The Oil Woman Base

A little earlier, Shiri had not yet returned to the Uchiha Clan territory.

Aburame Kei brought the remaining three to the Aburame Clan's research base on Mount Hakkoda.

The foundation of the Aburame Clan's secret techniques lies in feeding Kikaichu with chakra; figuring out how to cultivate powerful and versatile Kikaichu is the best way for the clan to improve their strength.

Therefore, in every deep mountain and forest, there is an Aburame research base dedicated to investigating the various unique insects found in those local areas.

They are committed to integrating the unique habits of these insects into the clan's own Kikaichu.

Mount Hakkoda is home to a very unique type of bee called the Jade Bee. The Jade Bee Jelly they produce is different from ordinary honey; it is cool, fragrant, and leaves a sweet aftertaste, making it an excellent treat for relieving summer heat.

Moreover, this Jade Bee Jelly has detoxifying and skin-nourishing properties, making it an important material for researching antidotes.

Of course, what the Aburame Clan values most about the Jade Bee is not the jelly they produce, but the unique pheromone communication and behavioral patterns of the swarm, which can greatly improve the communication efficiency of their own insects.

The Seeker Bee is a unique insect that serves as a result of the Aburame Clan's research into the Jade Bee.

If these two unique communication methods were integrated into the Kikaichu swarms, commanding them in battle would become much smoother and more fluid.

Aburame Kei led the three through a dense grove, and Qiancao felt the world before him suddenly open up.

Before them lay a boundless sea of flowers, with various blossoms in full bloom, swaying gently in the breeze.

Wuming, walking through the flower sea, finally looked like a girl of her age, looking at and smelling the various flowers.

Although she wanted to pick a few of her favorite beautiful flowers, she ultimately couldn't bear to do so, walking away while looking back every few steps.

As they walked through the sea of flowers, a "buzzing" sound gradually grew louder, and one could see swarms of bees working diligently among the blossoms, flying off into the distance covered in nectar.

Senju Arashi introduced them to Qiancao and Wuming: "The bees here are called 'Jade Bees,' and they are a precious type of insect found nowhere else."

"The Jade Bee Jelly they produce is delicious; the Aburame Clan sends us a lot of it every year."

Then, Senju Arashi turned to Aburame Kei and said: "Let them have a taste of the Jade Bee Jelly in a moment."

"That goes without saying," Aburame Kei nodded in response.

The group passed through the flower sea, followed by a large area of neatly arranged beehives. Swarms of bees flew in and out of the hives, and some Aburame tribesmen dressed like Aburame Kei were harvesting honey among them.

Those Aburame tribesmen nodded as they saw Aburame Kei return, and he responded to each one. The group continued through the work area and arrived at a rest area deep in the forest.

Several wooden houses were scattered in an open area of the forest, and a female Aburame tribesman was already waiting there.

Like Aburame Kei, she was wrapped in a heavy robe and wore a thick conical hat, making it impossible to see her face. One could only tell from her exposed hands that she was advanced in age.

After the group approached, the person took a step forward, bowed slightly to greet them, and introduced herself: "Greetings, honored guests. I am Aburame Den, the person in charge of this research base."

Senju Arashi said breezily: "I am Senju Arashi, and these two are my friends. You can just call them Qiancao and Wuming."

Aburame Den nodded at the three, acknowledging them, and continued: "The ninjas of the Senju Clan have been resting here for a few days, and their recovery is going very well."

Senju Arashi smiled gratefully: "Then please lead the way, Aburame-sama. I have been very worried about their condition ever since I was separated from them."

Aburame Den nodded and turned to lead the way, and the four arrived at the largest wooden house.

The Senju ninjas who had accompanied Senju Arashi to meet Hayasaka that night were all in the room. Five of them had red medicinal paste applied to their bodies—a special treatment for burns caused by Shiri's Dragon Fire Technique.

Two Senju ninjas sitting half-upright on their beds were covered in bandages; they had been stabbed directly by Black Zetsu.

When the Senju ninjas saw Senju Arashi walk in, they all showed expressions of joy and spoke over one another: "Lady Arashi, it is so good that you are alright!"

"Lady Arashi, I am sorry! I failed to protect you!"

"Lady Arashi, what happened to those evil Uchiha?"

Before Senju Arashi could soothe them, the group caught sight of Wuming and Qiancao following behind her. They immediately entered a combat stance and shouted:

"Evil Uchiha brats, get away from Lady Arashi!"

"Lady Arashi, be careful! I'll take care of them!"

Senju Arashi placed her hands on the shoulders of Wuming and Qiancao respectively and smiled at the Senju group: "Alright, alright, we are friends now. Don't make such a fuss."

The Senju ninjas still could not trust the Uchiha ninjas; some continued to curse the two, while others earnestly tried to persuade Senju Arashi to stay away from them.

It took a great deal of effort for Senju Arashi to convince everyone to stop being hostile toward the pair, but judging by their eyes, these people did not truly accept them from the bottom of their hearts; they simply did not want to cause a scene in front of Senju Arashi.

After the people quieted down slightly, Qiancao, standing behind Senju Arashi, suddenly activated his Sharingan and stared straight at them.

Although this Mangekyo Sharingan only lingered for an instant before closing due to the seal on Qiancao's body, his Seventh-Generation God ability stirred the deepest desires within the hearts of the wounded Senju.

Four young Senju ninjas knelt on one knee and said in unison to Senju Arashi: "Lady Arashi, please go out with me!"

Two older Senju ninjas even performed a dogeza:

"My Lady, I am truly sorry for letting you fall into danger this time, but I have an eighty-year-old mother above and an eight-year-old child below—could you please provide a bit more compensation?"

Only one Senju ninja, half-lying on his bed, muttered: "Mother, I miss you so much..."

Suddenly, the ninja who missed his mother seemed to realize something; his expression changed drastically, and he leaped up from the bed.

But Senju Arashi had already stepped in front of the ninja and threw a punch infused with chakra.

A black shadow slid out from the Senju ninja's body. Upon seeing this shadow, Senju Arashi forcibly changed the trajectory of her punch to strike it, but she was a step too slow, and the shadow pulled away.

This black shadow was none other than Black Zetsu, who had once lurked within Keisuke.

Aburame Kei, standing to the side, suddenly extended his hand: [Secret Technique: Insect Sphere]

Long before entering this room, Aburame Kei had released a large number of Kikaichu that lived in symbiosis with him to lie in ambush around the house.

Countless Kikaichu flew out from the corners and shadows, pouncing on the black shadow on the ground. In an instant, they covered half of the shadow's body, devouring Black Zetsu's chakra.

"Damn it! I will be back!" Black Zetsu shrieked viciously. Without any further movement, the half of his body covered in insects detached itself, while the half without insects burrowed into the ground and vanished.

After Black Zetsu disappeared, the Senju ninjas in the room finally regained their senses, and one after another, filled with shame and anger, they prepared to rush up and fight Qiancao to the death.