30 Contribution

The sun was setting on the Aburame clan compound, and Shino sat with his father, Shibi, in their spacious living room.

"Shino, I also want to talk to you about the dangers of the third part of the Chunin Exam," Shibi began.

Shino knew that his father was a serious man, and when he spoke, it was always something important. "What do you mean, Father?" Shino asked, not too surprised because he knew his old man was worried about him.

"The third part of the exam is not like the first and second. It's a display of skill, but also a battle of honor – one where the opponent would not willingly give in. I don't want you to take unnecessary risks," Shibi replied, his voice stern.

"I understand, Father. But I have to take the exam. It's important to me," Shino said, his determination seemingly shining through his glasses.

"I know, Shino. But you need to understand that the Aburame clan never seeks to stand out. We only need to survive, regardless of the means used, even if it means being someone with a low sense of existence," Shibi said, his words heavy with meaning.

Shino understood what his father meant. The Aburame clan was known for their secrecy and their ability to blend into the background, never drawing attention to themselves. The special camouflage bugs he had revealed had drawn too much attention

But Shino knew that he had to do so. It was a part of his plan if he wanted to raise his rank and get more freedom.

"I understand what you're saying, Father. But I have to do well in the exam. I want to prove myself as a ninja," Shino said, his voice unwavering.

There was a moment of silence, before Shibi said, his voice softening."I know you do, Shino. And if you're confident in yourself, then you need not worry. I have your back, no matter what,"

Shino felt a sense of relief wash over him. He knew that his father would always support him, no matter what.

"Thank you, Father. I appreciate your support," Shino said, a smile spreading across his face, but naturally, it was hidden by his high collar.

Shino continued to sit there, and the room descended into a moment of silence. He knew this conversation wasn't going to end here.

Seeing his patient son, Shibi nodded before he continued, "It seems you are also aware, Shino. There is another pressing matter we must discuss. It is about… the special species of bugs you revealed in the exam."

Shino adjusted his glasses. He knew this moment was coming sooner or later. Then, according to plan…

[Overmind, the prepared reactive speech is now being displayed. The response will be altered depending on the situation. Please proceed accordingly...]

A while later, the father and son duo sat in the room, both with glasses hiding their eyes that showed that they were deep in thought.

Shino had just revealed his latest discovery to his father, a variant of the clan's signature camouflage bugs that he had stumbled upon during his training exercises.

Shibi's eyes were calm, nodding thoughtfully as he considered the implications of Shino's new discovery.

"This is a significant development, Shino. If you had kept it hidden, father would have found a way to suppress the matter," he said finally, his voice grave. "But, you openly revealed it in the Chunin exam. Now, there are many who are interested in acquiring this breeding method."

Shino shook his head. "It's not too significant, Father. I didn't discover this through any special breeding method. It was simply a special mutation that occurred naturally in the bugs during my training exercises."

Shibi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Still, there may be those who would pay handsomely for the opportunity to breed these bugs… or take them through other means."

Shino frowned. "I don't want to sell the bugs, Father. But I am willing to contribute them to others in the Aburame clan who are interested in breeding them."

Shibi regarded his son for a moment, his expression inscrutable.

"Father, I'll let you decide on how to handle them," Shino continued as he placed a seemingly empty vial on the table, but both bug tamers knew there was a batch of camouflaged insects hidden within.

Shibi observed the bugs crawling in the vial with interest before keeping it. He then glanced at his son with a softened expression, "And what do you want in return?"

"Pardon?" Shino was a bit caught off guard with his father's response.

"Shino, only the weak will be exploited by others in this world. With the Aburame clan's support, father will not let you suffer a loss for nothing. Tell father what you want. Father will find a way to get it for you."

Shino hesitated, considering his words carefully. "I want to learn the Flying Thunder God Jutsu."

Shibi raised an eyebrow. "That is a significant request, Shino. Do you understand what you are asking for?"

Shino nodded firmly. "I do, Father. I know that it is a difficult technique to master, but I believe that it would be an invaluable tool in my arsenal. Even if I fail to learn it, it would be a good reference for research."

Shibi leaned back in his chair, his eyes focused on a point in the distance. "The Flying Thunder God Jutsu is a closely guarded secret on the Konoha's Scroll of Seals. It is not something that is easily acquired. Also, our Aburame clan is known to not have the talent for such complicated ninjutsus, especially with all the inhabitants of our body."

Shino nodded, his eyes never leaving his father's face. "I understand that, Father. But I am willing to make do with this technique as a reward."

Shibi regarded his son for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Your contribution is not enough, Shino. But I can delay them for a month."

Shino's heart was calm, understanding the hidden meaning, but Shino really couldn't guarantee that his opponent was willing to play the supporting role for him.

Nevertheless, Shino knew to be grateful for his father's support, "Thank you, Father. I'll make sure to show the extent of their value. I won't let you down."

Shibi nodded as a slight smile appeared on his face. Knowing how to reveal a part of his cards while keeping bigger hands hidden, knowing how to choose a reward that would openly appear as useless to avoid attracting attention... It seems his son has really grown up.

Still, it's good to give the kid some motivation. Of course, he'll have to pull some strings if he really wants to get his hand on that technique. After all, it is a famous S-rank technique.

The conversation ended there, but Shino couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his father's reluctance than he was letting on.

He spent the rest of the evening deep in thought, considering if he had showed any flaws.

Honestly, the Flying Thunder God Jutsu was something he had been eyeing for a long time, but it was an unexpected surprise to be allowed to request it here. Although the chances of receiving it were slim, Shino was still grateful for his father's care.

After all, Shino knew that his plan would never be possible if he didn't have a powerful clan to support him. If he was a genin with no background, the moment he revealed those camouflaged bugs would be the moment he was forced to spit out his secrets.

Fortunately, he was born in the Aburame clan. Unfortunately, this won't soften his heart during the implementation of his plan.

Becoming a chunin was something that would happen sooner or later, and there wasn't much need for it to happen now. It would at most delay some of his plans, pushing them back for months.

However, Shino still decided to reveal some of his cards, just to gain some unnecessary attention – attention that would work in his benefit!

The Aburame clan was a clan of bug tamers, one that posed a threat to any insect-like existence. Naturally, this variable had to be taken into account.

Using the analytic capabilities of Alina, Shino constructed a plan, a deep pit for his own Aburame clan.

Letting his insects mutated with camouflage abilities attract attention was the first step. The next crucial step has arrived much sooner than he imagined, but he had successfully passed the bugs over to his clan through the hands of his father.

Shino adjusted his glasses as a sinister glint shown in his eyes.

Beware, for the terror of the zergs lies not only in their tireless work ethic and adaptive abilities, but in a genetic lock that is passed down from generation to generation.

Under their unassuming appearance lays their unswerving allegiance to the hive – they were a deadly force that could become the most loyal spies.

Deep within the genetic makeup of the zerg lay a hidden lock that ensured their unwavering loyalty to the hive mind, a network existing on a completely different dimension.

Unless the ninja could discover a way to unravel this enigma and sever the zerg's connection to the hive, their success in controlling the creatures would simply be a facade.

No matter how much effort they invest to expand its population, they would forever only be mere farmers for the true and absolute ruler that lurked within the shadows.

"Now, we just need to wait for the bugs to breed and spread. Let everyone in the Aburame clan become a user of this special bug. And once that happens..."

Shino imagined the day when all the bugs living in every Aburame clan's body. At that point, his Zerg network would have spread throughout Konoha and into deeply hidden departments he had never been able to get into before, like Root!

Not only that, with a single thought, he could cause the bugs within the body of every Aburame clan to riot. The Aburame clan would be completely under his control!

The Zerg Dominator was an existence meant to dominate zergs, and any other existence who has a similar authority over bugs can not be tolerated! Either be assimilated or extinguished!

"I hope the clan doesn't make the wrong choice then… or don't blame me for being ruthless."

Under the cover of the moon, a junior member of the Aburame clan had been scheming a diabolical plan, one that threatened to ensnare the entire clan in its treacherous web.

As the night dragged on and the moon reached its zenith, the unsuspecting members of the clan slumbered, blissfully unaware of the looming danger that awaited them.