Hinata's gaze hardened as she stared into the distance.
Her Byakugan had already locked onto the approaching enemy, and what she saw made her heart tighten.
He's strong… far too strong.
A quiet thought echoed in her mind.
If it's just the two of us… we might not be able to hold him off.
Beside her, Ino clenched her fists, her expression tense.
"But if all three of us stay here and still can't stop him," she said, her voice trembling slightly, "then Sasuke…"
She didn't finish the sentence.
She didn't need to.
Everyone understood.
If they failed here, Sasuke would fall into Orochimaru's hands.
And that outcome was unacceptable.
Shino adjusted his glasses, his tone calm but heavy.
"If one person takes Sasuke away first," he said, "then even if the remaining two are defeated, they can still buy time."
"Perhaps… even complete the mission."
A brief silence followed.
But the implication was clear.
The two who stayed behind…
Would likely die.
Hinata closed her eyes for a moment.
When she opened them again, her hesitation was gone.
"Ino," she said firmly, "you take Sasuke and leave."
Ino froze.
"What?! No, Hinata—!"
"Shino and I will stay and hold the enemy back."
The words were calm.
Decisive.
Final.
Ino's face turned pale.
"Absolutely not! I won't leave you behind!"
But Hinata shook her head gently.
"Ino… listen to me."
Her voice softened, but her resolve did not waver.
"The mission comes first."
"Sasuke is our comrade. We cannot allow Orochimaru to take him."
She paused, then continued with quiet honesty.
"And… your abilities are more suited for support."
"Against an opponent like this… you won't be able to do much in direct combat."
The words stung.
Ino lowered her head, biting her lip.
She wanted to argue.
She wanted to refuse.
But deep down…
She knew Hinata was right.
After a long silence, she finally spoke.
"…Alright."
Her voice was quiet, reluctant.
"I'll go."
"But you, Shino, and Naruto… you all have to come back safely!"
Hinata smiled softly.
Even exhausted, her expression carried a gentle strength.
"Don't worry," she said. "We'll all return."
Ino nodded, though her heart was still heavy.
She quickly grabbed Sasuke from Shino, hoisting the heavy wooden barrel onto her back.
For a moment, she hesitated.
Then she turned and ran.
"Be careful… Hinata, Shino…"
Her silent prayer lingered in the air as she disappeared into the distance.
The Enemy Reveals Himself
Hinata and Shino exchanged a glance.
Then, without hesitation—
Shino raised his hand.
In an instant, a massive swarm of kikaichū erupted into the air.
Like a dark cloud, they spread out, covering the sky and blocking the enemy's path.
The battlefield dimmed.
The air grew heavy with the hum of countless wings.
"…Oh?"
A calm voice echoed from within the darkness.
Kimimaro stood at the center of the swarm, his expression indifferent.
"So this is the Aburame Clan's insect technique…"
"How dull."
Despite being completely surrounded, he showed no fear.
No urgency.
Instead—
A layer of pale white bone began to spread across his skin.
It was as if his skeleton had turned inside out, forming a hardened armor.
The Shikotsumyaku.
A bloodline limit feared for its terrifying defensive power.
The kikaichū descended upon him, gnawing relentlessly.
But—
They could not break through.
"…What?!"
Shino's eyes narrowed.
"This is the first time my insects have been ineffective…"
Hinata's expression grew more serious.
"He's even stronger than we expected…"
Shino nodded.
"Perhaps stronger than any opponent we've faced before."
For a moment, fear crept into their hearts.
But Hinata clenched her fists.
"No matter what," she said, her voice steady, "Naruto is fighting with everything he has."
"Ino is risking her life to complete the mission."
"If we want to protect them…"
"We cannot lose here."
Shino gave a small nod.
"Agreed."
The Battle Begins
Suddenly—
A white figure descended from the sky.
Graceful.
Elegant.
Like a noble lord stepping into the battlefield.
Kimimaro landed lightly before them.
His eyes swept across the area.
No sign of Sasuke.
"…So they split up."
He looked back at Hinata and Shino.
"And you chose to stay."
"Aren't you afraid of death?"
Hinata met his gaze without flinching.
"If they sent you after us, it means the others weren't enough to deal with Naruto."
"And Ino has already taken Sasuke far away."
She stepped forward slightly.
"So the one who should be worried…"
"Is you."
Kimimaro blinked.
For a moment, he was genuinely surprised.
Then—
A faint smile appeared.
"Interesting."
"I didn't expect someone so young… and so delicate… to possess such sharp insight."
His gaze lingered on her eyes.
"Those eyes…"
"The Byakugan of the Hyuga Clan, correct?"
Hinata said nothing.
But her stance spoke volumes.
Kimimaro exhaled softly.
"My name is Kimimaro," he said.
"The last survivor of the Kaguya Clan."
"And the wielder of Shikotsumyaku."
As his voice fell—
Bones burst from his fingertips.
Sharp.
Deadly.
Like bullets.
"Ten-Finger Piercing Bullets!"
Whoosh—!
Ten bone projectiles shot forward at incredible speed.
Hinata reacted instantly.
Her hands moved with precision.
"Eight Trigrams Palm Rotation!"
A surge of chakra erupted from her body.
Her spinning form created a perfect sphere of defense.
The bone bullets struck—
And were deflected completely.
Kimimaro's eyes widened slightly.
"…Impressive."
"With those eyes and that technique…"
"You've created a flawless defense."
"What a troublesome opponent."
Clash of Abilities
Shino observed calmly.
"Kaguya Clan… Shikotsumyaku…"
"You manipulate your bones freely."
Kimimaro nodded.
"Yes."
"For me, bones are limitless."
"And harder than steel."
Shino frowned slightly.
"No wonder my kikaichū were ineffective."
"You used your bones as armor."
Kimimaro replied casually.
"A membrane of bone beneath the skin."
"Resistant to blades and spears."
"Unaffected by fire or water."
Shino adjusted his glasses.
"…Remarkable."
"But no matter how hard bones are…"
"They are still bones."
"My insects will erode them eventually."
Kimimaro smiled faintly.
"Perhaps."
"But how much time do you have?"
Hinata stepped forward again.
"As I said…"
"You're the one who should be worried."
"Our goal is simple."
"To hold you here."
Kimimaro's expression changed.
Just slightly.
"…I see."
He lowered his gaze.
"Then I'm sorry."
"For Lord Orochimaru…"
"I will not hold back."
"Sasuke is his chosen vessel."
"I will not allow you to take him back."
His voice remained calm.
Elegant.
But the killing intent within it was overwhelming.
"If you intend to stop me…"
"Then I'll have to kill you."
The Strongest Weapon
The air froze.
Hinata and Shino felt it instantly.
This man—
Was different.
Far beyond the Sound Four.
He was Orochimaru's strongest weapon.
But neither of them stepped back.
Hinata activated her Byakugan fully.
Her vision sharpened, capturing every detail of Kimimaro's movements.
Shino prepared his insects, ready to strike at any moment.
Kimimaro raised his hand.
Then—
From his shoulder, he pulled out a bone blade.
Pure white.
Smooth as jade.
Harder than steel.
Hinata's eyes widened.
"He turned his own bone into a weapon…"
"Be careful, Shino!"
She knew—
In close combat, Shino stood no chance against him.
This fight…
Would depend on her.
Kimimaro held the bone blade loosely.
"I am skilled in five dances," he said calmly.
"I wonder… how many you will witness."
Then—
"Dance of the Camellia."
In an instant, he moved.
Fast.
Graceful.
Deadly.
His footwork was fluid, almost like a dance.
The bone blade flashed like a ghost, unleashing a storm of attacks.
Hinata's expression tightened.
Her body moved instinctively.
Blocking.
Deflecting.
Countering.
Each strike carried lethal force.
Each movement demanded absolute precision.
Her breathing grew heavier.
But her resolve never wavered.
I can't fall here…
Not now.
Because behind her—
Were her comrades.
And ahead of her—
Was an enemy she had to stop.
No matter the cost.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)