"Phew…"
After finishing the inscription of all the sealing jutsu formulas, Uchiha Shinji finally let out a sigh of relief.
Though the biological exoskeleton was only palm-sized, its core was composed of White Zetsu cells!
White Zetsu cells might seem mild and stable compared to the First Hokage's cells, but for ordinary people, they were still a deadly and terrifying substance. Those capable of fusing with White Zetsu cells in the shinobi world were exceedingly rare!
Relaxing slightly, Shinji formed a hand seal directed at the biological exoskeleton he'd created.
In an instant, the spherical exoskeleton split down the middle into two hemispheres.
Shinji formed another seal.
The two hemispheres fused back together, becoming whole again.
"It's done!"
At this point, Shinji's heart finally settled.
Not daring to linger, he immediately erased all traces of his work in the laboratory, ensuring Orochimaru wouldn't find any clues upon returning, then quietly left the lab.
Back in the Hidden Leaf Village, Shinji waited until nightfall and found Kimimaro, still training diligently despite his illness, at the training ground.
Emerging from the shadows in his Akatsuki attire, Shinji said, "If you keep training like this, you'll only die faster!"
Knowing 'A' was cooperating with Orochimaru, Kimimaro didn't show the tension he had during their previous encounters. He paused his training and said flatly, "If I'm no longer useful, living has no meaning."
Shinji smirked, pulling out half of the biological exoskeleton and tossing it to Kimimaro.
Kimimaro caught it, looking at Shinji with confusion. "What is this?"
Shinji replied vaguely, "Something that can save your life."
Assuming it was a product of Shinji and Orochimaru's joint research, Kimimaro asked without suspicion, "How do I use it?"
"Place it on your chest," Shinji said, pointing to Kimimaro's torso.
Without hesitation, Kimimaro pulled open his shirt and pressed the half-exoskeleton against his bare chest.
Swish!
Instantly, the seemingly inert exoskeleton shot out several spikes, piercing deeply into Kimimaro's heart.
"Pfft!"
Kimimaro spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed to one knee.
As Shinji observed Kimimaro with the Byakugan controlled by his Susanoo Tomoshibi, he said, "Don't be afraid. This is a necessary step for the biological exoskeleton to integrate with your body. Endure it for a bit."
Enduring pain was a specialty of Kimimaro, a Kaguya clansman. Hearing Shinji's words, he silently bore the implantation process.
In Shinji's Byakugan vision, eight tendrils extended from the exoskeleton, piercing Kimimaro's body and traveling along his chakra pathways to key acupuncture points.
Moments later, the pain subsided, and a sweat-drenched Kimimaro stood up.
Shinji's lips curled slightly.
The exoskeleton's ability to split in two wasn't a random design. Per his Tenseigan Plan, he needed to fuse Kimimaro's and Neji's chakra, so the other half was reserved for Neji.
Kimimaro's physique was clearly superior to Neji's, which was why Shinji tested the exoskeleton on him first to confirm it could attach to a host as designed.
The results were promising!
Panting lightly, Kimimaro asked, "Will this cure my illness?"
Shinji replied, "It's not that simple."
Kimimaro frowned. "Then what's it for?"
Shinji smiled. "Try activating it with your chakra."
Kimimaro followed Shinji's instructions and was shocked to discover that by channeling chakra into the exoskeleton, it continuously supplied him with high-purity Yang Release chakra!
"This!?"
Even Kimimaro's stoic personality couldn't hide his astonishment.
Shinji explained, "That's just one of its many functions. It also has a liberation mode, but it's sealed for now, so you can't use it."
Kimimaro asked, "Why?"
"Because the liberation mode consumes an immense amount of chakra. Overuse could destabilize the exoskeleton's structure."
Shinji didn't create the exoskeleton to boost Kimimaro's or Neji's combat power—his goal was to harvest their chakra. He wouldn't sacrifice the exoskeleton's stability for their strength.
Not until it had stored enough chakra, at least!
Shinji added, "Also, once the biological exoskeleton is implanted, you can't remove it yourself."
Kimimaro nodded silently, unbothered.
He still believed the exoskeleton was Orochimaru's creation, so he harbored no complaints about its permanence.
After implanting Kimimaro's half, Shinji headed to the outskirts of the Hyuga clan's territory and found Neji.
Seeing Shinji in his Akatsuki attire, Neji hurriedly said, "Lord, the ten-day deadline has passed. Will the Ōtsutsuki branch family, in their anger, attack the village?"
Shinji replied, "Wouldn't that be convenient?"
Neji was taken aback.
Shinji tossed the other half of the biological exoskeleton to Neji. "Place it on your chest, against your skin."
Neji looked puzzled. "Lord, what is this?"
"Something to make you stronger," Shinji said.
After a brief hesitation, Neji followed Shinji's instructions, pressing the exoskeleton to his bare chest.
He despised his current lack of strength, unable to stop the Ōtsutsuki branch family, so he was willing to try anything to grow stronger.
"Ah!"
Soon, Neji collapsed in agony.
Compared to Kimimaro, his pain tolerance was noticeably lower.
"That bad, huh?" Shinji remarked, surprised.
Neji wasn't ordinary by any means, so his intense reaction underscored Kimimaro's exceptional pain endurance.
Moments later, Neji passed out from exhaustion.
Shinji, however, breathed a sigh of relief. Despite Neji's excruciating ordeal, the exoskeleton's implantation was a success.