"Familiar?" Kimimaro looked in the direction Hanabi pointed. "Let's go check it out. You all stay here and rest. I'll take Hanabi. If anything happens, Guren, I'm counting on you."
"Me?" Guren raised an eyebrow.
"Of course. Besides me, you're the strongest here."
"Hey, what about me?" Suigetsu protested, waving the Kubikiribōchō. "I'm not weak, you know!"
In the next instant, crystal spikes formed neatly around him.
Guren calmly said, "If you trust me that much, I'll accept the responsibility."
Without another word, Kimimaro lifted Hanabi onto his shoulder and sprinted toward the riverbank. The two arrived quickly, the sound of rushing water growing louder.
"There—look!" Hanabi pointed.
Kimimaro's sharp eyes picked out a silhouette in the water—female, bound by a translucent, viscous substance, her outline faintly familiar.
Hanabi activated her Byakugan. "That's Sister! Big Brother, we have to save her!"
Sister… Hinata Hyuga?
Kimimaro was momentarily puzzled. Why is the Hyuga heiress here—and in such a state?
Just then, the trapped Hinata gathered chakra and managed to knock off some of the sticky restraints—but the force unbalanced her, and she was swept further downstream.
"There's a deep hole ahead. It's dangerous!" Hanabi warned.
"Stay back." Kimimaro placed Hanabi down and leapt forward without hesitation, diving into the current.
As Hinata began to sink near the whirlpool, her Byakugan caught sight of someone moving swiftly toward her. In the next second, Kimimaro pulled her out of the water, held her firmly in his arms, and jumped onto the riverbank.
"…What is this substance?"
Kimimaro examined the sticky, fragrant gel clinging to her clothes. It was mildly sweet-smelling, but unpleasant to the touch.
Hinata's face turned crimson. She pushed against his chest. "P-Please put me down!"
Even though it wasn't Naruto holding her, being in a boy's arms flustered her.
Hanabi ran up. "Sister! What's all this gunk on you? I'll help!"
She unsheathed a kunai and carefully cut away the sticky resin trapping her sister's limbs.
"Hanabi…? Wait, are you… Kimimaro?" Hinata blinked, recognizing him from her father's descriptions.
"Lady Hinata." Kimimaro gave a polite nod.
"Hello…" Hinata replied awkwardly.
"Big Brother, why are you being so formal? Our families go way back. You're older than Sister, so she should call you Big Brother too. Right, Sister?"
Still flustered, Hinata nodded and whispered, "Ki-Kimimaro… Big Brother."
"Haha, titles aren't important," Kimimaro said calmly. "But Hinata—what happened? That stuff… was it honey?"
"Yes," Hinata nodded. "We were searching for the Bikōchū beetle. Naruto, Kiba, Shino, and I—then we were ambushed by ninja from the Kamizuru clan."
Kimimaro's expression shifted subtly at the name.
"The Kamizuru?" he echoed.
"They're an insect-based clan from the Land of Earth," Hinata continued. "They used to rival the Aburame, but after their defeat, only a few of them remain. Their bees secrete this resinous honey to trap enemies. I got caught trying to protect the others."
Hanabi touched Hinata's hand, sniffed her fingers, and leaned close to her sister's neck. "Wow, Sister, this stuff actually smells nice. Big Brother, try it too!"
Without warning, she reached down, touched Hinata's neck again, then jumped into Kimimaro's arms and held out her finger to him.
Hinata's face turned scarlet.
Kimimaro raised an eyebrow but played along with an impassive face. "It does have a light, sweet scent... with a trace of youthfulness."
"Haha! That's Sister's scent!" Hanabi chirped innocently.
She was too young to grasp the implications of her actions—she just liked Kimimaro and hoped her sister would get closer to him instead of that "noisy Naruto boy."
Kimimaro glanced back toward the forest. "You said the others are still nearby?"
"Ah! Yes!" Hinata suddenly remembered. "I need to help them!"
"Let's go, Big Brother!" Hanabi tugged his sleeve.
Kimimaro nodded and ruffled her hair. "Right."
The three of them raced off. Before long, they reached the area where Naruto and the others were battling.
It was Hinata's time to act.
With a focused look, she stepped forward, forming a stance rarely seen.
Kimimaro's eyes narrowed as he watched her release chakra into her palms—then with a cry, she unleashed the Gentle Step Twin Lion Fists, striking with precision and elegance.
So that's the technique she created herself… impressive. Her chakra control is exquisite. As expected of a Hyuga heir.
Kimimaro silently watched with growing interest as Hinata took the fight into her own hands.
After defeating the Kamizuru clan members, Naruto and his team gathered to check on Hinata's condition and asked about her experience.
When Hinata mentioned that she had been rescued by Kimimaro and Hanabi, both Kiba Inuzuka and Shino Aburame immediately stepped forward warily, their instincts on high alert.
Kiba narrowed his eyes. "Kimimaro? As in that Kimimaro? The one who fought Lee and Gaara during the Sasuke Retrieval Mission?"
Shino added calmly, "He was one of Orochimaru's most dangerous subordinates. We should be cautious."
Naruto, however, waved his hand dismissively. "Relax, guys. Kimimaro isn't with Orochimaru anymore. Granny Tsunade already gave him a temporary pardon. Plus, Ero-Sennin and I met him on the road before. He's crazy strong — I couldn't beat him at all."
Kiba frowned. "Even so, are you sure he's not a threat now?"
Hanabi stepped forward, arms crossed defiantly. "Big Brother Kiba, don't you trust us? He saved me. If he wanted to hurt us, he would have already."
"Uh… right. Of course I trust you, Hanabi," Kiba mumbled, scratching his head awkwardly. Seeing both Hyūga sisters at ease with Kimimaro — and with Naruto vouching for him — Kiba and Shino slowly lowered their guard.
Kimimaro offered a polite nod of greeting. Internally, he assessed the situation calmly. Both the Inuzuka and Aburame possessed unique bloodline techniques — the former with their beast-enhancement symbiosis, the latter with their kikaichū — but in his eyes, their utility was too situational. Kimimaro valued power that could stand on its own, without needing cooperative tactics or complex conditions to activate.
They weren't headed in the same direction, so after exchanging a few words, Kimimaro, Hanabi, and their group departed.
As they walked away, Hanabi tugged lightly at Hinata's sleeve. "Nee-san, do you… still like that Naruto guy?"
"Eh—?!" Hinata flushed a deep red.
Before she could stammer a response, Kiba — his sharp Inuzuka hearing catching every word — suddenly grinned and jogged over. "Come on, Hanabi, you should know your sister by now. Hinata's only ever had eyes for Naruto."
"What are you saying?!" Naruto turned, flustered. "Hinata and I are just friends! Don't get the wrong idea!"
Kimimaro, watching the scene with amusement, added dryly, "If anything, Naruto's still obsessed with Sasuke."
"No! I like Sakura! Sakura, okay?!" Naruto barked, cheeks red as everyone around him chuckled.
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