Kabuto paused, his pen hovering over his notepad as he looked up with a cautious expression. "Are you certain? Integrating Hashirama's DNA even though its from Yamato carries a high mutation for those not adapted to it."
"I am certain," Kimimaro continued, uncapping his second medicinal vial of the day and pierced it through his shoulder into the bone marrow. "And focus primarily on utility-based Kekkei Genkai users... specifically clans like the Iburi clan, with their smoke-form, and the Kedoin clan, with their face mimicry abilities. I need the results within a week start with low doses and increase in steps. Their unique capabilities will be pivotal in our upcoming operations, especially as we ramp up our search for Akatsuki and their hidden bases. We need eyes where no ordinary shinobi can tread, these clans are our chance."
Kabuto nodded, already turning toward the rows of containment bays. "Understood. I'll get Karin and the purification unit working on the batches immediately."
As Kabuto hurried off into the recesses of the laboratory, Kimimaro closed his eyes, listening to the steady hum of the machinery. The village was treading its path to get information on Akatsuki and the funds were secured just then another sharp pang of pain flared through his whole body.
~~
]"If only the cloning technique had been successful..." he muttered to himself looking at the spot Kabuto left. "Lord Orochimaru would never have had to face such a miserable state. But... it is what it is."
Closing his eyes, Kimimaro began mentally retracing the threads of his past. He sorted through the memories he had gathered during his time operating undercover as an ANBU operative in Konoha, with any intel he might have come across on Akatsuki.
"There is only one known location of Akatsuki hideout they had ever verified near the Land of Rivers... where the Seven-Tail extraction had taken place... had been thoroughly obliterated during counterattacks. Intelligence on the rest of their network was practically nonexistent." They operated like ghosts, striking from the shadows and vanishing without a trace as everyone operated independently never meeting each other.
Kimimaro started speaking out as he recalled his conversation with Kakuzu in chronological order. Then, a sudden realization bought him back. "The rings."
Lord Orochimaru's Akatsuki ring bearing the kanji for "Void" (*Kongū*) was still tucked away in the main laboratory. Because these rings were specially crafted by their leader they are irreplaceable assets of the organization, new ones were never forged upon a member's death or defection instead the rings were just taken back given to new members.
That meant the total number of active rings in existence remained strictly capped at ten. If a ring was worn, the Gedo Statue's projection technique should automatically link to the wearer. If he could harness that connection by surprise, he could infiltrate their meetings.
A flicker of determination burned in him. Without wasting another second, Kimimaro allowed his chakra to flare as his his physical form melted into chair beneath him he was sitting which was made by his bone cells.
In an instant travel, he re-emerged seconds later at the far end of the main laboratory, right beside the containment wall where the remnants of Orochimaru's former quarters lay.
~~
"There it is." Hanging against the wall was a shriveled, mummified hand, severed long ago and preserved in a state of stasis. Clinging tightly to the little finger was the dark indigo-blue ring, glinting faintly under the flickering torchlight.
Kimimaro stepped forward with a tug, he plucked the maimed hand from the wall, pried the ring free from the lifeless flesh.
He examined the ring closely. It was heavier than it looked.
"If what Kakuzu claimed is correct, the position of each ring is uniquely assigned to the wearer," Kimimaro murmured to himself. "Since Lord Orochimaru held the 'Void' position on his left little finger, I should place it there as well."
He slid the ring onto his left little finger. It adjusted itself instantly, shrinking to fit his digit. He braced himself waiting for something to happen.
Seconds ticked by as nothing happened.
"Well, that was unfruitful," he sighed, letting his shoulders drop in mild disappointment. He crossed his arms as he started to search for alternative strategies. "If remote infiltration fails, I suppose I could always track down a Jinchuriki myself and capture them. That should draw Akatsuki towards me; they always operate in teams of two. I am confident I can handle a duo, but... what if Pain or Itachi decides to show up?"
Before he could even think of contingencies an electrifying tug seized his consciousness. It wasn't a physical sensation, but an invasive hook snagging onto his mental pathways, pulling him backward.
His breath hitched at the jerk as the lab where he was at vanished.
When Kimimaro opened his eyes again to see a towering terrifyingly colossal entity... the Gedo Statue unlike the last time he was seeing it up close. Its ghastly face loomed above, its mouth agape and few of the eyes sealed shut, while ten gigantic fingers stretched out.
Standing atop each finger were translucent ethereal phantoms... the astral projections of the Akatsuki members, gathered for the tailed beast extraction. For the first time in years, the left little finger of the Gedo Statue, which had remained vacant since Orochimaru's betrayal and departure, now flickered with a glowing presence.
All heads whipped around, their gazes locking onto the previously empty digit where Kimimaro's translucent figure now stood.
Pain, projecting from the center of the hierarchy, was the first to speak, his voice echoing hollowly through the cavernous mindscape.
"This is unexpected," Pain stated, his tone flat as he glanced toward the puppet master. "Sasori, did you not explicitly state that the ring was lost beyond recovery? It seems someone has managed to stumble upon it."
Pain narrowed his eyes, trying to pierce the haze surrounding the newcomer. "The thought waves are originating from the Land of Sound, but this person is not Orochimaru." Though Pain briefly considered severing the intruder's mental access to the technique. He wanted to hear the reasoning behind this brazen intrusion.
~~
A/N: Since the canon did not explore much about the rings. I thought I would give it a shot.
Advance chapters available @ patreon.com/aizenDuchiha0