"The insects are called kikaichū. They can live inside a person's body."
Shino Aburame handed a porcelain vial to Genya, calmly explaining the power of his kikaichū. Yet when he passed the vial to Genya, a hint of reluctance flashed in his eyes.
To give away his kikaichū... was to entrust his very life.
Because if—
If Genya managed to develop an antidote that could counter his kikaichū, it would be devastating. Possibly even fatal.
"Don't worry. I'll have someone speed up the research. I'll make you stronger. I'll evolve your insects." Genya took the vial and casually slipped it into his robe.
Eh?
Shino blinked, slightly surprised. Genya wasn't even cautious?
What if the insects escaped the vial and got out? Was Genya really that fearless?
Though small, Shino's insects were deadly.
He firmly believed he could defeat a jōnin if needed.
In the end, Genya said a few final words to Shino before the two went their separate ways.
Up ahead was Uchiha territory.
Over the past few years, the clan had used the turmoil from Itachi's defection as an excuse to shut their gates completely. No outsiders were allowed in.
Even the reception area had been relocated outside the clan compound.
After parting ways, Genya returned home first. Then, activating the Flying Thunder God Technique, he teleported directly to the underground lab beneath the Uchiha Hospital.
There,
Hikari was busy directing several assistants, clearly immersed in yet another round of cellular experiments. She didn't even blink when Genya appeared out of thin air. She was used to it.
"Hikari, what kind of cell serum are you working on this time?" Genya asked, noticing the excitement glowing on her face.
"Genya-sama… we've made progress with the immortality cells." Hikari replied quickly, her eyes gleaming. "I just tested it on an animal. The cells are like a prototype. They keep the host alive… but they can't feel pain."
Although this was only a small step and still a half-finished product, at least it didn't require something as cruel as the Jashin Cult, which needed countless children just to create a single Red Robe.
"A half-finished product?" Genya narrowed his eyes slightly but still encouraged her. "Take your time. You can succeed."
"Genya-sama, I think I've discovered something very important." Hikari explained seriously, her tone full of conviction.
"The cells of the Jashin have a strange trait. To become an immortal being with all five senses, what's truly required is a compatibility between the soul and the immortal body."
"The soul, huh?" Genya muttered softly. "No wonder. None of those Red Robes ever became true immortals. Cowards like them… how could they ever reach the point where their souls fused with their bodies?"
"The immortal cells of the Jashin…"
"Immortal cells?"
Genya repeated the words quietly, as if he had grasped some kind of insight. But just as the thought surfaced in his mind, it slipped away before he could catch it.
What had he just thought of?
It felt like something extremely important.
Suddenly, his hand brushed against a porcelain vial tucked in his robe, and Genya remembered.
He turned to Hikari, his eyes focused. "Hikari, you mentioned that animals could fuse with the Jashin's immortal cells. But… what about insects?"
"Insects?" Hikari blinked, surprised by his sudden idea. But she still gave a thoughtful reply. "Hard to say. There's a cellular barrier between animals and insects. It might not work."
Hikari had been studying cells for a long time, and the biological differences between insects, animals, and humans were significant.
"No… this insect might have a special connection with humans. It's worth a try." As Genya spoke, he pulled the porcelain vial from his robe.
He removed the lid.
A small black parasitic insect crawled out and landed gently in Hikari's palm.
Genya gestured for her to examine it carefully.
"Hmm? Are these the Aburame Clan's insects?" Hikari asked curiously as she knelt to observe the bug. She often walked around Konoha and had seen similar insects before.
"Yes. These are kikaichū, the special insects controlled by the Aburame Clan. They live inside the host's body and form a symbiotic relationship with them."
Genya explained seriously as he analyzed the connection between the kikaichū and their human hosts.
"The boundary between this insect and animals isn't that different."
"Genya-sama... What made you interested in studying insects?" Hikari gently rubbed the kikaichū between her fingers. A soft green glow wrapped around it as she tried to sense its unique traits.
She discovered that even now, this kikaichū could still feed on chakra. Its body was extremely durable. Special indeed.
But it was too small. Too weak.
"I made a promise." Genya smiled faintly. "If I help someone evolve his insects, he'll stand by our side in the future."
He didn't mention names. He didn't have to.
Actually, Genya believed that the perfect outcome was to make these kikaichū immortal.
They had no senses, no free will—only followed their host's command.
They were born to fight in masses. Even if enemies tried to destroy them, they'd just come back.
If they became immortal, then they could be modified endlessly—until the perfect insect was created.
"I just scanned the structure of the insect." Hikari's eyes gleamed with excitement. "It's simple. And it's definitely different from regular insects. We can try merging it with the undying cells."
She paused. Thought for a moment. "But it'll take time to experiment."
As long as it was something Genya wanted to study, Hikari would give it her all.
"Then I'll leave it to you." Genya nodded. If they succeeded, even the Aburame Clan would side with him.
—
Hokage's Office.
"How are Shikamaru and the other two doing?" Hiruzen Sarutobi puffed on his old smoking pipe. He looked up when he saw Asuma walk in, clearly lacking energy.
He couldn't help but ask.
He had a feeling his son hadn't been in high spirits lately.
Hearing his father's question, he finally spoke, "Ino-Shika-Cho trio generation before them worked closely together and so they grew up influenced by each other. Their teamwork is quite skilled. But even so, their highest achievement was only being an Elite Jonin team!"
Asuma Sarutobi had no interest; those three lacked top-tier talent!
That meant they were destined never to become Kage-level ninja.
"Your mindset is off!" Hiruzen Sarutobi looked at his proud son and couldn't help but advise, "Those three are all children from high-ranking members of Konoha. Their three clans are pillars of Konoha. If you become their teacher, it means you'll have pulled those three clans closer. You should—"
"Dad, I know. You have to look far ahead and unite those clans!" Asuma interrupted his father's rambling directly, though he still felt some resentment.
"But I'm a bit unwilling. This generation's best talents, Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke, were both given to Kakashi. And Sasuke is your secret weapon to overthrow the Uchiha clan someday!"
Now the Uchiha clan was nearly united as one solid block, with only Sasuke as a weak point—and he was entrusted to Kakashi's care!
This time, Naruto and Sasuke were both Kakashi's disciples, and both were very important to him!
****
Support me on my patreon and read upto 15 early chapters.
https://www.patreon.com/AniScout