Chapter 14 : Mei
In the presence of the elderly clan members, Insect Girl exhibited visible nervousness. Casting a glance at Maki, she assumed a defensive posture, unsheathing a sword with dangerous spikes emerging from her wrist. The child seemed more beastly than human.
"Maki, tell her not to resist," ordered the old man, Hiyou.
In a cold tone, Maki commanded, "Don't move!" Hearing this, the Insect girl stood frozen in place, avoiding any movement.
"Is this child a human or an insect?" remarked old man Zhihui in surprise, clicking his tongue.
Old man Shiho went straight to the action. A parasitic insect penetrated the insect girl's body through exposed pores on the outer armor and began inspecting. After a while, he commented, "This child can produce chakra, and the parasitic insect has already detected it. But she is still very weak, and her chakra production speed is slow."
Old man Hiyou continued to observe the bug girl and remarked, "It's strange; there are no characteristics of parasites."
Despite the humanoid appearance, this child had four arms – one pair on the shoulders and one pair on the waist and abdomen below the shoulders. The arms on the waist and abdomen were slender. The exoskeleton, smooth and reflective in a purple hue, resembled closely-fitted armor.
The petite and feminine face featured hair resembling a cluster of tentacles, and two broad leaf-shaped nails trailed from the back of the head around the abdomen and back. Three pairs of compound eyes, one larger pair, and two smaller pairs, adorned the face, each serving different functions.
Maki, feeling surprised, discovered Insect Girl possessed advanced abilities such as perspective, telephoto, infrared thermal imaging, and ultra-high-speed cameras. The insect girl's eyes perceived the world in slow motion.
After a few seconds, Maki experienced severe dizziness due to the excess information processed by the Insect girl's advanced brain.
Observing the insect girl's peculiar features, old man Hiyou asked strangely, "Where are the wings?"
"Fly up and take a look," Maki instructed.
Although it didn't seem like she could fly, Insect Girl raised the two carapaces on the back of her head, releasing purple chakra light ribbons. In the room filled with wind, an Insect girl floated swayingly, revealing her jet-type ability.
Observing the pores on the nails, the Insect girl staggered to the ground after a brief flight. She had exhausted her chakra. It became apparent that she was a lethal weapon designed for battle.
Old man Shiho voiced concern, "Brother, something is wrong."
"What's wrong, Shiho?"
"Well..." After hesitating, Shiho explained, "This child has the insect nest of our family in her body, but there are no harmful insects anymore."
"So she may be one of our tribesmen?" Old man Hiyou suggested, acknowledging the possibility.
"Do you recall the clan's legend about being reborn as a bug?" Old man you asked. After some contemplation, he looked at Insect Girl, noting, "I don't even hesitate to do it to this extent."
Maki squinted, considering the contrast between her thoughts and the failed operation. Reflecting on the fact that Insect Girl's advanced abilities exceeded her own, Maki realized she could learn from this experience.
For a long time, Maki had refrained from genetic manipulation on herself, fearing the possibility of gene collapse and death. Even though the Insect girl's egg was initially a dead egg, the chakra left behind exhibited a strong will to survive. Maki's intervention allowed the successful hatching.
Old man Hiyou suggested treating Insect Girl as a bug, asserting that she belonged to Bug Girl and was not easily controlled like a little girl.
Maki nodded in agreement when tasked with taking care of the Insect Girl, resembling her sister. Insect girl, who had been recovering, eagerly approached Maki, expressing affection by repeating, "Mom, Mom, Mom..."
Maki restrained the insect girl from getting too close with her chewing and sucking mouthparts. The peculiar sight amused the elderly clan members.
Old man Hiyou, witnessing the warmth between Maki and Insect girl, suggested giving her a name. Maki spontaneously named her "Peach." However, Old Man Shiho objected to naming her like cats and dogs.
Maki, deciding on the name "Mei," she found it suitable. The insect girl seemed to like the name.
Instructing the Insect girl not to pounce without orders, Maki crushed the parasites on her body partially. Maki then directed other parasites to dispose of the bodies of the Insect girl's companions by consuming them for protein.
Despite welcoming Insect Girl into her home, Maki admitted she lacked funds. Making an odd clicking sound, Maki confessed she had no money. The three old men were taken aback, and Maki questioned whether the clan had any money at all.
Old man Shiho explained that after joining Konoha, the family's financial situation had worsened. The absence of commissioned tasks and the toll of the previous Ninja War had left the family struggling financially.
Acknowledging Insect Girl's potential orphan status, Maki pondered whether the clan's iron rule obligated her to care for her bugs. Old man Hiyou affirmed this rule.
Maki looked at Insect Girl, contemplating whether she could provide enough care for her. A sense of foreboding lingered.
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