Nagi said to Orochimaru:
"If Yin–Yang Release Chakra can be fused in this proportion, combined with high-quality Natural Energy, it should greatly reduce and compensate for irreversible damage to genetic factors. With additional nutritional supplementation to strengthen the body, it ought to be curable."
After consulting various medical texts and biological research, Nagi and Orochimaru concluded that Kimimaro's condition resembled osteosarcoma.
It was a malignant proliferation of osteoblasts. The tumor cells retained the ability to produce osteoid tissue—meaning the resulting growths were rigid, unlike chondrosarcoma or Ewing sarcoma.
The Dead Bone Pulse did not grant perfect control over the skeletal system. Constant remodeling of bone meant unusually frequent cellular division. As these divisions accumulated, the probability of irreversible genetic damage—and failed repair leading to critical mutations—increased. That was the root cause of the malignancy.
This was why it was called a Bloodline Disease. While the Dead Bone Pulse granted the freedom to manipulate bone at will, it also carried the inherent risk of malignant bone cell proliferation. Power and risk were born from the same source.
The two attempted to combine Hashirama's Cells with the Yin–Yang Release Chakra stimulated by the Sharingan, but the results were less than ideal.
However, when Kimimaro activated his Cursed Seal, the outcome surprised them.
They had expected the treatment's effectiveness to decrease. Instead, it improved.
After further research, they discovered that the Natural Energy contained within the Cursed Seal was acting as a catalytic aid.
Thus, their focus shifted toward Senjutsu—more precisely, toward Natural Energy itself.
At Naruto's home,
Naruto cooked ramen for Kū and Mai that morning.
Though the taste was average at best, the three of them ate with great enthusiasm.
After breakfast, Mai and Kū helped Naruto tidy up the house.
Once they finished cleaning, the three headed out together.
On the main street,
Kūra was waiting beside a bookstore. Before long, she heard Naruto's familiar chattering voice.
"You're so slow, Naruto! How many times have I told you—huh?! So handsome!"
Only then did Kūra notice the two people standing beside him.
One appeared somewhat aloof, the other gentle and warm.
But they shared one defining trait.
They were handsome.
Naruto finally noticed Kūra.
"Sorry, sorry, Kūra! Kept you waiting."
"Ah… oh, it's fine."
Kūra patted her cheeks.
" Kūra, your goal is Sasuke. Snap out of it!"
She cleared her throat.
"Anyway, Naruto, Lady Tsunade asked me to find you. There's a mission."
"Huh? What kind of mission?"
"Shikamaru will brief us later. By the way, who are these two?"
"Oh, them? Well, you see, they're—"
Before Naruto could finish, someone interrupted.
"Well, if it isn't Naruto. Lady Tsunade sent me to look for you too."
It was Ino Yamanaka, one-third of the Ino–Shika–Chō trio.
Her eyes sparkled as she stared straight at Mai and Kū.
"Wow… super handsome! Even more handsome than Sasuke!"
"Whew, Ino, why did you suddenly run off so fast?"
Shikamaru and Choji arrived shortly after.
But Ino ignored them entirely and turned to Naruto.
"Naruto, are these your friends?"
"Uh… yeah. They're distant relatives of Nagi."
Naruto hesitated before answering.
Ino stepped forward enthusiastically.
"Oh~ so you're classmates of Nagi's relatives~ My name is Ino Yamanaka. Back at the Ninja Academy, Nagi took good care of me."
Shikamaru muttered under his breath,
"You barely even spoke to him."
"And your names?"
"Uh… I'm Mai. This is my older brother, Kū."
Even the normally sociable Mai looked a little stunned. Using a subtle chakra transmission, he spoke to Kū privately.
"Brother, was Aunt Ino always like this? Interesting… I'll have to chat with Inojin about this later."
Kū remained expressionless and didn't respond.
"Mai and Kū—what nice na—"
Before Ino could finish, Kūra pulled her aside.
"Ino, stop fangirling. We have to maintain the image of Konoha's Kūnoichi!"
"But Kūra, they're super handsome! If we miss this chance, there won't be another. You have to be proactive!"
"You—"
Kūra was completely thrown off by her best friend's behavior.
At that moment, Team 8 also arrived.
"Ah~ so this is what Uncle and Aunt looked like when they were young. If only we could take a picture and bring it back."
Mai looked at the gathered Rookie Nine with visible regret.
Soon, Neji and Tenten appeared as well—and…
"Lee! Keep it up! We're almost there! Youth is about constant effort!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
Might Guy and Rock Lee were running toward them on their hands.
The Rookie Nine—and the villagers—were already accustomed to the sight.
But…
"Uh… that's Director Guy and Instructor Lee. Don't tell me—?!"
Mai's expression darkened. Kū, though normally expressionless, also looked slightly uneasy.
"Calm down, Mai. At this point in time, Uncle shouldn't be here."
Mai seemed to recall some unpleasant memories.
"Ugh… Every time Uncle came to our house, he'd drag us into some hot-blooded training without a word. And if we ran into Director Guy and Instructor Lee too…"
He sighed.
"Not only do we have to wear that skin-tight outfit, we have to shout about youth and passion in front of everyone. They're cool and all—but please forgive me for feeling embarrassed."
"Yeah… Uncle does get a little too fired up. Though Mom seems used to it."
Kū nodded in agreement.
In a certain discussion space—
Tsunade laughed.
"Look at those two. Their faces changed the moment they saw Guy and Lee."
Mei Terumi giggled.
"Especially the one called Kū. He's trying so hard to stay composed—it's adorable."
Tenten sighed.
"I completely understand how they feel."
Neji added flatly,
"Same."
Kūrenai smiled faintly.
"Guy, you've scared the children."
Might Guy laughed heartily.
"Ha ha ha! My apologies! But youth cannot be neglected! Youth must sweat with effort!"
Rock Lee clenched his fists.
"Guy-sensei is right! I'm fired up! I'll start with five hundred push-ups!"
Atsui chimed in enthusiastically.
"Well said! A shinobi should be passionate!!"
At that moment, someone noticed something important.
Onoki narrowed his eyes.
"Wait. I recall that Kū mentioned having an uncle."
Mito Uzumaki nodded thoughtfully.
"That would mean one of Nagi's wives has a brother."
In the classroom, Ino instantly wilted.
So… the children's mother wasn't her.
It wasn't just Ino—many blonde only daughters across the Shinobi World felt their hopes dim at that realization.
Cee spoke up.
"I think Samui is highly likely to be the children's mother."
Karui grinned.
"Omoi and I think so too. It really sounds like our captain."
Mabui nodded.
"I agree. The child's looks and temperament resemble a young Samui."
Yugito added,
"I see the resemblance too. Like a miniature Samui."
Killer B chimed in rhythmically,
"Yo! I think so too, that vibe ain't random—it's hereditary flow!"
Samui fell silent.
Atsui beamed.
"That's great, sis! You're finally getting married?"
Samui shot him a cold glare.
"Shut up, Atsui."
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