Ninjas! Their trade was all about disguises and concealment!
Unfortunately, Kimimaro seemed born unable to learn such things!
Every time the two of them were found by their pursuers, it was because Kimimaro's disguise wasn't good enough!
With no other choice, Lin Cheng and Kimimaro simply stopped disguising themselves.
They endured the relentless pursuit and managed to live on for nearly two more years.
Time passed. Now eight years old, Lin Cheng and Kimimaro had grown tall and lean after years of fighting!
If you didn't know their ages, you'd think they were already eleven or twelve.
Their physical development had greatly increased Lin Cheng's strength, speed, and stamina!
His base attributes were still heavily skewed, but in terms of raw strength, Lin Cheng had indeed reached the level of an elite jonin!
As for his chakra reserves? They could now be called Kage Level without a doubt.
Of course, Lin Cheng had long known what would happen later in the Naruto World, so he naturally wouldn't grow complacent!
Compared to evenly matched opponents, Lin Cheng preferred crushing everything in his path!
As for Kimimaro?
Although Lin Cheng suspected his Kekkei Genkai Disease was related to how often he used his Kekkei Genkai, and forbade him from using it,
he still couldn't stop Kimimaro from growing stronger!
In fact, whenever Kimimaro used his Kekkei Genkai, he was even stronger than in the original story!
Looking at Kimimaro, who had grown into a handsome young boy, Lin Cheng felt both happy and anxious.
In theory, the Naruto World wasn't endless. So why was it so hard to find someone?
He knew that Kimimaro still showed no particular symptoms on the surface.
But if he used his Kekkei Genkai too often, the Kekkei Genkai Disease would inevitably take hold!
And Lin Cheng wouldn't allow that!
After bowing his head in thought for a long while, Lin Cheng was suddenly drawn by the sounds of fighting in the distance.
Seeing the thick fog spreading across that area, Lin Cheng smiled.
"Looks like it's those Kirigakure guys again! Come on, Little Kimimaro! Let's go cause trouble!"
"Um... Big Brother! Can I take the lead?"
Thwack!
"Ow! Big Brother, you hit my forehead again!"
After spending so much time with Lin Cheng, Kimimaro was no longer the expressionless boy from the original story.
His exaggerated, goofy antics made Lin Cheng burst out laughing.
"Fine, fine! You go first! Remember to be careful, okay?"
"Mm. Don't worry!"
Kimimaro nodded and eagerly rushed toward the battle.
"That kid! He never lets me rest easy!"
Lin Cheng shook his head helplessly, then sped up to catch up with Kimimaro.
"Utakata! Come back with us quietly! This is no good for you or for Kirigakure!"
"I'm not going back to Kirigakure!"
"If you're going to be like this, don't blame us for using force! Hidden Mist Technique!"
"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"
"Water Release: Insulation Bubble!"
The bubbles blown out instantly enveloped Utakata, carrying him into the air!
"His presence has disappeared! Dispel the Hidden Mist Technique!"
"Utakata! Don't think you can get away! Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!"
The thick fog cleared. Seeing Utakata floating in midair, the Mist Ninja who had been urging him to return to Kirigakure grew furious.
"Scorch Release: Acid Pillar!"
The scorching pillar of strong acid pierced through the rising water dragon in an instant!
At the same time, Utakata, forced to strike back, had his own attack break the Insulation Bubble technique, and he fell from the air.
"Utakata! Come back to Kirigakure quietly! You can't escape!"
Watching Utakata fall, one of the Mist Ninja scoffed, forming Hand Seals as he prepared to capture him.
"Water Release: Water—Huh? Not good!"
"Hmph! No need to run! He'll leave quite comfortably."
Kimimaro closed in in an instant, pulled out a sharp bone, and thrust it straight at the Kirigakure Ninja who was trying to perform a jutsu.
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