My Techniques are a bit off

Night, an isolated island surrounded by the sea.

Orochimaru's southern base loomed in the shadows.

"Ahhhhh!"

On the monitor, a test subject who had just undergone a transplant surgery writhed in agony. His skin corroded away, exposing raw, bloody muscles, which also soon disintegrated. The screaming stopped as his body collapsed, leaving only glimmering, multicolored bones. Eventually, they too turned into black sand, scattering across the floor.

"Another failure."

Orochimaru stood with his hands at his sides, his face calm and emotionless.

"As expected, Link's secret isn't in his bloodline or genetic material. Even after transplanting his DNA, it's impossible to harness or utilize that natural energy."

"What a pity."

Kabuto, standing nearby, asked, "Should we destroy all the cultivated genetic samples, then?"

"Preserve a portion and seal it for future research. Destroy the rest," Orochimaru instructed. "This includes the experimental subjects who have undergone the transplants—eliminate them as well."

Kabuto nodded. "Doesn't this render the transaction with Danzo meaningless?"

"I know Danzo well. With his ambitions…" Orochimaru chuckled. "Kabuto, don't concern yourself with him."

"How is Kimimaro?"

Kabuto hesitated for a moment before replying, "After receiving the transplant from the original body, he survived. However, the Curse Mark has shown abnormal reactions. He can no longer channel chakra or use his kekkei genkai. He requires regular injections of inhibitors, or the rampant natural energy will destroy his cells entirely."

Kimimaro's once-powerful Shikotsumyaku (Dead Bone Pulse) was now suppressed by the Curse Mark and inhibitors. Though the transplant had given his body extraordinary regenerative abilities, it had rendered his strength unusable. Any chakra, bloodline powers, or Curse Mark transformations were obliterated by the overwhelming natural energy. Even his physical structure had begun to change.

"Then we'll proceed to the next phase of research," Orochimaru said without hesitation, showing no concern for the loss of his once-favored vessel.

"Kabuto, pack up. Take the original body. We're heading to the northern base."

The southern base, filled with experimental prisoners, was no longer suitable for his escalating research. The northern base, a former center for Curse Mark experiments, housed subjects like Jūgo and a slew of failed experiments.

"Understood," Kabuto replied, bowing. "What about Kimimaro?"

Orochimaru thought for a moment, then smiled coldly. "Let's offer him to Danzo as a gift for our next transaction."

Kimimaro, now a liability requiring constant doses of rare inhibitors, was no longer worth keeping. With many similar failed experiments, Kimimaro was no longer unique. Orochimaru decided to trade him as a token for Danzo.

"Abandoned, huh, Kimimaro…"

Kabuto wasn't surprised. Orochimaru's cruelty and pragmatism knew no bounds. Even Kabuto himself had to prepare for the day he might be discarded.

"How could I ever abandon you?" Orochimaru's playful voice interrupted Kabuto's thoughts.

Looking down at his subordinate's expressionless face, Orochimaru smiled, effortlessly seeing through Kabuto's thoughts. "You're my right hand, Kabuto. I'll always need you."

"I understand."

Kabuto's face briefly flickered with gratitude, but his eyes remained vacant. Being needed was his only purpose.

Leaving the surveillance room, Kabuto walked through the dim corridors. His mind wandered to Uchiha Sasuke, remembering the day they had fought.

That darkness in Sasuke's heart… it was gone. His eyes looked familiar, like someone else's I've seen before.

Kabuto stopped at the entrance to a room.

"Kabuto-sensei."

A young boy with shoulder-length white hair and green eyes opened the door, his face calm. "Did Lord Orochimaru have instructions for me?"

"There are no instructions," Kabuto replied, adjusting his glasses.

"Then…?" Kimimaro's calm eyes looked at him.

"You've been abandoned," Kabuto stated bluntly. "In the next transaction with Danzo, you'll be a 'gift.'"

He pulled two murky inhibitor vials from his pocket. "These are the last ones. Each will keep your body stable for a month."

The truth was, there was no extra inhibitor. Kabuto handed them over as a final gesture of farewell.

"I see," Kimimaro said quietly, his lips curving into a serene smile. Even without his powers or value, he could still make one last contribution to Orochimaru.

"How wonderful!" Tears of joy streamed down his face.

"It's 9 p.m. Time for bed," Kabuto said, wiping his glasses as he turned to leave.

"Those who dwell in darkness and loneliness can't refuse an extended hand."

Lowering his gaze, he thought, "And neither can I. What about you, Sasuke?"

…

In the mountains, a graveyard.

"That Konoha kid has a dangerous technique."

A member of the Akatsuki, his body surrounded by sharp, serrated leaves, smiled. The black half of his face said, "A jutsu that allows him to communicate with the dead in the Pure Land and summon them to the living world without any cost."

"His name is Link, right? It's unfortunate Itachi and Kisame's mission to capture him failed," the white half responded.

"That ability… it might even be useful for our plans. If he continues to grow—" the black half began.

"I saw Itachi fight his father. It almost made me—" the white half interrupted.

"Shut up!" the black half snapped.

From a distance, a masked man with a swirling pattern on his face sat on a chair. His voice was tinged with intrigue.

"So Itachi failed as well?"

His body distorted as he disappeared from sight, leaving only his voice behind.

"A jutsu to summon the dead…

"How very interesting."

~~~

Patreon(.)com/Bleam

— Currently You can Read 100 Chapters Ahead of Others!