Konoha: Gu master

Afternoon.

After Shinho Aburame and Hinata Hyūga said their goodbyes, they returned home. It wasn’t the Senju ancestral home, but the Aburame clan's residence. Counting the days, Shinho realized he hadn’t been home for a week, feeling somewhat reflective.

Shinho Aburame walked to the doorway and paused. Not far away, Shino Aburame stood under a tree, practicing ninjutsu. Dense Insect Gu emerged from his body, swirling around him. With his rapid hand seals, another Shino Aburame formed beside him.

Secret Technique: Insect Clone.

The name of this ninjutsu popped into Shinho Aburame's mind. As the heir of the Aburame clan, he, like Shino Aburame, had already learned quite a few secret techniques in advance, but he hadn’t practiced them. Because up to now, he only had two Insect Gu.

“Brother,” Shinho called out.

Shino Aburame noticed Shinho Aburame. He casually waved his hand, causing all the Insect Gu to return into his body. Shinho Aburame felt a sense of relief. He too had Gu; no need to make it so eerie.

“Where’s Dad?” Shinho Aburame stepped forward, looked around, and asked.

“He’s waiting for you in the study,” Shino Aburame explained. “I told him earlier that you were looking for him.”

“Good job,” Shinho Aburame raised an eyebrow. This little brother of his was getting more and more capable.

He arrived at the study’s doorway. Before he could knock, the door was already open.

“Dad.”

Shinho Aburame and Shino Aburame simultaneously called out.

“Hah, you’re finally home!” Shino Aburame patted his shoulder and smiled, asking, “How was your training under Tsunade-sama?”

As a ninja, going on missions could take ten days, half a month, or even years. Shinho Aburame could study under Tsunade-sama for as long as necessary; he could accept it. Of course, he couldn’t change his surname.

Shinho Aburame thought for a moment, performed hand seals, chakra surged out, his palms sharp like blades, emanating a fierce aura.

“Chakra scalpel?!”

Shibi Aburame's expression flickered, followed by ecstatic joy. “Good, good, good!” Ever since Tsunade established and perfected the medical system, medical ninjas were highly valued. But their numbers had been low. Many ninja squads didn’t have medical ninjas. Powerful medical ninjas have a huge impact on missions and the village. Referencing Tsunade-sama’s prestige, it was clear. The Aburame clan, with Shinho Aburame, would definitely see significant improvement.

“If Tsunade-sama has any requests, you must fulfill them.”

After a while, Shino’s expression turned serious. “I understand.”

Shibi Aburame nodded. Lady Tsunade was fond of gambling and drinking, so it was quite easy to satisfy her appetite.

“Very well, since you’re back today, is there something you need?” Shibi Aburame smiled and asked.

“We need to talk inside,” Shinho said, turning his head. “Shino, you should wait outside.”

“...?”

Shino Aburame looked puzzled. “Alright,” he said, closing the room, leaving Shibi Aburame with a puzzled expression.

“Does the Aburame clan have any Kekkei Genkai?” Shinho Aburame began to ask.

“Kekkei Genkai?” Shibi Aburame thought for a moment, shook his head. “Although new insects have emerged here and there, there is no recorded Kekkei Genkai.”

A so-called Kekkei Genkai refers to techniques inherited through bloodlines via genes. For example, Sharingan, Byakugan, and Wood Release. The Aburame clan's secret techniques rely on insects, unrelated to their own genes. Theoretically, insects possess Kekkei Genkai, but humans do not.

“Why do you ask?” Shibi Aburame’s gaze suddenly hardened. “Did your Gu Insects mutate?”

This spared Shinho Aburame from unnecessary explanations. Shinho Aburame thought and extended his hand; the Moon Blade Gu appeared.

“Really beautiful,” Shibi Aburame carefully examined the Moon Blade Gu in Shinho’s palm, slowly saying, “It’s a mutated Gu.”

Shinho Aburame said, “It can emit a powerful Moon Blade.”

“Really.” Shibi Aburame couldn’t connect it with Insect Gu he knew. This mutation had directly transformed it into another species.

“What’s its function?” Shino Aburame eagerly asked.

Although Gu mutations are rare, they have appeared several times in history. Mutation was not a surprise; it depends on the effects after mutation. Not all mutations are useful. He suddenly thought of Torune Aburame, sighed. Nano poison insects, how promising! But was noticed by Danzo Shimura and taken to the root. Since then, Torune Aburame never returned to the Aburame clan. He really wanted to refuse but couldn’t. The Aburame clan had no ability to resist Danzo Shimura and his root organization. This was the tragedy of the small ninja clans. But now with Shinho Aburame and Tsunade behind him, there was hope.

“It can emit a powerful Moon Blade,” Shinho Aburame thought for a moment and said, “strong enough to overpower most Genin.”

“Genin, huh,” Shibi Aburame couldn’t help but feel somewhat disappointed.

“It can evolve,” Shinho Aburame continued, “In the future, it will be strong enough to overpower a Hokage.”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Shibi Aburame suddenly lowered his voice after his outburst. “Really?” His tone was full of anticipation and excitement.

If it could be stronger than a Hokage... he could sew the Hokage robe overnight for Shinho Aburame. Directly raise his arms, have Gu in hand, follow me, kill Hokage, seize the position. The Eastern lands value loyalty and are keen on undermining superiors. The Aburame clan was struggling to survive in Konoha's margins; if given the chance, Shibi Aburame wouldn’t miss it.

“Theoretically speaking, it’s true,” Shinho Aburame was more conservative in his statement. Mainly because without a reference, Shibi Aburame couldn’t know how powerful the Gu is. Even so, it was enough to excite him. What is the most important thing in this world? It is hope!

Shibi Aburame took a deep breath. He suddenly realized Shinho Aburame really had the potential to become Hokage. Tsunade’s disciple, medical ninja, and special Gu combined—limitless prospects.

“There’s one more.” Shinho Aburame took out the black Boar Gu. He had two. One had already been used to train the White Jade Gu. The remaining one was this. The black Boar Gu had no effect on him anymore, so keeping it would be a waste.

“This mutation is really bizarre,” Shibi Aburame looked at the White Boar Gu, completely different from the Moon Blade Gu, couldn’t help but complain.

“This insect’s mutation is different,” Shinho Aburame calmly said.

“What’s its function?” Shibi Aburame didn’t have any suspicions, his face showing expectation.

“It permanently increases strength. Although it has a limit, everyone can use it,” Shinho Aburame explained.

“Physical strength?!” Shibi Aburame was truly shocked this time. This kind of Gu was unheard of. Especially the second half. Shinho Aburame was Aburame clan’s savior, he would usher in a new era for the Aburame clan.

“Dad,” Shinho Aburame sat at the table and said, “Come, let’s do an arm wrestle match, I’ll show you its strength.”

Shibi Aburame skeptically took his hand. He gradually exerted force, but Shinho Aburame’s small hand didn’t budge. Moreover, his expression didn’t change.

Shibi Aburame was shocked. He directly used all his strength but without channeling any chakra.

“I won,” Shinho Aburame smiled lightly, pressing Shibi Aburame’s hand down on the table.

“You won! Hahaha!” Shibi Aburame was stunned, then laughed loudly.

[Achievement: Parent-Child Showdown. Reward: Brawling Ox Gu.]

[Brawling Ox Gu: A first-level Gu. Consumable type, it grants the Gu master temporary immense strength.]

Parent-Child Showdown, huh. Brawling Ox Gu’s effect is similar to the Black Boar Gu, but with a different duration. The former lasts five breaths, the latter ten breaths. Having an extra Gu made Shinho Aburame quite happy. After all, it was a freebie.

[tl/n: I was originally planning to slow the updates to one chapter per day once we hit chapter 50, but I changed my mind.

However, I can't keep up this schedule long term since after chapter 80, the majority of the chapters are longer ones(two chapters combined into one).

So we'll slow down to one chapter per day after chapter 80. Don't worry, I'll give a heads-up at that time.

Oh, and join my patreon for 40+ chapters ahead of regular update schedule.]

Have a great day(‾◡◝)