Shihui Aburame did not stay long.
After drinking a glass of water, he left the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
He returned to the old Senju residence and began practicing Superhuman Strength.
Although he had already grasped the basics, Tsunade said it would take at least half a month before he could use it freely.
After a busy day, Shihui Aburame prepared to enjoy a delicious meal.
Shizune brought back tuna and abalone, both rarely seen in Konoha, saying they were gifts from a patient.
These certainly qualified as premium ingredients.
They were ready to serve after some simple cooking.
After dinner, Shihui Aburame cultivated primeval essence for two hours, then fell into a deep sleep.
A new day dawned.
At the entrance to the Ninja Academy.
Shihui Aburame walked up to the noticeboard.
He had not gotten a clear look yesterday, so with time to spare today, he took another look.
It listed the rules for the Chunin Ninja Exams, the participating genin, and the chunin responsible for proctoring.
Shihui Aburame quickly scanned it.
He recognized none of them.
But there were two familiar names on the chunin list.
Mizuki and Aoi Rokushō.
That explained it.
Umino Iruka was substituting for Class 2-A because Mizuki had gone to proctor the exams.
As for Aoi Rokushō, something stirred in Shihui Aburame's mind.
In the original story, he had incited Idate Morino, who failed the Chunin Ninja Exams, to steal the Scroll of Seals and the Sword of the Thunder God.
This plotline could not be called exactly the same as Naruto Uzumaki stealing the Scroll of Seals after failing to graduate-only completely identical.
Idate Morino had not managed to steal the Scroll of Seals, but he had taken the Sword of the Thunder God.
The Sword of the Thunder God was a weapon once used by the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju. Not only was it sharp, it also possessed an innate lightning attribute.
The sword was somewhat similar to a lightsaber from Star Wars.
Normally, it was just a hilt. Only after chakra was fed into it would a laser blade extend.
Shihui Aburame read through the ninja list again, finally finding Idate Morino in a corner.
Idate Morino's older brother was Ibiki Morino, captain of Konoha's Interrogation Department.
That was probably why he had been able to steal the Sword of the Thunder God.
Shihui Aburame grew thoughtful.
Could I beat a chunin?
In a head-on fight, it was hard to say.
With a sneak attack, his chances were fairly good.
Ordinary ninja were all fragile, after all.
Perhaps he could find someone to back him up.
Either Tsunade or Shibi Aburame could handle it with ease.
After thinking it over, Shihui Aburame decided to ask the father he had acquired.
His Gu would be exposed sooner or later.
He rarely fought at present, so no one had noticed.
Once he took the Chunin Ninja Exams or went out on missions, someone would definitely discover them.
But that was not actually a big deal.
He could pass them off as a kekkei genkai.
After all, the Shinobi World had far too many strange kekkei genkai.
Besides, the Aburame Clan was not the Uchiha Clan. They would not be reenacting those famous scenes of "fatherly love and filial devotion."
Shibi Aburame would be only too eager for him to grow stronger and revitalize the Aburame Clan.
Besides, he did not have to reveal much-just the tip of the iceberg would do.
Of course, the most important thing was Shihui Aburame's current status.
As long as he clung tightly to Tsunade's coattails, no one would dare touch him, not even Shimura Danzō.
Shihui Aburame immediately had an idea.
This was a rare opportunity.
He planned to have Shibi Aburame stand by while he fought Aoi Rokushō, to see exactly how strong an ordinary chunin was.
As for the Sword of the Thunder God, once he got his hands on it, it would be his.
Lost in thought, Shihui Aburame suddenly noticed someone tugging at the hem of his clothes.
He turned around and saw Hinata Hyuga.
"Sh... Shiki-kun."
Hinata Hyuga hastily withdrew her little hand.
She had greeted him from nearby just now, but her voice had been so quiet that he had not heard her.
Seeing her timid expression, Shihui Aburame instinctively reached out and rubbed her head.
Her hair was smooth, with a faint fragrance.
Hinata Hyuga's eyes widened, startled by his intimate gesture.
But soon, a blush spread across her little face.
"Let's go."
Shihui Aburame walked toward the classroom as though nothing had happened.
Hinata Hyuga's head was swimming. She did not know what he was saying, but instinctively followed behind him. "Did your father say anything after you awakened your eyes?"
Shihui Aburame suddenly remembered her active achievement.
"Yes."
A smile involuntarily touched Hinata Hyuga's lips as she said, "He was very happy."
For as long as she could remember, she had never seen her father so happy.
At last, there had been one time when she had not disappointed him.
All the credit belonged to Shiki-kun.
Hinata Hyuga raised her head and met his eyes. Her body trembled, and she hurriedly looked away.
"Help me with something small using your Byakugan after school."
Shihui Aburame spoke casually.
He wanted to test whether the legendary Byakugan could see through his White Jade Gu.
"No problem! Whatever you say, I can... do..."
Hinata Hyuga instinctively raised her voice, but grew quieter toward the end, so Shihui Aburame did not hear her.
By the time they reached the classroom, most of the students were already there.
"Shiki!"
"Shiki-kun!"
Two voices rang out simultaneously.
Ino Yamanaka gave Naruto Uzumaki a somewhat dissatisfied look.
Why do you have to compete with me even over this?
A trace of nervousness flashed through Hinata Hyuga's pale eyes.
Shiki-kun is so popular.
Sasuke Uchiha could not help feeling puzzled.
With so many people pestering him, why is Shihui Aburame still so strong?
How exactly does he train?
But Sasuke Uchiha would soon learn the answer.
That was all thanks to his mother.
"Shino."
Shihui Aburame returned to his seat.
"Hmm?"
Shino Aburame was somewhat surprised.
The first person my brother greeted today was actually me?
Previously, it had always been someone like Ino Yamanaka or Hinata Hyuga.
He could not help feeling flattered... as if.
He had already questioned several times whether they were really brothers.
"Will Dad be home tonight?"
Shihui Aburame asked.
"Yes."
Shino Aburame paused slightly before answering.
"Then I'll go home tonight."
Shihui Aburame nodded.
"Huh?"
Shino Aburame looked astonished.
"What do you mean, 'huh'?"
Shihui Aburame glanced at him and asked, "That's my home. Is it strange for me to go back?"
So you do know it's your home!
Shino Aburame could not stop himself from inwardly launching into a furious tirade.
You haven't been home for almost a week!
Anyone who didn't know better would think you'd been adopted by Lady Tsunade.
"No, it isn't."
The corner of Shino Aburame's mouth twitched slightly as he spoke.
Time passed as they chatted.
When the bell rang for class, Umino Iruka walked in.
He set down his textbook and asked, "There's good news and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?"
"The good news!"
Quite a few students answered in unison.
"The good news is that this afternoon's practical combat class will be held together with Class 2-A."
Umino Iruka smiled and said, "If you're interested, you can spar with the older students then."
Sasuke Uchiha immediately became interested.
He wanted to test himself against Neji Hyuga, the genius of the Hyuga Clan.
With only a year between them, he might be able to win.
Hinata Hyuga instinctively clasped her hands in front of her chest.
She was indescribably nervous.
"The bad news is that, because of the Chunin Ninja Exams, you'll have Friday off."
As soon as Umino Iruka finished speaking, cheers erupted throughout the classroom.
For students, a day off was the best news of all.
(End of chapter)