"Is this where Guren lives?" Karin looked up at the somber, fortress-like structure nestled deep within the Land of Rice Fields. The oppressive aura unsettled her. "Why would she live in a place like this?"
"If I'm right, yeah." Suigetsu crossed his arms. "This is where Orochimaru dumps his discarded or 'pending' experiments. Guren's loyal but not essential right now—especially with Sasuke around. Orochimaru wouldn't risk a confrontation between them."
"She sounds pitiful."
"Tch. That woman's not pitiful—she's brainwashed." Suigetsu sneered. "I don't know what Orochimaru gave her, but she's practically suicidal in her devotion. Kimimaro, you're really thinking of taking her with us? You might as well help me get the Kubikiribōchō instead."
"We'll get your sword after this." Kimimaro's voice was calm, but resolute. "This comes first."
"You said it." Suigetsu rolled his eyes. "But seriously, you think she'll even leave with you? I heard her Crystal Release is pretty strong, but mentally? She's a total Orochimaru fanatic."
"Are you comparing her to how I used to be?"
"Uhh—of course not! Definitely not what I meant. Do what you want."
Kimimaro allowed himself a rare smile. "I don't know if she'll come, but I have to try."
As they stepped closer to the outer perimeter, Guren suddenly appeared—crystal shards glinting faintly in the air around her. They were already within the range of her detection techniques.
The Crystal Release, a rare kekkei genkai unique to her, allowed not only offense and defense but also wide-area surveillance through crystal mirrors and sensing. Though not from the manga canon, the anime revealed it to be highly adaptable—capable of ranged attacks, clone generation, field control, and ambush tactics via crystallization. Its main flaw: susceptibility to vibration-based disruption, like high-frequency sound waves.
It was precisely because of this versatility that Kimimaro had taken an interest in her—not to use her, but because he believed her power deserved better than stagnation.
"Kimimaro?" Guren's expression was unreadable. "Why are you here?"
"I know Orochimaru well. I figured out where you'd be. You've been cast aside, haven't you?"
Guren's eyes narrowed. "Don't twist it. Lord Orochimaru entrusted me with guarding this facility and refining my discipline. Don't try to manipulate me."
"I'm not." Kimimaro raised a hand in peace. "I came to offer you something else. Will you come with me?"
"With you?" she echoed with disdain. "You mean those idealistic things you told me last time? Still clinging to those fantasies, Kimimaro?"
"They're not fantasies. I'm sincere."
"Then explain your so-called sincerity." Her tone was biting, but her eyes wavered.
"First," Kimimaro began, "I'll help you become stronger. You may not care, but I know you regret not receiving a Cursed Seal like the others. Your Crystal Release is powerful, but you've been capped."
Guren stiffened. Kimimaro's words touched something hidden. Indeed, Orochimaru had deemed the Cursed Seal incompatible with her chakra nature. That had always stung, though she'd never admitted it aloud.
"Second," he continued, "I won't control you. I'll treat you as an equal, a true comrade—not a pawn. This place…" He looked around. "Your power shouldn't be wasting away in a prison like this."
"A 'true comrade'? You're still trying to drive a wedge between me and Orochimaru-sama."
"I don't have to. The wedge is already there—you just haven't acknowledged it."
Kimimaro's memories of the anime were vague, but he remembered enough. Guren's bond with Yukimaru had changed her, but that wasn't the cause—it was the catalyst. The real shift had begun long before, when Orochimaru sidelined her without explanation. Her loyalty endured, but her heart had already begun to fracture.
Guren fell silent. Kimimaro's words stirred unwelcome truths.
After a moment, she recovered her poise. "Talk is cheap. Don't forget, Kimimaro—your strength isn't vastly above mine. Even with the Cursed Seal, you couldn't easily overpower me. Why should I follow someone who can't defeat me?"
Kimimaro's eyes sharpened. "What if I could defeat you… without using the Cursed Seal?"
Guren stared, stunned, then laughed coldly. "You're joking, right? Your Shikotsumyaku may be unique, but my Crystal Release is on a different level."
Kimimaro stepped forward, calm as ever. "Then prove it. If I win, you come with me. No more excuses."
"Dare to make a bet?" Kimimaro asked, his voice calm but firm. "If I defeat you without using the Cursed Seal, you come with me."
Guren narrowed her eyes. "And if I win?"
"Then you can capture me and hand me over to Orochimaru."
A sharp glint flashed in Guren's eyes. "Fine. Let's see what you've become, Kimimaro."
Before they could begin, a soft, serpentine voice interrupted them.
"Now, now, isn't this an interesting development?"
Two figures emerged from the shadows—Orochimaru and Kabuto Yakushi.
"Lord Orochimaru!" Guren immediately dropped to one knee in reverence.
Kimimaro turned to them, unfazed. "Orochimaru… It's been a while." His tone was neutral, neither hostile nor subservient.
Orochimaru chuckled, amused. "You've changed, Kimimaro. To think the boy I once saved from the brink of death would one day stand before me like this."
"Life and death can teach even the most loyal dog to run free."
Orochimaru's grin widened, serpentine eyes gleaming. "You've been collecting my people, haven't you? First Jugo… then Suigetsu… and now Guren. Should I be concerned for Kabuto? Or perhaps even Sasuke?"
"Hmph. I follow Lord Orochimaru of my own will," Kabuto interjected, adjusting his glasses. "Unlike some others, I don't forget my purpose."
Kimimaro ignored Kabuto and focused on Orochimaru. Though the Sannin's hands were still bandaged from his failed body transfer, the oppressive aura he radiated hadn't dulled.
"If Guren is willing to come with me, then you won't need to worry about me taking anyone else. I've no interest in dismantling your entire base."
Orochimaru raised an eyebrow. "Interesting. You address me as 'Orochimaru' now, not 'Lord.' So you've truly severed yourself from me. Tell me, then—why come into the heart of my territory? Surely it's not just to collect stray tools."
Kimimaro's expression didn't waver. "Guren and Suigetsu are only part of the reason. What I really want is to make a deal with you."
That piqued Orochimaru's interest. "A deal, you say? And what could you possibly offer me?"
"You'll understand once I fight Guren." Kimimaro glanced at the Crystal Release user. "But before that… I think it's time some truths were acknowledged."
He turned fully to Guren.
"You still think Orochimaru values you?"
Guren stiffened.
"Do you remember a woman you once killed?" Kimimaro continued.
She scowled. "I've killed many."
"But this one… she saved you. She cared for you. You were ordered to kill her to prove your loyalty. Do you remember the camellias that were blooming that day—stained with her blood?"
Guren's eyes widened slightly, just for a moment, before she forced her expression back into one of anger.
Orochimaru's gaze darkened. "So… you dug up that memory. You've been digging quite deep, haven't you, Kimimaro?"
Kimimaro's tone was cold. "I didn't dig. Guren never forgot. She just forced herself to believe it was for a purpose."
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