"Son… what did Genya say?"
Aburame Shibi stepped out of the Merchant Association with his son, his eyes eagerly fixed on him.
This time at the Uchiha Merchant Association, he had already represented the Aburame Clan.
Moreover, he had established a deeper connection with the Uchiha Merchant Association.
He just didn't know… how his son's discussion with Genya went. He wondered if any benefits had been secured for the clan.
Even if Genya disagreed, he was ready to accept it.
"Dad, it's not that easy!" Aburame Shino looked at his father's excited expression and couldn't help but comment.
"Not agreed?" Shibi looked at Shino. His tone carried a hint of disappointment, but he continued: "Well, that's fair. We haven't done enough yet. Once they see our sincerity in the future, they'll definitely agree!"
As he spoke, Shibi's eyes were filled with longing.
Shino's eyes also glimmered with hope and determination. He even felt a renewed sense of optimism about the future.
Genya might grant their request eventually.
"No… they agreed!" Shino looked at his father, speaking with serious determination. "He said my insects can reproduce, and we can distribute them to you!"
"That easily??" Shibi was stunned, barely believing it.
Even now, Shibi could hardly believe that Genya would allow such a deadly weapon to reproduce freely.
"Yes, it's really that easy!" Shino nodded, then added, "But there's one condition: the Spirit and Chakra insects can't be given to you, everything else can be shared with the clan."
"They just trust you to distribute the insects they developed like this?" Shibi's eyes were wide with disbelief. "Aren't they afraid we might go back on our word or escape their control?"
"Heh… Dad, you're overestimating yourself!" Shino glanced at his father and continued: "Genya said it's useless to worry about people who raise insects in jars, unless you can open up internal space within your body!"
At this, Shibi's face was filled with shock, astonishment, and disbelief.
He had been holding back for so long!
Aburame Shibi pointed at the jar of bugs behind him. "This jar can hold a million insects. If you combine it with your bugs that can devour anything and never die, it's not exactly invincible, but it's close enough!"
He had never been spoken to like this before.
"Dad, you've never seen Genya fight, and you've never seen how strong he really is!" Aburame Shino said slowly, trying to guide his father through the disbelief in his expression.
"I've never seen Uchiha Genya fight?" Shibi pointed at his own nose, utterly incredulous. "Isn't he just the kid who made those evolving bugs? How strong could a little boy be?"
"How strong?" Shino looked at his father with exasperation. "If Genya wanted to fight you right now, you wouldn't last half a second! Even I wouldn't dare try anything against him!"
Huh?
Genya could defeat him with just one hand?
Shibi's eyes shifted as he looked at Shino, wondering if his son had been brainwashed by the Uchiha clan.
"You probably won't believe me if I just say it!" Shino knew his father had already sided mentally with the Uchiha, so some truths needed to be revealed.
"Do you remember when we went on a mission to the Land of Lightning and were chased by the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki?"
"Whoa… then how did you survive?" Shibi drew a sharp breath, his eyes wide in shock as he stared at his son. "How did you escape?"
The memory of the Nine-Tails rampaging through Konoha was still vivid. Countless ninjas had died, and only after the Fourth Hokage sacrificed himself was the Nine-Tails finally sealed.
And now,
The Land of Lightning. The Eight-Tails.
Shibi had heard of Killer B, the supposedly perfect Jinchuriki of the Land of Lightning. He could unleash the full power of his tailed beast while thinking strategically like a ninja.
And yet, his own son had survived being hunted by someone like that?
He looked at Shino again, his eyes full of disbelief.
"Because… Genya easily subdued the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki and the Eight-Tails itself," Shino said, deliberately shocking, making Shibi freeze in place.
His mind was spinning.
Even so, he still couldn't fully process it. What did his son just say? Eight-Tails Jinchuriki?
Shibi's eyes widened in utter shock.
After hesitating for a long moment, he finally looked at his son and spoke slowly, "Son… did you just say that Genya easily subdued the Eight-Tails?"
"Yes." Shino Aburame nodded.
Then, Shino recounted the entire sequence of events once more.
The more he spoke, the more Shibi felt his heart tighten. Uchiha Genya was not useless… he was a true genius, and he was in charge of everything.
"Dad, this matter only needs to be known by you."
At the Uchiha Merchant Association…
"Son, what did you promise the Aburame clan?" Watching Shino and his son leave, Uchiha Kinya glanced at Genya, his tone heavy and filled with shock.
Today, Shino had given him many concessions, leaving him deep in thought.
"It's nothing major, just that Hikari improved some of their insects," Genya said, pointing to the biggest contributor beside him, Hikari, indicating it was her accomplishment.
Next, Genya explained the entire course of events to his father in detail.
It had to be said, this was actually a huge benefit for the Aburame clan; siding with the Uchiha was justified.
But just as he finished speaking, someone outside reported, "Hyuga Hiashi has arrived with Neji."
"Should we go see them?" His father looked at Genya, signaling whether he wanted to go.
Genya shook his head. "You go. I don't want to get involved in these matters."
So his father continued his negotiations, while Genya leaned back in his chair to rest. Hikari prepared to leave.
"Hikari, where are you going?" Genya asked, looking at her.
Hikari turned her head. "I still have some experiments to continue; I need to return to my research."
"Recently, you'll stay with me. No more research for now!" Genya interrupted her firmly, making it clear she would stay by his side.
At the Hokage's office,
Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzo, along with two others, had been negotiating all evening. Just as they were about to leave and rest, a member of the Anbu arrived with a report:
"Hokage-sama, Shibi, the Aburame clan head have gone to the Uchiha Merchant Association."
Huh?
They were taken aback for a moment but quickly realized the Aburame clan was preparing to take sides.
Not long after, another report came: Hyuga Hiashi had also gone to the Uchiha Merchant Association.
****
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