[Host, your understanding is mostly accurate. The Taketori clan's genetic traits have stabilized your Shikotsumyaku to a degree—enhancing your immunity and temporarily suppressing its inherited weaknesses. However, the foundational flaw remains dormant. When you activate Shikotsumyaku extensively, the original degenerative symptoms will reemerge.]
[However, integrating the Byakugan into your genetic profile could be a viable long-term solution. The Byakugan allows unparalleled internal vision with no blind spots, making it possible to detect microscopic cellular mutations. Combined with medical ninjutsu or precise internal surgery, you could permanently resolve the residual damage caused by the bloodline disease.]
[Kaguya Ōtsutsuki herself had no bloodline disease. The degenerative flaws only emerged after her chakra was divided and diluted across generations. This is particularly evident in the Kaguya clan, where the Shikotsumyaku manifested alongside a deadly genetic disorder.]
[So the Byakugan is essential to optimize my Shikotsumyaku... But if I do fuse with it, will my eyes turn permanently white? That might raise suspicion too early. I'm still trying to keep a low profile.]
[Host, you underestimate the system's flexibility. Once the Byakugan is integrated, you will be able to activate and deactivate it at will. External eye features can be controlled, concealing your dojutsu until needed.]
Kimimaro exhaled softly.
"As expected of a cheat... One more thing—if I resolve all the hidden issues with my Shikotsumyaku, is there a chance it could evolve into the All-Killing Ash Bones?"
[In theory, yes. The All-Killing Ash Bones are the original form of the Shikotsumyaku, derived directly from Kaguya Ōtsutsuki's Kekkei Mōra. But achieving that would require integrating higher-level Otsutsuki genetic traits. It's beyond the current capabilities of your body or any single Kekkei Genkai.]
[So it's possible, but not guaranteed. Got it. I thought you were all-knowing, though.]
[The system is not omniscient. It was born from a fusion of transmigration energy and the residual will of Kimimaro's dying regret. Its current capabilities are based on your understanding of the Naruto world and a genetic analysis of your host body. Its primary function is to synthesize bloodline gene potions and facilitate bloodline fusion. Please refrain from inquiries beyond its operational parameters.]
"...That's unexpectedly honest of you."
If the system hadn't clarified, Kimimaro might have kept assuming it had god-tier knowledge. Now it was clear—this system was a specialized tool, not a divine oracle. No wonder there were no missions, shops, or wish-granting features.
After the conversation, Kimimaro regrouped with Jugo and Karin. They were on the road once more.
"Where to now?" Karin asked, her red eyes full of curiosity.
"To Konohagakure," Kimimaro said. "Eventually. But we'll take our time. I want to pass through the Land of Waterfall first."
Obtaining the Byakugan was a certainty—but unlike the Taketori fusion, it wasn't an immediate need. His body was no longer breaking down with every use of Shikotsumyaku.
After arriving in this world, Kimimaro had first dragged his sickly body to find Jugo, then traveled through the Land of Iron and Waterfall to reach Kusagakure. That had taken more than a week. Waiting for the Taketori gene potion to complete had cost another ten days.
Now, the system still needed about ten more days to produce the next viable bloodline test tube.
There was time. Infiltrating Konoha would be delicate work—especially since the Hyuga clan was extremely protective of the Byakugan. Attempting to forcibly take it could attract attention from elite jonin or even ANBU.
He also considered creating potions from Jugo or Karin's bloodlines. Jugo's unique body could help stabilize senjutsu-related changes, while Karin's Uzumaki vitality could significantly reinforce his cellular endurance.
For now, the three of them crossed the border into the Land of Waterfall.
Kimimaro allowed himself a rare sense of leisure. After all, wasn't he in another world now? Why not take a moment to enjoy it?
"The scenery here is pretty nice," he said, looking out over the waterfalls cascading between lush valleys.
"Yes," Karin agreed softly. "It'd be romantic to travel like this every day…"
The Land of Waterfall was one of the more peaceful minor nations. Its ninja presence was minimal, and its civilian towns retained an untouched charm. Soon they reached a small settlement—not a shinobi village, but a town for ordinary people.
"Let's see what local food they have. I'd rather not cook every single day."
"But I like your cooking the best," Karin replied, hugging his arm.
Kimimaro smiled. "There are some really talented chefs among civilians, you know. I'm only decent among ninjas."
In truth, civilian life in the Naruto world wasn't too different from that of his old life. There were street vendors, restaurants, and shops. People lived without constant fear of battle.
Compared to the massive urban cities of Earth, these towns had a nostalgic simplicity—slower-paced and more personal, like the 1990s.
The world of Naruto did have technology—computers, projectors, and even some video surveillance—but it was patchy and underdeveloped compared to the modern world. Their "networks" were mostly localized intranets, used primarily in Hidden Villages for record-keeping and communication. When it came to transmitting critical information across distances, ninjas still relied heavily on coded scrolls, trained messenger animals, and, of course, high-speed travel via ninjutsu.
The overwhelming presence of chakra and the reliance on supernatural abilities had stunted the development of many modern conveniences. Technology and chakra coexisted, but the latter always took precedence, especially in the shinobi-dominated regions. This imbalance created a world that seemed both archaic and advanced—a place of contrasts.
"It's really cozy," Kimimaro said as he looked around the quiet town. "I haven't felt this kind of peaceful atmosphere in a long time."
Karin gave a small sigh. "Sometimes I wonder… maybe being a normal civilian wouldn't be so bad. No missions, no bloodshed. Just living day by day."
A cheerful voice interrupted them. The shopkeeper, a talkative middle-aged man, approached with a tray of steaming dishes. Noticing the relaxed demeanor of the ninja trio, he chuckled and said, "To be honest, we civilians envy you, you know."
"Envy?" Jugo blinked. "We were just thinking the opposite."
The man laughed bitterly. "You shinobi have strength. Even a genin could take down a gang of tough civilians. Maybe you think ordinary life is stable, but that's only true for the rich or the powerful. Us bottom-tier folk? We get swept up in the consequences of your wars, your politics. When bandits come, or if a border conflict breaks out, we have nothing but luck to keep us alive. At least you have the strength to fight back."
His words left the table in silence. The atmosphere turned heavy as Karin and Jugo fell into thought.
Sensing he had gone too far, the shopkeeper bowed his head quickly. "Forgive me—I didn't mean to speak out of turn. I just… wanted to be honest."
Kimimaro shook his head gently. "There's nothing to apologize for. You're right. The peace people imagine is fragile… and not everyone gets to enjoy it."
Even in the Five Great Nations, peace was selective—reserved mostly for those living under direct protection of the Hidden Villages. In outlying lands like the Land of Rivers or the Land of the Waterfall, peace was often a luxury, not a guarantee.
Karin and Jugo nodded, though their understanding was incomplete. They had seen the horrors of the ninja world—but not the quiet, everyday suffering of the powerless. That subtle difference was something only a transmigrator like Kimimaro could truly grasp, coming from a world where even the weak had a voice—at least in theory.
"Boss, what's your name?" Kimimaro asked.
"Huh? Oh—humble me is Sanpo. Himeko Sanpo," the man replied with a nervous smile.
Kimimaro was already accustomed to the odd names of this world, but he filed it away with mild amusement. It still sounded like a good omen.
"Make way! Make way! The City Lord is departing!"
A commotion erupted in the distance. A grand carriage drawn by four powerful horses rumbled down the street. Around it were several ninja acting as escorts, shouting at the townspeople to clear the road.
One shinobi, clearly a jonin by his chakra presence and flak vest, stood atop the carriage, scanning the surroundings.
"That's a high-level jonin," Kimimaro murmured. "Strong, too."
Civilians scrambled to the sides of the street, many bowing or kneeling instinctively. One unlucky man didn't move quickly enough and was ruthlessly kicked aside by a guard.
"Out of the way!" the shinobi barked.
No one resisted. No one protested.
Instead, people pressed their foreheads to the ground and apologized, not because they were wrong—but because they were afraid.