Butterfly Dance

Mimi drew her sword again. After taking a deep breath, she launched into a continuous series of thrusts. Because of the weight and her lack of familiarity with using it, her movements were extremely unorthodox.

After thrusting dozens of times in succession, Mimi looked at Shiki and asked, "How was that?"

"How was what?" Shiki asked, though he seemed to have noticed something.

"Of course I mean this move, Butterfly Dance. Storm." Mimi said, "Increase the speed another five hundred times, and complete hundreds of consecutive thrusts in an instant."

"Interesting." Old Man Shiki said, "But what you described is impossible."

"With your wrist strength, even you won't be able to do it in the future."

"That's because you can't do it." Mimi said, "Even a scaled-down Butterfly Dance has considerable killing power. Let's set a small goal first: ten swords."

"Not a bad idea." Shiki said, "Completing ten strikes instantaneously is likewise extremely difficult. The Second Hokage had a sword technique called Crescent Moon Dance. While releasing Shadow Clones, it uses swordsmanship to deliver lethal attacks from the left, right, and above. Three slashes executed in an instant, combined with Flying Thunder God Slash, are extremely dangerous."

The implication was that ten swords were anything but a small goal.

"There is a shortcut. Changing Shadow Clone Shuriken into Shadow Clone Sword Technique should work too, right?"

Mimi said.

Flying Thunder God Technique would work too.

The future Yellow Flash had the astonishing record of killing fifty Jonin in an instant. He was practically inhuman.

"That's a good idea, but it requires a certain mastery of Ninjutsu." Shiki nodded, then shook his head. "I'm not optimistic about you creating your own Ninjutsu."

"It's not impossible with wrist strength alone." Mimi said, "Sage Mode."

"Where did you get that information?"

"Konoha has no secrets to me. There are insects everywhere." Mimi said.

"Be more discreet and don't get discovered, Insect Princess." Rather than trying to dissuade her, Shiki offered criminal advice. "And don't think about touching other families' secret Ninjutsu techniques. That would cause trouble."

"I'm not stupid." Mimi said, "Can I casually use Ninjutsu of unknown origin?"

"Very good!"

"And don't talk nonsense. Silence is golden!"

"I'm dying here. There aren't even any outsiders talking to me." As she spoke, Mimi thought of Zhili's face.

Aside from Hinata Hitomi, who had spoken to her at the very beginning without understanding the situation, Mimi had only exchanged a few barbs with Tsunade.

Though it had been rather interesting.

But the other children basically avoided Mimi.

At that moment, Shiho said worriedly, "Insect Princess, there aren't any children your age in the clan. If you get the chance, you should still try to make a friend or something."

"Fourth Brother, the children in the clan won't want to play with Insect Princess." Shiki said, "Insect Princess has nearly finished walking the path they'll spend their entire lives on. No child in the clan can endure that kind of stimulation. Outsiders might be possible, but I'm worried Insect Princess will play them to death. Geniuses are lonely."

At the end, Shiki sounded somewhat emotional.

When he was young, the children in the clan had all avoided him because of the venomous insects on his body.

"You're looking down on me too much. At worst, I'll cripple them." Mimi chuckled playfully.

"You." Old Man Shiho affectionately rubbed Insect Princess's head and said nothing more.

"Old Man, rubbing my head will keep me from growing taller. Do it again and I'll release my insects."

Insect Princess had instinctively dodged, but not completely.

"All right. I won't do it next time." Old Man Shiho said with a beaming smile.

This old man was a good person, but Mimi found his excessive familiarity awkward.

"Old Man Shiki, do you still want to hear my thoughts on swordsmanship?" Mimi asked.

"No need. Just follow your own ideas and study hard from now on."

"Surprise me when the time comes."

"Okay!"

Mimi nodded in agreement.

The day's training officially ended.

After saying goodbye, Mimi took Insect Sister home.

Once Mimi had gone far away, Old Man Shiki collapsed onto the ground and panted rapidly.

"You can still hold on, right?" Shiho asked.

"It's no major problem. I won't die for the time being." Shiki replied in a low voice.

"Hold on until Insect Princess grows a little more."

"No problem!" Shiki said solemnly.

"Insect Princess wants to learn Sealing Technique." Shiho said, "That's what the Third Hokage said."

"What are his conditions?"

"No conditions." Shiho said, "Konoha is currently at peace, and the younger generation is capable of handling missions outside. There's no need for us at the moment."

"What does Big Brother say?"

"Think of a way." Shiho said, "Fulfill all of Insect Princess's requests."

"So we're taking Princess Tsunade's side?" Shiki asked.

"That depends on what the Third Hokage thinks." Shiho said.

"Hmph. The Sarutobi Clan has been developing a little too quickly."

"The Senju will make a move." Shiho said, "It's not our concern."

"Then we wait." Shiki said, "I'm not confident about that woman Mito. Taking the Third Hokage's side is a little risky."

"Have you forgotten something?" Shiho asked.

"What?"

"The Hyuga, the Uchiha, and the Kurama. The old fellows aren't all dead yet."

"Tch. What a troublesome bunch."

"That's why remaining neutral is most advantageous for us."

"What about the Sealing Technique, then?"

"If that woman Mito is still a qualified grandma, she'll pave the way for Tsunade." Shiho said, "The opportunity will come."

On the road, Mimi took out a silkworm moth and tossed it into her mouth.

The flying Kikaichū gradually returned.

"Uzumaki Mito."

"The opportunity has come."

Insect Sister looked at Mimi with longing.

Seeing this, Mimi casually flicked out a silkworm moth.

It was all meat and far too plump, so it could not fly at all.

Insect Sister pounced out and swallowed it in midair.

"What a greedy little bug." Mimi smiled.

After Insect Sister finished eating, she looked at Mimi expectantly.

When it came to this special kind of silkworm moth, the original flavor was the most fragrant. It had a unique sweetness, along with a deep, delicate fragrance.

There was none of the nauseating fishiness one might expect.

The flavor was intensely addictive, the sort that made her whole body feel uncomfortable if she went a day without eating one.

On Earth, silkworm moths had originally been perfectly edible delicacies.

They contained large amounts of complete proteins and fat, as well as abundant physiologically active substances. They were medicinal food materials that combined dietary therapy, nourishment, and health care.

The silkworm moths in Mimi's possession were even more potent, somewhat like Soldier Pills. They also refreshed the mind. Eating one when exhausted was like instantly coming back to life.

They had no obvious aftereffects or addictive qualities.

Their main effect came from the tenacious Life Force within the silkworm moths, though Mimi had yet to figure out the principle behind it.

But they could not be eaten in excess, or they would cause overexcitement.

They were simply too addictive.

Fortunately, Mimi did not lack self-control.

Having gained another snack, she was quite happy.

But Mimi felt that she had not fully uncovered the silkworm moths' abilities.

If this was all they could do, there was no need to painstakingly cultivate them.

The same Soldier Pills were more convenient and affordable.

Although the era when these insects existed might have predated Soldier Pills, it was also possible that they had been created specifically for this purpose.

Still, Mimi always felt that she had somehow overlooked an important detail.

But where?

After thinking it over, Mimi gave up and turned to consider other matters.

Under the moon, the gentle moonlight stretched their shadows long. Behind her, Insect Sister followed step by step, cautiously and curiously stepping on Mimi's shadow, occasionally letting out innocent, joyful laughter.

This child was learning.

First came an understanding of the world, like an innocent infant.

"Mama... Mama..."

Insect Sister called out mindlessly.

"Shut up."

Mimi answered without thinking.

"Mama... Mama..."

"Shut up."

The two repeated the same exchange, one sentence after another, never tiring of it as they walked home.