Chapter 92: The Last Stand
The Eight Trigrams Seal—when it first appeared, it was used to seal the Nine-Tails. The most powerful tailed beast couldn't break free, so a fragmented version of Shukaku certainly had no chance against it. Without interference from others, the effect of Mizuki's sealing technique was smoother than expected. With the "Mini Shukaku" successfully sealed within the Naruto clone, Mizuki finally achieved the main objective of his month-long operation.
He stored the sealed Mini Shukaku and the Naruto clone into a sealing scroll. Afterward, he walked over to where Naruto lay unconscious, moving him to where Temari and Gaara were placed together, waiting for their companions to clean up the aftermath.
"In the original story, only Kankuro was left heavily injured and unconscious while Gaara was rescued by Temari. This time, not only was Gaara captured, but Temari too. They've been utterly defeated compared to the original."
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Meanwhile, as Mizuki's main body secured Gaara and Temari, Orochimaru's escape was reaching a critical moment. Amid the chaos, the bulk of the pursuing troops fell behind, leaving only a few elite shinobi able to keep up with Orochimaru's party.
"Lord Orochimaru, the situation is dire. Should we regroup with the Sand forces?" Kabuto asked while using medical ninjutsu to ease Orochimaru's pain.
"No need," Orochimaru decided after a moment of thought. "By now, word of me impersonating the Kazekage has likely spread. We're no longer allies with them."
"I see." Kabuto adjusted his glasses, his tone growing serious. "In that case, our chances of escaping Konoha are quite slim… Unless someone stays behind to cover us."
"Cover us? Who do you suggest?" Orochimaru asked irritably. "Sounds like you've already planned for this, haven't you?"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto nodded. "I made some arrangements before the attack, just in case something went wrong."
"Oh?" Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Given the current situation, the only one capable of that should be… Kimimaro, right?"
"Indeed."
"Kimimaro's strength isn't a problem, but his health… He was involved in eliminating the Fourth Kazekage recently. Are you sure he can still be of use?"
"The Sound Four are already at their limit. Kimimaro is the only reliable one left. Even if his health is deteriorating, his resolve and loyalty to you make him the perfect choice for a final stand."
Orochimaru smirked slightly. "They're all willing to die for me… Including you, Kabuto?"
"Of course, Lord Orochimaru."
"Is that so? Quite dependable, aren't you? Especially you—acting on your own initiative again."
"Everything is for Lord Orochimaru's grand vision…"
"My vision? Never mind. Where's Kimimaro?"
"Just ahead."
As they passed through a residential area, they finally spotted Kimimaro, standing calmly with his usual stoic demeanor. Seeing Orochimaru, he immediately bowed in respect.
"There's no need for formalities, Kimimaro. The situation is bad. Lord Orochimaru has been injured and needs to leave quickly," Kabuto instructed.
"Useless weaklings. If you were stronger, Lord Orochimaru wouldn't have been hurt." Kimimaro's cold gaze swept over Kabuto and the Sound Four, making them feel uneasy.
"Enough, Kimimaro," Orochimaru ordered, neither praising Kimimaro nor blaming the others. "Take care of the pursuers. We're leaving."
"Understood," Kimimaro replied without hesitation. "Kabuto, the rest is up to you."
Kimimaro's disdain for the Sound Four was obvious. In his eyes, they were nothing more than burdens, kept only out of respect for Orochimaru's wishes. His loyalty was unmatched, and he never questioned the decisions made about his own fate. Even when he knew he was no longer the favored vessel for Orochimaru's soul transfer, he remained unwavering.
"I hope that Uchiha Sasuke is worthy of inheriting Lord Orochimaru's will," Kimimaro thought to himself. To him, being able to die for Orochimaru's cause was a final fulfillment of his duty.
"Let's go," Orochimaru commanded, and the group swiftly departed, leaving Kimimaro alone to face the incoming Konoha pursuers.
As Orochimaru moved farther away, Kabuto couldn't help but ask, "I remember that Kimimaro shouldn't know about Sasuke. Did you tell him? You've been acting on your own quite often lately."
Orochimaru sneered, his tone cold. "Kimimaro was marked with the Earth Curse Seal long ago, raised solely as a vessel. To convince him to sacrifice himself now, he must have known that he was no longer my first choice. You must have been the one to tell him, right?"
"Yes, Lord Orochimaru. Forgive me. Without motivating him properly, it would have been impossible to make him unleash his final strength."
"You make a good point," Orochimaru admitted, then shot Kabuto a piercing look. "But remember this, Kabuto—my possessions are mine to dispose of. There'd better not be a next time."
"Understood."
As Orochimaru and his group moved farther away, Kimimaro stood his ground, prepared to hold back the Konoha pursuers. He could feel the encroaching presence of Konoha shinobi closing in on him.
"I shall protect Lord Orochimaru's will to the end…" Kimimaro whispered. His Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) activated, bone spikes protruding from his body. His cold, unwavering eyes gleamed with determination.
Within moments, Konoha shinobi swarmed the area, but they were soon greeted with the horrifying sight of bone protrusions slicing through the air. Kimimaro, with his Dance of the Camellia, began his relentless counterattack, demonstrating the lethal power of his Kekkei Genkai.
Despite his frail body and the inevitable decline of his health, Kimimaro's fierce will allowed him to unleash his terrifying bone techniques, proving once again why he was feared as one of the strongest of the Sound Five. As he confronted the Konoha shinobi, he knew that this would be his final battle—a battle fought not for himself but for Orochimaru, the one person who gave his life meaning.
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