Amid Shimura Danzō's towering fury...
The vast machine that was Root began operating at full speed.
A seemingly unremarkable commission appeared in the mission hall of the Hokage Building.
Mission request: escort a merchant caravan to the Land of Fields.
Mission rank: B.
Mission reward: 200,000 ryō.
Mission description: the caravan's route passes through the war zone between the Land of Lightning and the Land of Earth. A Konoha jonin is required to ensure the merchants' safety, with preference given to elite ninja from pure-blooded ninja clans such as the Senju, Hyuga, and Uchiha.
Chapter 41: The [Akatsuki] all-star lineup assembles! (Please keep reading! Please send monthly votes!)
The Land of Fields.
A dark laboratory in a secret underground base.
The cold, damp air mingled with the pungent smell of chemicals, and the harsh, pallid lighting made one uncomfortable.
"What a perfect body..."
Orochimaru extended his long, slender tongue and gently licked the corner of his mouth.
Before him, a child of five or six lay on an icy metal examination table.
Short white hair, green eyes, and a pair of distinctive, bean-shaped eyebrows.
The very picture of a Kaguya Clan member!
Kimimaro.
Kimimaro Kaguya.
"The Kaguya Clan's kekkei genkai, Shikotsumyaku."
Orochimaru's voice was husky and magnetic, like a venomous snake about to savor a delicacy.
"A kekkei genkai that allows free manipulation of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and even control over calcium concentrations to form bones.
"A ninja's body truly is marvelous..."
Kimimaro Kaguya stared at the laboratory ceiling, his eyes empty and numb, letting Orochimaru examine his body.
Ever since the Kaguya Clan had been wiped out...
Kimimaro had completely lost the meaning of his life.
It was Orochimaru who had given him a reason to continue existing back then-
"Life has no inherent meaning."
*"But if you keep