Aburame Base

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

Aburame Kei led the other three to the Aburame Clan's research base on Mount Hakkoda.

The foundation of the Aburame Clan's hereditary secret techniques was feeding chakra to Kikaichū. The best way for the clan to grow stronger was to cultivate powerful Kikaichū with a wide range of abilities.

For that reason, the Aburame Clan had research bases in every remote mountain forest, dedicated to investigating the many kinds of insects unique to each area.

They worked to incorporate the unique habits of these insects into the Kikaichū used by the Aburame Clan.

Mount Hakkoda was home to a particularly unusual kind of bee called the Jade Bee. The Jade Bee Jelly it produced was different from ordinary honey: cool and fragrant, with a sweet aftertaste, it was perfect for beating the summer heat.

Jade Bee Jelly also had detoxifying and beautifying properties, making it an important ingredient in research into antidotes.

Of course, what the Aburame Clan valued most about the Jade Bees wasn't their honey, but the pheromone-based communication and behavior unique to their colonies. These could greatly improve communication efficiency within a swarm.

The Seeker Bee, a unique insect, was the result of the Aburame Clan's research into the Jade Bee.

If these two unique methods of communication could be incorporated into Kikaichū swarms, they would be much easier to command in battle.

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

Before them stretched a boundless sea of flowers. Blossoms of every color were in full bloom, swaying gently in the breeze.

As Wuming walked through the flowers, she finally looked like a girl her age, gazing at and smelling the different blooms.

She wanted to pick a few of the pretty flowers she liked best, but in the end, she couldn't bring herself to do it. She kept looking back as she reluctantly walked away.

As they made their way through the flowers, a steady "buzz, buzz" grew louder. They could also see swarms of bees busily working among the blossoms, their bodies dusted with nectar as they flew off into the distance.

Senju Arashi introduced them to Qiancao and Wuming. "The bees here are called Jade Bees. They're precious insects you can't find anywhere else."

"Their Jade Bee Jelly is delicious. The Aburame Clan sends us a lot every year."

Then Senju Arashi turned to Aburame Kei. "Give them some Jade Bee Jelly to try later, too."

"Of course," Aburame Kei replied with a nod.

They crossed the flower field and came to a sprawling area of orderly beehives. Swarms of bees flew in and out, while several Aburame Clan members dressed like Aburame Kei harvested honey among the hives.

When the Aburame Clan members saw Aburame Kei return, they all nodded to him. He returned each greeting, and the group continued through the work area until they reached a rest area deep in the forest.

Several wooden houses stood scattered across clearings in the woods. A female Aburame Clan member was already waiting there.

Like Aburame Kei, she was completely wrapped in a heavy robe, with a broad, heavy hat covering her head. Her face was hidden, but her exposed hands showed that she was already old.

When they came closer, she stepped forward and bowed slightly in greeting. "Welcome, honored guests. I'm Aburame Den, the person in charge of this research base."

Senju Arashi said casually, "I'm Senju Arashi. These two are my friends. Just call them Qiancao and Wuming."

Aburame Den nodded to the three, acknowledging their introductions, then said, "The Senju Clan shinobi have been resting here for several days. They're all recovering well."

Senju Arashi smiled gratefully. "Then please show us the way, Granny Aburame. I've been worried about their health ever since we got separated."

Aburame Den nodded and led the way. The four of them entered the largest wooden house.

The Senju shinobi who had accompanied Senju Arashi to assist Hayasaka that night were all inside. Five of them had red medicine smeared over their bodies, a special treatment for burns. They had been burned by Shiri's Dragon Fire Technique.

Two Senju shinobi were sitting propped up in bed, wrapped in bandages. They had been stabbed by Black Zetsu.

When the Senju shinobi saw Senju Arashi walk in, their faces lit up with delight, and they called out over one another. "Miss Arashi, thank goodness you're all right!"

"Miss Arashi, I'm sorry we couldn't protect you!"

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

Before Senju Arashi could calm them down, they noticed Wuming and Qiancao behind her and immediately took fighting stances, shouting:

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

"Miss Arashi, watch out! I'll deal with them!"

Senju Arashi placed a hand on each of Wuming and Qiancao's shoulders and smiled at the Senju. "All right, all right. We're friends now, so don't make a fuss."

The Senju shinobi still didn't trust the Uchiha. Some continued to curse at the two, while others earnestly urged Senju Arashi to stay away from them.

It took a great deal of effort before Senju Arashi convinced them to stop treating the two as enemies. But from the looks in their eyes, they still didn't truly accept them; they just didn't want to make a scene in front of Senju Arashi.

Once everyone had quieted down a little, Qiancao, standing behind Senju Arashi, suddenly activated his Sharingan and stared straight at them.

Although his Mangekyo Sharingan only lasted for an instant before the seal on Qiancao shut it down, his Seven Generation God ability stirred the deepest desires of several injured Senju.

Four young Senju shinobi dropped to one knee and cried out in unison to Senju Arashi, "Miss Arashi, please go out with me!"

Two older Senju shinobi even prostrated themselves on the floor.

"Miss, I'm truly sorry we let you get caught in danger this time. But I have an eighty-year-old mother and an eight-year-old child to support. Could you give me a little more compensation?"

Only one Senju shinobi, half-lying in bed, murmured, "Mom, I miss you so much..."

Then the shinobi who missed his mother seemed to realize something. His face suddenly changed, and he leaped out of bed.

Senju Arashi had already stepped in front of him and thrown a chakra-charged punch.

A dark figure slid out of the Senju shinobi. Seeing it, Senju Arashi forcibly changed the path of her punch and struck at the shadow, but she was a moment too late. The shadow had already put some distance between them.

It was Black Zetsu, who had once been hiding inside Keisuke.

Aburame Kei suddenly thrust out a hand. Secret Technique: Insect Sphere!

Before entering the room, Aburame Kei had already released a large number of Kikaichū that coexisted with him, hiding them all around the house.

Countless Kikaichū flew out from the corners and shadows, rushing at the dark figure on the ground. In an instant, they covered half its body and began feeding on Black Zetsu's chakra.

"Damn it! I'll be back!" Black Zetsu roared. Without making any apparent move, the half of his body covered in insects broke away and fell off. The half without insects burrowed underground and vanished.

Only after Black Zetsu disappeared did the Senju shinobi in the room come to their senses. Burning with shame and anger, they all rushed forward, ready to fight Qiancao to the death.