Chimera Technique

The idea of using the Chimera Technique to steal Kekkei Genkai came to Hiruko during the Third Shinobi World War, inspired by Hatake Kakashi's fusion with the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan.

That inspiration led him to refine the jutsu until the Chimera Technique could steal Kekkei Genkai.

"Not a bad idea. Is this jutsu called the Chimera Technique?" Naraku asked calmly, his expression unreadable as he rubbed his chin.

"Exactly." Hiruko's fervor hadn't diminished. He gazed at Naraku with shining eyes.

"If you're only devouring animals, it might be useful. But have you ever considered devouring shinobi—or their Kekkei Genkai?"

Uchiha Nara lifted his teacup, blew on it, and spoke evenly.

"Kekkei Genkai?" Hiruko's eyes lit up.

"Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant! Lord Naraku, you've had a similar idea, too!?"

Naraku's reminder had opened Hiruko's eyes and given him a new direction. The fervor in his eyes made Naraku feel a little uneasy.

These research fanatics are truly terrifying. And to think I'm the one leading such an evil undertaking...

Naraku felt conflicted. He just couldn't bring himself to accept something like this.

He looked at Hiruko, then thought:

One general's success is built on the bones of thousands. They're the ones choosing to kill each other. He'd do this even without me, and I really do need the results of his research.

With that, Naraku composed himself and nodded.

"Exactly. I've had similar ideas, but I lacked an assistant. Then I found you. Do you know why I didn't turn you over to the Hokage? Because you and I are alike."

The corners of Hiruko's mouth lifted. It was rare to find someone who understood him. He'd never expected Lord Naraku to be so much like him. It was a wonderful surprise.

"Lord Naraku, I wholeheartedly approve of your ideas! Why don't we start experimenting right now?"

"I'm a member of the Konoha Military Police Force. Maintaining order in Konoha is my duty. So we can't continue our experiments in the village. Unless you don't mind being hunted by Anbu."

"Then what do you suggest?" Hiruko was eager to continue his forbidden experiments.

"Patience. You can't rush these things, Hiruko. Don't worry about the experiments. I'll build you a secret underground base. And there are plenty of people in Konoha's prison who'd make suitable subjects. You understand?"

Hiruko heard him and nodded repeatedly, grinning with fervor.

"I've seen your old lab. It's far too crude. You'll need more observation equipment and storage tanks, and all of that will take money," Naraku said evenly.

"I've completed plenty of S-rank and A-rank missions for Konoha, and I still have a fair amount of money left. That was only my initial lab. I was already planning to expand it!"

Hiruko nodded at Naraku's comments about the lab's crude condition. He knew all too well how inadequate it was.

He'd only just begun his experiments, and he hadn't expected the Chimera Technique to make such progress after so many setbacks. It had given him a tremendous boost in confidence.

As a Konoha jonin, Hiruko was quite capable. He wasn't among the very best, but he was still a dependable pillar of the jonin ranks.

He'd completed over a hundred A-rank missions and dozens of S-rank missions. Assuming a minimum payout of one million ryo per S-rank mission, he must have had at least tens of millions.

Add in the more than a hundred A-rank missions, and Naraku estimated that Hiruko had over a hundred million ryo in assets.

That was nearly enough to cover a year of the Military Police Force's expenses. Otherwise, Hiruko couldn't have kept his experiments going for so long.

Naraku rubbed his chin, lost in thought. According to the Will of Fire, Hiruko's experiments continued in Konoha, and he remained active near the village even after the Third Shinobi World War ended.

That meant his lab was very well hidden. The last time, if not for the Uchiha elites intervening, they really might not have found his secret base.

"Besides our Police Force, no one knows about your secret base. Continue your experiments there, but don't harm any more people from Konoha. I'll provide you with subjects and funding, but..."

"I'll also need copies of your research progress and results. We'll work on the principle of mutual benefit. I'll keep you safe here in Konoha and provide the funding. You'll conduct the experiments and refine the technique. What do you say, Hiruko?"

"I couldn't ask for more!"

Hiruko agreed without hesitation. The jutsu wasn't finished yet, and there was no way to know whether it would even succeed.

Having a powerful official invest in and protect him would naturally be a great help to his research.

And once he developed the jutsu, whether he handed it over would still be up to him.

A promise of future results in exchange for practical help was a good deal. As an experienced jonin, Hiruko was naturally willing to accept.

"Good. Then we'll sign a confidential agreement, one copy each, and I'll keep them here. Remember, I want your research progress, the details of the jutsu, and the final results. Understood?"

"Understood, Lord Naraku." Hiruko smiled, perfectly agreeable.

Seeing Hiruko's expression, Naraku could more or less guess what he was thinking. The man probably took him for a sucker.

Heh. The Chimera Technique does succeed in the end. As a transmigrator, I know that for a fact.

Naraku sneered inwardly. A small investment and a little protection in exchange for a powerful forbidden jutsu was practically a guaranteed win, as long as he kept Hiruko under control and monitored him.

Naraku clapped his hands and called softly, "Riki."

Uchiha Riki, who had been standing guard outside, entered and respectfully acknowledged him.

"Could you prepare some paper and ink, Riki? And have someone bring Hiruko a cup of tea. We've been having such a good conversation that I've been rather discourteous."

Uchiha Riki glanced at Hiruko, then bowed slightly to Naraku. "Yes!"

He turned and left, arranging for paper, ink, and tea for Naraku.

The prison warden quickly saw to Naraku's requests with the help of his subordinates.

Naraku looked at the paper bearing Hiruko's signature and smiled.

"Hiruko, you can't stay in Konoha any longer. You're a Konoha jonin, and you've committed crimes like these. Lord Hokage has already designated you an S-rank missing-nin. I'll have someone take you out through a weak point in the barrier. After that, you can focus on your research in peace."

Hearing that he'd become a missing-nin of the highest rank, Hiruko couldn't help sighing. He'd spent over twenty years in this village.

Reading his expression, Naraku offered some comfort:

"Hiruko, I'm the only one who understands your talent right now. No single nation or village can contain you. You belong to a much larger world. Don't let this weigh on you. Once you've grown stronger—or if I become Hokage—you can still come back."

Naraku's reassurance improved Hiruko's mood a little. The Chimera Technique was still in its early stages, with many flaws to address. Hiruko himself couldn't be sure what the future held, or whether his approach to the technique was even viable.

So at this point, Hiruko hadn't yet developed the arrogance he would show once the Chimera Technique was complete.