Chapter 55: I Have the High Ground

"Brother, I—"

Morino Idate stumbled backward in fear, collapsing to the ground. As Morino Ibiki approached, Idate's fear transformed into complete despair, and he burst into a fit of anger.

"If it weren't for you and that damned tenth question, how could I have been eliminated?"

Idate screamed, "We're blood brothers, but you wouldn't even help me! You're heartless and cold-blooded!"

"You're being unreasonable, Idate."

Morino Ibiki's face was expressionless as he spoke. "You betrayed your comrades and stole the Sword of Raijin. Whatever you have in mind, you can convey it to the Hokage."

"No! Please, no!" Idate frantically shook his head.

"How could I have a brother like you?"

Ibiki was utterly disappointed. Without another word, he delivered a swift punch to Idate's face. Idate immediately collapsed, falling onto the ground, unconscious.

Shinho Aburame descended gracefully from above, observing the now-swollen face of Idate. As expected of Morino Ibiki, he thought to himself. But Shinho, who was familiar with the original story, knew that even the coldest of men had their softer sides. What Ibiki had done was undeniably the right choice. This situation couldn't have been hidden from Hiruzen Sarutobi.

As for Shinho, being Tsunade's apprentice and playing a key role in preventing the theft, seizing the Sword of Raijin was more than within his rights.

"We should go after Aoi Rokusho," Ibiki said, turning to Shinho. As a member of the ANBU and Idate's elder brother, it was only right for him to pursue the traitor. Shinho nodded in agreement.

Ibiki's tone had noticeably softened compared to earlier, and he was even seeking Shinho's opinion. Clearly, he had accepted the favor he owed. From now on, the Aburame clan might have an easier time asking for his assistance.

"I'll take you," Shibi said, grabbing Shinho's shoulder. Aoi Rokusho had a few minutes' head start. Although tracking him with the help of his insects would be no problem, Shinho's speed simply too slow and would only be a hindrance.

"Ibiki, stay here and watch over your brother," Shibi suggested, making up an excuse. "The Forest of Death is full of wild beasts."

Ibiki glanced at Shibi Aburame, hesitating for a moment before nodding. He didn't understand why Shibi Aburame would take along a burden like Shinho. But since he had just been given a favor, he refrained from asking further.

Shinho leaped into the air, darting between the trees with incredible speed. Within a few minutes, they had caught up to Aoi Rokusho.

"Be careful," Shibi warned, more curious than concerned. He was eager to see how powerful Shinho's new mutated parasitic insects really were. If Shinho, at the age of six, could defeat Aoi Rokusho, a chunin, then without a doubt, he would be hailed as the savior of the Aburame clan.

Shinho nodded and stepped forward without hesitation.

"Who's there?"

Aoi Rokusho, now on high alert, heard the footsteps and tensed up. Had Konoha already discovered him? That fast? Gripping the Sword of Raijin tightly, he channeled his chakra into it.

With a loud hum, the blade crackled with lightning as it extended. Aoi Rokusho froze for a moment, but seeing Shinho, he broke into manic laughter.

"What's a little kid doing here? Get lost, don't waste my time!"

He crouched low, his body poised like a tiger, and charged toward Shinho. The Sword of Raijin sliced through the air with a buzzing sound.

Shinho shook his head. He couldn't help but muse. You're not an Uchiha, so don't laugh like one—you'll get yourself killed.

Primeval essence surged into his White Jade Gu, and a faint white light shimmered over Shinho's body. Before Aoi Rokusho's shocked eyes, Shinho reached out and grabbed the Sword of Raijin with his bare hand.

Along with the White Jade Gu, he had already donned the pair of chakra-metal gauntlets. From a distance, Shibi Aburame let out a sigh of relief. Just now, that strike from Aoi Rokusho would have been impossible for any genin to block. Yet Shinho had caught the blade bare-handed, a feat bordering on absurdity.

Aoi Rokusho's expectation of slicing his opponent in two did not materialize. Instead, something unthinkable happened. He tried to yank the sword upward, but it didn't budge.

What kind of monstrous strength is this?

Seeing Shinho's calm expression, Aoi Rokusho became enraged. He balled his left hand into a fist and swung it toward Shinho.

With a flick of his wrist, Shinho forced Aoi Rokusho to stumble backward, nearly falling before regaining his balance.

"Damn it!"

Aoi Rokusho felt humiliated like never before. He had failed to defeat a six-year-old and had even been pushed back. But he hadn't completely lost his composure. Clearly, Shinho possessed inhuman strength.

Aoi Rokusho leaped up into the trees, claiming the high ground. With one hand gripping the energy blade, he retrieved three kunai with the other.

With a flick of his wrist, the kunai spun through the air, locking down Shinho's movement on both sides. Meanwhile, Aoi Rokusho followed close behind, the Sword of Raijin raised and gleaming with deadly intent. The moment Shinho moved to deflect the kunai, he would strike and sever his head.

The thought brought a twisted grin of satisfaction to his face.

Moonlight Gu.

Shinho didn't dodge or retreat; instead, he opened his hand. A cold crescent blade shot forth.

It sliced through the three kunai effortlessly and continued toward Aoi Rokusho without losing any momentum.

What?!

Aoi Rokusho frantically halted his advance and instinctively raised the Sword of Raijin to block. The crescent moon blade collided with the energy sword, resulting in what seemed to be a brief stalemate.

But before Aoi Rokusho could react, a second crescent blade was already on its way.

It's over!

Desperate to survive, Aoi Rokusho stumbled backward. However, in doing so, the two crescent blades converged.

With a scream, he was sent flying, blood spraying through the air. A deep gash tore through his upper body, exposing raw flesh beneath the skin.

"Well done!"

Shibi Aburame couldn't help but exclaim in admiration from his vantage point. Earlier, Shinho had mentioned that the Moonlight Gu's attack power was only equivalent to a genin's, which had been disappointing. But now, it seemed even more powerful.

After all, Shinho didn't need to form hand seals.

Aoi Rokusho had never expected this, which was why he had been struck twice in such a short span and was now gravely injured.

Shinho stepped forward. There was no need to hold the line any longer—Aoi Rokusho had lost his ability to fight.

"Well done."

Shibi Aburame had never felt so optimistic. With Shinho by his side, the Aburame clan would rise to prominence. It was time for the Aburame clan to rise.

Shinho bent down and picked up the Sword of Raijin.

"G-Give it back!" Aoi Rokusho instinctively reached out. Without hesitation, Shinho twisted the hilt, and the energy blade severed Aoi Rokusho's hand. His hand dropped to the ground, followed by a twisted scream of pain.

Shibi Aburame glanced at the calm expression on Shinho's face, feeling increasingly satisfied. This kid is a born ninja. He still remembered the first time he killed someone—he had vomited and had diarrhea for days.

Waving his hand, Shibi Aburame summoned a swarm of parasitic insects, engulfing Aoi Rokusho. He knows too much. This traitor couldn't be allowed to live. After all, even a ninja's corpse could speak.

"A fine sword," Shinho said, admiring the pristine, blood-free Sword of Raijin. The only regret was that Morino Idate hadn't been more capable—failing to steal the Scroll of Seals.

And the second bonus chapter. (～￣▽￣)～

join my patreon for 40+ advanced chapters: patreon.com/HyppoTL