"Someone from the Hōzuki Clan?"
"Yes. If I recall correctly, after Orochimaru captured that kid, he not only experimented on him but also kept him imprisoned in a base nearby."
The Hōzuki Clan Kimimaro referred to had no relation to Hōzuki Castle in the Grass Country—it was the bloodline of the Hidden Mist Village, known for their Hydrification Technique. Now that he was in Otogakure, Kimimaro figured he might as well poach one of Sasuke's future allies while he had the chance.
That kid, Suigetsu Hōzuki, was definitely worth bringing into his fold.
When planning his journey to Otogakure, Kimimaro had already considered searching for Suigetsu. Though Suigetsu was talkative and brash, he was dependable in combat. He lacked any grand ambitions—just the desire to get stronger and maybe collect all the swords of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. As long as he acknowledged someone's strength, he could be surprisingly obedient.
More importantly, the Hōzuki Clan's unique ability to liquefy their bodies was a form of elemental transformation rare even among Kage-level shinobi.
Kimimaro smirked. If members of the Hōzuki Clan crossed into the world of pirates, they'd probably dominate. Their water-based liquefaction was a natural counter to many low-tier Devil Fruit users—especially those without Haki or large-scale control over seawater.
Following the route from Orochimaru's old maps, Kimimaro led his group deeper into the forested borderlands of the Land of Rice Fields.
"If I remember correctly, we keep heading south for about an hour, and we should reach it."
They had just exited a small town and were hiking through dense terrain when Naruto's voice rang out.
"Huh? There are people over there… 'Perverted Sage,' let's go ask them if they know anything!"
"I told you not to call me that!"
Kimimaro stiffened. Perverted Sage?
That nickname... No way…
He had overlooked this detail from the manga's timeskip gap. During the interim between Part I and Shippuden, Naruto had indeed traveled with Jiraiya across various countries—including the Land of Rice Fields. There was a filler arc and manga side story involving the Fūma Clan that took place here.
Kimimaro cursed under his breath. I didn't think I'd run into Naruto so soon.
Hanabi's sharp ears caught it instantly. "Big Brother, I think I heard Naruto Uzumaki's voice," she said, activating her Byakugan. "It really is him. And Sakura is there too. Ah! That's Lord Jiraiya!"
There was no avoiding it.
Kimimaro took a deep breath and steadied his chakra. Time to greet the Child of Prophecy himself.
"It's you!" Naruto's voice rang out with sudden fury. "You're the one who helped Orochimaru back then! Shadow Clone Jutsu! Rasengan!"
Without a shred of hesitation, Naruto charged.
Kimimaro instantly activated his Shikotsumyaku. A bone shield extended from his forearm, absorbing the Rasengan's impact—but cracked under the force. At the same moment, several sharpened bones erupted from the ground, snaring Naruto in place.
"You're still as impulsive as ever, Uzumaki Naruto."
"Let me go, you freak! You're Orochimaru's minion! Ero-Sennin! He must know where that snake is hiding!"
But Jiraiya held Naruto back with a hand, his tone calm and serious as he studied Kimimaro.
"You're Kimimaro? Tsunade mentioned you."
"Huh? Why would Granny Tsunade talk about him?"
Sakura stepped forward hesitantly, her face pale. "Naruto… something's wrong. Wasn't Kimimaro reported dead after the battle with Gaara and Rock Lee during the mission to retrieve Sasuke? And—look! That's Hanabi Hyūga! The Hyūga clan's heiress!"
Naruto blinked, visibly confused. "Wait, you're supposed to be dead! And what are you doing with Hanabi?! Hanabi, come back!"
Kimimaro observed their confusion. So the higher-ups in Konoha already know I'm alive and that Hiashi entrusted Hanabi to me... but these Genin weren't informed.
He narrowed his eyes. Typical. Tsunade's already playing her cards. If Jiraiya weren't here, Naruto would probably have gone berserk and followed me around like a stubborn shadow.
Worse yet, this might just be the first of many encounters—with Naruto's group and the other Konoha 11.
Naruto had already broken free from the restraints. "I don't care if you're human or ghost—since I've met you, I'm going to beat you up!"
"Naruto, you're not allowed to attack Big Brother!"
Hanabi stood in front of Kimimaro without hesitation, glaring at him.
"Huh? Hanabi, why are you protecting him? Move aside, he's a bad guy—he used to work for Orochimaru!"
"You're the bad guy! Hmph, I don't get what Sister sees in you."
"Eh? Hinata? What does this have to do with her?"
"Scumbag!" Hanabi snapped, crossing her arms.
She was clearly angry—Naruto had always shown affection toward Sakura Haruno, yet kept being oblivious to Hinata's feelings. To Hanabi, he was the worst kind of person: someone who led her sister on while liking someone else. Kimimaro, at least, was straightforward—if he liked someone, he'd admit it, even if he liked more than one. He wouldn't pretend ignorance or keep someone as a backup.
What Hanabi didn't realize was that Naruto never saw things in such a complicated way—he simply wasn't that emotionally aware. But by now, her thinking had already been influenced by Kimimaro and Karin.
"Hanabi," Sakura tried to reason, "Naruto's right. That guy used to be one of Orochimaru's top men. You should get away from him."
"Hmph! No! And Sister Sakura's not any better!" Hanabi turned to glare at her now, clearly holding nothing back. "Big Brother isn't a bad guy. He cut ties with Orochimaru long ago. Even Father gave his approval for me to stay with him!"
"What?" Naruto and Sakura froze in place. Hiashi Hyuga approved?
Jiraiya, who had been silently observing the situation, stroked his chin. "This kid… he's got spirit. Got a pretty girl backing him up too. Though she's still flat compared to how Tsunade looked at her age… hmm, not bad. And that little girl Hanabi's even standing up for him… Tch, little girls are cute, but I've always preferred the mature types."
His eyes drifted toward Karin. "Glasses, red hair… could she be from the Uzumaki Clan? Interesting… I wonder how Nagato's doing these days…"
"Hey! Pervy Sage! What are you daydreaming about again?" Naruto snapped, already annoyed by the old man's expression.
"That guy's still one of Orochimaru's old crew!"
"Naruto, Sakura," Jiraiya interrupted with a serious tone, "Kimimaro isn't considered an enemy of Konoha anymore. Tsunade already cleared this up with me."
"What?! Granny Tsunade? Why would she—?"
"He's cut ties with Orochimaru," Jiraiya said, folding his arms. "And the Kaguya clan—despite their bloody past—were once distant allies of the Hyuga. Hanabi's guardianship under him was officially approved by Hiashi Hyuga himself."
Both Naruto and Sakura were left speechless. The man who had once helped take Sasuke away was now legally caring for the Hyuga clan's youngest daughter?
Kimimaro stepped forward and gave Jiraiya a polite bow. "Mr. Jiraiya, I'm honored to meet you. Your reputation precedes you."
"Well now," Jiraiya chuckled. "You're a lot more respectful than Naruto, I'll give you that."
"Among the legendary Sannin, I respect you the most," Kimimaro said sincerely. "And across the entire ninja world, your character holds a place of admiration in my heart."
Jiraiya blinked, caught off guard. "Huh… I would've figured you'd look up to Orochimaru the most."