Hollow, Abandoned

Jutsu have situations where they counter each other.

Unfortunately, Aburame Shikuro's type was exactly the kind that Gen'ichi utterly countered.

No matter how fancy his insect techniques were, they were ultimately just a group of low-level life forms. Under the constant onslaught of the Nuclear Radiation clouds...

They would all utterly perish.

"Ah, ah, ah, ah!! My body... What is going on with your Bloodline Limit!!!"

Aburame Shikuro knelt on the ground, crying out in pain.

His specialized tight-fitting protective suit was now tearing under the intense, scorching heat. Large numbers of pustules were growing uncontrollably. Struggling and twisting, Shikuro clearly felt his body collapsing.

"Shikuro-senpai, you knew how dangerous weapons like the Nano Poison Insects were, yet you insisted on using them against me. I had no choice but to attack you."

Gen'ichi sighed.

He remembered that Shikuro's descendant in the future, Aburame Torune, hadn't even participated in the Chunin Exams and went straight into Root to partner with Yamanaka Fuu. One of the reasons was the extremely high danger level of the Nano Poison Insects; anyone touched by them died instantly.

Gen'ichi lowered his head, looking at the man whose body was constantly swelling with horrifying cysts, his internal structure completely unrecognizable.

Such a unique Jonin was utterly incapacitated in a single encounter, simply because he came after him.

"You evil brat! I must complete Root's mission, even if the cost is my own life!!"

Shikuro tore at himself like a madman. The indescribable, intense pain caused him to rip off even his own flesh and blood, leaving him covered in gore.

The terrible state of his body made Shikuro realize that from now on, even if he survived, he would be crippled, losing the possibility of ever being a ninja. His inner madness, and the Root Ninja's commitment to prioritizing missions, solidified his resolve.

Amidst the painful wails.

At that moment, a Forbidden Jutsu was activated by Shikuro.

A small Barrier Jutsu suddenly expanded.

"This is..." Gen'ichi raised an eyebrow.

"Pot Poison Jutsu. This is a Forbidden Jutsu I developed. You shouldn't have refused Lord Danzo's invitation... Let's die together!"

Within the Barrier Jutsu, a strange odor began to spread, brewing with a stimulating power.

"So that's it. Pot Poison Jutsu, using a Barrier Jutsu to create an environment suitable for insects to multiply rapidly... But your jutsu still seems incomplete right now."

Gen'ichi nodded repeatedly. This jutsu was also used by Aburame Torune after being brought back by Impure World Reincarnation during the Fourth Great Ninja War.

It was indeed a potent weapon. If used well, it could be considered a super bio-weapon capable of wiping out a nation. Most ninjas had no way to deal with these nanobots that could easily burrow into human bodies and destroy all cells.

Trembling, Shikuro used the Summoning Jutsu, summoning a large number of corpses infested with Nano Poison Insects. He attempted to breed a swarm and then detonate these corpses, filling every inch of the air with the Nano Poison Insects.

But unfortunately, it was useless.

The power of the Radiation clouds was everywhere. These summoned insects were wiped out instantly, not even having time to burrow into Shikuro's body.

Shikuro looked as if struck by lightning, lying on the ground like a corpse, not moving.

"This jutsu is quite good, but you're still too naive."

Gen'ichi slowly formed hand signs, appearing ready to deliver the killing blow.

Suddenly, a figure appeared outside the Barrier Jutsu. With a sweep of his hand, a large number of Parasitic Destruction Insects broke through the Barrier Jutsu's seal and swarmed in, buzzing loudly.

"That's enough, Gen'ichi. You've done enough now; Shikuro has paid a sufficient price."

Shibi slowly walked in, a vast swarm of insects separating the two.

At the same time, countless Parasitic Destruction Insects were annihilated by the intense Radiation attack, dying in large numbers.

"Seriously, Shibi-sensei, I just came for a simple visit, and something like this happens..." Gen'ichi shook his head, retracting all the Radiation.

"I'm truly sorry, this is the Aburame Clan's failure to be hospitable."

Shibi said in a low voice.

"Shibi! Since you're here, why didn't you help me just now?! This evil brat, his Bloodline Limit is full of sin! Letting a guy like this live..."

"Enough! You shouldn't have used Nano Poison Insects against Gen'ichi! The jutsu to control Nano Poison Insects was listed as a Forbidden Jutsu by the clan the moment it was created! What's more, you even prepared an incomplete Pot Poison Jutsu, using your body to feed the Nano Poison Insects..."

Shibi's face was incredibly grim, and he felt immense heartache.

Ever since Shikuro joined Root, he had become unrecognizable to Shibi.

Especially the Pot Poison Jutsu. First, it uses a Barrier Jutsu, then feeds the insects with human bodies, and then detonates the bodies. A jutsu like that... it doesn't distinguish between friend and foe, it's incredibly malicious!

He had indeed noticed the fight between the two through his omnipresent Parasitic Destruction Insects.

But one was his clan member, and the other was his subordinate.

And Shikuro represented the Root organization and Danzo, making the first move.

"This matter ends here. I will report to Lord Hokage. The best outcome is that no lives were lost."

Shibi looked at the cyst-covered Shikuro with heartache and spoke stiffly.

"Let's go, Gen'ichi. Come to my place, and we can talk in detail about insects."

Shibi took a deep breath and turned away.

Gen'ichi glanced at Shikuro. After Shibi had walked away, he squatted down. First, he made sure there were no other insects monitoring. Then, he leaned closer and, meeting Shikuro's hateful and despairing gaze, whispered something.

"I deeply respect Lord Danzo, and I don't object to joining him, but I absolutely will not go to Root, a place I know nothing about. Shikuro-senpai, you got the starting point wrong."

Gen'ichi stood up and followed Shibi's steps.

Only Shikuro remained, lying motionless on the ground.

After a while, Root Ninja appeared and silently took Shikuro back to the Root base.

"...Is that so? That's what he said? I understand."

In the dark underground base.

Danzo leaned on his cane, watching the barely human-shaped Shikuro without expression.

The burns and pus covering his body still didn't stir any emotion in Danzo, as if Shikuro, whom he had once highly regarded and relied upon, was now completely beneath his notice.

Swish!

A Medical Ninja appeared beside Danzo and whispered a few words into his ear.

Words like "widespread cell necrosis across the entire body," "tissue collapse," and "all Nano Poison Insects annihilated" were faintly heard.

All the surrounding Root Ninja respectfully knelt on one knee, heads bowed in silence, awaiting Danzo's command.

"Dan... zo... Lord..." Shikuro had almost lost the ability to speak. His last flicker of hopeful gaze turned towards the respected Lord Danzo.

But the only response was Danzo's silent back.

Click, click, click.

Danzo left without a word, and the numerous Root Ninja also departed in silence.

On the empty ground, only Shikuro remained, lying alone, staring blankly with empty eyes.