Losses

As Shino observed his Tobey clone disintegrate into sticky remnants, a melancholic sigh escaped his lips. "Trading a clone for a single heart that could be replaced. What a loss. And I was starting to get used to watching his movies from time to time," he lamented. "Well, I suppose Spider-Man One has retired. Who's next? Mr. Garfield or Tom? Or all three?"

Glancing down at Kurenai, who lay in his embrace, Shino gently rubbed her forehead to sooth her, his voice filled with concern. "Kurenai-sensei, can you endure it?"

A single bead of sweat trickled down Kurenai's face as she opened her eyes, her crimson gaze fixed upon Shino, her reply coming with unwavering determination. "No problem, Shino."

With a heavy sigh, Shino carried Kurenai to a biochamber, carefully placing her inside. "Rest well. Leave the rest to us," he reassured her.

Kurenai nodded ever so slightly, her body relaxing as she descended into a deep slumber. The biochamber gradually sealed shut, while a nourishing fluid flowed into her body.

Turning his attention to his system space and sensing Yakumo, who had also entered a dormant state within her enveloping black fog, relief washed over Shino as he confirmed both Yakumo and Ying's gradual recovery.

Rubbing his forehead, still feeling the remnants of a persistent headache, Shino couldn't help but express his frustration. "Damn it, the high casualty rate this time was all due to one person. The Mangekyou Sharingan is truly ridiculously overpowered."

Checking the statistics on his zerg and bug losses, Shino noted the small wave that was wiped out by Konan before their successful ambush... as well as the near decimation of an entire small army of zergs and bugs. There wasn't even ashes left, leaving him no chance of recovering any biomass.

It was all a consequence of his efforts to delay Itachi's advance towards Konan's battlefield.

Despite his reduced chakra after Tsukuyomi, Itachi's mastery of fire-style techniques still proved devastating against his minions, but Shino had no choice.

It wasn't until Itachi approached the oil-stained battlefield that he relinquished his destructive flames, settling for taijutsu and evading his bugs with exemplary body flicker techniques. If Itachi hadn't, this expedition zerg army would have been completely lost.

Of course, he still had others, but it would still be a setback.

"It's truly scarier to fight Itachi than all the jonins of Konoha combined," Shino mused with a hint of frustration. "At least I could play the jonins around with my genjutsu domain, but it's basically useless against Itachi. The Kurama bloodline genjutsu is overpowered, even working against the normal Sharingan, but against the activated Mangekyou Sharingan, it stood no chance. Perhaps even Kakashi may be difficult to handle once he masters initial control over Obito's Sharingan."

Shino's heart was filled with lamentation as he reflected upon his own circumstances. He had worked tirelessly, taking risks and making calculated moves to attain his current bloodlines, but others seemed to possess extraordinary powers bestowed upon them from birth or as parting gifts from their comrades.

The cruel reality of the world became glaringly apparent, emphasized even more in the ninja world - the world was unequivocally unfair.

It was no wonder characters like Shino, Kiba, and TenTen gradually faded from the limelight. In the early stages, they may have dazzled with their abilities, but as the game progressed, their bloodlines proved insufficient for the challenges that lay ahead.

As he pondered the unfairness of the ninja world, Shino couldn't help but reflect on his own transformation. "Well, I'm a different Shino now. Kiba is abolished, and TenTen... If his life were a story, she wouldn't even get screen time. There's no use comparing ourselves to the originals. After all, I'm one of the fortunate few with an unfair advantage now."

A faint chuckle escaped Shino's lips as he settled into his own biochamber, seeking much-needed rest.

When Shino emerged from his slumber, he found himself greeted by the concerned countenance of Karina.

A warm smile played on his lips as he stepped out of the chamber and enveloped Karina in his embrace, relishing her smell as she fretted over him. "Shino! You should have heeded my advice and allowed me to share some of the burden. That way, my dear wouldn't have suffered for so long."

Gently caressing her head, Shino chuckled softly. "You already put yourself at risk by venturing onto the battlefield. I can't add to that risk and jeopardize your safety. Even though you can unsummon yourself, it requires perfect timing and reaction – something that may be hindered by spiritual damage. I don't want anything to happen to you."

Karina pressed her lips together, raising her delicate fair hand to Shino's mouth. "Bite me," she commanded.

Raising an eyebrow in surprise, Shino considered for only a moment before he complied, clamping down onto Karina's fair skin, allowing both Karina's innate ability and his devouring ability to work in tandem, hastening his healing process under the melodious moans of Karina.

As he released her arm, he held the weakened Karina within his sturdy embrace, "Thank you, Karina," he expressed gratefully.

Blushing, Karina pouted slightly and pecked him on the lips. "Anything for you, Shino. Besides, my dear still has important matters to attend to. I've already checked her body, replacing all her piercings that may have tracking functions. Her ring has also been sent out to mislead any pursuers. Now, the rest will be left to my dear."

Fully revitalized, Shino guided Karina towards a biochamber, urging her to rest within. He planted a gentle kiss on her forehead, his voice filled with reassurance. "Don't worry. I'll handle the rest. Rest well, my little goblin."

After the biochamber sealed, Shino silently observed the closed chamber for a while, "A lover like her is really hard to come by… Alas, she met a scum like me."

Shino then pivoted on his heels, his strides unwavering and resolute as he made his way towards the prison.

Stepping into the gloomy prison, the corridors loomed before him, dimly lit and foreboding.

Eventually, Shino halted before a secure, sealed chamber, its bio-mechanical locks responding obediently to his command.

With a creak, the gate swung open, unveiling a dimly illuminated cell, devoid of any furnishings save for a solitary figure huddled on the floor, leaning against the walls of the cell.

With her arms wrapping around her knees and her face buried in it, blue hair and a withered flower bun were the only visible signs of her identity.

At the sound of the gate opening, Konan lifted her head slowly, her amber eyes meeting Shino's steady gaze as he entered the cell.

With a creak, the gate slammed shut behind him, trapping them within the small cell.

Silently, Konan observed Shino, her countenance remaining neutral and impassive. Gradually, he approached her, extending a hand to gently lift her chin with a finger, scrutinizing her striking features. He ran his finger over the black labret piercing on her chin, a gesture both intimate and disconcerting. "Jiraiya was right. You're definitely a catch," he remarked.

Konan's eyes flickered momentarily before settling back into an undisturbed calmness. Her voice echoed coolly within the confines of the cell. "Pain will not let you go."

"Oh." Shino responded in a curt tone. He withdrew his finger, allowing her chin to lower once more. "It appears you still don't understand your situation."

Konan calmly closed her eyes, revealing her lavender eye shadows as she replied in a calm voice, "I am well aware."

"Oh really?" With sudden swiftness, Shino's hand shot out, seizing Konan's wrist and hoisting her up with a single hand. He pressed her against the cold prison wall, their faces mere inches apart. Konan's expression remained neutral, her amber eyes that had snapped open locked onto his, devoid of resistance.

Arching an eyebrow, Shino's gaze trailed up Konan's slender, well-toned arm, eventually settling on her orange-painted nails. Simultaneously, his other hand snaked up to the high collar encircling Konan's neck, slowly unzipping her Akatsuki robe.

As Konan's Akatsuki garment cascaded to the ground, Shino's eyes drank in the sight of her revealing dark navy blue robe. Its large hemline exposed strategic glimpses of her well-toned body, from her arms to the sides of her ample breasts to her belly with her navel surrounded by four additional piercings. Further down, her long, sleek black pants clung to her curves, accentuating the contours of her legs, which were elevated by her white high heels.

With a heated gaze, Shino's hand tightened around Konan's neck as he leaned closer to her ear, absorbing the faint scent of paper as he whispered a question. "Konan, do you understand the consequences when an Akatsuki member sheds their outfit?"

Konan remained silent, her eyes gradually shutting, her expression still neutral, yet her tightly pressed lips hinted at the turmoil within.

"Legend has it... removing the Akatsuki garb is the true reason for their downfall. Although I suppose Kakuzu got lucky this time," Shino remarked playfully, his grip around Konan's neck easing as his hand slowly traced down her throat.

Konan's lavender eyelids quivered subtly, but she offered no further reaction.

An eerie hush enveloped the cell as Shino sought to provoke a response after settling upon the hills. Yet, met with Konan's unwavering neutrality, his hand continued its descent, trailing past her navel as his voice took on a soft tone. "Oh, I happen to possess other secrets… perhaps they might pique your interest. Secrets such as... the true masterminds behind Yahiko's death. Would you like to know, Konan?"

Sensing the unveiling of her vulnerable lower body, Konan pressed her lips together, her lavender eyelids trembling before fluttering open, fiercely meeting Shino's playful gaze. Yet despite her fierce glare, her face remained stoic, devoid of any demands or pleas.

With a dark chuckle, Shino firmly gripped her sculpted leg, hoisting it up and pressing it against the wall as he closed the distance between them, his voice oozing with satisfaction as he posed a tantalizing question, "Konan, do you know what will happen next?"

Locking her amber gaze with Shino's intense eyes, Konan's own eyes remained firm and fierce as she delivered her chilling retort, "Do your worst."