One month later, Kimimaro departed from Otogakure.
However, his destination wasn't Crow's Town to meet Itachi, but another location.
The Land of Bears, Hoshigakure (The Village Hidden Among the Stars).
Legend had it that two hundred years ago, a meteorite fell from the sky, landing in the Land of Bears.
Later, someone discovered that this meteorite contained a vast amount of chakra and used it for training.
By chance, they created a secret technique called the Mysterious Peacock Method, capable of harnessing the power of the star.
From then on, they remained there, gathering people and establishing a tribe, known as the Star Tribe. They called the meteorite the "Star."
As the Five Great Shinobi Villages were established, the Star Tribe became the ninja village of the Land of Bears, named Hoshigakure.
Their leader proclaimed themselves as Hoshikage.
Despite using the "Kage" title reserved for the leaders of the Five Great Villages, for unknown reasons, the Five Villages didn't pursue the matter.
Perhaps Hoshigakure possessed sufficient strength at the time, or the Five Villages didn't want to bother with a minor nuisance.
Years passed, and the Five Great Villages remained the dominant forces in the ninja world, while Hoshigakure declined.
Especially after the death of the Third Hoshikage, Hoshigakure's talents dwindled, and no one could master the complete Mysterious Peacock Method.
Even some ninja who used the Star for training gradually fell seriously ill.
This was the information Kimimaro had gathered.
He had little interest in Hoshigakure itself; his focus was on the Star.
The Star contained immense chakra, which could potentially aid Kimimaro.
Of course, this was contingent on Kimimaro being able to eliminate the Star's side effects. Otherwise, he wouldn't create trouble for himself.
After all, unlike ordinary people, he already bore the burden of illness.
"Hoshigakure, the Star," Kimimaro murmured, quickening his pace.
The Land of Bears was far from Otogakure, separated by half of the Land of Fire.
It took Kimimaro five days to reach the vicinity of Hoshigakure in the Land of Bears.
"So this is Hoshigakure?"
Kimimaro frowned slightly, looking at the valley shrouded in miasma.
With his medical expertise, he could immediately tell that the miasma was poisonous and quite potent.
Entering unprepared would lead to unconsciousness in a short time.
Prolonged exposure could even be fatal.
"No wonder no one attacks Hoshigakure; it's a natural barrier."
Kimimaro leaped onto a large tree.
"Byakugan!"
His vision expanded!
All scenery within a two-kilometer radius appeared in his mind.
"Hoshigakure is indeed here. Wait, that's..."
Kimimaro spotted four familiar figures.
Naruto, Tenten, Rock Lee, and Shino.
"Are these four on a mission together?" Kimimaro muttered, paying them no further attention.
His two-kilometer vision still couldn't encompass the entire valley.
"Kagura Mind's Eye!"
Activating the Kagura Mind's Eye, which had a far greater range than the Byakugan, Kimimaro finally perceived everything clearly.
The Kagura Mind's Eye was like a wide-range chakra search radar, while the Byakugan provided a comprehensive short-range view.
Each had its strengths and weaknesses, and Kimimaro used them in perfect coordination.
"There are a total of one hundred and twenty-one chakra signatures in Hoshigakure. Excluding the Konoha ninja, the rest feel the same. It seems this is the so-called Star Chakra.
"However, I can't sense the Star's location. It must be sealed with some kind of barrier to prevent prying eyes. Huh..."
Within the Kagura Mind's Eye's range, Kimimaro detected another chakra signature.
This one was also Star Chakra, but more refined and larger than that of the other Hoshigakure ninja.
Moreover, although the owner of this chakra was in the valley, they were quite far from Hoshigakure.
"This person must be Natsuhi."
Natsuhi, a jonin from Hoshigakure, was said to be a powerful ninja who had completed the Star Training, but disappeared ten years ago.
Her husband, Hotarubi, vanished along with her.
The information flashed through his mind, and Kimimaro decided to seek out Natsuhi first.
Obtaining the Star through her shouldn't be a problem.
"To enter Hoshigakure's territory, I need to deal with this poisonous miasma first."
Hoshigakure ninja wore specially made gas masks when entering and exiting the village. Kimimaro naturally didn't have one.
However, this level of poison wasn't a threat to him.
He looked around and quickly found a large quantity of nameless herbs.
In nature, everything had its counterbalance. Where poison existed for a long time, there was usually something that could detoxify it.
These nameless herbs were likely the antidote.
Kimimaro walked over, picked some, and chewed them slightly.
"That's right, these are detoxifying herbs."
Kimimaro quickly confirmed his judgment, then swallowed the herbs and picked a few more before jumping into the valley.
The yellow miasma was not only poisonous but also obstructed vision.
However, these issues couldn't stop Kimimaro. Soon, he arrived in front of a cave.
"This is it."
Without hesitation, Kimimaro was about to enter.
Just then, several kunai shot out from the cave, blocking his path.
"Someone's there. Please don't enter without permission," a woman's voice echoed from the cave.
"I'm here to see you."
Silence fell upon the cave, then a figure wearing a gas mask emerged.
"I don't know you."
The person examined Kimimaro, surprised.
How could he be here unharmed without a gas mask?
"But I know you, Natsuhi."
Upon hearing this, the person became alert and assumed a fighting stance.
"Who are you? How do you know me?"
"Simply put, I'm here for the Star. I hope you'll hand it over to me," Kimimaro cut to the chase.
"Another outsider seeking the Star. Give up; I won't give it to you."
Natsuhi was resolute.
Kimimaro knew that threats of life and death wouldn't sway such a person.
Before he could speak again, Natsuhi began forming hand seals.
"Mysterious Peacock Method!"
Instantly, a massive surge of chakra erupted from Natsuhi's back.
This chakra was unexpectedly purple.
It condensed into the shape of a peacock's tail feathers.
"So this is the Mysterious Peacock Method. Quite unique indeed."
Slightly surprised, Kimimaro activated his Byakugan, clearly observing the flow of chakra within Natsuhi's body.
Manipulating chakra to this extent was no simple feat.
Especially with such a vast amount of chakra.
Kimimaro's interest in the Star grew.
The Star Chakra gathered, and a peacock's head materialized.
In the next moment, the peacock's head lunged at Kimimaro!
Impact!
Kimimaro retreated half a step, narrowly dodging the Mysterious Peacock Method's attack.
The ground shook as the peacock's head smashed into the earth, creating a deep crater.
"Impressive power."
(End of Chapter)