277.The Feeling of Despair

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In the following day.

Outside the Village Hidden in the Mist, where thick fog pervades, there lies a forest filled with tall trees.

The verdant grass carpeting the ground is still dewy and very moist.

"Shhh!" "Shhh!" ....

With the sound of rustling against the grass from the bushes, a tall figure slowly makes his way through the dense forest.

The newcomer has long black hair and a pale, cold demeanor.

Under the bangs that subtly veil his forehead, a pair of blood-red eyes scans the surroundings, his lips pressed slightly together.

At that moment.

A charismatic, light chuckle emerges from a dark spot nearby.

"Shino, long time no see."

Hearing the voice from the shadows, Shino's body imperceptibly trembles, his blood-red eyes slightly intense as he slowly turns to look at the shadow.

"Tap!" "Tap!" "Tap!" .....

Accompanied by the clear rhythm of footsteps gradually approaching.

From the shadow of the trees, a tall figure slowly emerges.

His hair is slightly swept back, exuding a rebellious and unrivaled confidence.

With a slight smile on his distinctively angular face, his deep eyes twinkle as if he's admiring a finely crafted collectible.

Seeing him emerge from the shadows, Shino's blood-red eyes slightly lower, subtly concealing the chill within them, and he speaks respectfully.

"Aizen..."

Hearing this, Aizen's lips curl into an involuntary smile, examining him, he chuckles.

"You've changed, Shino, and I quite like this demeanor."

His words are ambiguous, unclear whether he's referring to Shino's respectful attitude or his penchant for keeping everything deep inside.

Shino is also unclear, only pretending not to grasp the full meaning of his words, he speaks softly.

"You've changed too, at least, your whole appearance and aura are somewhat different from before."

At this, Shino's blood-red eyes narrow slightly, but inside, he feels some apprehension.

What exactly has this guy done...

Is it because he's shed his disguise...

That he exudes such an intimidating presence... his power... ultimately...

Has grown stronger...

Aizen's profound eyes gaze at Shino, his expression amused as if seeing through the thoughts in his heart.

This makes Shino slightly uncomfortable.

This feeling, even when dealing with the legendary Madara, had never occurred.

Aizen's lips curve slightly, he speaks softly.

"At this point, there's no need to hide anymore, and naturally, there's no need to keep concealing one's existence."

"Moreover... I've found my true self... and understand more clearly what my existence means."

As Aizen speaks, his lips maintain a mysterious smile, unreadable.

This causes Shino's brow to furrow ever so slightly.

What does he mean by his true self!?

What does his existence imply!?

Why is there still so much mystery surrounding him, and what are the limits of his power!?

These unclear questions make Shino immensely frustrated.

While deeply wary of Aizen, he's also plunged into confusion by these words.

"I called you out to find out who exactly is behind Zetsu."

"A year should have been enough for you to understand their organization."

At this moment, Aizen's lips curve slightly, his gaze fixed on Shino, he speaks softly.

His words fall, and he steps toward Shino.

Shino starts to reply, but seeing his movements, he pauses.

Aizen slowly pulls out a pale hand from his pocket, reaching slowly towards Shino's body.

Faced with this action, Shino's blood-red eyes grow heavy, and though he tries to control it, his breath becomes slightly erratic.

"Tap!"

Aizen's palm slowly lands on Shino's shoulder, and as his body tenses, a "creak" "creak" of clear crackling sound follows.

From Shino's body, several black spores suddenly fall to the ground.

Seeing this, Shino's pupils contract.

This is...!?

Aizen's lips bear a slight smile, his eyes twinkling, answering the confusion in his heart.

"This is Zetsu's doing, but worry not, it's harmless."

Saying this, his eyes briefly glance at the black spores on the ground.

"These spores planted in you seem to have been specially modified. Otherwise, given your frequent use of Lightning Release, they shouldn't have stayed in your body."

Shino purses his lips, silent, but his heart is immensely shocked.

Not shocked by what Zetsu had done to him, but by Aizen's ability to deduce detailed information from just a few clues.

Over this year, he had spent a lot of time with Zetsu and had never noticed anything amiss on his body!

Yet, Aizen had considered all this simply from previous encounters with Zetsu!

Even in that instant, he had determined that these objects were

 resistant to Lightning Release, thus using Fire Release to remove them.

This terrifyingly comprehensive way of thinking made Shino feel deeply oppressed and frustrated.

At this moment, he dares not even look directly into Aizen's eyes, fearing that his deepest thoughts might be perceived.

The Aizen before him fills Shino with a sense of powerless despair.

Is it really possible for him to take him down...

After doing this, Aizen's eyes narrow slightly, looking at Shino, he laughs softly.

"Before you answer, let me guess who this shadowy figure might be."

"Hidden within the Fire Country, clearly aware of Konoha's barrier distribution, and interested in your Sharingan."

"Thinking about it, it seems to be a former member of Konoha, surely someone well-acquainted with the Uchiha."

Saying this, his eyes flicker, he continues.

"Only someone from the Senju, Uchiha, or Hyuga clans could be such a person."

"Zetsu, with power similar to Wood Release, has always hidden his tracks."

"It seems he doesn't aim to destroy Konoha, but rather, seems to have plans for the entire ninja world."

"Such a person, I can only think of two."

Aizen lists his deductions slowly, his eyes gleaming, he speaks softly.

"Although it's hard to believe, I still think this person behind the scenes should be..."

"The ancestor of the Uchiha clan, who was rumored to have died in battle against the First Hokage, Uchiha Madara."

Hearing Aizen's words, Shino tries to control his facial expression, but still can't help but tremble.

His blood-red eyes slowly revert to normal, his gaze complex as he looks at Aizen.

Yet he doesn't dare to meet Aizen's eyes directly, his gaze subtly lowering, he nods gently, speaking softly.

"You... your guess is not wrong..."