Kimimaro's Demise (Part 2)

Just as Kimimaro was about to leap up, he was struck by lightning on the water and fell onto the surface, the smell of burnt flesh wafting up.

"So you used Water Release and Lightning Release at the same time! No wonder I couldn't dodge it." Kimimaro stood up from the water. Although he had suffered some minor injuries, they were only superficial. "But I think I know your location. Await my attack," Kimimaro thought with his eyes closed.

The next moment, Kimimaro's body suddenly vanished. Where did he go?

Just as Issui was about to form Hand Seals, Kimimaro had his eyes closed, suddenly appeared in front of him and plunged a bone sword into his chest!

"Bang!"

Issui's body turned into a puddle of water.

Is it Water Clone? You sensed my attack, reacted, and used a clone to absorb it. So where is your original body?

Issui stepped out from behind Kimimaro and said, "What are you looking at? I'm right here."

Kimimaro attacked backward the instant Issui appeared. Will he succeed this time?

"Sizzle, boom..."

"Another Water Clone, "Kimimaro suddenly thought, but his brow furrowed immediately as he rolled to the side.

"Lightning Release - Thunder Totem Battle Axe!"

A massive battle axe made of lightning struck the spot where Kimimaro had been standing, slicing a gash in the once-flat ground. If it had struck a person, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

"The Dance of the Clematis: Flower! The Threads!"

Kimimaro pulled out his spine from behind, transforming it into Issui that bound Issui together; this was indeed Issui's true form.

"Oh, such a quick reaction?" Issui asked, not panicking after being entangled.

"Hmph, the moment I rolled away, I was prepared to bind you. After I broke through your second Water Clone, I guessed you would attack me, because at that point I was essentially exhausted and running out of strength. Actually, I wasn't planning to attack, thinking you were still a clone. But the slight killing intent you revealed made me realize your true form had appeared. So, the moment I broke through your Water Clone, I didn't use my full strength, but feinted. Then, when you revealed your true form, I attacked. Now you can't move, so die! Flower!"

Kimimaro's left hand was covered with a large number of bones, like a drill bit, which encased his arm. Then he raised his hand, and the drill bit violently rammed into Issui's body.

"Eye of Heaven: Flame, Yin-Chen-Yin-Zi-Chou, Flame Body!"

While bound, Issui quickly Hand Seals with one hand.

"It's useless, die! Blame it on you for underestimating the power of the Kaguya Clan. Even without eyes, we can still sense the enemy's location. Killing intent is something we are extremely sensitive to. Although you can approve of my actions, for Lord Orochimaru's ambition, please die."

Kimimaro looked at Issui with a mocking smile. Even if his one-handed hand Hand Seals were very powerful, what Ninjutsu could withstand his bone attack? This was his strongest strike, and Ikshui was doomed. This was just Ikshui's last struggle before his death.

But what happened next shocked Kimimaro. His bone drill pierced right through Issui's body, and Ikki's body could no longer be called flesh; it was a body made of flames. What was this thing?

"Oh, what's with that expression? It's like I should have died after taking that hit, and yet I'm still alive, is that it? You're underestimating me. Even Orochimaru has suffered at my hands. You think you can kill me with just one blow? Didn't Orochimaru tell you anything about me before we came? Sigh, he didn't. Is it useless to fight me in close combat? Looks like he doesn't want to tell you just how strong I am. Have you been used as a pawn by him, Kimimaro?"

Issui walked up to Kimimaro and said to him, his fiery body passing directly through his bone drill.

"Hmph!" Kimimaro quickly dodged away from Issui. So, Taijutsu was useless against him. What should he do? This Kekkei Genkai completely counters my Taijutsu specialization. It seems I still don't understand his true strength. Just now it was ice, now it's fire. Does he possess two Kekkei Genkai?

"Taijutsu are useless against me. It seems your mind has become restless. Sigh, let me tell you the characteristics of my Kekkei Genkai Secret Technique. The Flame Body is a body formed from flames, immune to physical damage and Fire Style damage, immune to 20% of other elemental damage, and enhanced by 100% in Fire Style. Its weakness is that it only lasts for 5 minutes, with a 1-minute cooldown. That means if you survive the five minutes of attacks, you have one minute to kill me. However, that seems unlikely. How frustrating. If I were you, I might not perform as well as you. Now, can you still remain calm, Kimimaro?"

Issui passed through Kimimaro's body and spoke softly behind him.

Kimimaro looked at the bones in his body. Five minutes? This Kekkei Genkai is terrifying. Immune to Taijutsu! Is this the end of my life? Is this my destiny? No, it's not like that. Lord Orochimaru said that as long as you live, you will discover some interesting things. He needs my power. I can't let him down.

Kimimaro relentlessly attacked Issui's back, but it was still ineffective. He passed right through Issui and collapsed to the ground.

Issui frowned and said, "Give up. You're no longer of any use as a vessel. Orochimaru has already abandoned you. In the last moments of your life, why not give yourself a good rest? Your attacks are completely ineffective."

"Indeed... I will soon cease to be of value as a vessel... Now... having nothing left, it's difficult for me to find a mission... I... have finally understood... For example, if I were to act as that, to be placed in a new vessel to replace this life, then... I could repay Lord Orochimaru... At least it could serve as compensation for my now useless self..."

Kimimaro spoke haltingly, scraping at the Issui body with his bone drill. Suddenly, he coughed up blood as he attacked. Was he nearing his limit?

"Enough, Kimimaro, stop attacking. I respect your willingness to work hard for those important to you, but in these final moments, don't you want to rest? You look like you're about to collapse. Besides, if you keep doing this, I'll get angry. I may want to kill you, but that doesn't mean I can't. I'm just giving you a little time to see the world one last time before you die. After that, you'll be a dead man, breathing your last breaths." Issui said helplessly.

What a pathetic man, fighting for someone who didn't care about him even in his final moments, even if it was a futile battle. Yet, he was also a respectable man; Orochimaru was truly fortunate to have such a subordinate. Among his men, Kimimaro must have been the most devoted to him.

"Perhaps that is indeed the case... My body is afflicted with illness and I cannot hold on for long... But I will not perish... And I am not alone... As someone who has taken on a part of Lord Orochimaru's ambition... I will live forever in Lord Orochimaru's heart..."

Kimimaro continued his futile attacks on Issui without stopping.

"Alright, I respect your choice. I don't believe Orochimaru will reserve a place for you in his heart. That place will probably be taken by Sasuke."

After saying that, Issui began to Hand Seals, preparing to use Amaterasu flames to Kimimaro on his final journey.

"Please wait, Issui-kun, please spare his life, this is my request."

Suddenly, Bai came to Issui's side and stopped him from Hand Seals.

"Are you pitying me?" Kimimaro asked, looking at the girl who resembled her.

"No, it's not pity, it's nostalgia. You and I are from the same past; we've met before," Bai said with a smile.

Have you met before?

Kimimaro had no recollection of ever seeing this girl before.

"Yes, you met me on the road when the Kaguya Clan rebelled. There was a man with a huge sword next to me. You wanted to kill us, and then asked if we were from Kirigakure. We said no, and then you apologized and left."

Haku reminisced, remembering that Zabuza recently taken her in.

"Oh, I think I remember now. I also remember you. Your eyes were exactly the same as mine back then. But you know why I'm fighting, right? Please step aside, okay?"

Upon hearing Haku's words, Kimimaro Lord Orochimaru had taken him in.

"But..."

Haku still didn't want Kimimaro to die. Because of what they had experienced, he was even more worried about him. Had he really died without finding what he truly needed?

"Haku, stop trying to persuade him. He's fighting for someone he cherishes, just like you and Zabuza. Although Orochimaru, whom he values, doesn't reciprocate his feelings, he's still willing to be loyal to Orochimaru. Even though it's futile, let him fight one last time for his beliefs. Even trapped in darkness, he still holds fast to his convictions. Only Orochimaru can change his mind; no amount of persuasion from others will work."

Issui said, gesturing for Bai to step back; he was going to finish off this pathetic man.

Bai nodded silently, taking heavy steps backward. Another person like herself was about to disappear; it was so painful...

"Fire Style: Amaterasu Great Fireball Technique!"

Issui of black flames shot out from Kimimaro's mouth, instantly engulfing his entire body.

The burning pain coursing through his body didn't cause Kimimaro to scream in agony. He quietly raised his head and looked at the birds soaring freely in the sky...

My life is coming to an end... Lately, I've started thinking about why people continue to live... Is it because they have a very important mission...? I've realized that it's... the only freedom that God has given to humankind...

Gradually, Kimimaro vanished from before Issui and Haku, and a pitiful yet respectable man passed away...