The next day.
Kin was awakened by knocking and sat up in bed.
"Finally got a decent night's sleep," he grumbled. "Who the hell is disturbing my rest this early?"
He scratched his messy hair, recalling how he hadn't slept well during his time on the Kumogakure front. The Cloud Ninja often launched surprise attacks at night, forcing him to sleep in trees most of the time. Now that he was finally home, he just wanted to sleep a little longer.
Without bothering to tidy up, he trudged downstairs with his disheveled hair and opened the door.
"Who is it?"
His bleary eyes completely missed the person standing right in front of him.
"Was it just a prank?"
Rubbing his eyes, he slammed the door shut with a loud thud.
Aburame Shibi, who had been standing directly in front of the door: "..."
He knelt on the ground, his entire figure seemingly turning gray.
Why?
Am I really that unnoticeable?
Soon, he knocked again. Kin reopened the door, ready to curse, but Shibi quickly raised his hand. "It's me."
"Oh, Shibi." Kin finally noticed him. "Where were you standing earlier? I didn't see you."
Shibi, who had been standing right in front of the door the entire time: "..."
Not wanting to dwell on it, Shibi handed Kin a gift box.
"You didn't have to bring anything!" Kin immediately grinned and accepted the gift. "Come in, come in! I'll make tea."
Of course, his sudden enthusiasm wasn't just because of the gift. But really, how many visitors actually brought presents?
Take a certain Namikaze and a certain Kushina, for example—no need to name names.
Shibi stepped inside. "Sorry for the intrusion."
"Take a seat. Let me freshen up first."
Kin hurried upstairs to wash up and soon returned looking presentable. He prepared tea and sat across from Shibi.
An awkward silence settled between them.
Shibi wasn't much of a talker, and Kin didn't know what to say either.
After a moment of hesitation, Shibi cut straight to the point.
"My father wants to meet you."
"Huh?" Kin was surprised. The Aburame clan head was no ordinary figure—he was one of the village's elite jōnin.
Elite jōnin held significant privilege in Konoha, and most clan heads of major ninja families belonged to this tier.
But aside from Shibi, Kin didn't have much connection to the Aburame clan.
Then it hit him.
"I'm free anytime."
Currently, Konoha was in a semi-defensive state. While a few powerful shinobi were sent out on missions, most forces remained stationed in the village.
The Aburame clan's compound was located on the outskirts of Konoha.
This wasn't due to discrimination—unlike the Uchiha, the village leadership didn't suppress other clans. After all, the backbone of Konoha's strength came from its ninja clans.
The Aburame had long settled here, as their insect-based techniques required an environment suitable for raising bugs.
Unlike the Uchiha or Hyūga with their grand estates, the Aburame's homes were entwined with greenery, hidden among the foliage.
As Kin followed Shibi through the clan's territory, it felt like walking through a forest. The houses were barely visible beneath the dense vegetation.
Soon, they arrived at a relatively large residence. From the outside, it appeared abandoned, covered in vines.
At the entrance stood a man waiting to greet them.
Dressed in a gray high-collared coat that concealed the lower half of his face and wearing sunglasses, he carried a massive scroll on his back.
Kin couldn't help but think the Aburame's typical attire made them seem like they had something to hide—though he knew it was just their clan's custom.
This man was none other than the Aburame clan head and elite jōnin:
Aburame Shiko.
"Kin-san, we've been expecting you," Shiko said politely, even bowing slightly.
But his words left Kin puzzled.
"We?"
He thought only one person wanted to see him.
"Please, this way."
Shiko led them inside. Compared to the overgrown exterior, the interior was surprisingly normal—a proper residence.
They stopped at a sliding door, which Shiko opened to reveal a tatami room with a long table. A group of elderly Aburame members sat waiting.
So it really is a whole group.
Another open door offered a view of the courtyard outside.
"Please, sit here."
Shibi guided Kin to one end of the table while he took the opposite end.
"Have some tea."
A familiar figure knelt beside Kin, placing a teacup in front of him.
It was a woman in simple clothing, her figure curvaceous. Her lower face revealed a delicate chin, but large sunglasses obscured her upper features.
"Aburame Mushihi?"
Kin didn't recognize her at first, but the distinctive sunglasses gave her away.
"It's been a while, Kin-san," Mushihi said with a faint smile.
There was something charming about her, but the thought of her body being full of bugs made Kin shudder.
Nope. Can't handle that.
Scanning the room of indifferent Aburame elders, he cut to the chase.
"So, what's the reason for inviting me here?"
They were even pulling out the "beauty card."
But an Aburame woman was not his type—he'd appreciate someone normal, thanks.
(Though he was a bit of a sucker for this kind of thing.)
"Kin-san," Shiko began respectfully, "our clan has suffered heavy losses in this war, particularly on the Iwagakure front."
The Sunagakure front, thanks to the White Fang, had seen fewer casualties. The Amegakure front was also brutal, but fewer Aburame had been deployed there.
Kin nodded. He'd seen many Aburame shinobi on the Iwagakure front before leaving. After his departure, that front had reportedly become the bloodiest.
"And?"
He already knew where this was going but played dumb.
"We need a jutsu that can quickly restore our combat strength."
Even if the war ended, dangers would remain. A clan's standing in Konoha was subtly evaluated based on collective achievements and shinobi numbers.
If the Aburame's weakened state became known, other clans might seize the opportunity to suppress them.
They needed to demonstrate strength to maintain their status as a major clan.
Take the Hatake clan, for example. They were technically a small clan, but the White Fang's reputation elevated them. Their limited numbers were the only reason they avoided hostility.
"I'd like to propose a deal with you, Kin-san."
"Develop a jutsu for the Aburame clan."
...
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(End of Chapter)