The Aburame clan was a tribe that commanded insects—living deep within a quiet, remote forest, shrouded in mysteries unknown to the outside world.Even within Konoha, the Aburame remained one of the most enigmatic families.
Today, inside the clan's secluded territory, an important ceremony was underway.
It was the ritual where Aburame children formed their first contract with the insects that would live in their bodies for the rest of their lives.
"Remember this," a man said sternly. He had spiked hair, dark sunglasses, and carried a round insect container strapped to his back. "The parasitic insects will enter your bodies next. You must feed them with chakra. Do not panic and do not fear them—they will become your most important partners from this day on."
He was Aburame Shibi, the man recognized as the next clan head.
Five Aburame children nodded silently. None of them spoke, and none of them seemed frightened.
The corner of Shibi's mouth twitched. He had just delivered a serious warning, yet from their expressionless reactions, he almost felt as if he were talking to a wall.Truly, Aburame children were a different breed.
"All right," he said at last. "You may enter. The medicinal mixture in the barrel will help you form your contract with the parasites."
One by one, the five children entered the large wooden barrels filled with specially prepared medicinal slurry.
"Prepare yourselves. The ceremony is about to begin."
Shibi's voice grew solemn as he opened the container on his back and released the newly hatched parasitic insects—small, aggressive bugs that had not yet been fed.
The moment they sensed the medicinal slurry, the insects split into five groups and darted toward the barrels.
Shibi watched carefully, prepared to intervene at the slightest hint of danger.
The parasites entered the barrels and began devouring the medicinal mixture. Having eaten, their initial irritability finally eased.
"Now—while the insects are calm," Shibi instructed, "use your chakra to draw them into your bodies."
At once, the children began releasing controlled streams of chakra.Drawn toward the stronger, richer source of energy, the insects abandoned the slurry and burrowed into the children's skin.
Shibi's eyes sharpened.This was the most dangerous moment—the internal battle between host and insect.
Forming a contract wasn't as simple as letting insects enter the body.The children had to force the parasites to feed from their chakra in an orderly way rather than letting the insects devour it wildly.Instinctively, parasites would always try to gorge themselves without restraint.
This was a contest of dominance.
Under Shibi's watchful gaze, the children trembled, their expressions twisting with pain.
The battle had begun—inside their flesh, nerves, and chakra pathways.
The parasites were never gentle when they first entered a host.The children had to endure the pain with their own bodies, adapt to the intruders, and force the insects to yield. Only then could a contract be signed.
The damage was severe enough that even the hardy Aburame children trembled, their faces turning pale.
"Hmm… wait."
Shibi suddenly froze when he noticed Aburame Shiki.
Shiki showed no pain. Not even the slightest tremble.
Instead, he calmly adjusted his sunglasses as the insects entered his body—as though nothing unusual was happening at all. The parasites didn't even cause the slightest disturbance.
"You… already formed the contract?" Shibi asked, genuinely uncertain.
Signing a contract that quickly was almost unheard of.It meant Shiki's compatibility with the parasitic insects was extraordinarily high—bordering on unprecedented.
A higher compatibility meant faster mastery of Aburame techniques, reduced chakra consumption, and far greater effectiveness in controlling insects.
For the Aburame, whose secret arts were all built on insect manipulation, compatibility was everything.
Shiki lifted his right hand.A cluster of parasitic insects gathered obediently across his palm.
"Excellent. Very excellent."Shibi felt his chest lighten. The Aburame clan had produced a genius.
But then his expression darkened.
Because he also thought of Konoha's darkness—Root, and the man lurking behind it: Shimura Danzō.
The Aburame were strong, but their numbers were small.Their clan was easy to control and easy to exploit.
And Danzō had coveted them for years.
The ones he took weren't ordinary children—they were the most gifted, the most talented, the most valuable.
Many promising clan members had been swallowed by Root.
Aburame Ryōma, for example, had once been a bright and talented youth. But after entering Root, he changed completely.Now, he recognized only Danzō. Not even the Hokage held authority in his eyes.
Shibi could still recall the cold glint in Ryōma's eyes when standing beside Danzō—eyes that even watched the Hokage with caution.
It troubled Shibi deeply.He was the next clan head, yet one of his own clansmen had become so indoctrinated that even he felt uneasy in the child's presence.
Once a clan member was taken by Root, brainwashing was inevitable.Then all you heard was "Danzō-sama this," and "the will of Root" that.
"Shiki, stay behind," Shibi said finally. "After the ceremony, I'll go over some important matters with you."
As excited as he was to see such talent, Shibi never forgot his duty.
He returned to watching the remaining children closely, ready to intervene the moment any of them lost control.
Half an hour later, the other children finally began suppressing the insects. Soon, the second child succeeded, followed by the third, fourth, and fifth.
All five contracts had succeeded.Even with Danzō hanging over his mind like a shadow, Shibi couldn't help feeling pleased.
Gathering the children, he said:
"For the next three days, you will continuously feed the parasites with chakra. Deepen your connection to them. Let your bodies and the insects become synchronized."
"In three days, someone will come teach you the Aburame clan's secret techniques. You may all return home."
He paused.
"Aburame Shiki—stay."
The other four children left, leaving Shiki standing alone.
Shiki knew immediately what this meant.
He had succeeded—and his performance had drawn Shibi's attention.
This was special treatment.Every clan nurtured its geniuses.
And his exceptional performance had not come from luck—it had come from the power of the Original Gu.
The moment the first parasite entered Shiki's body, it was instantly assimilated by the Gu.
That was why the insect had been so obedient.After being assimilated, it belonged entirely to him.He had complete control.