"Good afternoon, senpai. My name is Aburame Shino."
"Hello. I'm Yagyu Souma—your senior by one year."
The familiar coat, the familiar high collar, the familiar dark glasses…
Souma couldn't help admiring him a little.
A tactician. A trap-layer. Someone who lures an enemy step by step into a web before unleashing a deadly swarm.
That was Shino's style.
His taijutsu and ninjutsu stats weren't flashy, but like Shikamaru, he was someone who fought with his brain.
"Souma, this kid is…?"
"Baicao-senpai, I've passed the early graduation exam. Please trust in my ability."
Shino bowed slightly.
Baicao forced a smile, steadied his nerves and nodded.
"In that case, let's move to the adjoining lab. I'll teach you the basics first. Souma—eh— is that alright?"
"Ah? Of course."
As Baicao walked ahead, Shino subtly glanced sideways from behind his glasses—
and found it strange.
Why did it feel like Souma was the one truly in charge?
Baicao-senpai looked like he deferred to him.
Could it be…
His father's words replayed in his mind:
"Shino, Souma is an extraordinary genius. Learn from him. And if nothing else—get along with him.
You'll never lose out."
Learn from him… and become close to him?
Shino quietly followed, studying the "legendary prodigy senior."
Souma wasn't paying attention; his mind was already racing with ideas.
How to further develop insect-based techniques?
How to push medical applications?
How to optimize chakra storage?
And—
His clone training in the Forest of Death had shown surprising progress absorbing natural energy.
A thought flashed through his mind.
Could insects be evolved using natural energy? A sage-type parasite?
He imagined a massive, nature-energy-mutated parasite…
Then imagined it living inside a human host.
…Yeah, no.
That clearly wouldn't work for the Aburame clan.
A pity.
And as an Aburame clan secret, he couldn't ask for samples anyway.
Souma sighed softly.
Shino watched from behind, misunderstanding completely.
Souma-senpai… looked troubled.
As expected, those at higher levels carried heavier burdens.
They arrived at the lab.
Baicao left to fetch a fish specimen.
"Shino," Souma asked casually,
"You and your insects coexist by contract, right?"
"Yes. We supply chakra; they live inside us and assist in combat."
Souma nodded. "Then later, instruct your insects to memorize medical chakra—absorb it without digesting it."
"Yes. Father has already briefed me. It shouldn't be difficult."
Baicao returned with a fish.
"This one swallowed poison. Can you detoxify it?"
"Of course."
Shino flicked his fingers—
and a faint "black mist" drifted forth.
Moments later, the fish flopped to life.
Baicao blinked in surprise.
The kid was good—
no, very good.
His insect control was unbelievably precise.
"Baicao-senpai," Shino added quietly,
"I believe you misunderstood our insects because of the surgery incident."
"Ah… sorry." Baicao scratched his head in embarrassment.
"That surgery?" Souma asked.
Baicao grimaced.
"We operated on a poisoned Aburame. Inside the operating room his whole swarm went wild— filled the room. Nearly scared us to death."
Shino answered calmly,
"That is not normal. The chaos was most likely due to the poison."
"Next step," Souma said, stepping forward.
Baicao extended his hand.
"Absorb my medical chakra."
"Yes."
The insects approached, and Shino subtly glanced again at Souma—
Somehow, he seemed to perceive exactly what the insects were doing.
Souma nodded.
"They've reproduced for one generation. That's enough. Begin."
His fingers flashed—
a thin chakra scalpel sliced cleanly across the fish's belly.
The organs twitched; the fish writhed.
"The internal organs are severed. Command your insects to repair them."
"Yes."
Shino focused intensely.
The chakra-laden insects slipped through the fish's mouth and gills.
The scene was…
well, gruesome.
But Baicao forced himself to remain calm—
Such was a medical ninja's job.
Moments later—
Baicao's eyes widened.
"It's… actually healed."
Shino, surprisingly, looked confused.
"Is this so shocking? Any medical-ninja should be able to do that."
"Not the same," Baicao said quickly.
"Human cells can't divide forever. Reducing surgical incisions is always ideal."
Souma added:
"And if we someday create compact chakra-storage tools…
or sealing tags that preserve medical chakra…"
He smiled.
"Then the Aburame clan…
will become half medical ninja."
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