novelhk Chapter 261 Corpse Secret Technique
Chapter 261 Corpse Secret Technique
The bone training grounds of Otogakure were filled with a pale green chakra aura, and scattered on the ground were several broken bone blades—the traces of Kimimaro's seventh failed attempt to condense the "Hyuga Clan's Bone Prison Formation." He knelt on one knee, and the bone blade in his palm had just been pulled out half an inch before it fell limply. Pale green blood dripped through his fingers onto the ground, interweaving with the previous bloodstains to form glaring patterns. The tearing sensation in his heart was stronger than ever. The curse seal left by Orochimaru was like an invisible chain, tightly grasping his bone chakra, preventing it from reaching the true secret technique of the Hyuga Clan. "Your bone blade is 'afraid'."
Yin Zhu's voice came from the edge of the training ground. His black windbreaker swept across the broken bones on the ground. In his hand was a dark golden "bone crystal core". Inside the crystal core was suspended a wisp of light green chakra. It was the "ancestral bone energy" extracted from the remains of the Hyuga clan.
The system panel flashed before his eyes: [Kimimaro's skeletal chakra purity is 72%, and the curse seal suppression rate is 38%. He must first overcome the mental barrier of "self-imposed limitations."] Kimimaro looked up abruptly, his eyes filled with resentment: "I'm not afraid!" He gritted his teeth again and activated his chakra. The bone blade instantly grew to three feet in length, but just as it was about to form a formation pattern, it was countered by the curse seal energy. The bone blade shattered with a loud bang, and the fragments grazed his arm, leaving a deep wound that was visible to the bone.
"I just... can't find the Kaguya clan's 'bone rhythm.'" Yin Zhu walked over to him and handed him the bone crystal core, gently placing her fingertips on his bleeding arm. Gentle chakra seeped into the wound, instantly stopping the bleeding, while simultaneously channeling the crystal core's energy into his bones. "Kaguya's bone rhythm isn't a 'weapon,' it's an 'extension of the body.'"
You always think of using the bone blade to 'destroy,' but forget that it's symbiotic with your bloodline—like a tree's roots, symbiotic with the earth, drawing strength from it. Kimimaro gripped the crystal core, dark golden energy spreading through his palm, resonating strangely with his bone chakra. He closed his eyes, and a blurry image suddenly flashed through his mind: the ancestor of the Hyuga clan stood in the valley, bone blades growing naturally from his fingertips, blending with the surrounding rocks and vegetation. There was no deliberate attack, yet there was a majesty of "control over all things." It was a "bone posture" he had never seen before in Orochimaru's laboratory.
"Try to 'listen' to the voice of the skeleton." Yin Zhu's voice was guiding, and his fingertips gently touched his brow. "Use your chakra to communicate with the ancestral energy in the crystal core. Don't rush to condense the bone blade. First, feel the trajectory of its flow within your body - it will tell you where the key to the secret technique lies."
Kimimaro took a deep breath and focused all his attention on his body. The energy of the crystal core was like a gentle stream, carrying his bone chakra to flow through his limbs and bones. For the first time, he clearly "heard" the "voice" of his bones: every inch of bone was trembling slightly, echoing with the energy of the ancestor; every heartbeat made the bone chakra more active. And the curse seal on the heart, wrapped in the energy of the ancestor, was no longer a cold suppression. Instead, it began to release weak bone vein energy like an awakened seed. "That's it." A glimmer flashed in Yin Zhu's eyes, and the system panel refreshed: [Kimimaro's bone vein resonance rate is 85%, the curse seal suppression rate has dropped to 15%, and you can try to condense the basic array pattern].
He waved his hand, and dozens of bone pillars rose from the ground of the training ground. "Now, use your skeletal chakra to draw the 'Hyuga Soul-Locking Mark' on these pillars—this is the foundation of the Bone Prison Formation. It can lock the enemy's chakra while also stabilizing your own bone veins." Kimimaro's palm glowed with a pale green light again. This time, he didn't rush to draw his bone blade. Instead, he let chakra flow through his fingertips and gently touched the bone pillars. Pale green lines flowed along his fingertips, forming a complex yet flowing Soul-Locking Mark. With each completed mark, his skeletal chakra became more concentrated, and the backlash of the curse seal weakened. When he finished drawing the last bone pillar, all the Soul-Locking Marks suddenly illuminated, forming a pale green web of light that enveloped the entire training ground.
"Success!" Kimimaro's voice was filled with uncontrollable excitement. He looked at the bone energy flowing through the light net and for the first time felt the power of "control" rather than "resistance." Yin Zhu shook his head, pointing a finger at the corner of the light net: "It's not enough. Look here—there's a gap at the connection between the Soul Locking Patterns. If the enemy uses a powerful chakra attack, the light net will shatter instantly. Kaguya's Bone Prison Formation emphasizes 'impeccability', just like the bond between you and your companions, there can't be any flaws." Kimimaro's eyes suddenly became solemn. He carefully observed the connection between the light net and indeed found a tiny crack.
That was the trace of a slight chakra disturbance at the end of his stroke—he still hadn't completely shaken off his impatience. "I'll try again!" He retracted the light net and refocused his chakra. This time, he focused not on speed but on the rhythm of the skeleton, each stroke steady as a rock. The ancestral energy of the crystal core completely merged with his skeleton's chakra, and the last trace of the seal's suppression vanished. When the soul-locking pattern once again covered the bone pillar, the light net turned a completely emerald green, without a single gap, even the chakra in the air was firmly locked in.
A dazzling prompt popped up on Yinzhu's system panel: [Kimaro's bone purity is 100%, unlocking Kaguya's secret technique "Bone Prison Formation·Soul Locking Form", and the curse seal is completely converted into bone vein energy].
He walked forward and patted Kimimaro on the shoulder: "You did it. But remember, the stronger the power of the bone veins, the heavier the responsibility - the past of the Hyuga clan is 'destruction', and your future is 'protection'." Kimimaro's eyes were slightly hot. He looked at the bone chakra flowing in his palms, and suddenly understood Yinzhu's intention. Orochimaru asked him to use the bone veins to pursue "power", and Yinzhu asked him to use the bone veins to "protect" - to protect those companions who helped him when he was dying, to protect the Sound Village that accepted him, and to protect this hard-earned bond. "I understand, Lord Yinzhu."
Kimimaro's voice was firm. He raised his hand and drew out the bone blade. This time, the blade was no longer a cold weapon, but instead glowed with a soft green light. "From now on, my bone veins will become the barrier of Otogakure and the backing of my companions." Otogaku smiled and nodded, handing him another crystal core. "This is the 'Bone Vein Nourishing Crystal,' which will help you stabilize your secret technique. Tomorrow, we will begin practicing the advanced form of the Bone Prison Formation—the 'Symbiotic Form.' Then, you can cooperate with Neji's Byakugan, locking the enemy with your bone veins and seeing through their flaws with your Byakugan, becoming truly 'invulnerable.'" Kimimaro took the crystal core and held it tightly in his hand. The setting sun from the training grounds streamed in through the window, falling on him and Otogaku, stretching their shadows very long.
He looked in the direction of the laughter coming from the distance - Neji was practicing Baguazhang, Sasuke was adjusting the Amaterasu fire, Karin was sorting out the sensory network, Guren and the Minotaur were wiping the crystal - his heart was filled with warmth. He knew that he was no longer the "experimental subject" imprisoned by Orochimaru, and no longer the "lonely soul" bearing the curse of the Hyuga clan. He had the guidance of Yinzhu, the bond of his companions, the pair of bone blades that could protect everything, and a heart that was no longer bound by fate.
Come on, let’s go back.”
Yinzhu's voice was gentle as he walked towards the training grounds' exit. Kimimaro followed behind him, his bone blade glowing emerald green in the setting sun, like a sign of hope.