Shinji's concerns were far from baseless.
Not long ago, he had witnessed the "biological exoskeleton" hijacking Neji, compelling him to rush toward the Moon. Whether it was drawn by the giant Tenseigan or manipulated and enticed by it remained unclear.
After all, any puppet imbued with sentience by Tenseigan chakra would unconditionally obey the Tenseigan!
Shinji was well aware of how significantly this fused state could enhance combat prowess.
Doubled chakra, doubled focus, dual hand-sign formation—these advantages, if Neji and Kimimaro could hone their coordination, would at least double their combat strength.
But if the sentient "biological exoskeleton" was drawn to or controlled by the giant Tenseigan on the Moon, and it held overriding control over Neji and Kimimaro, the stronger their fused form became, the greater the disaster it would pose for Shinji!
"No matter what, we cannot let the 'biological exoskeleton' go out of control…"
Shinji resolved firmly in his heart.
If it did, Neji and Kimimaro would likely lose their autonomy, and his Tenseigan Plan would collapse entirely.
Thus, Shinji halted Neji and Kimimaro, who were still acclimating to their fused state, and instructed, "Try to see if you can undo this fusion."
"Yes!"
Neji and Kimimaro ceased their exploration and began attempting to disengage the fusion.
After some effort, the "biological exoskeleton" binding them split down the middle, retracting to their respective bodies and reverting to their sealed states.
As the fusion dissolved, both stumbled. Kimimaro even collapsed to one knee, panting heavily.
Shinji asked, "What's wrong?"
Kimimaro shook his head. "My Bloodline Limit disease is acting up again."
Neji clenched his fist, as if savoring something, and said, "My lord, I feel an all-encompassing weakness. No, this is my true strength—I'm just not used to it."
Shinji understood.
In their fused state, Neji and Kimimaro had experienced comprehensive enhancements. After briefly adapting to that state, reverting to normal caused intense discomfort.
For Kimimaro especially, the fused state had greatly strengthened his body, temporarily suppressing his worsening Bloodline Limit disease. Once the fusion ended, the disease flared up instantly, and the stark contrast intensified his discomfort.
Confirming their bodies were otherwise fine, Shinji's gaze shifted to the "biological exoskeletons" on them.
Though they had reverted to sealed forms, Shinji's Byakugan revealed that the sealing formulas he'd inscribed in both halves had been completely erased. In other words, both Neji's and Kimimaro's exoskeletons were now out of control.
After recovering, Neji and Kimimaro approached Shinji, bowing in unison. "My lord!"
Shinji waved them off. "The mission's over. Head back for now. As for the 'biological exoskeleton,' it's dormant for the moment and shouldn't go berserk anytime soon. I'll figure out a solution later, so don't worry."
"Yes!"
They nodded and headed toward the Hidden Leaf Village together.
This time, Shinji didn't insist they travel separately. After fusing, Neji and Kimimaro had undeniably confirmed each other's true identities. Splitting up now would be pointless.
As for the risks of them knowing each other's identities, Shinji couldn't address that now. His immediate priority was resolving the runaway issue of the sentient "biological exoskeleton."
Meanwhile, Neji and Kimimaro, traveling back to the Hidden Leaf Village, remained silent.
At the Shinobi Academy, they'd interacted often enough to be considered friends. But cloaked in red-cloud robes and masks, their time together as Akatsuki members was brief.
Or rather, they hadn't yet figured out how to interact as Akatsuki members!
After a long silence, Neji coughed lightly and asked Kimimaro, "'F,' why is your Bloodline Limit disease so severe? If it continues, won't it be dangerous?"
Since his physical condition had been fully exposed during the fusion, Kimimaro didn't hide it. "It's fine. According to the Leader's estimate, my body can hold out for three to four more years."
Neji halted, shocked. "You call that fine? Why not visit a hospital? With Lady Tsunade's medical ninjutsu, she might have a solution!"
"It's useless."
Kimimaro continued dashing forward without pause.
In his view, if even Orochimaru and the Leader couldn't solve it, Tsunade surely couldn't either.
Neji followed, sighing. "No wonder you've been off lately. I never imagined your Bloodline Limit disease was this bad. By the way, in the Grass Country last time, how did you gain that power?"
Kimimaro instantly knew what Neji meant. Recalling Orochimaru's instructions, he asked, "You know what that power is?"
Neji realized his slip and shook his head. "I just sensed it was powerful and got curious."
Kimimaro glanced at Neji but didn't press further.
Having briefly accessed a Tenseigan-like state, he had clearly felt the pure Tenseigan chakra in Neji during their fusion. He knew Neji was aware of something, but since Neji didn't elaborate, he didn't pry.
Their brief exchange ended there.
Neither was naturally sociable, and both held reservations, so they didn't speak again until reaching the Hidden Leaf. Upon seeing the village's outer walls, they nodded tacitly and parted ways.
For reasons neither fully grasped, despite knowing each other's identities, they never acknowledged it outright, even as they separated.
Perhaps unconsciously, they were protecting their lives at the Shinobi Academy, safeguarding those memories. They instinctively separated the heavy, unspeakable parts of themselves from the bright, sincere, and pure moments of their academy days.