Chapter 96 He Said, I Am a Good Child

Before Shikamaru could finish speaking, Naruto suddenly drew a long sword from who knows where and jumped directly in front of Kimimaro. In a tone more serious than ever before, he said, "I'll hold off this guy. You guys go ahead."

"Naruto, you…"

"Don't worry, I'll catch up with you later." Naruto interrupted him directly, "You guys should hurry."

Kimimaro had no expression on his face, and without the slightest hesitation, he directly activated the first stage of his Cursed Seal. His entire body became covered in bones, making him look like a demon coming from hell.

While Shikamaru's face was filled with horror, he also knew in his heart that it would be too late if they didn't leave now.

"Let's go!" Shikamaru immediately rushed forward.

The other four quickly followed, moving in four zigzagging paths as they rapidly leaped away. Logically speaking, no matter how terrifying Kimimaro was, there was no way he could stop all five of them in front of Naruto.

This is also the knowledge that has long been taught in the Academy, the escape trajectory during a battle.

Dance of the Camellia!

Kimimaro's speed suddenly increased, and bone blades appeared from his arms as he charged toward the five who were trying to escape. Naruto didn't hold back either and clasped his hands, directly activating the Technique given by the system, Adamantine Sealing Chains.

Thick golden chains burst from the ground, sealing off every direction Kimimaro could pursue, weaving toward him like sentient vines, endlessly locking him down.

This Sealing Technique was originally used to restrain Kyubi, so it would be a complete overkill to use it against Kimimaro.

"What was that just now?" Chōji asked, still shaken after they successfully evaded Kimimaro, "Naruto won't be in danger, right?"

"Who knows." Kiba replied with a grave expression, "That must've been something Naruto came up with. Instead of worrying about him, we should worry about ourselves."

The five continued to pursue the Sound Four, with Shikamaru gritting his teeth as he said, "Naruto should be able to handle it. Speed ​​up. We have to stop Sasuke from leaving!!"

Meanwhile…

Trapped within the Adamantine Sealing Chains, Kimimaro realized that he might not be able to break free from these chains. After a brief moment of thought, he suddenly entered the second stage of the Cursed Seal and unleashed Dance of the Seedling Fern.

Dense bones began to sprout from the ground, their sheer number surpassing that of the chains. Almost instantly, the once lush forest was covered in a forest of sharp white bones, like a terrifying graveyard of bones.

Naruto was well aware of Kimimaro's formidable strength and had no intention of getting entangled with him from the beginning. He directly started with his ultimate move, forcing Kimimaro into a battle of attrition, draining his Chakra.

Dance of the Seedling Fern was the most powerful Ninjutsu Kimimaro could use in his second state Cursed Seal, but it also hastened the deterioration of his already terminally ill body.

Kimimaro, like Haku, is willing to give everything for his master.

Covered in sharp bones, Kimimaro was lifted from the ground by the bones, like a monarch born on a throne of bones. With a cold and emotionless face, his right hand turned into a massive bone spear, and he stabbed at Naruto, who was trapped in the sky-high bone forest below.

Before the mission, Kimimaro's condition was almost like that of a corpse. Now, he was merely burning the last of his life force, offering up his final value for Orochimaru.

[Kyubi's approval 19.8%]

Within the bone forest, dark red Chakra erupted, instantly shattering the bone forest within a hundred-meter radius.

'Lava Release!!'

Naruto didn't fully use the full Biju Transformation, but he did release two tails, maintaining most of his sanity. With the support of a large amount of Kyubi's Chakra, molten lava instantly covered the entire bone forest, completely halting the growth of the bones.

The strongest bone spear Kimimaro aimed at Naruto began to crack and crumble the moment it touched the Kyubi's Chakra Cloak, breaking inch by inch. Being harder than steel didn't mean it was unbreakable, as it just hadn't encountered a stronger force until now.

Naruto had no qualms about using Kyubi as a shield in critical moments.

After all, who told him to eat his things and take his things? Making him work for him was only fair.

But that was a last-resort life-saving move meant for facing more dangerous opponents like Itachi or Orochimaru. Against someone like Kimimaro, there was no need to bring out Kyubi for a fight.

strongest bone spear shattered inch by inch, signaling the end of Kimimaro's life. His body was now completely immobilized, unable to move at all.

Surrounded by a sea of molten lava, only a meter-wide patch of the bone forest remained around Kimimaro, resembling a lonely island in a sea of fire. Kimimaro, suspended in the air, hung his head, the very image of someone at death's door.

"Kimimaro."

"You know my name?" Kimimaro did not lift his head, as he could no longer control any part of his body.

His heartbeat was slowing, and his breathing grew increasingly shallow.

"Yeah, you're about to die." Naruto said indifferently, "What a pity, Orochimaru must have valued you highly."

"I do not fear death, I only fear dying without purpose." Kimimaro's voice was devoid of emotion, as if he felt no pain from his impending death. "If my death can bring value to Orochimaru-sama, then it is worth it."

"What a fanatical and terrifying follower." Naruto sighed and retracted the Kyubi's Chakra.

"Orochimaru-sama always leads the way, but he will look back to check if I'm keeping up. If I fall behind, he will stop until I reappear." At this time, Kimimaro's voice finally showed a trace of emotion.

"I have no purpose in life... I... I'm just a thief."

"A thief who has stolen... Orochimaru-sama's reason for living."

"That's not too bad." Naruto said perfunctorily, like a seasoned hunter waiting for his prey to take its final breath.

He didn't want to take any unnecessary risks. He had plenty of time, and he didn't particularly care whether Sasuke was taken away or not. So, like an evil god, he continued to coax Kimimaro into talking, hastening his demise.

"What's... your name?" Kimimaro asked.

"Inuzuka Kiba." Naruto gave Kiba's name without hesitation. Although he knew there was no need to hide his identity from someone on the brink of death, but... just in case Kimimaro was resurrected through Edo Tensei, it would be better if he didn't come looking for Naruto.

"Inuzuka Kiba…"

Kimimaro muttered the name. Despite being completely immobilized, Kimimaro managed to lift his head. Naruto, who was not far away, could hear the sound of bones cracking, but he didn't find any trace of pain on Kimimaro's sickly pale face.

He hid it well, or perhaps, at that moment, he was actually feeling joy.

Because Kimimaro was smiling.

"Thank you... for reminding me of happy things. I'm about to die, and I'm so happy, because... because…"

The voice of the boy covered with bones became weaker and weaker, almost inaudible.

Not far away, Naruto drew out the Kusanagi Sword, his blue eyes were as deep as the sea. He didn't understand emotions, he was simply waiting for Kimimaro to breathe his last before delivering the final blow. The Shinigami treats all who fail to deliver the coup de grace equally, dragging them into hell.

Naruto was clear-headed and ruthless, but he still heard Kimimaro's final words.

His blood-stained lips barely moved, whispering as if in a quiet chant.

"Orochimaru-sama said…. I am a good child."