Chapter 4: The Proactive Ino Yamanaka
A knock on the door.
Shiki Aburame jolted awake.
He changed clothes, opened the door, and saw Shino Aburame.
"Something up with Dad?"
Shiki raised an eyebrow, asking.
Shino nodded.
The two headed to the living room.
Shibi Aburame, just like in the original story, sported a beard, carried a gourd on his back, and wore sunglasses.
He sat at the table, a petri dish-like container in front of him holding two parasitic beetles.
Parasitic beetles were the Aburame clan's most commonly used insects, central to most of their insect-based secret techniques.
"You're about to enter the Ninja Academy," Shibi said in a deep voice. "It's time to form a contract with the insect clan and become a true insect controller."
Shino's eyes lit up.
He'd been looking forward to this day.
Only Shiki remained calm.
But he didn't refuse.
[Shibi Aburame.]
[Current Achievement: Restore the Aburame Clan's Glory.]
[Passive Achievement: Unknown.]
Shiki had no idea when the Aburame clan had ever been glorious, but as the future clan head, he felt duty-bound.
He decided to experiment with his True Essence.
Parasitic beetles fed on chakra.
What would happen if they were exposed to a higher-level energy like True Essence?
Moreover, Shiki's True Essence could still evolve. Right now, it was just basic Bronze True Essence, with several higher tiers above it.
"Sign your names here."
Shibi produced a scroll.
Parasitic beetles were, in essence, summoning beasts.
Shino eagerly went first, signing his name, then holding the beetle with both hands, his face full of curiosity.
For once, his expression changed, showing he was in a good mood.
Shiki's gaze suddenly sharpened.
[Shino Aburame.]
[Current Achievement: I want to be the strongest insect controller.]
[Passive Achievement: Unknown.]
Shino had unlocked an active achievement.
But how was this any different from a kid saying, "I want to be an astronaut when I grow up"?
The "strongest" part—was it compared to others now or throughout history?
If it meant the entire ninja world, that was a tall order.
No rush, though. Shiki had plenty of achievements to pursue—so many he couldn't possibly complete them all.
The parasitic beetle looked like the longhorn beetles he used to catch as a kid in his past life. Not too ugly, acceptable enough.
Shiki's aesthetic standards had been elevated by his gu insects.
For instance, the Moonlight Gu was as translucent and beautiful as a piece of jade glowing with moonlight.
"Dad, I'm off to the hospital. See you."
After breakfast, Shiki got up and left.
A hint of envy flickered in Shino's eyes.
Shiki was practically a genius.
His talent as a medical ninja was so remarkable it had caught the attention of the Hokage himself.
Konoha Hospital.
Shiki faced his daily routine.
"Shiki, let big sister give you a hug!"
"Shiki-chan, you're getting cuter every day!"
"Don't be shy, big sister smells nice. Come give me a kiss!"
One after another, older women in white nurse uniforms swarmed him.
He felt like they'd swallow him whole any second.
Shiki deeply understood one truth: if he didn't work hard, he'd be reduced to a toy for these women, crushed under their weight.
He struggled through the nurses' ambush and made it to his teacher Rika Miyata's office.
Rika Miyata was the deputy head of the medical team, an exceptional medical ninja.
Shiki had met her through his father's connections.
Of course, his talent was the real reason.
In just six months, he'd earned unanimous praise from the entire hospital staff.
Add to that his handsome, adorable "little boy" charm, and these older women were practically ready to pounce like predators.
"Shiki."
Rika Miyata walked into the office with a gentle smile.
"Teacher."
Shiki snapped out of his thoughts and greeted her.
"Let's go," Rika said, patting his head. "We have several surgeries today."
Being young, Shiki wasn't performing surgeries but observing.
In other words, he was there for the "experience."
After the surgeries, Shiki rested on a chair in the hallway.
Though he only observed, he occasionally assisted, passing tools like scalpels.
"Are you a doctor?"
A young, pleasant voice rang out.
Shiki opened his eyes and saw a blonde girl.
After a moment's thought, he identified her: Ino Yamanaka.
Her gaze carried the same intense emotion as those older nurses.
Ino Yamanaka was a textbook "looks-obsessed" girl.
She liked Sasuke Uchiha because he was handsome.
Even her eventual marriage to Sai was because he resembled Sasuke.
Talk about "close enough."
"I'm not a doctor, just an intern," Shiki said, shaking his head.
"An intern is still impressive!" Ino sat next to him proactively. "You look younger than me."
She was talkative, or rather, lively.
Her personality wasn't much different from the original story.
"I'm older," Shiki said firmly.
He remembered Ino's birthday was September 23.
"When's your birthday?" Ino leaned closer.
Her cute face now carried a hint of aggression.
Was this the honesty of a looks-obsessed girl? Practically screaming, "I want you."
Shiki stood up. "Break time's over. Let's chat next time."
Ino froze, watching his retreating figure. Then she covered her face, excitedly stomping her feet.
She used to tease her best friend Sakura Haruno, but now she got it. She'd awakened. It was hunting season!
"Why are you laughing?"
A pink-haired girl walked out.
She clutched her stomach, looking unwell.
"Thinking of something funny," Ino said, clearing her throat. "What'd the doctor say?"
"Just rest for a couple of days," Sakura replied weakly.
Ino stepped forward to support her.
After lunch, Shiki returned to his wooden house.
He didn't run into Ino again; she'd probably left.
After feeding his Moonlight Gu with moon orchids, he focused his mind on his inner aperture.
He checked on the new parasitic beetle.
Soaked in True Essence, it was still lively and bouncing.
Relieved, Shiki didn't want it keeling over—how would he explain that to Shibi?
After watering his plants, he began his daily cultivation.
Depleting True Essence to refine his aperture.
As the great Immortal Venerable once said, raising gu is like raising lovers.
The more lovers you have, the stronger you need to be.
Time flew, and soon it was the start of the Ninja Academy.
Shiki spent these days cultivating, only going out once to get a pig for his Black Boar Gu.
Good news: he finally mastered the chakra scalpel last night.
Though still rough, there was no time to mourn his lost vacation. He had to report to Tsunade-sensei.
He planned to visit Rika Miyata after school.
Ninja Academy.
It was a sea of people, practically a festival.
In the original story, this class was a golden generation, producing the so-called Konoha Twelve.
Of course, the main reason was the protagonist aura.
Namely, Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha.
"Go to school and study hard," Shibi instructed. "And make friends."
A nostalgic smile crossed his face.
Back in the day, his friend was the fastest man in the ninja world, the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.