Inside Shibi's home.
The two sat silently across the table on tatami mats, neither speaking for a long time.
"I'll report what happened just now to Lord Hokage..."
"Don't take it too seriously, Teacher Shibi. It was an unexpected incident to begin with. I just didn't expect Senior Shikuro to go so far for Lord Danzo, even attacking a comrade."
Genitsu wore a smile, as though he truly had not taken it to heart.
Shibi felt deeply uncomfortable. Shikuro, who had once held such promise and could have become a pillar of the Aburame Clan, was already as good as ruined.
The horrifying transformation of his body, covered in swollen growths, had doomed Shikuro to a dark future.
Genitsu, his subordinate... beneath that gentle exterior lurked a deep, ruthless streak.
For a moment, Shibi did not know what to say. His clansman had done such a thing to his subordinate, and as clan head, he had to respond.
Shibi adjusted his sunglasses. "Still, I didn't expect you to grow to this point. Even Shikuro was no match for you..."
"Ah, Teacher, it was only a coincidence. Nano-Insects are indeed powerful. They can easily burrow into every cell of the human body and destroy it. But their vitality is also fragile to the extreme. Senior Shikuro's abilities just happened to be the type I completely countered..."
Honestly, even Kikaichū were more resistant to nuclear radiation than Nano-Insects. Given the size of Nano-Insects, a burst of radiation particles would wipe them all out.
"Speaking of which, I came to visit you this time because I wanted to see the results of the Kidaichū cultivation. I assume you've made some progress already, Teacher Shibi?"
"That's right. The results are very promising. Come with me."
The two went to the backyard, where countless bottles and jars had been strictly separated into different areas. All kinds of strange insects crawled within them.
The most remarkable ones were naturally located in an area covered in numerous sealing techniques.
"The destructive power of Kidaichū is unimaginably terrifying, and their pursuit of Chakra is the most frenzied of all. Without certain measures, they can easily lose control."
Shibi pointed at the sealed area. His voice was calm, but it carried a profound delight.
Kidaichū were the future of the Aburame Clan.
After this period of research, Shibi had confirmed that Kidaichū surpassed all other insects in every respect. Though they were harder to control, if they could be successfully tamed...
The Aburame Clan would possess a means of fighting Tailed Beasts!
Their clan was exceptionally powerful, with versatile abilities. Yet when facing massive enemies, they could only rely on rapidly breeding insect swarms within a short period, creating a sea of insects to attack.
That would no longer be the case. A power capable of battling Tailed Beasts was being born in Shibi's hands.
"Although I don't know much about insects, I do know they need to be selected and eliminated generation after generation. Perhaps we'll find Kidaichū with gentler temperaments but equally powerful abilities." Genitsu examined everything before him as he spoke.
"Then, Genitsu, I'll be relying on you from here on. I need your power. In return, you will have the friendship of the Aburame Clan!"
This was the first time Shibi had made such a solemn promise to an outsider, using the weight of an entire clan as his stake.
"I'd be more than happy to help, Teacher Shibi..."
Over the following days, Genitsu remained in the Aburame compound, repeatedly sweeping the Kidaichū with radiation in hopes of obtaining the insects he wanted.
After a long period of selection, there was finally some progress.
"Specimen One: highly aggressive and more violent."
"Specimen Two: relatively docile, but smaller in size and weak in bite force."
"Specimen Three..."
A great number of experiments were underway.
During this time, Genitsu also held many discussions with the Aburame Clan's upper ranks.
After Genitsu left.
Several elders and powerful clansmen of the Aburame Clan gathered around Shibi.
"This is incredible! At this rate, our Aburame Clan will rise!!" A middle-aged ninja was beside himself with excitement.
"Kidaichū... if things go smoothly, just a few dozen will let us confront and defeat giant summoned beasts head-on. Even against Tailed Beasts, we'll be able to take a chance!"
"Our clan might become a great house like the Uchiha or the Hyuga Clan..."
"Shibi, as clan head, you made the most correct decision. I am very pleased."
An elder looked at Shibi with satisfaction. "Befriending a genius ninja like Genitsu is of tremendous significance to our clan! His talents have already become known throughout Konoha. Sooner or later, someone will take him as a disciple, and his future is boundless. Perhaps he may even grow to Minato Namikaze's level..."
Shibi nodded slightly. "I have no doubt about his character or his talent."
Yet when he thought of Shikuro's miserable state... Genitsu's Kekkei Genkai was countless times more terrifying than imagined, and Genitsu's temperament did not seem entirely sunny. There was faintly a resolute, ruthless side to him.
But Shibi buried that thought deep in his heart, determined not to tell anyone.
"I heard about what that Shikuro did. He's getting more and more outrageous! Ever since he joined Root, all he sees is Danzo. He no longer sees the Aburame Clan! His Nano-Insects are all dead, and Danzo can deal with his physical condition himself."
The elder's face turned cold. He had already made up his mind to abandon the genius Shikuro and fully support Shibi.
Shikuro had thrown his lot in with Root. He was no longer the Aburame Clan's present, but Genitsu had brought them a visible future.
Abandoning Shikuro and befriending the more valuable Genitsu was the most practical choice.
"We still don't know whether Genitsu's bloodline can be inherited stably. If we can leave his bloodline within the Aburame Clan, that would be even better."
The elder fell into thought. Soon, he abruptly slapped his palm and said, "Shibi, are there any suitable girls in the clan right now? We should start cultivating their relationship early."
The people around him were stunned at first, then immediately became restless.
"Th-that is brilliant! As expected of an elder, to think of such a method!"
"Impressive."
"I remember Kazuki has a daughter..."
"Well, Genitsu may not necessarily like girls from our Aburame Clan. Most of our clansmen are somewhat gloomy... you understand."
"How would we know if we don't try?"
"..."
Shibi stared blankly at these people, who had fallen into heated debate, not knowing what to say for a moment.
Genitsu, it seemed you were truly popular. Even after crippling Shikuro, you could still offer benefits no one could refuse, silently guiding the entire Aburame Clan's direction forward.
Hokage Building.
After receiving the report, the Third Hokage's eyes flashed with anger.
Root had actually reached for Genitsu?! This was the future he valued, the figure he regarded as a model for the new generation. How dared Danzo do this?!
"Danzo, I never authorized Root to attack comrades at will." The Third Hokage stared at his old friend.
"Shikuro acted on his own. I intended to recruit Genitsu into Root, but I never instructed him to attack Genitsu."
Danzo spoke with a calm expression.
"Is that truly the case?"
"Yes, Hiruzen. You must believe me. Everything I do is for Konoha!"
The Third Hokage watched him for a long while before finally nodding. "I do not want there to be a next time."
"Of course. Shikuro will receive the punishment he deserves."
"In Shibi's report, he mentioned that Shikuro was seriously injured by the sudden eruption of Genitsu's Kekkei Genkai. How is he now?"
"...He's fine. He's recuperating." Danzo hesitated for an instant, and the Third Hokage sharply noticed it.
"Hmm?"
The Third Hokage looked at Danzo with some surprise.
This was not Danzo's style. By normal logic, Danzo should first have loudly proclaimed Shikuro's grievous injuries, then denounced Genitsu as an evil brat, and finally proposed placing a cursed seal on Genitsu, sending him into Root, and training him into a mission machine.
Danzo's three-piece routine never went out of style. The Third Hokage knew Danzo far too well.
But now... he was actually letting the matter rest?!
What was this old friend plotting now?
Before you continue