Chapter 84: Using the Chimera Technique Now
Seeing Hiruko's excitement, constantly touching White Zetsu all over, Ritsu hurriedly spoke: "Teacher, that's not all! These three guys are also gifts I'm giving you. Take a look at them together."
Hearing this—
Hiruko reluctantly withdrew his attention from White Zetsu and turned to look at the three people beside him. "Kirishima Shinya—wasn't he supposedly killed by you?"
"If he were still alive, you probably wouldn't be able to dispose of him freely, Teacher."
"That's true."
Hiruko nodded, then his gaze shifted aside. "Someone from the Kaguya family—Shikotsumyaku is also secured. However... what's this guy's background?"
He pointed at the third Mist ninja.
"The name doesn't matter. The key point is he possesses the Ice Style Kekkei Genkai."
"Hmm?"
Hiruko's eyes widened, somewhat incredulous. "Really?"
"This guy used Ice Style when fighting Kakashi, so I specifically split off a shadow clone to capture him."
"Ice Style, Boil Style, Shikotsumyaku, and the Senju clan bloodline... so only Storm Style remains?" Hiruko felt somewhat dazed for a moment. He'd thought collecting five Kekkei Genkai would be a lengthy process consuming much time and energy, encountering numerous obstacles and hindrances, ultimately obtaining five Kekkei Genkai only after exhausting every scheme.
However—
How long had it been?
He hadn't even had time to expend mental effort collecting Kekkei Genkai before Ritsu delivered four of them.
"Ritsu, thank you for your hard work!"
Hiruko sighed with emotion.
"Just something I did in passing."
Ritsu spoke truthfully.
"Regardless, Ritsu, you've given me a tremendous gift. With your gift... perhaps I can use it immediately. In the future, if anything happens, we teacher and student can fight side by side again."
A gleam of light flashed through Hiruko's eyes.
"Teacher, what are you planning to do?"
"I'm going to use the Chimera Technique right now."
"Eh? Will that work? Teacher, didn't you say it's best to gather all five Kekkei Genkai before performing the Chimera Technique for maximum safety?"
Ritsu was startled and hurriedly advised: "Don't let me lead you astray! I dared to act so independently because the Hyuga, Kaguya, and Senju clans share a common ancestor, so genetic complementarity exists, plus I'm also somewhat gifted, which is why I dared to do this!"
Without Level 3 Regeneration, unless he'd truly been pushed to desperate straits, he wouldn't have acted so recklessly.
"Relax, Ritsu, I know what I'm doing."
Hiruko crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze wandering back and forth over the four gifts on the ground, his eyes full of contemplation as he slowly spoke: "Without this monster possessing Senju clan bloodline, I naturally wouldn't take risks. But with this white monster, things are different. This powerful vitality is sufficient to support the Chimera Technique's consumption. Even if I can't establish a complete cycle, there won't be unbearable consequences."
Hearing this—
Ritsu was momentarily speechless.
Though he had deep research into the Chimera Technique and had already performed it twice, he still didn't dare claim he understood it better than Teacher Hiruko. Though this forbidden technique originated from the Second Hokage, after Hiruko's nearly completely innovative modifications, even if the Second Hokage were resurrected, he wouldn't dare claim he understood the Chimera Technique better than Hiruko.
He pondered for several seconds, then advised without euphemism: "Teacher, I think you'd better reconsider. Don't be impulsive. I'm still counting on you to help break my family's Caged Bird Seal. If you accidentally die, I can't very well ask Orochimaru for help, can I?"
Fortunately—
Hiruko didn't mind. Right now, ninety-nine percent of his energy was devoted to contemplating the feasibility of performing the Chimera Technique now. "Breaking the Caged Bird Seal already has some leads. Your blood sample played a tremendous role. Also, I'm not being impulsive at all. I clearly understand what I'm doing and what consequences failure would bring."
Ritsu blinked, speechless.
At this moment—
An inquiring voice came from outside the tent: "Clan Head, breakfast is ready. Will you eat?" Without realizing it, time had reached the morning meal period.
"Teacher, how about we eat first? After eating, we can continue researching?"
Ritsu asked.
"You eat by yourself."
Hiruko took a deep breath, firm resolve appearing in his eyes. "Ritsu, keep watch for me. I'm going to perform the Chimera Technique right now." After this brief period of contemplation, he'd still decided to proceed without any hesitation.
"Bring me breakfast and leave it at the door. I'll get it myself."
Ritsu gave instructions.
Then, looking seriously at Hiruko, he said: "Teacher, have you truly decided?"
"That's right."
Hiruko nodded heavily.
"Alright then! I'll go outside and stand guard."
Hiruko canceled the barrier. Ritsu set up a new one, though not very skillfully. This was a simple warning barrier—once someone passed through it, the caster would immediately sense it. Though Ritsu didn't think anyone would suddenly intrude into the frontline camp to cause trouble at this time, the proper formalities couldn't be skipped. This could put Teacher Hiruko more at ease.
Ritsu offered no further dissuasion. Dragging Suikazan Fuguki with one hand and carrying a chair with the other, he walked out.
He had someone first find an empty tent and locked Suikazan Fuguki inside. He himself stood guard at the tent entrance like a door god, protecting Hiruko.
He'd barely sat at the entrance for half a minute when clansmen delivered breakfast—heated rice balls and a bowl of miso soup. Battlefield conditions were just like this. Ritsu had grown accustomed to it. He picked up the rice balls and finished them in a few bites, then slowly sipped the somewhat scalding miso soup.
Time passed minute by minute. In a blink, it was already lunchtime. Though Ritsu felt somewhat drowsy after finishing lunch at the entrance, he still forced himself not to fall asleep.
At this moment—
"Clan Head, Lord Orochimaru has sent someone to request your presence."
A clansman ran over to deliver the message.
"Understood."
Ritsu responded. He looked back at the still motionless tent, thought for a moment, then quickly formed hand seals and summoned a shadow clone.
"Go see what Orochimaru wants."
Ritsu told his shadow clone.
"I know what to do."
The shadow clone nodded and departed.
Ritsu sat at the entrance continuing to wait. Another twenty minutes passed before finally there was movement inside the tent.
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