Under Mirai's guidance, Hagoromo found that gloomy prison cell. Would anyone really be locked up here?
Then, the two of them saw a white-haired child inside... Although imprisoning a minor was quite inhumane, this actually made Hagoromo sigh in relief: the other party's age met his expectations, which meant he likely wouldn't have made a trip for nothing.
However, it seemed that everyone Hagoromo found shared certain similarities with him, such as a face that was hard to categorize, or, for example, their hair color.
So... white hair in the ninja world wasn't albinism, nor was it premature graying, but rather a very common phenomenon?
"Who are you?"
Looking at the sudden arrivals who were clearly not of his clan, Kimimaro's eyes remained placid and almost cold, his tone entirely devoid of any emotional fluctuation.
His reaction was completely unlike what a child his age should have.
Facts have proven that every white-haired person has an epic and moving story. If it's white hair paired with natural waves, dead-fish eyes, and a severe sugar addiction, then the story is even richer—ranging from fighting aliens to raising a loli, having absolutely everything one could expect.
"Just a passing ninja," Hagoromo said. But the credibility of these words... was about the same as someone claiming to be a passing housewife.
Every passing housewife is a housewife with off-the-charts combat power, and every passing ninja is a ninja harboring ill intentions.
"You are no ordinary ninja. The guards outside were dealt with silently," Kimimaro stated.
For a child his age, this was a remarkably calm and outstanding instantaneous judgment.
"Who I am isn't important," Hagoromo smiled. "What's important is, do you want to get out of here?"
Although Mirai was exploring the area with a curious gaze, her sight taking in the person opposite them and the environment, she just watched quietly, not speaking up to interrupt Hagoromo's conversation.
"Get out? Why?"
Kimimaro asked why, because he truly didn't know why he should go out.
"Do you not have anything you want? Like... freedom or something?"
"Freedom?" Kimimaro was confused.
He knew what freedom was, but did he need it? Or rather, was there a difference to him between being inside this cell and outside?
For someone with no life goals, who was constantly manipulated, there was no difference at all. If no one bothered him, Kimimaro could probably squat here and be a quiet, handsome boy for the rest of his life.
Freedom held no meaning for Kimimaro, so confinement also held no meaning for him.
Although he had no background in psychology, Hagoromo could understand what was going on with the person opposite him through this brief exchange. For a very long time, Hagoromo had also experienced a similar state. Although he hadn't been this passive, it was essentially no different.
There is an eternal truth that says: If a person has no dreams, what difference is there between them and a salted fish?
Having no ideals, no purpose, and no goals truly leaves a person feeling hollow. This should be a problem pondered by old men over twenty, but in this kind of world, some people were indeed much more precocious and thought far too much.
"What is your name?"
"Kimimaro."
So this is Kimimaro... Hagoromo had more of an impression of the name "Kimimaro" than "Haku," but it was merely an impression. He didn't know much more beyond that.
"Kimimaro, you can walk out of here now." Saying this, Hagoromo pointed to Mirai beside him. "Protecting this child can become your life's mission."
"Why?" Kimimaro asked.
"No reason. Because you need to walk out of here."
Why would a complete stranger have any reason to protect an unrelated girl? Just because of Hagoromo's single sentence?
It was ridiculous, but at the same time, not ridiculous at all.
Kimimaro didn't know how his life should proceed. Now, someone had told him how to proceed, even if it meant doing something entirely unrelated to him.
Kimimaro's expression shifted... He needed to be bound on a certain level, and he needed to be liberated on a deeper level.
The sound of clashing chains rang out as Kimimaro tried to stand up and walk out of the cell.
In truth, a single sentence could explain why Kimimaro was willing to follow Hagoromo. Haku had been in the exact same situation:
A person always needs to "be needed."
Ultimately, they didn't follow Hagoromo for someone else's sake, but for their own.
A bone blade protruded from the center of Kimimaro's right palm. Then, the iron chains on his body and the iron lock securing the cell door snapped into two pieces in succession.
He walked out of his confinement, then said to Hagoromo, "Where are we going?"
"Hold on a minute, let me look at your hand first," Hagoromo said.
Kimimaro presented his right hand in front of Hagoromo's eyes... This dense bone blade hadn't just grown out instantaneously; its hardness and sharpness surpassed steel.
Is this the legendary Shikotsumyaku of the Kaguya clan?
This... this child's bone hyperplasia is way too severe. Just for this single action, how many calcium tablets will he need to eat to make up for it?
Shikotsumyaku was undoubtedly an abnormal physical state; Hagoromo could easily judge this. It was hard to say that using such a move wouldn't put a burden on the body. The use of any "jutsu" comes with risks, and Kimimaro's risk seemed very easy to spot with the naked eye.
Cell division ultimately has a limit. Could Shikotsumyaku manipulating bone cells bypass this? Hagoromo didn't know, but his instincts told him it was bad news.
Similar to how using a certain Sharingan too much causes blindness, the risks of a Kekkei Genkai are only higher than advanced ninjutsu, never lower. Gaining power always comes at a price, and Shikotsumyaku shouldn't be an exception.
"Retract it. Don't use this move lightly for the time being."
Hagoromo thought for a moment, then suddenly remembered something—an item he had kept on him all this time but never really had a use for.
"I happen to have a gift I can give you. In future battles, if you can solve the problem using this, try not to use your bones."
Saying that, Hagoromo pulled a scroll from behind his back. After undoing the seal, a dark, ladybug-shell-like weapon was revealed.
Hmph hmph ha hee, quick, use the double hammer.
Although it was used like a hammer, it was actually a massive broadsword.
One of the Seven Ninja Swords of the Mist: The Twinsword, Hiramekarei.
As for the Nuibari (Sewing Needle) off to the side, it seemed just right for Haku to use. He felt that face was a perfect match for such a slender weapon.
Kimimaro nodded, seemingly understanding the meaning behind Hagoromo's words. He retracted the bone blade and accepted the gift with both hands.
He strapped Hiramekarei to his back with some effort... making him look even more like a ladybug.
The Twinsword: Hiramekarei was a very heavy weapon. Forget about using it smoothly; even just carrying it on his back wasn't easy for a seven-year-old Kimimaro. But he strapped it on anyway.
Come to think of it, this was probably the first time anyone had ever given him a gift. Although strange, Hiramekarei could definitely be considered precious.