the Hidden Mist, Xia Yin rushed with Kimimaro, arriving at the secret base in the Ruins of the Land of Whirlpools not long after.
Passing through the concealed stone wall behind the waterfall, the scene inside the cavern instantly came into Kimimaro's view—glowing Fluorite illuminated the open space, with scattered stone houses built into the mountainside. In the central clearing, over a dozen Ninja were engaged in fierce drills; the crisp sounds of colliding Chakra and the sharp clash of ninja swords intertwined, exuding vibrant vitality, a stark contrast to the gloom of the Hidden Mist and the oppression of the dungeon.
Kimimaro subconsciously stopped in his tracks, his silver-white hair falling over his shoulders, his dark red eyes full of curiosity.
He had never seen a place like this—no confining cages, no cold surveillance, everyone's face held focus and ferocity, and the very air was filled with the scent of freedom.
He couldn't help but reach out his small hand, gently touching the cool stone wall beside him. The hard sensation transmitted through his fingertips made him feel momentarily dazed—could this really be his new home?
The training Ninja noticed the movement and stopped their actions one after another, looking curiously at the little one behind Xia Yin.
Upon seeing Kimimaro's unique dark red eyes and silver-white hair, a flicker of understanding crossed some eyes, yet no one stepped forward to disturb him. They merely bowed respectfully to Xia Yin before returning to their training—in this base, Xia Yin's orders were the absolute rule. Regarding the potentially promising child brought back by the adult, they only needed to maintain an appropriate distance.
Xia Yin paid no mind to the surrounding gazes, focusing instead on Kimimaro's curious, observing profile. His tone was calm but carried unquestionable authority: "Starting today, you will learn under Uchiha Xiu. He will teach you basic Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and Chakra control, and more importantly—"
He paused, his gaze turning serious, emphasizing every word: "Unless you face a life-threatening danger, you are absolutely forbidden from using your Shikotsumyaku. Do you understand?"
"Why?" Kimimaro suddenly looked up, his small brow tightly furrowed, his dark red eyes filled with incomprehension and a slight, almost imperceptible resistance.
Shikotsumyaku was the glory of the Kaguya Clan, the power he prided himself on, and the foundation upon which he relied to fight fate.
Forbidding him from using his Bloodline Limit—was this an attempt to strip him of his only power?
He subconsciously clenched his small fists, the phantom shape of bone blades faintly flashing at his fingertips, yet he forcibly suppressed it.
Xia Yin's previous promises still echoed in his ears; he did not want to believe that this person who brought him out of the cage would restrict his power like the Hidden Mist or his own Clan Members.
Xia Yin looked at his upward gaze of confusion, a hint of imperceptible tenderness flashing in his eyes.
This child's vigilance and stubbornness were so much like a wounded young beast, instinctively guarding even against kindness.
He slowly squatted down to meet Kimimaro's gaze, his voice softening slightly: "It's not to strip you of your power, but to protect you."
"Your Shikotsumyaku awakened too early." Xia Yin lightly tapped Kimimaro's chest with his fingertip, "It is the ultimate expression of Yang Release Chakra, wild and tyrannical, but your Mental Energy (Yin Release) is currently too weak to counterbalance this power.
If this continues, your body will suffer a backlash from the Yang Release Chakra, your spirit will gradually collapse, eventually leading to an incurable bloodline disease—just like the tearing pain that occasionally appears in your chest, which is a warning signal from your body."
Kimimaro's body trembled slightly, and he subconsciously covered his chest.
Xia Yin's words precisely hit his hidden ailment; the pain that his Clan Members had ignored turned out to be such a dangerous signal.
He looked into Xia Yin's serious eyes, the resistance in his heart gradually dissipating, replaced by deeper confusion: "Then... when can I use it?"
"When I acquire the Byakugan," Xia Yin stated frankly. "The Hyuga Clan's Byakugan is inherited from Otsutsuki Hamura and contains the Dao of Yin and Yang balance.
As long as the Byakugan is transplanted into you, its power can balance the unbalanced Yin-Yang Release within your body, completely eradicating the hidden danger of the bloodline disease.
Until then, you must learn to control Chakra, temper your Mental Energy, and minimize the use of Shikotsumyaku to reduce the burden on your body."
He reached out and gently stroked Kimimaro's silver-white hair. The warmth from his fingertips transmitted through the strands, carrying a trace of long-absent warmth.
"So, little guy, I'll need you to behave yourself for a while and cause me less trouble. Once this hidden danger is resolved, I will let you unleash the full power of Shikotsumyaku; no one will be able to restrict you again."
Kimimaro froze, subconsciously wanting to pull away, but after feeling the gentleness of that hand, he slowly relaxed.
Since childhood, besides his parents, no one had ever treated him with such tenderness.
His Clan Members revered his talent, and the people of the Hidden Mist exploited his power. Only this person before him would patiently explain the reasons, care about his health, and treat him with such a gentle touch.
He looked at Xia Yin's turning back, a complex emotion flashing in his dark red eyes—gratitude, dependence, and a trace of relief that even he hadn't noticed.
Xia Yin's figure wasn't imposing, but he gave him an unprecedented sense of security, as if as long as he followed this person, he would never again have to fear imprisonment or exploitation, nor would he have to bear those pains alone.
Xia Yin didn't notice the change in the little one's emotions behind him and walked straight toward the depths of the cavern, soon finding Uchiha Xiu organizing intelligence scrolls.
"Xiu, starting today, this little guy is your responsibility." He pointed to Kimimaro following behind him, his tone casual, as if assigning a routine task, "Teach him basic Ninjutsu and Chakra control, focus on tempering his Mental Energy, and keep an eye on him—don't let him use Shikotsumyaku without permission. His potential is good; don't waste it."
...
Advance chapter available on pãtrêon Got1808