Ascension Island, underground laboratory.
Lin Ze led Kimimaro through layer after layer of barriers, once again entering this hidden space where technology mingled with ninjutsu runes.
"Lin Ze, you're back."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a gentle smile appearing on his face.
He had noticed Lin Ze's soul returning a little earlier, but he had been busy cultivating Lin Ze's "Earth Release Yinglong clone" at the time, so he hadn't greeted him.
His gaze fell on Kimimaro, and he nodded slightly.
"Kimimaro, your new body is ready, about a week ahead of our previous estimate."
Lin Ze wasn't surprised.
That was why he had brought Kimimaro here. He had noticed it earlier, when his original body woke up.
After all, the progress of cultivating a clone was affected by various factors, so fluctuations were normal.
"Take us to see it."
"This way."
Kabuto led the two deeper into the laboratory.
Several large cultivation tanks stood there, the largest of which was currently giving off a pale green glow.
Inside the tank, a boy's body floated in nutrient solution.
Lin Ze stepped closer to examine it.
This clone looked about ten years old. Its face bore some resemblance to Kimimaro's, but its features were softer, and its skin had a healthy fairness rather than Kimimaro's sickly pallor.
What stood out most was-
On either side of the clone's forehead was a slightly curved, milky-white bone horn about half a finger long.
The horns were smooth, with faint golden patterns faintly flowing across their surfaces.
Ōtsutsuki traits...
Something stirred in Lin Ze's mind.
In the original story, the members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan all had horns. Kaguya had them, Momoshiki had them, and so did Kinshiki.
The Kaguya Clan and the Hyuga Clan were both descendants of Hamura Otsutsuki, one inheriting the "bones,"