"Shiki, your compatibility with the parasitic insects exceeded every expectation. You managed to form a contract right after the ceremony—no pain, no resistance—and you can already command them to leave your body and obey your orders."
Aburame Shiwei let out a long, steady breath. From the pouch at his waist, he retrieved a scroll.
"The speed at which you're adapting to the insects is unprecedented in the history of the Aburame clan. Remember—our clan's secret techniques revolve entirely around the use of bugs. Most people can barely control the parasites, let alone command them to exit the body and follow orders. Just adjusting to their presence takes three full days… but you don't seem to need that."
Aburame Shiki accepted the scroll, unrolling it to find the clan's foundational bug techniques inscribed inside.
"If anything confuses you over the next three days, ask me. After that, the clan will begin unified training for everyone who completed the ceremony."
This was the privilege of a genius—resources and guidance far beyond the norm.
Ordinary Aburame children never received personal instruction from Aburame Shiwei.
Shiwei was of the same generation as Namikaze Minato. He had yet to reach his peak, but even now he was an elite jōnin—experienced, versatile, and nearly flawless in skill. More importantly, his techniques were derived from the same branch of Aburame arts as Shiki's, allowing him to teach with greater precision and insight.
For Shiki, three days of direct instruction from Shiwei was an extraordinary opportunity.
"Master Shiwei," Shiki said decisively, "I want to cultivate the purple insect that Uncle Shihei keeps."
Shiwei froze for a moment before shaking his head firmly.
"No. That insect is too dangerous. With your extraordinary compatibility with parasitic bugs, you should focus on developing them. Shihei's purple insects carry immense risk and may not suit you."
Though the Phosphorus Insects possessed terrifying power, they lacked the versatility of parasites. In the early stage, they surpassed parasitic bugs in raw strength, but in real combat—especially against jōnin equipped with every kind of ninjutsu—they were not nearly as practical.
Parasitic insects were the heart of the Aburame clan.They could attack, defend, scout, disguise, and even heal.They could also evolve—diverging into countless developmental paths. Their potential was nearly limitless.
Phosphorus Insects, in contrast, were powerful but narrow in application. Their effectiveness required close-range combat. Against taijutsu specialists they excelled, but against other ninja, their limitations became clear.
And when Phosphorus Insects coated the user's body, the entire body turned a vivid purple—far too conspicuous. Experienced shinobi would immediately avoid close quarters and strike from afar, giving the user no chance to get near.
Moreover, breeding Phosphorus Insects carried immense danger. Backlash was common, and failure meant death.
The Aburame clan's numbers were already small. If they expanded Phosphorus Insect cultivation recklessly, one mistake could wipe out half the clan.
Even if a few succeeded, they would never be able to uphold the clan's strength alone.It would be destroying the foundation to chase temporary power.
Thus, parasitic insects remained the clan's core.Phosphorus Insects were a specialty—rare, precious, and symbolic of the clan's deeper heritage, not a mainstay.
They existed to remind the outside world:
The Aburame clan is not weak. We have depth—and hidden fangs.(And silently: You hear that, Danzo Shimura.)
"Master Shiwei," Shiki said, expression serious, "I can feel a connection between myself and Uncle Shihei's insect. It's like a soulmate bond. Even if you don't approve, we'll end up together eventually."
Shiwei blinked behind his sunglasses. The Aburame clan was used to strange emotional attachments toward insects—such feelings often predicted compatibility. And they were rarely wrong.
Still, he tried to dissuade Shiki, his tone grave.
"Raising a Phosphorus Insect is extremely dangerous. If you fail, you will die. If you succeed, the Phosphorus Insects may kill the other bugs inside your body. The price may not be worth it."
"Master Shiwei," Shiki said firmly, "I still want to try. The moment I saw it, I was captivated. It's beautiful. Perfect."
The words flowed with earnest passion—lines he remembered from romantic dramas of his previous life, delivered now with deep sincerity.
Internally, Shiki was certain:With the Original Gu, he could assimilate Phosphorus Insects just as he had parasitic ones.
Shiwei studied him. Shiki's determination was unwavering.
At last, Shiwei exhaled.
Perhaps… having one more Phosphorus Insect user wasn't so bad.He had performed countless missions alongside Namikaze Minato and sensed troubling signs in the ninja world. As the next clan head, Shiwei had a duty to strengthen the clan in anticipation of what might come.
If Shiki succeeded, the Aburame clan's deterrence would increase significantly.
"…Very well," Shiwei said. "I will prepare the Phosphorus Insect ritual. Wait here."
He couldn't stop Shiki's resolve, and he feared Shiki would attempt the ritual alone. It was better to oversee it himself—with proper precautions. If Shiki failed, it might quell his obsession and return him to the safer path of parasitic insects.
And with Shiki's potential, reaching jōnin was nearly guaranteed regardless.
Success would only be a bonus.
"Thank you, Master Shiwei," Shiki said with genuine gratitude.
Shiwei gave him a long, thoughtful look, then departed to find Aburame Shihei, whose assistance was critical. Only Shihei could stabilize Shiki if the Phosphorus Insect turned violent.
Every clan member was precious to the Aburame.
After Shiwei left, Shiki waited quietly, though the gleam behind his sunglasses couldn't be hidden.
Despite his body still adjusting to the parasitic insects, his spirit was sharp and focused.
Aburame Shiki adjusted his sunglasses and exhaled slowly.
Everything was unfolding exactly as he planned.He had earned Shiwei's trust—and now he had a chance to obtain the Phosphorus Insect.
Next, it would be time to witness a miracle.