Deep within the mountains and forests, the silent night enveloped the collapsed cave, forming a secluded chamber illuminated by flickering candlelight, casting a warm yet eerie glow.
Hoshigaki Kisame and Pakura found themselves alone in this confined space, a scenario that might suggest intimacy to some. However, the atmosphere was far from romantic; it resembled the chilling tension of a horror film.
At this moment, Pakura lay bound by chakra strings, her body helpless on the ground, with blood staining half of her shoulder.
Kisame's appearance was unsettling—resembling a mutated shark, as if a serial killer had been exposed to excessive nuclear waste.
This seemingly cozy cave, with its dancing candlelight, felt more like a natural tomb.
Pakura had resigned herself to death, uncertain only of the manner in which it would come.
She had uncovered Kisame's secret "Bloodline Limit" and witnessed him absorb the Blasting Sword: Shibuki. For these reasons alone, she doubted Kisame would allow her to live.
Kisame approached Pakura, squatted beside her, and gazed down at the woman.
Pakura slowly closed her eyes, silently pleading for a swift end without prolonged suffering.
Unbeknownst to her, Kisame hesitated.
Initially, he intended to interrogate Pakura for valuable information before eliminating her.
However, as he looked upon her, memories of her tragic fate surfaced, and for a moment, he saw a reflection of himself.
They were kindred spirits.
Zabuza Momochi shared similarities with Kisame, particularly in his readiness to kill comrades.
But Pakura's life mirrored Kisame's in a profound way. Both were ninjas who devoted themselves to their villages, only to be betrayed and meet untimely deaths far from home.
Pakura had made significant contributions to Sunagakure during the Third Great Ninja War, instilling fear in many Kirigakure shinobi.
Yet, this heroine became a pawn in her village's pursuit of peace with Kirigakure. Deceived by the Fourth Kazekage, Rasa, she was sent on a covert mission to Kirigakure, where she was ambushed and killed by the very allies she trusted.
Later, resurrected through the Impure World Reincarnation, she sought vengeance against both Kirigakure and Sunagakure. However, confronted by her beloved student, Maki, and persuaded by heartfelt words, she chose to forgive and believe once more.
Why?
Why should a village's hero be condemned to death? Why should she forgive those who orchestrated her demise?
"What a... poor woman," Kisame murmured.
Moved by these thoughts, Kisame gently lifted Pakura's chin, a rare expression of pity softening his features.
Pakura opened her eyes, puzzled by Kisame's behavior and his delay in action.
Suddenly, Kisame felt a wave of dizziness and nausea, his complexion paling as discomfort spread through his body.
Could it be that absorbing two swords in quick succession had adverse effects?
Initially alarmed, he soon realized the true cause.
The internal mechanism within Kisame sensed his compassion for Pakura and reacted violently.
At that moment, the entity within him, having consumed Kisame's chakra and the energy of three ninja swords, began to churn, as if preparing something.
As this process unfolded, Kisame's nausea intensified. He braced himself on the ground, retching.
Fortunately, the discomfort subsided after a minute.
"Ugh~"
With a final heave, Kisame expelled a mass of cells, roughly the size of a tennis ball, in front of Pakura.
This spherical cluster, coated in viscous fluid, had numerous synapse-like extensions writhing on its surface, resembling tiny, waving limbs. It squirmed in Kisame's palm, almost alive.
"What is this?"
Pakura watched in horror as Kisame brought the grotesque mass closer to her.
"Consume it. If you die, I'll ensure your body is properly handled. If you survive, you're free to go," Kisame offered.
This entity, known as a "weird cell," was a byproduct of Kisame's internal mechanism.
These cells, unique to Kisame, granted him exceptional evolutionary abilities. Remarkably, these abilities could be partially transferred to others through his cells.
Similar to how Hashirama Senju's cells could bestow Wood Release upon recipients, these weird cells could unlock latent potential in others, prompting evolution based on individual talents and granting formidable powers.
However, the process was perilous.
If the recipient couldn't endure the physical and mental strains of evolution, their body would spiral out of control, leading to monstrous transformations and death.
Moreover, those who consumed these cells would fall under Kisame's influence to some extent.
"Look at it—it's beautiful. Doesn't it whet your appetite?" Kisame teased, holding the cell near Pakura's mouth.
His words echoed like a demon's whisper in her ears.
Pakura turned her head defiantly, silently refusing Kisame's proposition.
Sighing, Kisame raised the index finger of his right hand, now transformed by the absorbed sword, and threatened:
"Perhaps I should carve a hole in your chest and insert it directly into your heart? That would expedite the process."
As he reached to remove her clothing, Pakura's body trembled.
"I'll eat it," she conceded bitterly, recognizing she had no alternative.
Closing her eyes, she opened her mouth slightly.
"Excellent," Kisame nodded, placing the weird cell into her mouth.
Gulp.
She swallowed it whole.
Now, they waited.
Seconds passed—then ten, then thirty.
Suddenly, Pakura's body convulsed, her pupils dilated, veins bulged on her forehead and neck, and sweat poured down her face as if she were enduring immense agony.
Her clothes became drenched, clinging to her like a second skin, as though she had been submerged in water.
Her body temperature soared, causing the sweat to evaporate into steam, reddening her skin.
"It's so itchy, so hot..."
Pakura muttered incoherently, feeling as if thousands of ants crawled beneath her skin, her cells igniting from within.
Kisame observed thoughtfully.
Given Pakura's Scorch Release kekkei genkai, the weird cells likely amplified her innate abilities, steering her evolution towards enhanced flame manipulation.
Time continued.
One minute. Five minutes. Ten minutes.
Pakura's body radiated heat like a smoldering ember. She opened her mouth, emitting a faint whimper, tears streaming down her face as she pleaded with Kisame through her eyes.
She begged for death to escape the torment.
Kisame remained unmoved, stepping back.
Despair consumed Pakura. Her eyes rolled back, and she lost consciousness.
This wouldn't do.
Realizing that unconsciousness might prevent her from surviving the transformation, Kisame raised his hand and slapped her face.