Aburame Shiki strolled leisurely along the streets.
Six years had passed since the Nine-Tails' rampage, and Konoha had regained its former prosperity. Yet this peace felt fragile—the calm before the storm. A certain group of rice-carrying champions was about to step onto the battlefield.
Within Konoha, the Aburame clan belonged to the third tier.The first tier consisted of the Hyuga and Uchiha.The second tier was Sarutobi, Shimura, and the Ino–Shika–Cho trio—Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi.The third tier was Aburame and Inuzuka.
The Aburame clan possessed no bloodline limits, but they did have secret techniques—every jutsu they used was related to insects. Their abilities were exceptionally well-rounded: reconnaissance, combat, defense, medical support, sensory skills—they were the very definition of a balanced build.
But knowing a bit of everything also meant mastering nothing.
In the mid-to-late stages of the original story, the Aburame clan might as well have been background extras.
I can't do anything at all.
Shiki suspected that without Gu, he might eventually die to some unidentified AOE during a clash of giant mecha—or, in other words, perish to collateral damage.
"Big brother."
The sudden voice startled him. Shiki looked around before finally noticing Aburame Shino, whose presence was practically nonexistent.
Just like in the original—dark sunglasses, white trench coat.
The Aburame clan naturally suppressed their presence; if you weren't paying attention, you'd overlook them entirely.
"Here."
Shino handed him a notification letter.
Konoha Ninja Academy.
Shiki's heart stirred when he saw the words.
The Academy meant more canon characters—and more achievements.
So he really was becoming an elementary schooler.
After grabbing a bag of potato chips from his room, Shiki headed into the courtyard. It was time for his daily training.
But not Gu training.
This time, it was a medical ninjutsu: Chakra Scalpel.
After obtaining the Miaoshou Huichun Gu, Shiki had naturally formed a plan.
He wanted to become a medical ninja—and apprentice himself to Tsunade.
Everyone knew that if you wanted to live long in Konoha, you needed someone powerful backing you.
Man or woman—it didn't matter. But Shiki would definitely choose a woman.
The Aburame clan had plenty of cautionary tales.
Aburame Torune. Aburame Ryūma.
They had been chosen by Shimura Danzō, filled with the "will of Root," and thoroughly broken—reduced to loyal scapegoats.
Shiki had no desire to offer his heart to an old man.
After much consideration, only Tsunade fit his ideals perfectly.
Because she wouldn't let her disciple starve.
Truly great. No further explanation needed.
The problem was that Tsunade wandered the world year-round and refused to return to Konoha.
Even though there were always more difficulties than solutions, Shiki still formed a plan.
The only people capable of contacting Tsunade—and convincing her to return—were Jiraiya and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
The former was perpetually roaming the ninja world, collecting "research material" from warm-hearted ladies and searching for the prophesied Child of Destiny.
The latter was the Third Hokage, stationed firmly in Konoha—and much easier to reach.
Though Sarutobi Hiruzen was often criticized, Shiki knew that if something benefited Konoha, the man wouldn't refuse.
Using Aburame Shibi's connections, Shiki managed to get into Konoha Hospital.
As he gradually revealed his extraordinary talent, his father was overjoyed.
When Shiki proposed apprenticing under Tsunade, Shibi decided to give it a try.
The request was submitted directly to Sarutobi Hiruzen, accompanied by an extremely generous "apprenticeship offering."
It was less a request for discipleship and more like a commissioned mission.
Shiki knew Tsunade lacked money—so he used Money Release.
Sorry. Being rich really did mean you could do whatever you wanted.
Sarutobi Hiruzen already wanted Tsunade to return. With an additional incentive, he readily agreed.
Soon, Tsunade's reply arrived.
She demanded that Aburame Shiki learn Chakra Scalpel within one month. Only then would she consider returning to take a look.
Chakra Scalpel was a medical ninjutsu that nearly all medical ninja had to master—and it was far from easy.
Normally, only chunin or jōnin-level ninja could use it proficiently.
In Sarutobi Hiruzen's and Aburame Shibi's eyes, this was effectively a rejection.
Asking a boy who wasn't even a genin to learn Chakra Scalpel was pure fantasy.
But miracles existed.
The Miaoshou Huichun Gu granted Shiki top-tier medical ninja talent.
His weakened Sage-Chakra equivalent—True Essence—provided him with enough chakra, roughly 0.3 "Kaka."
"Kaka" was a common measurement unit among ninja, referring to the chakra reserves of jōnin Hatake Kakashi.
Besides, Tsunade had said learn, not master.
Once his True Essence was depleted, Shiki stopped.
"I should be able to learn it before enrollment," he estimated, excitement bubbling up.
In his previous life, he'd been a devoted Tsunade fan.
"Time to push harder."
Returning to his room, Shiki sat cross-legged on the bed.
Gu Masters were divided into nine major realms, from Rank One to Rank Nine. Rank Six marked ascension to immortality—a qualitative leap beyond everything before it.
His immediate goal was to reach Rank Five, where he could finally start messing around freely.
This world had no primeval stones—or at least, none that Shiki had found yet.
He could only absorb energy from heaven and earth, slowly replenishing his True Essence.
Once full, he began using it to nurture his Void Aperture.
To advance, a Gu Master had to repeatedly scour the aperture walls with True Essence—a long and arduous process.
Night fell.
Moonlight streamed through the window.
Hyuga Hinata sat at her desk, propping her cheek with one hand, lost in thought.
Her little face squished under the pressure, transforming from a steamed bun into a pancake—yet her cuteness remained untouched.
"Only when the tide crashes against the reef can it create beautiful waves."
Staring at the moonlight, that line echoed in her ears again.
Can I do it?
Every time she faced Father's expectations, she failed—again and again—disappointing him each time.
"Don't think about anything. Just throw the punch first."
Aburame Shiki's face surfaced in her mind.
She didn't understand how he could be so decisive.
A new day arrived.
Hinata couldn't remember when she'd fallen asleep—but waking up, her heart felt strangely warm.
She had dreamed of yesterday—of Shiki arriving like a hero to save her.
Only… she still didn't know his name.
"Lady Hinata."
A maid's voice came from outside the door.
"Come in."
Hinata put on her clothes and, as usual, sat before the mirror. The maid began brushing her hair.
"I want to go out today," Hinata said, gathering her courage.
"Go out?"
The maid was stunned. It was the first time she had ever heard Hinata make such a request.
"I'm sorry. Lord Hiashi has given orders—you may not leave until the Academy term begins."
The maid shook her head, rejecting the once-in-a-lifetime request.
Hinata bit her lip, unhappiness welling up inside.
She knew why.
Her disappearance yesterday had sent her father into a furious rage.
Four days.Four days until school started.
Will he be there?
Hinata suddenly thought of her cousin, Hyuga Neji.
Ever since the Caged Bird Seal was engraved, their relationship had steadily grown distant.
He often said the Hyuga clan was nothing more than a cage.
Today, Lady Hinata wanted to go outside.