New Yakumo

Karina cautiously accessed the control terminal hovering before her, its high-tech white glow casting an otherworldly aura on her Shina clone. She tapped on the screen, diligently recording the mysterious symbols displayed, her focus locked on deciphering the unknown language before her.

Initially, she had believed that accessing the tower would be a simple task, but she soon discovered that the console itself posed as the first barrier. The language inscribed on its surface was unlike anything from this world.

Even with the aid of the Tonika village chief's memories, their understanding fell short. He could only recognize specific symbols necessary to activate or deactivate the tower, a knowledge passed down through generations via a cherished heirloom. And amongst them were the peculiar tubes and a melody that served as the key to the console.

Clearly, this tower was either an alien technology or a relic from a different era, and normal means will only achieve the results the previous tower owner desires. However, this was not what Shino wants.

Fortunately, with Karina's ingenuity and the system models that she had developed to reduce her work load, she had the capability to go beyond their limited comprehension. The old man's memories provided a foundation for Karina to build upon, and given enough time, she believed she could decrypt the rest of the language.

Once she achieves the basics, she can begin to crack down on the functions of the tower, slowly transforming it into their own.

Nearby, Granny Hiyu, Kurenai's disguise, stood before the colossal cylindrical tower, its surface adorned with pulsating red runes, decorating the surface of the tower akin to circuitry.

She siphoned another surge of the strange and unknown energy that emanated from the tower, channeling it to cast the mirage genjutsu. As a mystical glowing pattern hovering before her activated and dispersed, the small area around her transformed into a flourishing garden!

Kurenai's eyes flickered with intrigue as she reported to Karina, "As expected, the unknown energy generated by this Spear of Heaven tower is compatible with the mirage technique. It's as if they share a common origin."

"Interesting," Karina mused, her gaze drawn to the pulsating energy coursing through the tower.

Initially, they had assumed it was a geothermal energy source derived from the magma below. However, their later inspection revealed that the unleashed energy possessed an entirely distinct force, coming from an unknown source – a mystery that excited Karina, for it represented a potential new power source.

Chakra, spiritual force, natural energy, psionic energy, and now this new unknown energy. They have much to master but having more is always a good thing.

Yet, despite their ability to siphon the energy from the tower, they had yet to find a method to generate it themselves. The tower was an inanimate structure, not a living creature. It was devoid of the necessary genetic components zerg lifeforms like them could manipulate.

So, Karina could only personally conduct arduous research.

Nevertheless, they now possessed a clue, a path to a breakthrough. "It appears our mother holds more secrets than we initially believed. Or perhaps it is the Aburame clan itself?" Karina murmured, her confusion momentarily clouding her thoughts. She swiftly dismissed the notion. "Well, matters of family can wait until Shino completes his upgrade. After all, I can't go and kidnap my own mother-in-law for interrogation, can I?"

Kurenai shook her head, amused by Karina's wandering thoughts, as she refocused on mastering the new mirage technique. Illusionary techniques were treasures to her, and this one challenged her original perception of genjutsu. After all, it harnessed the very forces of nature to conjure illusions immune to conventional methods of dispelling!

Suddenly, Karina clapped her hands, diverting Kurenai's attention. "Kurenai, Shino should be nearing completion. Let us be prepared and monitor the process in case that demoness loses control."

With a few swift taps on the console, the tower's first layer rumbled, gradually sinking back into the ground. Tremors reverberated through the earth, causing the villagers of Tonika village to momentarily glance in the direction of the tower before returning to their daily lives, seemingly unfazed by the event.

Yet if anyone looked closely, they may discover the hint of fear lingering in their eyes.

As the tower deactivated completely, the Tonika village chief approached the duo, his form was slightly hunched, "Two officers are departing?"

"Yes, we leave the village in your hands," Karina commanded, her gaze sweeping over the villagers. "As long as they don't step out of line, we shall not interfere in their daily lives."

"I understand," the old man responded, his back bowing further as a tremor coursed through his body.

"Very well. I really don't want to get my hands all bloody again. Hehehe..." Karina's chilling laughter echoed through the area as her body deformed into a swarm of bugs, dispersing throughout the village, assuming the form of monitors.

The old man remained silently bowed in place. After a while, a sigh of regret escaped his lips, laden with helplessness. He turned and walked away, his back hunched and his footsteps heavy with the weight of his burdens.

In the gloomy prison, an eerie aura permeated from one particular cell, as strange distortions danced in the air, creating a separate space within the confines.

Within this peculiar area, a projection materialized, depicting a grotesque world filled with slimy, purple creep and pulsating biomass. What made it truly horrifying was the gradual expansion of this confined space, growing ominously with each passing moment.

Standing amidst this nightmarish realm, a bead of sweat rolled down Shino's face as he exerted himself to compress his domain, preventing it from engulfing the entire base. His exhaustive efforts to maintain the status quo were a testament to the growing power of his genjutsu.

As he focused on his task, his gaze fixated on Yakumo, who stood obediently before him. Her fair visage now adorned a new version of her demonic mask, now concealing only the upper half of her face and leaving her lower half exposed, revealing her fair skin, her pointed chin, and alluring pink lips in a neutral expression.

Despite the chilling aura emanating from her, her visage displayed no previous signs of the demoness, except for the mask. Even her horns had vanished, leaving Shino uncertain if this fusion was an improvement or a downgrade.

Yet, there was no turning back at this point. The climax had arrived, signaled by the dissipating ominous aura, easing the strain on Shino as the genjutsu domain gradually faded away. Then, he found himself standing within the prison cell, observing Yakumo with her fair skin and masked upper face, obediently waiting before him, even without the presence of the genjutsu.

"Hmm? Success?" Shino mumbled, his hand rising to caress Yakumo's smooth and warm lips.

His gesture seemed to have triggered a command as Yakumo slowly knelt before him, her movements slightly mechanical, a clear indication of the entity controlling her actions. Shino felt a familiar warmth greet him through her simplistic yet mechanical gestures, a technique reminiscent of the masked Yakumo, albeit lacking the chilling atmosphere.

As he stroked her head to commend her obedience, Shino couldn't help but inquire, "Not bad. But what happened to your sister?"

Yakumo didn't answer Shino directly, but in response to his words, a phantom began to separate from her body, gradually materializing beside her in the same kneeling position.

Within moments, this phantom solidified into another nearly identical Yakumo, wearing the same half mask over her upper face. However, this time, her skin was pale, and a cool aura emanated from her being.

Shino directed his gaze towards the second Yakumo, who met his eyes in silence. Surveying the prison, Shino sensed that his genjutsu domain had not been activated. Extending his hand towards the second Yakumo's face, he felt her cool, soft skin. "Oh, it's real? This is an interesting development. Are you the original?" he inquired.

The second Yakumo lowered her head respectfully. "Yes, master."

"Oh? I quite like the sound of that. It's good that you've come to accept reality. So, was the merging a success?" Shino asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Yes, master. After our merging, she has taken control of the physical body. Now, she can manifest in reality even without master's genjutsu ability being activated, and her physical form can also remain concealed within master's genjutsu domain, as she is an existence bound to master," the second Yakumo explained.

"Ah, and what about you then?" Shino's interest grew, eager to learn more about this new development.

Once again, the second Yakumo bowed her head. "This slave has become a part of her, a shadow of her existence. Wherever she goes, this slave can appear. As long as she exists, this slave can exist. And we both will serve as your personal dolls, eternally guarding your side."

"Very good. It appears your cunning mind have learned to please me after your rebirth. Since that's the case, you deserve a new name to commemorate..." Shino contemplated, lifting Yakumo's chin to gaze into her eyes. "Since you will be like my shadow guards from now on, how about Ying?"

"Thank you for the name, master. Ying is willing to serve you for all eternity," Ying replied calmly.

"Good," Shino expressed his satisfaction with the development, sensing the truth through their connection and harboring minimal suspicion. However, his demands did not end there. "But Ying, you know that alone won't satisfy me. I'm certain that the twin ability gained through the upgrade isn't the only thing. She may not be able to tell me, but you can," Shino asserted in a demanding tone, his fingers brushing against Ying's cold lips.

Ying's cold lips wrapped around Shino's finger briefly before sliding off, her tongue delicately giving it a teasing lick before she responded calmly, her hand undoing the sash on her kimono, "As you command, master. But it's best if this slave demonstrate to master through actions."