Test

The swarm of insects, dark and vast like a black cloud, swept toward Satoru, Rin, and Anko.

"Are we starting the fight already? No warning?" Satoru's scalp tingled as he tried to break free from the swarm's encirclement. Suddenly, from behind, a dense chorus of insect chirping sounded, and in the blink of an eye, a large group of parasitic bugs started biting his back.

"Being bitten by Parasitic Destruction Bugs will drain your chakra," Anko warned.

Behind the swarm, Shibi pushed his black sunglasses up on his face, observing Satoru, Rin, and Anko closely. He wanted to see what these little guys were capable of.

However, as soon as he finished speaking, electric arcs surged from Satoru's back, causing the attacking bugs to freeze and fall to the ground, releasing a burnt smell.

"Lightning Release? This guy has also learned Lightning Release?" Shibi looked surprised.

While Satoru appeared calm, the situation was not as easy for the other two. Rin wielded her kunai, attacking the surrounding bugs, but soon, she too found herself bitten. She expressed disgust at the bugs.

Abandoning her attack on the bugs, Rin jumped into the air, quickly forming hand seals. Meanwhile, the massive swarm of bugs surged toward her like a dark fog.

Chakra surged from Rin's throat, and she exhaled a fiery blaze. "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"

The large orange fireball consumed the pursuing bugs, leaving a charred smell in the air. Rin landed on her feet, looking at the scattered bug corpses.

"Though Satoru mocked the Great Fireball Technique's inability to kill people, it's quite effective against these tiny bugs," Rin remarked.

Behind the swarm, Shibi nodded slightly. "Physical ability: A; Ninjutsu ability: A+. Your combat reactions and aptitude are quite impressive."

He glanced towards Anko's location, where she was continuously slashing at the encircling bugs with her kunai. Shibi could see numerous marks from the bites on her exposed arms, and as her chakra was being drained by the bugs, her movements became sluggish.

"A shinobi team is a cohesive unit. Even if you have individual excellence, neglecting your teammates won't get you far," Shibi murmured.

In his mind, Shibi analyzed the situation and started devising a plan for their further training. However, he was interrupted as the bugs suddenly emitted a warning.

As he raised his head, he was caught off guard and found himself engulfed in darkness.

In a swift and decisive move, a shuriken wiped out his throat.

His pupils dilated, and questions arose in his mind. "How? I had my defenses up. When did it happen?"

But before he could ponder further, his entire body expanded, exploding into countless black insects scattering in the air.

"I'm saved," Anko said, panting heavily, sitting on the ground among the fallen bugs. "Are you okay?" Satoru helped her up.

"I'm fine, just a few marks on my arm. With my medical jutsu, it won't be a problem," Anko reassured them.

"Where's the teacher gone?" Anko looked around, but the swarm of black insects remained motionless, and Shibi had disappeared.

"He must've never been here," Satoru shrugged.

Several hundred meters away, Shibi scratched his head awkwardly. "I've embarrassed myself. I wanted to give them a scare with the Parasitic Destruction Bug clone, but I didn't expect it to be destroyed."

He remembered Hiruzen's advice not long ago and couldn't help but feel disheartened. "Hokage-sama, I've disappointed you."

...

"Shibi, I have a task for you," Hiruzen had said.

"Hokage-sama, please tell me."

"Three students at the shinobi academy graduated early, and they are all excellent potentials. I want you to be their mentor."

"Uhm... Hokage-sama, killing is fine, but teaching students... I don't think I can do it."

"Ah, Shibi, I know that your clan, the Aburame, prefers not to interact with others, and you even more so. But shinobis are a team-oriented profession, and teaching students will be a good experience for you."

"Shibi, don't disappoint me."

"Alright..."

...

Shibi sighed and shook his head, feeling uneasy about being a mentor. The well-prepared, dramatic entrance he planned had completely failed.

Yet, how could the Parasitic Destruction Bug clone suddenly die like that?

He was quite puzzled. While it was just a clone, its strength was more than enough to deal with ordinary Jonin. However, it seemed that the clone had been killed by a shuriken?

Magnet Release?

Even with great power, clones were always fragile. One poke was enough to make the Shadow Clone burst, and the same applied to the Parasitic Destruction Bug clone.

Shibi pondered, trying to figure out how to face the three of them. He found himself with a headache.

"Aburame-sensei hasn't shown up yet?" On the training ground, Anko scanned the area full of motionless bugs, looking for Shibi.

"You haven't figured it out yet?" Rin glanced at her and said with a mocking tone, "He's just fooling with us. He made a Parasitic Destruction Bug clone, and we don't even know where he's hiding."

"Do we continue the fight?"

"Is it over halfway through?"

"Did we pass the test?"

Anko began with her three deadly questions.

Just then, a man shrouded in a large robe jumped down from a nearby tree, walking towards them. He waved his hand to recall the swarm and then spoke.

"You have all done well."

"To be able to defeat my Parasitic Destruction Bug clone, you possess impressive strength. Congratulations, you all passed the test."

It was still the same gloomy voice, but this time, it lacked the previous calmness.

"Hey, it was just a clone? I thought you were so weak, sensei," Anko said, wide-eyed.

Shibi internally cringed.

"It was just a test. You've all passed perfectly."

Shibi tried to salvage the situation. Damn, he didn't want to lose face in their first meeting. How could he still be their teacher after this?

"In that case, next time, let's increase the difficulty of the test. We've barely warmed up," Rin said nonchalantly, poking Shibi's shoulder.

Shibi internally cringed again.

Those kids... Don't get so cocky!

He gnashed his teeth in frustration, but before he could burst out, his anger was washed away, leaving him deflated.

"Fine..."

His tone was losing strength, and Shibi felt like a defeated cucumber.

"It was just a test, and you all passed with flying colors. As a reward, let me treat you to some barbecue. Let's celebrate the formation of Team Three."

"Hooray! Barbeque!" Anko cheered, and tears of joy streamed down her cheeks.

Barbeque?

Rin looked at Satoru, and memories of unpleasant incidents resurfaced. She glanced at the grinning Shibi and muttered to herself, "The sensei is probably going to get taken advantage of by Satoru."