Special Mission

The morning sun cast its golden rays over the towering walls of Konoha, enveloping the bustling village in a warm embrace.

As he approached the Hokage's office, Shino's heart quickened with a mix of excitement and trepidation. With his foreknowledge from the anime, he had expected the special assignment, and he can't believe he is saying this, but for once, there was a lack of a filler in the anime, only adding to the mystery of Shino.

Silhouetted against the shadows of the Hokage building, Shibi Aburame, his father with his trademark sunglasses and Aburame outfit, stood waiting with an air of quiet confidence.

"Shino, I'm glad you made it," Shibi greeted his son, a rare warmth glimmering in his usually reserved eyes. "I have a mission of utmost importance, and father thinks it would be best if you came along. Originally, I intended to delay a bit, but you've attracted that man's interest, and its best for you to avoid the wind for a bit."

A knowing glint shimmered in Shino's eyes as he nodded, not too surprised. "What kind of mission, Father?"

Shibi motioned for Shino to follow him. "I will explain everything on the way. But first, we must report to Tsunade, the Hokage, and request a leave of absence."

Together, father and son ascended the stairs, their footsteps echoing through the silent halls. As they entered the mission brief room, they coincidentally intruded on an intriguing event.

Shikamaru Nara, the lazy genius, stood before Tsunade, surrounded by the Chunin exam proctors. The room buzzed with ceremonial mood, for it seemed that Shikamaru was about to be promoted to Chunin.

Shikamaru's eyes widened as he spotted Shino and Shibi. "Oh, Shino! You're here? I almost for- And I thought you would find it too troublesome to come."

Shino wore a neutral expression, his voice laced with no emotion. "Mission."

"Mission? What a drag," Shikamaru scratched his head, perplexed. "But shouldn't you be here with me? I mean, you've also been recommended. Oh, is it after?"

Shino's gaze shifted to the ground, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's not about becoming a Chunin, Shikamaru, because…"

No verbal conclusion was necessary, for the essence of his statement lingered in the air, and within the depths of his mind, Shino believed Shikamaru could effortlessly unraveled the hidden veracity concealed within his spoken words.

"Not Chunin?" Shikamaru's brows furrowed, his analytical mind working overtime. "I see…what a drag... Well, good luck with your mission, Shino. I know you'll do great."

Hearing the exchange between the two, Tsunade's eyes sharpened.

"It seems there is something I was not informed about." Tsunade demanded, her voice sharp as a kunai. "Shizune!"

"Hai, Tsunade-sama," Shizune hurriedly sifted through a stack of documents, "Shino Aburame, participated in the previous Chunin exam, proceeded to the final round and performed outstandingly, displaying abilities beyond a genin, Sandaime praised his unique variant of insects that was suitable for a special task force, and his willing contribution to the village deemed him worthy of rewards…"

Shizune's gaze traversed the document once more, her eyes tracing every line, searching for special notes, until a subtle shake of her head betrayed the results. "But there is no mention of his promotion, Tsunade-sama. No one should have passed this time, so maybe there is no mistake…"

Just as the words left Shizune's lips, Tsunade, the Fifth Hokage, slammed her fist on the table, causing everyone in the room to startle. Her emerald eyes burned with a mix of anger and frustration, seemingly not believing this to be the case. "What is going on here?"

The Chunin exam proctors exchanged glances in confusion. Behind Tsunade, Kotetsu and Isuzo shuffled nervously, exchanging glances. One of them stepped forward, hesitantly whispering into Tsunade's ear. The news struck her like a lightning bolt, her anger transforming into a mix of disbelief and regret.

She sighed heavily, her voice tinged with disappointment. "I knew it. Those old farts... They've messed with things in the background again. Unfortunately, it's not my place to have any opinion on the matter right now. Tch."

"Ah, what a drag… the old man guessed it right after all," Amidst a mumbled utterance slipping through Shikamaru's lips, he deftly retreated, fading into the shadows as he sought to diminish his very presence.

Things are only troublesome when he hears about them, and he certainly didn't hear anything. Shino was his friend, but with his mere chunin status, he was powerless to intervene in this particular affair… it's definitely not because he found it troublesome.

Shino and Shibi exchanged silent glances.

Tsunade rose from her seat, her frustration evident in her eyes.

She took a deep breath, trying to regain her composure before addressing Shino directly. "Shino, do not take this to heart. Originally, no one should pass this time around, and Shikamaru is an exception. Likewise, your skills and contribution have been recognized. It's unfortunate because the advisors rejected the proposal. They believe that you still need a year or two more of… tempering."

Shino met Tsunade's gaze, internally contemplating the possibility that the newly appointed Hokage's outward demeanor might be a facade, for deep within his discerning mind, he recognized that if the renowned Sannin harbored genuine fury, the table would find itself swiftly requiring a replacement, bearing the weight of her ensuing tempest.

Meanwhile, Shino's stoic demeanor didn't betray his inner musing. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama. I am willing to wait because-"

"Good! There's no need to say more! It's enough to know you have an open mind," Tsunade said, her voice now filled with a mix of regret and determination. "It's unfortunate, but let me assure you, once Konoha is stabilized, issues like this won't occur again. I'm willing to bet on-"

"Tsunade-sama!" In an abrupt crescendo of tension, Shizune interrupted Tsunade, fearing the results of her formidable 'betting power'.

"Ahem. Very well, there's no need to say more." Tsunade nodded, a hint of pride shining through her disgruntlement. "Your loyalty and commitment are commendable. I heard you came for a mission? Shibi?"

Shibi's voice carried a hushed intensity as he spoke, his words laced with hidden implications. "Hokage-sama, I humbly request a leave of absence for both Shino and myself. We have an urgent mission, one that delves into personal matters and I cannot reveal too much regarding its content."

Tsunade's piercing gaze fixed upon Shibi, her eyes reflecting a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Shibi, what kind of mission necessitates such secrecy? And what personal issues are you referring to?"

Shibi hesitated for a moment, the weight of unspoken truths etched upon his face. "It has to do with the previous Hokage."

"Sandaime?" Tsunade arched a brow.

"No." Shibi adjusted his glasses, "Yondaime."

A thick shroud of silence descended upon the room, intertwining with the exchanged glances of the perplexed occupants, an unspoken enigma weaving its threads through their collective bewilderment.

Tsunade's features contorted with a mixture of surprise and consternation. The revelation sent a shiver down her spine, as she realized the magnitude of the mission. "Is this mission crucial? And you are taking your son along?"

"No, it's just checking on something, a small personal favor from years ago before Yondaime-" Shibi shook his head, betrayed a hint of disappointment before he placed a hand on Shino's shoulder, his countenance transformed into a mix of pride and affection. "As for Shino… There is an individual, the one living in the darkness, who has set his sights on Shino recently. I believe it would be best if I took him out for some special training."

Tsunade placed down her brush, her brows furrowed in deep thought. Her authoritative eyes fixed on Shibi. However, she knew that the Aburame clan harbored secrets not easily unraveled, unless they were willing to reveal them.

"Shibi, the safety of the village is paramount, and I will trust your judgment in this matter." Tsunade declared, her voice laced with determination. "I grant you the leave of absence, Shibi. Shino will be assigned a special task to accompany you. As for the other matters, I will handle them. Shizune."

As the words spilled from Tsunade's lips in a single cryptic call, an unspoken language of profound understanding passed between her and Shizune, triggering a flurry of swiftly scribbled notes by Shizune.

A flicker of gratitude danced in Shibi's eyes as he bowed respectfully to the Hokage. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama. Your understanding and support mean more than I can express."

With Tsunade's blessing, Shino and Shibi turned to leave the room, their purpose renewed. While the air crackled with intrigue, Shikamaru stood amidst the gathering with a gaze seemingly dulled… ah, what a drag. When can he leave?

Meanwhile, Shino and Shibi descended towards the entrance of the Hokage building, ready to embark on their mission.

"Shino, you have always been capable of great things. Remember, titles do not define you; your actions do."

Shino turned to his father, nodded with determination etched on his face. However, it was unknown what emotions were truly hidden under his facade.

"Let's go home, greet your mother and pack some supplies. Also, notify your companions, lest they worry."

It wasn't long before the father and son converged at the village's entrance, their presence pulsating with enigmatic purpose, one burdened by the weight of a formidable gourd, the other a cryptic box.

With a shared glance laden with secrets yet untold, their journey commenced, propelling them through the dense foliage of the forest in a dance of swift shadows.

"Father, can you tell me where we are headed to now?" As the ethereal glow of twilight cast an enigmatic aura upon the forest, Shino's voice hung in the air, laced with a curious blend of anticipation and trepidation.

"The Land of Wind." Shibi's gaze swept across the scene, affirming that there were no eavesdroppers.

With an air of enigma shrouding his words, his eyes held a glimmer of hidden knowledge as he whispered the name, "Loran."

With those words, the Aburame duo ventured into the unknown, their hearts burdened with their own thoughts.