Chapter 41 – The Man Who Revived the Title of the "Seven Ninja Swordsmen"
While Orochimaru was still deep in thought, Kimimaro attacked once more.
Seeing that the bone blade in his hand had no effect, Kimimaro shifted backward, raising both hands toward Yuto.
Shikotsumyaku — Ten Finger Drilling Bullets!
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Ten finger bones shot out like bullets, their speed and power both astonishing.
Yuto, however, only revealed a helpless look, letting the projectiles strike his body.
The instant the bones touched him, they seemed to lose all force, slipping down his clothes harmlessly.
Watching Kimimaro's attacks achieve nothing, Orochimaru's eyelids twitched slightly.
"Enough, Kimimaro, stop."
At Orochimaru's words, Kimimaro froze mid-motion. Though a trace of unwillingness flashed in his eyes, he still halted.
Before Yuto could react, Orochimaru suddenly raised his leg and stomped downward.
Splatter!
Blood spurted out as, to Yuto's surprise, Orochimaru crushed Ukon's head beneath his foot.
"Without any value, there's no need for existence," Orochimaru said calmly, then lifted his gaze toward Yuto, a mocking smile tugging at his lips.
"Yuto-dono, surely you didn't come all this way just for my useless subordinates, did you?"
Yuto gave a small smile, glancing once at Kimimaro, then spoke softly.
"I want two people."
Orochimaru's eyelids twitched again, curiosity and inevitability flickering in his expression.
Kimimaro's identity was no real secret. If Kirigakure wished to investigate, they could easily discover it.
That was precisely why Orochimaru had brought Kimimaro along—he had already guessed Yuto had come for him.
But now Yuto was asking for two people, which piqued Orochimaru's interest. Who was the second?
"Who?" Orochimaru's eyes deepened as he licked his lips.
"Kimimaro and Hozuki Suigetsu."
Yuto's smile widened slightly, his gaze narrowing at Orochimaru with a hint of accusation.
"Tell me, I'm quite curious—why has your Otogakure taken people from Kirigakure?"
Kimimaro could be excused; he was left behind, and Orochimaru had merely taken advantage.
But Hozuki Suigetsu had clearly been captured by him.
At Yuto's words, Orochimaru bowed his head slightly and gave a low chuckle.
"Not long ago, I encountered a member of the Hozuki clan. My curiosity got the better of me, so I invited him as a guest. If Yuto-dono desires these two, you may take them with you at any time."
Behind his lowered head, a faint glimmer of killing intent flickered in Orochimaru's eyes.
The Hozuki clan held no small standing in Kirigakure.
When he had captured Suigetsu, Orochimaru had taken great care to keep it hidden. Only those within Otogakure should have known.
It seemed it was time to purge the ranks within Otogakure, Orochimaru thought to himself.
As for Orochimaru's lies, Yuto only rolled his eyes, too lazy to argue.
Hearing their exchange, Kimimaro froze, his body stiffening, disbelief written across his face.
"Orochimaru-sama… you don't need me anymore…"
Before Orochimaru could answer, Yuto looked directly at Kimimaro, speaking with firm seriousness.
"You are Kimimaro of the Kaguya clan from Kirigakure, never Kimimaro of Otogakure."
Yet when he finished, Yuto noticed Kimimaro's attention wasn't on him at all, and a trace of helplessness crossed his face.
Orochimaru's indoctrination was too strong. Yuto admitted to himself he had no talent for persuasive talk, nor any skill like "talk-no-jutsu" to easily change a person's heart.
Thus, Yuto locked eyes on Orochimaru, his gaze filled with sharp, oppressive threat.
Feeling the weight of that stare, Orochimaru's eyelids twitched violently, though his expression remained composed. He turned instead to Kimimaro, his voice cold and flat:
"As a vessel you have failed. You no longer hold any value."
"No… value?" Kimimaro's body trembled under the indifference in Orochimaru's eyes, his vacant stare muttering those words to himself.
Without another glance, Orochimaru turned away, forming a hand seal. From his sleeve, a small snake slithered down and disappeared into the distance.
As Kimimaro stood frozen, a hand settled lightly upon his shoulder.
He raised his head mechanically, meeting the warm, steady gaze of Yuto.
"Value is never defined by others," Yuto said softly. "It lies within yourself. Kirigakure needs you. I need you."
Those quiet words sank deep into Kimimaro's ears. To be needed—for the first time, a faint light flickered in his lifeless eyes.
Yuto said no more. To change Kimimaro's mind would not be achieved overnight. But Yuto had time—plenty of it.
Step—step—
Footsteps echoed from afar.
Suigetsu Hozuki approached, his curiosity piqued. Oddly, Orochimaru had unlocked his shackles today, even sending two attendants to escort him out.
One man held his arm, the other led the way. They were only ordinary Otogakure shinobi, their strength unimpressive.
Though his body felt weak from long confinement, Suigetsu knew he could have dispatched the pair with ease. Yet the thought of Orochimaru's terrifying power made him shudder. So, he followed obediently.
Soon, he saw Orochimaru standing ahead—and opposite him, a calm young man who faced him without concern.
The escorts presented Suigetsu, their eyes bright with feverish loyalty as they bowed to Orochimaru.
"Orochimaru-sama, we've brought Hozuki Suigetsu!"
Orochimaru gave a small nod and flicked his hand dismissively.
The two attendants bowed again and quickly departed.
"Well then, Yuto-dono, the one you requested is here," Orochimaru said, his tone carrying a faint respect.
Suigetsu's eyes widened in confusion. Did Orochimaru's words mean… he was free?
For a moment, shock silenced him, even as the respectful tone went unnoticed.
"Hozuki brat—what are you dazing for?"
Yuto's indifferent voice snapped him back.
Suigetsu blinked, glaring at the youth before him—someone about his own age. He curled his lip in displeasure.
"You don't seem much older than me, kid."
For a second, Yuto was stunned. Since his resurrection, no one had ever dared call him "kid."
Then, unexpectedly, his lips curled into a strange smile.
"Good. I like your spirit."
"Of course! I'm the man who'll revive the name of the 'Seven Ninja Swordsmen'!" Suigetsu declared proudly, thrusting his thumb at his chest.
(End of Chapter)
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