"I'll take you upstairs."
Shizune volunteered.
"Thank you, big sis Shizune."
Shihui Aburame thanked her politely.
"No problem."
Hearing him call her "big sis," Shizune smiled even more brightly.
She set down the little pink pig in her arms and took Shihui Aburame's hand.
Since he was a child, she paid no mind to propriety between men and women.
"I forgot to introduce you."
Shizune caught herself and said, "This is Tonton."
Shihui Aburame nodded.
Tonton was not merely a pet. She was a ninja pig with a keen sense of smell.
Tsunade and Shizune could also understand what she said.
Full marks in pig language.
The two went upstairs.
There were three rooms upstairs.
Shihui Aburame chose one at random.
He pushed the door open and could not help coughing.
Everything was covered in thick dust.
"Shiki, wait a moment."
Shizune rolled up her sleeves, revealing a stretch of fair skin. "I'll clean it."
She formed hand seals, and with two pops, three Shizunes identical to her appeared.
It was the Shadow Clone Technique.
A thought suddenly occurred to Shihui Aburame.
Would the Shadow Clone Technique help a Gu Master cultivate?
The four Shizunes cleaned quickly. In less than ten minutes, the room looked brand-new.
"Thank you, big sis Shizune."
Shihui Aburame looked up as he spoke.
"Wow!"
The Shizunes on either side seemed to have been utterly overwhelmed, letting out besotted cries.
They surrounded Shihui Aburame, six hands pinching his cheeks and stroking his head.
Shadow clones had independent minds.
Shizune was relatively reserved.
But for shadow clones destined to disappear, there was no need for that.
After cleaning for so long, couldn't they enjoy themselves a little?
Shizune hurriedly dispelled her shadow clones.
Her face slightly flushed, she said, "Something went a little wrong with my shadow clones."
As the shadow clones returned, their memories and experiences surfaced in her mind.
She instinctively thought that he really did feel nice to touch.
[Achievement unlocked: "Oh No, I'm Surrounded by Beauties." Reward received: Rice Bag Grass Gu.] [Rice Bag Grass Gu: a rank-one Gu. Infuse it with primeval essence to make it grow. Once fully grown, cooked rice will grow inside its grass bags.]
Shihui Aburame was still a little shaken.
That scene just now had been truly frightening.
If Shizune had dispelled them any later, her three shadow clones probably would have devoured him alive.
His little body really couldn't take that!
But he had gotten a Gu out of it. No loss here-this was a huge win.
"Shiki."
Shizune coughed twice and said, "Stay here and read. I'll go cook and call you when it's ready."
Although shadow clones had independent minds, they were the same as the original.
In other words, what her shadow clones had done to Shihui Aburame had come from her true thoughts.
That made her rather embarrassed.
Fortunately, Shihui Aburame did not know about the Shadow Clone Technique yet.
"Lady Tsunade is actually a very nice person."
At the doorway, Shizune suddenly turned back and said, "Even if you don't fulfill the wager, she won't do anything to you."
"I understand."
Shihui Aburame nodded.
After Shizune left the room, he took out the storage scroll Tsunade had given him.
He fed primeval essence into it, and a stack of books appeared.
Shihui Aburame counted them. There were exactly fifteen, all medical books related to the human body.
Under normal circumstances, never mind a week-even a month would not be enough to finish them.
Shihui Aburame held out his hand.
The Bookworm appeared.
It was shaped like a spindle, pure white all over, and felt like porcelain with a glazed surface.
He had to admit, Gu were all extremely good-looking.
Shihui Aburame fed primeval essence into it.
The Bookworm immediately flew out, landed on a book, and began eating.
When the entire book disappeared, a dazed look immediately came over Shihui Aburame's face.
[Achievement unlocked: "Violated by Knowledge." Reward received: Grass Man Gu.] [Grass Man Gu: a rank-one Gu. A straw puppet usable for practice, with a slight ability to heal itself.]
In less than ten minutes, Shihui Aburame had mastered the contents of all fifteen books.
He let out a breath. What a thoroughly satisfying battle.
This effortless feeling could be summed up in one word: awesome!
Seeing that he still had time, Shihui Aburame began meditating and cultivating, until a knock sounded at the door.
"Time to eat, Shiki."
Shizune called from outside the door. Shihui Aburame followed her downstairs.
His eyes suddenly lit up.
Tsunade had taken off her green coat, revealing the sleeveless, kimono-like top underneath.
Its neckline was wide open, leaving the unguarded view entirely exposed.
Under the light, her skin shone with a delicate, milky luster.
"Sit."
Holding a sake cup, Tsunade asked, "Want a drink?"
"Lady Tsunade!"
Shizune hurriedly stopped her. "He's just a child."
"True."
Tsunade drained her cup, and a faint blush appeared on her face.
"Shiki, try some."
Shizune turned to him with a smile and said, "I don't know whether it'll suit your tastes."
"It's delicious."
Shihui Aburame picked up a piece of fried shrimp, chewed a few times, and spoke.
Shizune breathed a sigh of relief.
Halfway through the meal, Tsunade was already a little tipsy.
She looked at Shihui Aburame and shook her head, her body swaying along with it.
"Kid, can you understand those books?"
Tsunade asked casually.
So dazzling.
Where did that crystal chandelier come from?
So white and bright.
"I can."
Shihui Aburame nodded.
"Ask if there's anything you don't understand."
Tsunade spoke with narrowed eyes.
"I will."
Shihui Aburame could not help reflecting that even the coldest woman had a warm spot somewhere.
Besides, Tsunade was not cold.
She had only temporarily closed herself off because she had lost those she loved forever.
If Shihui Aburame could pry her open, she would recover.
Tsunade said nothing more.
The meal ended.
Supported by Shizune, she returned to her room.
"Shiki, are you sleeping here or going home?"
A short while later, Shizune reappeared.
"I'll go home."
Shihui Aburame thought for a moment and said, "I didn't tell my dad."
"All right."
Shizune did not try to keep him. She smiled and said, "See you tomorrow."
Shihui Aburame got up and left.
When he returned to the Aburame Clan compound, he found Shibi Aburame and Shino Aburame both waiting for him.
"Shiki, congratulations."
Shibi Aburame spoke with pride all over his face.
It was no exaggeration to say that the entire Aburame Clan would benefit because Shihui Aburame had become Tsunade's apprentice.
Such was the influence of the Hokage's lineage.
Shino Aburame was pondering a question.
His older brother probably wouldn't get beaten to death anymore, would he?
"Just luck."
Shihui Aburame spoke modestly.
Shino Aburame curled his lip.
His fists clenched!
Ah, I really want to beat him to death!
"Little bro, what are you thinking about?"
Shihui Aburame felt that he was thinking something rude.
"Nothing."
Shino Aburame shook his head.
Although Shihui Aburame could be rather irritating sometimes, he had always treated him well.
He was just grumbling a little.
Besides, if they really fought, he wouldn't stand a chance.
Meanwhile, at the Hyuga Clan.
"Father."
Hinata Hyuga called from the doorway.
After receiving permission, she took off her shoes and entered the room.
She knelt at the table, the soles of her fair, tender feet turned outward.
Across from her sat Hanabi Hyuga.
Hyuga Hiashi occupied the head seat.
The three pressed their palms together before beginning dinner.
"Hinata."
Holding his bowl, Hyuga Hiashi asked, "What do you think of Shihui Aburame?"
He already knew that Shihui Aburame had taken Hinata Hyuga out for a meal.
As clan head, he always considered things more deeply.
In his eyes, the Aburame Clan was still a tier below them.
Being classmates was fine, but anything beyond that was beneath them.
(End of chapter)