Kimimaro, If It's You, You Should Be Able To!

After watching the Third Hokage leave, Might Guy turned to look at the three noisy youths. Tenten was currently urging Rock Lee on.

"Rock Lee, try the Transformation Technique and the Substitution Technique. Let's see if they work!"

Rock Lee scratched his head, gave an "Oh," and began forming hand seals. With a bang, he transformed into Might Guy.

"This is youth!"

The gleaming white teeth and raised thumb were a perfect imitation, so lifelike that Tenten and Neji could not help but laugh.

It seemed Rock Lee had a mischievous side too!

"Ahem!"

A light cough rang out. It was Might Guy. Rock Lee immediately changed back with a bang and smiled sheepishly.

However, Might Guy did not blame him. Instead, he praised him. "Train the Three Body Technique properly from now on. These are the three most practical techniques."

The Substitution Technique could save one's life, while the Transformation Technique was not merely for disguising oneself as someone else to deceive others. It could also transform one into an inanimate object for concealment.

After all, sensory ninja were far fewer in number than ordinary ninja. Not everyone had the Byakugan, Sharingan, or sensory ninjutsu.

The same applied to the Clone Technique. It could confuse the enemy's vision, improve one's own chances of landing a hit, and reduce the possibility of being seen through.

"Yes! Teacher Might Guy, I'll train hard."

Rock Lee was happy as well. He had never expected that one day, he would be able to use ninjutsu. This feeling was truly wonderful.

If only...

"Lee, the amount you can control through the tattoo only allows you to use the Three Body Technique. That is only in your normal state. In the Eight Gates state, you probably won't be able to use ninjutsu."

Neji's reminder instantly crushed Rock Lee. He had been wondering whether he could use it in the Eight Gates state too, only to be told that he could not.

Still, contentment brought happiness. After being crushed, Rock Lee calmed down considerably and thanked Neji for shattering his inflated ego.

"Can I try?"

"You mean in the Eight Gates state?"

Rock Lee nodded and looked toward Might Guy, who nodded in return. He gave his permission.

"Rock Lee, let your youth keep inspiring you. Didn't Neji say the research isn't complete yet? It may get better in the future!"

"Osu!"

Rock Lee had heard that slogan from Neji. Neji had said his usual catchphrase lacked punch and suggested he try this one instead.

Rock Lee thought it was quite good, so he learned it!

Everyone stepped back as Rock Lee began gathering Chakra. His face reddened with strain, and powerful Chakra surged upward.

Strands of Chakra were intercepted by the tattoo-covered acupoints, transformed into faint, controllable Chakra.

He formed the three seals for the Clone Technique. Rock Lee gave a low grunt, and the Eight Gates state around him receded.

Neji and the others hurried forward to check on him. Clearly, Rock Lee had failed, which was naturally within Neji's expectations.

After examining him, Neji said, "It's fine. The ninjutsu was interrupted, and the Chakra rebounded into his acupoints, causing some temporary turbulence. He'll be fine after resting for a while."

The tattoo's effect was interception. It stole a portion from a rushing river, making it gentler and controllable.

But if a tiny stream like this tried to slip out, that was obviously impossible. It would be cut off immediately, then rebound down the path it came from.

Neji called this phenomenon the Backlash Warrior!

"It's good that he's okay!"

Might Guy had been quite worried that something might happen to Rock Lee. He even reached out to feel him. Good heavens, the boy was built solid.

Once he knew there was nothing wrong, he relaxed and turned to Neji.

"Lord Hokage saw the results just now as well. He said he'll grant you higher access privileges, along with the materials Lady Tsunade left behind, to help with your research."

"Then I truly must thank Lord Hokage!"

With his level of perception, Neji had naturally heard it. Still, the proper attitude had to be shown.

"Huh! Lord Hokage left?"

Only then did Tenten notice that the Third Hokage had already left. There were only the four of them in this secret chamber.

"Lord Hokage left while you were all celebrating."

Tenten smiled embarrassedly. She had simply been happy that Neji's research had succeeded and that Rock Lee could use the Three Body Technique!

Might Guy looked at Rock Lee, who had mostly recovered, and reached out to pull him up. Looking at the three youths who had grown so much, he felt deeply gratified.

"Let's go! This mission is over, and you have a few days off. You can relax properly, or continue training to make up for your shortcomings. I'll notify you when it's time to take on a new mission."

"Yes!"

The three answered in unison, then dispersed.

Land of Fields, Otogakure.

Inside the laboratory, Orochimaru stared obsessively at the syringe in his hand.

"I never expected such a wondrous thing to exist in this world. Hormones?"

"But why did it fail? I clearly extracted the same thing. Why did it fail?"

Orochimaru was perplexed. It was as if some invisible force made the hormones he extracted differ from the state of the ones he had observed in his hand.

Still, he had roughly figured out the effects of the two syringes. They were exactly as written on that note.

If Neji knew Orochimaru was so troubled, he would probably laugh.

They were things from another world, not to mention products of Devil Fruits and what they contained within.

Even in the One Piece World, they could not be replicated, much less by Orochimaru.

Neji had dared to hand them over to Orochimaru so confidently because he naturally had faith in himself.

Replicating them or thoroughly researching them was simply impossible, because those things contained the power of Devil Fruits.

If one had to give it a name, it would probably be called rules.

Kabuto stood quietly to the side, watching Orochimaru, while Kimimaro lay on the operating bed without saying a word.

After his irritation, Orochimaru calmed down. It had been a long time since anything had shaken his state of mind like this.

A man who always had plans in his heart, aside from miscalculating before those eyes, had not experienced such turmoil in many years.

"Kabuto, inject this Healing Hormone into Kimimaro's body. Remember to restrain him with the sturdiest things available, because the process will be extremely painful."

Orochimaru's vertical snake pupils made Kabuto afraid to meet his gaze. He could only respectfully acknowledge the order and begin preparing the injection procedure.

Orochimaru then walked over to Kimimaro and looked at the sole survivor with a bloodline trait whom he had rescued from the Kaguya Clan, also known as the Taketori Clan.

"You heard everything I said just now clearly, didn't you?"

"Everything I have belongs to you, Lord Orochimaru!"

The calm Kimimaro had long ceased to care about life itself. So long as it was Orochimaru's decision, he would willingly accept it.

"Mm, very good."

"However, I do not want you to die just yet. There is only a one to two percent chance of being cured, and it will also cost you ten years of your lifespan. You should understand just how low that is, and the process will be unimaginably painful."

"But if it's you, you should be able to endure it!"

Seeing the calm determination in Kimimaro's eyes, Orochimaru gave a cold laugh and gestured for Kabuto to begin.

Kabuto, who had already prepared everything, brought Kimimaro into a cage and fastened heavy chains around him.

The sharp needle tip flashed beneath the light before piercing into Kimimaro's body.

The intense pain immediately filled Kimimaro's eyes with bloodshot veins.