Yamato, formerly known as Tenzo, was a product of Orochimaru's experiments. Having survived the implantation of Hashirama Senju's cells, he could use Wood Style—a rare kekkei genkai that combined Earth and Water Release. However, compared to Hashirama himself, Yamato's abilities were far inferior, both in power and scale. Even so, his control over Wood Release and his role in suppressing tailed beasts made him an invaluable Jonin-level asset to Konoha.
Kimimaro, who had long been researching bloodline abilities, had previously considered acquiring Hashirama's genetic material. He estimated it would take at least three more years of planning, likely until Yamato retired from active Anbu duty and transitioned into a more public role within the village. He hadn't expected to run into him this soon.
Obtaining Hashirama's original cells was unrealistic—those were closely guarded by both Konoha and the remnants of the Akatsuki. Kimimaro was powerful, but not enough to penetrate their core defenses. Fortunately, his unique bloodline evolution system didn't require pure genetic material. Even degraded or secondary expressions, like those found in Yamato, could be refined and analyzed to near-original purity. The process would just demand more life force and time.
The moment Kimimaro recognized Yamato, he reconsidered his earlier objective of pursuing a Hyuga for their Byakugan. This was a far more valuable opportunity. If Fu cooperated, they might be able to extract the necessary genetic sample without killing anyone.
Fu had always declared she wouldn't take lives. That was fine with Kimimaro—he wasn't inclined to kill unnecessarily either. Killing Anbu might be manageable in some cases, but Yamato? That would be a direct affront to Konoha. Despite being a product of experimentation, Yamato was considered a vital military asset because of his Wood Style.
"Let's go," Kimimaro said coldly, activating his Cursed Seal Level Two transformation. His appearance shifted—skin darkened with black markings, his spine-like protrusions extending ominously.
Recognizing the threat, Yamato's expression hardened. His instincts told him these weren't ordinary opponents. He immediately clasped his hands together.
"Wood Style: Deep Forest Emergence!" he shouted.
Though Yamato's Wood Release lacked the overwhelming scale of Hashirama's Deep Forest Creation, his jutsu still caused a rapid eruption of thick trees and branches, spreading outward like a living fortress. The ground trembled under the surge of vegetation as wooden roots wrapped around the area, aiming to bind and disorient the attackers.
"Dance of the Clematis: Vine!" Kimimaro countered, his bone spikes extending and curling like tendrils. White, hardened bones burst from his body, stabbing through the wooden landscape like an invasive parasite. The grotesque dance of bone and wood formed a macabre battlefield—branches and femur-like protrusions snapping and colliding like a clash of living organisms.
"What kind of technique is that?! Bone Style?!" gasped the ANBU operative with the hawk mask. His voice betrayed both confusion and fear.
"Stay alert!" shouted another. They leapt between the expanding trees, using Yamato's Wood Style for footing.
Then the ground cracked.
A massive giant insect, summoned by Fu through her unique connection to the Nanabi (Seven-Tails), surged into view. The creature resembled a monstrous beetle, spewing a shimmering cloud of paralyzing scales from its mouth—Fu's version of insect-based suppression.
"I... I can't move!" one of the ANBU gasped as the paralytic powder took effect.
With a thunderous crash, the creature charged, ramming forward with its massive horn.
BOOM!
The trees shattered under the force. The wooden platforms the ANBU had used collapsed.
Within seconds, the three Konoha agents were incapacitated.
Kimimaro landed silently amid the ruins, brushing off splinters of wood and bone. "This should be enough," he muttered, glancing at Yamato's unconscious form.
Fu landed beside him, wings from her jinchuriki chakra flickering.
"You said you wouldn't kill," she said pointedly.
"I won't," Kimimaro answered. "But his blood… we'll need it."