Time passed slowly.
As the minutes dragged on, Shino Aburame's forehead was covered in dense beads of sweat, and his eyes had grown dull from the excessive strain on his chakra.
Controlling the remaining insects was difficult enough, but he didn't just need to control them one by one—each insect he controlled drained his chakra cumulatively.
That was why he was so exhausted.
After an hour of relentless effort, Shino finally drew all the insects back into his body.
Observing him carefully, Genya noticed that Shino had stored the parasitic insects in the meridians around his dantian. These insects continuously absorbed his chakra without pause.
As for the Spirit Insects, he had placed them near the Ajna chakra point on his forehead.
These Spirit Insects could constantly replenish his mental energy.
The Iron Bettles were fewer now but positioned in critical spots around his heart and brow. If he faced a fatal attack, they could respond defensively in an instant.
Even the defective insects had all been absorbed into his body.
At this moment, he was filled with confidence, feeling capable of defeating anyone.
"Genya… shall we spar?" Shino asked eagerly.
"Sure~" Genya's eyes narrowed, a faint, unreadable smile on his lips. "If you're not afraid that your insects might be wiped out by me, then let's give it a try."
Heh… Although Shino's insect setup was nearly perfect, under his control, Genya could easily obliterate those few insignificant insects in an instant.
Some people got arrogant with just a little power.
Hikari glanced at the reckless Shino with contempt. People really did get arrogant with just a bit of strength.
And with such limited power, he actually wanted to challenge Genya?
She could crush him with a single strike. Just because he had Immortal Insects didn't make him invincible.
No. Even if the insects were immortal, she had several ways to restrict them. Only if the insects swarmed the battlefield might it become somewhat troublesome.
"No… no," Shino felt a chill run through him as he met Genya's faintly mocking smile, shaking his head quickly.
He had been far too arrogant just now, foolishly thinking he could challenge Genya. Now that he thought about it, he had truly lost his mind.
"In that case… we should be on our way," Genya said, nodding at Shino to signal that it was time to leave.
"All right!" Shino nodded and followed Genya toward the exit.
Hikari gave a few instructions to the experiment staff and then followed as well.
"Hikari, what are you planning to study with those insects you left behind?" Shino Aburame asked curiously, his eyes full of interest.
Even now, he still felt light as a feather.
Truly, this day was his lucky day. He had new insects and had finally begun his real transformation.
A new life was beginning for him.
So, he was curious about what abilities Hikari intended to study.
"You don't need to know that. If there are any new research results, I'll have Lord Genya inform you," Hikari replied, glancing at Shino with a calm tone.
Seeing that Hikari wasn't interested in him, Shino could only nod reluctantly and fell silent, following Genya out of the underground laboratory.
Then, they headed to the Uchiha Hospital.
Even now, Shino wore an expression of disbelief. Was everything that happened in the underground lab real?
It all felt too unreal.
Could it be an illusion?
He pinched his own thigh and felt the sharp pain, which helped him wake up a little. Secretly, he summoned the insects inside him—new insects.
He was truly beginning his transformation.
"Lord Genya, everything is arranged. I've sent the people to the mission hall to post the task."
As soon as Genya came out, Uchiha Izumi carefully whispered into his ear, "They will watch as you enter… just so you can handle this task."
"Good," Genya nodded in satisfaction. Then he looked at Shino, who still seemed eager, and said, "What are you waiting for? Go find Kurenai-sensei and Hinata and meet at the mission hall. We're going to receive the mission."
"Oh," Shino said, unsure of Genya's plan. But seeing Genya's serious expression, he hurried off to find Asuma and Hinata.
Genya gave a few more instructions to Uchiha Izumi before she went to handle other matters, then his gaze fell on Hikari.
He reached into his pocket and took out a diamond-shaped necklace, handing it to her. "Keep this necklace. From now on, it's yours."
"A… necklace?"
Hikari was stunned but still mechanically took the necklace.
Her cheeks flushed.
Lord Genya… he…!
But then she sensed something special about the necklace. It contained a highly concentrated wood-style chakra.
It was a necklace crystallized from wood-style chakra—a wood-style crystal!
"Lord Genya… where did you get this necklace?" Hikari asked, touching it. The wood chakra in her body was responding.
The two seemed to have a deep connection.
They were connected in some way.
"This is the necklace, a legacy left by the First Hokage!" Genya said to Hikari. "Take a look and see if you can gain any insight from it. If not, just consider it a keepsake."
"A keepsake?" Hikari asked again, surprised.
"Yes, a keepsake," Genya said seriously, looking at Hikari. "This is a keepsake left by the First Hokage."
Genya didn't mention letting Hikari become the head of the Senju clan yet. After all, she was still too young. That matter would be handled by the previous generation first.
"The First Hokage's keepsake?" Hikari fell into thought, then said, "Could this be the keepsake of Konoha's Sannin, Tsunade?"
"You're smart, Hikari. You guessed it!" Genya ruffled her hair and smiled.
He didn't intend to hide this from Hikari. He briefly explained how he met Tsunade and how he won back the necklace she had lost.
"Lord Genya… do you want me to take over and protect the Senju clan?" Hikari asked, holding the necklace, her bright eyes fixed on Genya.
It seemed like a question.
"Foolish girl, there are still things I'll help you with. You just need to focus on what you enjoy," Genya said, patting her again.
"But if anyone asks for this necklace, you have to make them agree to your terms. If they lose, they must accept one condition from you."
Hikari was startled and quickly asked, "What condition?"
Genya smiled faintly and whispered a few words into Hikari's ear. Then he patted her shoulder, signaling that she should go about her tasks.
Hikari nodded seriously, clutching the necklace, and left.
Watching Hikari go, Genya lazily headed to the mission hall to gather.
But on the way, he suddenly heard a shout full of anger: "Uchiha Genya!"
The voice was young, but full of rage.
****
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