Chapter 257: Information on Kamigami

Chapter 257: Chapter 257: Information on Kamigami

"Until I can further improve my cell fusion techniques, I’ll focus on developing this clone for now!"

Following the principle of always having a backup plan, Hyuga Kagami decided to prepare along two fronts.

On one hand, he would begin developing this female clone. On the other, he would continue searching for ways to perfect his cell fusion techniques, striving to create an even more flawless clone fused with Uchiha bloodline.

Casually throwing on a robe, Kagami couldn’t even be bothered to put on anything else. Barefoot, he made his way to the isolated laboratory where Uchiha Ryota was being held.

"Byakugan!"

Through the vision of his Byakugan, Kagami discovered that the two pairs of Mangekyo Sharingan inside Ryota’s eye sockets had already begun the preliminary stages of fusion.

Since two eyeballs were merging together into one, the newly fused eyes appeared somewhat swollen after this initial stage, their overall shape becoming oval-like.

"The fusion is progressing even slower than I expected..."

Kagami shook his head, then left the laboratory where Ryota was being held.

As he walked toward the main laboratory, he thought to himself, "Orochimaru is an expert when it comes to cell fusion as well. Maybe I can learn a few techniques from him."

The village had actually begun researching cell fusion a long time ago.

The ones who had overseen that research were none other than Orochimaru, one of the Sannin, and Danzo, who was in charge of Root.

Yamato, the ninja who had successfully fused with the First Hokage’s cells, as well as the First Hokage’s cells implanted within Danzo’s body, were all products of this research.

It had to be understood that the First Hokage’s cells were even more terrifying than cancer cells. They could practically devour the cells of anyone else, making them far more difficult to fuse with than even the cells of the Uchiha clan.

Therefore, although there had certainly been an element of luck involved in Yamato successfully fusing with the First Hokage’s cells, there was no denying Orochimaru’s expert-level skill in this field.

"What should I do if Orochimaru asks me to return Haku?"

For the past several days, Kagami had been keeping Haku at his secret residence instead of sending him back to Orochimaru.

After all, Kagami had not only possessed Haku using the Tenseigan’s Soul Descent Technique, but had also learned Ice Release Kekkei Genkai ninjutsu from him. Because of that, if he returned Haku to Orochimaru, there was no guarantee that Orochimaru wouldn’t manage to pry something out of him.

With Orochimaru’s shrewdness, the moment he learned that Kagami had been studying Ice Release ninjutsu, he would probably immediately suspect that Kagami had some sort of connection to Kawa of Kamigami.

If that happened, Kamigami’s secrets might very well fall into Orochimaru’s hands.

After returning to his Yin Release original body, Kagami placed the female clone back into the large nutrient tank, then began organizing all the data from his cell fusion experiments over the past few days.

The next day, it just so happened to be Kagami and Shisui’s turn to protect Naruto.

Naruto was already four years old. Since he had no family, he didn’t particularly like staying in his lonely, empty home, so he spent most of his time wandering around the village.

However, because of the rumors surrounding the Nine-Tailed Fox, almost all the villagers instinctively shunned Naruto, leaving his childhood bleak and lonely.

"Sigh..."

Standing on a tree branch, Shisui gazed at the tiny Naruto in the distance, sitting all alone on a swing with his head lowered, and let out a soft sigh.

Kagami also looked toward Naruto, his heart filled with complicated emotions.

As the son of the Fourth Hokage and the Nine-Tails’ jinchuriki, Naruto’s treatment within the village was truly miserable.

And yet, despite enduring so many cold looks and injustices, Naruto was still able to maintain his optimistic and positive nature.

It had to be said that this was Konoha’s good fortune.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Just then, two figures landed beside Kagami.

Kagami glanced over at them and asked curiously, "Kakashi, Guy, why are you two here? Aren’t you supposed to be off duty today?"

Kakashi’s expression was grave.

"Something happened!"

"Something happened?" Shisui froze for a moment before quickly asking, "What happened?"

With a grim expression, Kakashi said, "Kamigami has made another move. Not long ago, they attacked the Raikage’s group while they were on their way to attend the Five Kage Summit and intercepted and killed two of the Raikage’s guards!"

"What!?"

Kagami and Shisui exclaimed in shock at the same time.

Immediately afterward, the two turned to stare at each other, their faces filled with surprise and confusion.

"Kamigami... has been active recently?"

After noticing the confusion in each other’s eyes, the two shook their heads at the same time.

"No idea."

Kakashi didn’t think much of their reaction. He assumed Kagami and Shisui were simply asking whether the other had heard about the incident, so he continued, "Lord Hokage is worried that Kamigami might target Naruto, so he’s assigned additional personnel to protect him. From now on, all of Team 11 will operate together. Other ANBU teams will rotate shifts with us."

After pondering for a moment, Kagami asked, "The Raikage is all right?"

"The Raikage is unharmed. Their targets seem to have been the two guards accompanying him." Kakashi paused before adding, "Oh, right. One of the Raikage’s two guards was Aida, a Storm Release Kekkei Genkai ninja!"

"Aida!?" Shisui’s gaze sharpened. "I’ve fought Aida before. He’s an elite jonin of Kumogakure, and he’s extremely strong!"

Kakashi said, "We still can’t confirm whether Aida is dead. Only the body of the other Kumogakure jonin was discovered at the scene. Aida’s body was nowhere to be found."

Guy’s expression was equally grave.

"If his opponent was Kamigami, then that Aida is probably already..."

Kagami narrowed his eyes and asked coldly, "Which member of Kamigami was responsible?"

Hearing this, Kakashi took out several documents and handed one copy each to Kagami and Shisui.

"According to the Raikage’s account afterward, the Kamigami member who appeared this time was someone we’ve never seen before."

Kagami asked no further questions and immediately began reading the information in his hands.

In an instant, the words on the document entered his sight.

"’Yama’ — Leader of Kamigami. Appearance unknown. Identity unknown. Strength unknown. No confirmed combat records currently available. Threat Level: S..."

"’Kawa’ — Member of Kamigami. Appearance unknown. Suspected member of the Yuki clan of Kirigakure. Possesses the Ice Release Kekkei Genkai. Strength approaching Kage-level. Threat Level: S..."

"’Homura’ — Member of Kamigami. Appearance unknown. Suspected member of the Uchiha clan. Possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan. Kage-level strength. Threat Level: S..."

"Magnet Style Ninja — Member of Kamigami. Codename unknown. Appearance unknown. Suspected Sunagakure ninja. Possesses the Magnet Release Kekkei Genkai. Strength approaching Kage-level. Threat Level: S..."

"Earth Style Ninja — Member of Kamigami. Codename unknown. Appearance unknown. Identity unknown. Strength unknown. Threat Level: A..."

Kagami frowned.

"So it was this last Earth Style ninja who attacked them?"

Kakashi shook his head. "No. This Earth Style ninja merely lured the Raikage away. The one who actually made the move should have been someone else. It’s just that whoever it was didn’t leave behind any clues..."