Chapter 3 : Superorganism

Superorganism

In essence, a superorganism is a tightly-knit collective. When encountering a herd of deer in the wild, what might appear to be a cohesive herd is, in reality, a gathering of individual deer. They independently hunt for food, gather resources, breed offspring, and think autonomously, without intricately dividing labor or forming a social unit. A genuine superorganism, a truly social creature, exhibits three distinct characteristics: division of reproductive labor, overlapping generations, and socialized upbringing.

So, why pursue hyper-individuation, and what are the benefits? The answer lies in resources, particularly sustainable development. However, challenges arise when dealing with parasites. The group of parasites observed isn't a true insect swarm; rather, they are artificially coerced together, constituting a highly specialized species distinct from any natural species observed by Maki.

This species has no future in the wild, intricately tied to the host for its development. The death of the host signifies the destruction of the insect swarm. In the Aburame clan, every child acquires the eggs of parasitic insects at a young age. The successful extraction of chakra by a child marks the emergence of a swarm of insects. Chakra triggers egg hatching, and adult parasites emerge, becoming adults immediately after birth.

However, a critical question arises: who plays the role of breeding? Not the adult parasites; they only mate and lay eggs. The result is a high level of specialization after co-evolution. The host acts as a nurturing mother, even if the bug has no larvae, guiding its development into an adult within the eggs. However, the chakra input serves as nourishment for larval growth. Once separated from the host, the parasite loses its ability to reproduce, leading to destruction.

In a figurative sense, parasitic bugs are like professional warriors out of work, primarily engaged in eating and mating. In the wild, a species with no future is destined for demise. The size of the insect swarm is directly proportional to its chakra, and its maintenance consumes food or chakra, limiting the strength of the Aburame clan. Without a solution, Maki realizes the importance of resources and sustainable development.

Maki encountered parasitic worms at an early age, revealing numerous issues. These bugs, if left without specific instructions, tend to idle and consume Maki's chakra continuously, behaving more like parasites than efficient workers. The major problem lies in execution, where complex instructions like nest-building face challenges in precise execution, a common issue among insects of the same family.

Despite Maki's advantage in real-time micro-control, complications arose during the excavation of the crypt when a lack of awareness led to a significant number of insects suffocating due to ventilation problems. Allowing the parasite swarm to move freely resulted in brainless actions, showcasing the need for guidance.

Teaching and monitoring these bugs continuously proved impractical, considering their lack of memory. In search of solutions, Maki turned to superorganisms, inspired by ants whose behavior is genetically programmed. Maki's plan involved copying the gene from ants and engraving it into the genes of the parasites, creating a behavioral algorithm.

Extensive observation led Maki to select a local species, the giant-headed leafcutter ant, as a model for super-individualization. These ants, with large heads, unique riding formations during travel, and a non-aggressive nature, presented promising characteristics. The previously cultivated honeypot worms provided a partial solution, capable of storing chakra for supplementing the insect swarms.

However, addressing the fundamental problem required super-individualization for sustainable development. Maki embarked on a substantial project involving the cultivation of a new queen to enhance egg-laying efficiency. The queen, fertilized once for life, could produce thousands of eggs daily. While the project was in its early stages, Maki recognized the potential of harvesting resources, including blood inheritance limits in the ninja world.

Maki's experiments involved modified insect eggs, with many facing challenges such as gene collapse. Limited by resources and equipment, Maki relied on rough transcription through chakra and natural selection, monitoring the eggs' life, death, and health status. Continuous cultivation was the key to success, allowing Maki to select the best candidates and achieve the desired results.

The project, though time-consuming, marked the beginning of a transformative journey. Cross-species gene transplantation, gene aggregation molecular breeding, and group selection were integral steps in achieving Maki's goals. Some eggs matured into adults without retaining their parasitic abilities, while others displayed unique characteristics. Maki selectively chose and observed the experimental bodies, continuously cultivating new eggs to drive their development.

As Maki's work progressed, selected experimental bodies were released into the insect-nest ecosystem to develop independently, driven by their genetically encoded actions. The path to super-individualization required dedication, patience, and a thorough understanding of genetic manipulation.

"They look alike, each with its own characteristics."

In summary, Maki's pursuit of super-individualization for the Aburame clan's insect swarms involved addressing the inherent challenges of parasitic bugs. Through extensive experimentation, gene manipulation, and the study of superorganisms like ants, Maki aimed to create a sustainable and independent force. The journey was ongoing, with each step bringing her closer to achieving the ideal expected value for the future of the Aburame clan.