KIMIMARO'S POV

Sukuna-sama nodded in satisfaction as he finished storing all the treasure of the Kaguya Clan in a scroll. "Didn't think the treasury was the place where the treasurer lived, quite smart."

One more corpse was lying in the corner of the basement. It was the treasurer.

Sukuna-sama currently didn't have his four-arms.

His four-arms form, I recently discovered, is only temporary.

"I'll make it permanent soon enough," he had said with confidence.

He turned around, a determined look in his eyes. "Let's go. Someone is waiting."

*Swish! Swish!*

I followed him silently, though my curiosity gnawed at me.

Someone? Should I ask him?

As if reading my thoughts, Sukuna-sama turned his head while we zoomed through the forest.

"If you have something to ask, ask it. Don't just stare at me."

He caught me. As expected of Sukuna-sama!

I cleared my throat. "Who is it that is expecting us, Sukuna-sama?"

"Well, he is not expecting you. I didn't tell him the reason as I wanted to come here quickly. After all, your clan was changing islands as a common man changes clothes."

He was right. Fearing the Mizukage, the Kaguya Clan frequently changed its location. Even the current land they were in, they moved to it not long ago. I bowed slightly.

"Thank you for satiating my curiosity, Sukuna-sama."

"He is the same age as you, I think. So, make sure to get along with him."

"As you wish, my lord."

.....

We arrived at a forest clearing.

A young man was practicing his moves, his face set in concentration. As we approached, he stopped and turned to face us. His face brightened up when he saw Sukuna-sama, but his eyes narrowed when he saw me.

A competitor, I see.

"Who is this?" He tilted his head, trying to look cute in front of Sukuna-sama.

What a disgusting plan!

Sukuna-sama stepped forward with me by his side.

I looked up to see a slight smile playing on his lips.

What a brilliant plan!

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"This is Kimimaro. Make sure to get along with him, Haku."

The young man's eyes flashed with a mix of curiosity and challenge as he tried to size me up.

I didn't back down and puffed out my chest to look tough but still spoke politely.

"Sukuna-sama has introduced me. I am Kimimaro. Nice to meet you, Haku."

"Sama..." Haku whispered, his ears perking up at the term. He looked at Sukuna-sama, trying to analyze something. The gears in my head turned as I tried to figure out why he was staring at Sukuna-sama.

"Welcome back, Sukuna-sama." Haku suddenly bowed.

Don't tell me—

Sukuna-sama chuckled and shook his head but said nothing.

He hadn't called Sukuna-sama "Sukuna-sama"!

Blasphemous!

"Let us fight," I said suddenly. I could feel Sukuna-sama's eyes narrowing at me, but I couldn't allow this disrespect.

How can someone under Sukuna-sama not give him respect?

"Oi." Sukuna-sama called out, and I bowed, apologizing immediately.

"I'm sorry, Sukuna-sama! But I cannot let go of the fact that he didn't respect you beforehand!"

"Respect doesn't work like that. Respect can only be given, not demanded. And he did give me the respect that you think is befitting of me, no? Then, there is no problem. Don't cause trouble." His voice was resolute, leaving no room for debate.

"I accept the challenge!" The moron screamed suddenly.

"Do you want to get beat up?" Sukuna-sama asked as he suddenly grabbed Haku by the head and lifted him into the air. Haha, you deserve it! Sucks to be you!

"EEEP! Sowwy sowwwy, I won't challenge!" Haku immediately started begging for forgiveness, as he should!

Heh?

Sukuna-sama grabbed me by the head too and lifted both me and Haku to his eye level.

"You both are unworthy of challenging each other at the moment. You two will fight each other only if I allow you to. If not, the thought shouldn't even come to your mind. Understood?"

We both tried to nod our heads but found ourselves unable to do so as Sukuna-sama had grabbed us by the head.

"Yes, yes, yes." Haku and I said hurriedly.

We were put down on the ground shortly after that.

"Now, both of you. Properly introduce yourselves."

I turned towards Haku and went first. "I am Kimimaro Kaguya. I am also the wielder of the Shikotsumyaku."

Haku's eyes widened a bit before he smiled slightly. "I am Haku. I am the wielder of the Ice Release."

So that's why he smiled.

We both are fellow outcasts of society.

"A good start," Sukuna-sama said before turning around. "I'll come back in a few minutes. Talk to each other until then."

We nodded and stared at Sukuna-sama's back until his figure finally disappeared.

"You bastard!" we screamed at each other at the same time and pounced on each other.

....

NARUTO'S POV

The first meeting of Haku and Kimimaro went just as I had expected.

Even now, they are probably fighting each other as I am out of their sight. It's fun having kids like them around. It makes me happy that both of them, who have been traumatized, can find time to be angry at each other and live life.

I'm not angry at them for not heeding me. They are kids, after all. In time, they will learn to do as I say.

They are young at the moment, but I will need to foster their abilities without wasting much time.

If I provide them with my good care, I think they will both be powerhouses by the time they are in their teens.

They also are pretty similar. They both were searching for a purpose, and I provided them with it. Sooner or later, they will become great friends; that I'm sure of.

The Kaguya Clan hasn't gone extinct as I didn't hunt every one of them down. However, they may be targeted by Obito to strengthen his control on the village.

Kimimaro has the Shikotsumyaku and Haku has the Ice Release. With my intelligence, I should be able to greatly increase their efficacy. I should also consider giving them each other's kekkei genkai. This will greatly increase their strength.

Shikotsumyaku provides a great way for defense, and the Ice Release is pretty versatile.

It wouldn't be bad to have it for myself as well. Shikotsumyaku should also provide me a good way to build my four-arms form. At the moment, I was using Metamorphosis to temporarily get that form, and it cost chakra to do so.

From Metamorphosis, I already know what it means and feels like to have four arms and a mouth on the stomach. It has allowed me to understand the biology behind it, so it won't be difficult to replicate it.

I think I should do that the first time I get my hands free. For now, I will stick to collecting all the abandoned kids with great potential around the world.

I use Metamorphosis and turn into my four-arms form.

Now then, shall I greet the rat that has been following me?