Keep Gen'ichi's Bloodline!

At Shibi's home.

The two sat in silence on the tatami mats, facing each other across a table, for a long time.

"I will report what happened just now to Lord Hokage…"

"Don't worry too much about it, Shibi-sensei. It was a sudden incident. I just didn't expect Senior Shikuro would go this far for Lord Danzo, even attacking a comrade."

Gen'ichi showed a smile, as if he truly wasn't bothered by it.

Shibi felt a wave of awkwardness. Shikuro, who was originally very promising and could have become a pillar of the Aburame Clan, was now essentially ruined.

The horrific changes, the cysts covering his body, had already sealed Shikuro's future in darkness.

Gen'ichi, this subordinate of his… beneath his gentle exterior, hid a deep ruthlessness.

For a moment, Shibi didn't know what to say. A clan member had done something like this to his subordinate, and as the Clan Head, he had to respond.

Shibi adjusted his sunglasses. "Still, I didn't expect you would grow this much, to the point where even Shikuro isn't your match…"

"Ah, Sensei, it was just a coincidence. Nanobots are indeed powerful; they can easily penetrate every cell in the human body and cause destruction. But their vitality is also extremely fragile. Senior Shikuro's ability just happens to be the exact type that I can completely counter…"

Honestly, even Parasitic Destruction Insects can withstand Nuclear Radiation better than Nanobots. Given the size of Nanobots, a single burst of radiation particles would wipe them all out.

"Speaking of which, the reason I came to visit Shibi-sensei this time was to see the results of cultivating the Giant Parasitic Insects. I presume Shibi-sensei has made some progress?"

"Yes, the results are promising. Come with me."

The two went to the backyard. Here, there were numerous jars and bottles, strictly partitioned, where various strange insects could be seen crawling.

The most extraordinary ones, naturally, were in an area heavily sealed with sealing jutsu.

"The destructive power of the Parasitic Destruction Insects is terrifying beyond imagination, and their pursuit of Chakra is incredibly frantic. Without certain measures, they can easily go out of control."

Shibi pointed to the sealed area. His words were calm, yet they held a deep undercurrent of pleasant surprise.

The Giant Parasitic Insects are the future of the Aburame Clan.

After this period of research, Shibi had confirmed that the Giant Parasitic Insects surpassed other insects in all aspects. While they were more difficult to control, if successful…

The Aburame Clan would possess the means to fight Tailed Beasts!

Their clan was extremely powerful and versatile, but when facing large enemies, they could only rely on rapidly multiplying their insect swarms in a short time to create an 'insect sea' and achieve their attack objective.

Not anymore. A power capable of fighting Tailed Beasts was being born in Shibi's hands.

"Although I don't understand insects very well, I do know that with insects, you need to perform generations of selection and elimination. Perhaps you can find Giant Parasitic Insects with a gentler disposition but equally powerful abilities." Gen'ichi said, observing everything before him.

"Then, Gen'ichi, I'll have to trouble you with the rest. I need your strength, and 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 entire clan as leverage.

"I'd be glad to be of service, Shibi-sensei…"

For the next few days, Gen'ichi stayed at the Aburame clan grounds, continuously using the power of Radiation to sweep through the Giant Parasitic Insects, hoping to obtain the insects he desired.

After a long period of selection, some progress had been made.

"Insect #1: High aggressiveness, more frenzied."

"Insect #2: Relatively gentle, but smaller in size with weak biting force."

"#3…"

Numerous experiments were underway.

During this time, Gen'ichi also had multiple conversations with the high-ranking members of the Aburame Clan.

After Gen'ichi left.

Some Elders and powerful clan members of the Aburame Clan gathered around Shibi.

"This is truly remarkable! If this succeeds, our Aburame Clan will rise!!" A middle-aged ninja exclaimed excitedly.

"Ah, the Giant Parasitic Insects. If things go smoothly, with just a few dozen, we can directly confront and defeat giant Summoned Beasts. Even against a Tailed Beast, we can put up a fight!"

"Our clan might just become a prestigious family like the Uchiha and Hyuga…"

"Shibi, as the Clan Head, you have made the most correct decision. I am very pleased."

An Elder looked at Shibi with satisfaction. "Befriending a genius ninja like Gen'ichi is of great significance to our clan! His talent has already spread throughout Konoha, and sooner or later, he will be taken in as a disciple by certain individuals. His future is incredibly bright; he might even grow to the level of Minato Namikaze…"

Shibi nodded slightly. "I have no doubt about his character and talent."

However, thinking of Shikuro's miserable state… Gen'ichi's Kekkei Genkai was countless times more terrifying than imagined. Gen'ichi's character also seemed not entirely sunny, but subtly carried a resolute side.

But Shibi suppressed this thought deep down, determined not to tell anyone.

"I heard about that Shikuro fellow. He's getting more and more out of line! Ever since he joined Root, his eyes have only been on Danzo, not the Aburame Clan! Not to mention his Nanobots are all dead, his physical problems can naturally be handled by Danzo."

The Elder's expression turned cold. He had already made up his mind to abandon the talented Shikuro and fully support Shibi.

Shikuro had defected to Root; he was no longer the present for the Aburame Clan. But Gen'ichi had brought them a clear and visible future.

Abandoning Shikuro and befriending the more valuable Gen'ichi was the most pragmatic decision.

"It's still unclear whether Gen'ichi's Bloodline Limit can be stably inherited. If we could keep his bloodline within the Aburame Clan, that would be even better."

The Elder fell into thought. Soon, he suddenly slapped his palm and said, "Shibi, are there any suitable girls in the clan right now? We need to start fostering a relationship early."

The surrounding people were startled at first, then fell into commotion.

"Amaz- amazing! As expected of an Elder, to actually think of such a method!"

"Incredible."

"I remember Kazuki has a daughter..."

"Well, Gen'ichi might not like girls from our Aburame Clan. Our clan members are a bit gloomy... you know."

"How would we know if we don't try?"

"..."

Shibi watched these guys locked in a fierce debate with a blank expression, unsure what to say for a moment.

Gen'ichi-san, it seems you're truly popular. Even after crippling Shikuro, you can still offer benefits no one can refuse, quietly guiding the entire Aburame Clan's direction.

The Hokage Building.

After receiving the report, the Third Hokage's eyes flashed with a hint of anger.

Root actually laid hands on Gen'ichi?! This is the future he's banking on, someone he sees as a benchmark for the new generation. How dare Danzo do this?!

"Danzo, I haven't given Root the authority to casually attack comrades." The Third Hokage stared at his old friend.

"Shikuro acted on his own. I intended to recruit Gen'ichi into Root, but I never told him to lay a hand on Gen'ichi."

Danzo spoke with a calm expression.

"Is that really the case?"

"Yes, Hiruzen, you must believe me. Everything I do is for Konoha!"

The Third Hokage watched him for a long moment before finally nodding. "I don't want there to be a next time."

"Of course, Shikuro will receive the punishment he deserves."

"Shibi's report mentioned Shikuro was severely injured by Gen'ichi's sudden burst of Bloodline Ability. How is he now?"

"...He's fine, he's recovering." Danzo hesitated for a moment, which the Third Hokage keenly noticed.

"Hmm?"

The Third Hokage looked at Danzo with some surprise.

This isn't like Danzo's style. According to his usual pattern, he should be heavily publicizing Shikuro's severe injuries, then harshly condemning Gen'ichi as an evil brat, and finally proposing to put a Cursed Seal on Gen'ichi, send him to Root, and train him into a mission machine.

Danzo's three-step approach is never outdated. The Third Hokage knew Danzo too well.

But now... he's actually letting it go?!

What is this old friend plotting now?