"Shino… you didn't go train this morning. What are you doing here?" Genya looked at Shino, speaking slowly, but there was a strange look in his eyes.
This morning, Shino Aburame hadn't gone to train. Genya had thought Shino's strength had suddenly grown, that he was getting arrogant.
But it seemed…
Things weren't as they appeared. This guy had some matter to deal with.
"My father has something for you!" Shino Aburame hurried forward, looking at Genya with unusual excitement.
He had spent a lot of effort convincing his father to side with the Uchiha clan.
"Something?"
Uchiha Genya was stunned. As he murmured, he glanced at Shibi Aburame standing not far away, narrowing his eyes.
"You must be Genya, right?" Shibi approached eagerly as he looked at Genya, examining him closely, as if trying to see through him.
That intense gaze made Genya a little uncomfortable.
"Uncle, you want to speak with my father, right? I'll take you to him!" Genya didn't want to deal with it himself and pushed the responsibility to his father.
When Uchiha Kinya saw Shibi Aburame come to cooperate with him, a look of surprise appeared in his eyes.
Although the Uchiha clan was growing stronger, the major clans in Konoha still hadn't approached them for cooperation.
The tension between the Uchiha and Konoha's leadership was obvious, even on the verge of hostility.
Therefore, the major Konoha clans kept their distance from the Uchiha. Even as the clan prospered, most of its members remained neutral.
Now, all cooperation with the Uchiha came from clans outside Konoha or small merchant groups.
Genya left the rest of the matters to his father and went to his room with Shino.
Shibi Aburame watched Shino leave with Genya and gave him a meaningful glance.
Once inside, Shino began talking nonstop. "Genya, you have no idea how I convinced my father last night!"
"Convinced?" Genya glanced at Shino and said slowly, "You mean you used your bugs to give him a beating?"
Huh?
Shino froze, more curious than angry. "How did you know?"
"Obvious. The jar of bugs your father had was full before. Now it's half empty." Genya shrugged casually. He had already noticed the difference when he saw Shibi.
"Heh… couldn't hide it from you. I did beat my father up!" Shino scratched his head and said, "You don't know, last night my father wanted to hand the clan leader position to me, and I didn't accept!"
Shino was proudly boasting. Not going to lie… with his evolved bugs, his confidence had skyrocketed.
Words started to flow more and more.
"Speak… Your father sent you along, right? Does he have a request?" Genya interrupted Shino Aburame's endless chatter, speaking directly.
It must be that Shino Aburame had seen the terrifying evolution of the insects and wanted some for his own!
Hearing Genya's words, Shino scratched his head awkwardly, then timidly said, "My father does have a small request. I wonder if it's possible for our clan to get those imperfect evolved insects (Immortal insects)…"
After saying this, Shino quickly added, "But it's fine if you don't agree. The Aburame clan will definitely stand with the Uchiha clan!"
He was afraid his request was too high, so he hurried to explain!
If Genya refused, it didn't matter.
He would become stronger on his own, and that was enough.
After speaking, he looked at Genya, observing the change in his expression.
If Genya showed even a hint of displeasure, he would immediately retract his request.
"You asked the wrong person. You should ask Hikari," Genya said calmly. "I don't know much about this."
"Ask Hikari?" Shino asked.
"I'll have Hikari come," Genya said as he rose, signaling someone to fetch her.
It was time for Hikari to rest a little, relax properly, and perhaps her mind would open to new ideas.
Perhaps even some unprecedented research results could come from it.
Time passed little by little, and soon Hikari walked in.
She had grown even more elegant and refined, and the delicate pendant around her neck made her seem otherworldly.
"Hikari… Shino is looking for you!" Genya arranged a seat for her and explained Shino's request.
"Hikari, my father only wants those Immortal Insects!" Shino looked at Hikari timidly.
"Because of this?" Hikari narrowed her eyes.
"Yes!" Shino nodded.
"Then it's up to you. The insects are yours. You can breed them and give them to others," Hikari said, continuing, "But… those insects, the Spirit and Chakra Insects, are extremely compatible with you. They might not be transferable to others."
"Then… can I give the other insects to my father?" Shino asked, surprised. "Are there no restrictions?"
He could hardly imagine how strong they would be if everyone in the clan had these kinds of bugs.
"Restrictions? Why would there be restrictions?" Hikari asked in shock.
"Aren't you afraid I'll take the bugs and make the whole clan stronger?" Shino looked at Hikari and Genya, stunned.
"Stronger? Do you think just a few jars can make you strong?" Hikari looked at Shino and said, "Unless someone opens an internal space in their body, these bugs aren't much of a threat!"
Huh?
Shino was shocked. Only now did he realize that Genya and Hikari didn't really care about these bugs at all.
That made sense.
If Genya and Hikari could even create bugs like this, of course they wouldn't take it seriously.
"Shino… work hard. When you eventually open a space in your body where the bugs can live, I'll save a spot for you," Genya said, stepping in front of Shino and offering a comforting smile as he saw the faint disappointment in Shino's eyes.
A spot by his side.
Shino's eyes lit up. Then he thought of something and looked at Genya with excitement. "Really?"
If he could, he could follow right behind Genya.
"Of course!" Genya nodded. "If you truly open the space, you'll have the strength to stay by my side. But if you fail, following me will only bring danger. Do you understand?"
"I understand," Shino nodded solemnly. "I'll work hard. I will open that internal space!"
Da-da-da…
While Genya and Shino were talking, someone knocked at the door.
Shino's father's voice came through: "Shino, we should go back. Come another day!"
Hearing this, Genya and Hikari saw Shino out.
****
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