Capítulo 64: Exposition Continues
Oh? Where was he again? The exposition was a bit long, and even Shino almost lost himself. Perhaps if this was a story, the author would have been infected by the Shino-interruption disease, cutting off the chapter and starting a new one because-
Well, it's not a story. Therefore, that can't be the case. So, as he was saying...
Shino wasn't sure if there were methods to cultivate spiritual energy in the ninja world, but he knew the elusive art of spiritual energy cultivation, if it existed at all, lay veiled in secrecy, guarded by the untouchable echelons of the world's top combatants, and it was definitely not something they could get their hands on.
Fortuitously, nestled within the amazing arsenal of the zerg dominator lay a remarkable ability, an inherent power to metamorphose their own lifeforms, an evolutionary journey that held the promise of heightened mental acuity.
Yet, this treasured capability came at a profound cost, demanding caution and calculated deliberation, for just as the first metamorphic upgrade had paved the way for them both, the subsequent ascension of their lifeforms required meticulous research, an intricate dance of growth and adaptation that dared not be approached with reckless abandon, lest it causes their existence to be cast into peril.
He is essentially immortal, there was no need to venture beyond the confines of caution, gambling on risky methods, but swift and secure growth was still necessary.
Within the realm of immortality, where time's labyrinth held no dominion over him, he originally could be a salted fish, distributing his growth through the infinite labyrinth of time.
However, the looming urgency pierced through the fabric of Shino's consciousness, like a forbidding specter of destiny beckoning him to hasten his growth in order to confront the inevitable deadline of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, a disastrous world event set to unveil the long-dormant progenitor of chakra.
While the tempting notion of surrendering to the confines of the dream and relying on the fated intervention of Naruto for salvation flickered in his mind, Shino knew deep down that complacency held no solace, for the sands of fate are shaped not solely by the hands of others, but by the resolute steps one takes on their own treacherous journey.
Who knows if his abnormality would arouse the attention of the lady boss, causing her to divert her attention from Sasuke and Naruto to focus on dealing with him. Or maybe his transmigration would cause a butterfly effect, resulting in Naruto and Sasuke's failure. Shino wasn't going to bet his future on this uncertainty.
"Hey, why can't this be the Bleach world? If I get my hands on a zanpakuto to support spiritual power growth… Or maybe learn Haki and eat the soul soul fruit in One Piece… Or perhaps grow soul power with spirit rings in Douluo Dalu… Eh? Could these arbitrary words be my future hinting to me?"
Hearing his musing, Karina puffed her mouth in response, her gaze penetrating Shino's consciousness, a silent reproach lingering in her eyes like smoldering embers, silently questioning his attentiveness amidst her intricate exposition.
Well, it was better to not dream too much. Those worlds were definitely out of reach. However, he already had some methods he could try… but they were risky. And… Slow and steady wins the race, right?
Maybe in the unknown journey that lay ahead, he'll be able to get his hands on some special eyes that could be switched as easy as light bulbs, a shimmering possibility that offered the hope for a decent expansion of his spiritual abilities. Who knows what would happen.
With a resolute shift in his focus, Shino recentered his attention upon Karina, no longer puffing her mouth because the once-flared ember of her indignation was now submerged within the depths of her being. She was now poised to resume her explanation.
[Second, the amount of biomass we can harvest is limited. We have discreetly hunted creatures, sealed them in scrolls with our clone, and delivered them back in batches through our new concealed flying unit, but this amount is still limited because you didn't want to hunt wantonly to avoid attracting too much attention.]
Here, Karina's tacit agreement wove a delicate web of resonance with Shino's chosen actions, eliciting a profound surge of gratification that surged through his being, akin to a melody harmonizing with his soul.
Yet, amidst this fleeting euphoria, a subtle undercurrent of concern rippled within Karina's subsequent actions, a touch of apprehension adding a layer of spice to their shared journey, as if the tendril of fate unraveled in unpredictable patterns, whispering of unforeseen challenges that awaited its embrace.
[However, it seems the decline in the number of creatures has not gone unnoticed. Ninja villages have already launched investigations to uncover the cause. Even the Hidden Rock village, where we avoided deploying zergs, had begun investigations. Fortunately, Shino, we had proceeded with caution, for our actions to collect biomass everywhere was not immune to scrutiny even with our discreet actions.]
In the face of this unfolding revelation, Shino's response manifested as a single, resolute motion - a mere shake of his head, his confidence unshaken by the news. "This is inevitable. Sooner or later the zergs will have to surface in the eyes of the world. We just need to win as much time for development as possible before we get on their watch list. Once our strength grows sufficiently, we wouldn't have to worry as much over being discovered. This reminds me, Karina, how far is our biomass supply from the requirement for our next Six Path clone?"
With measured deliberation, Karina's face ascended in a deliberate ascent, her gaze scanning the vast expanse as if calculating the intricate length and height dimensions of the biomass storage, her voice interwoven with a hint of slurred articulation due to practicing a new language, a testament to her earnest endeavor to grasp the nuances and subtleties of her mother tongue.
"Mmm. Shino, based on Karina's estimation, this upcoming harvest should be sufficient for suc-cess."
"Good." In a moment of unguarded contentment, Shino's words conveyed his honest thoughts, "When we meet the quota, temporarily let the zergs stay dormant. This will let the ecosystem recover, free up some computation power for other matters, and lower the suspicions of the investigating villages, resulting in them giving up their investigations."
[Shino, what if they don't give up?]
"Well, everyone deserves a good rest after their arduous investigative efforts, especially the nosy ones." Shino's retort dripped with an air of dismissiveness, his eyes firmly shuttered to ward off the burgeoning warmth that threatened to infiltrate his resolve, a calculated defense to shield himself from the clutches of empathy, lest it weaken his resolve and unravel the carefully constructed layers of his unyielding determination.
Karina's head bobbed in a rhythm, silently signifying her understanding of Shino's profound meaning.
[Understood, Shino. Karina will notify you of any changes when required. After all, not everyone deserves the rest. There are many who still have roles to play in your plans.]
A fleeting nod from Shino ushered in a subtle shift in his focus, his attention like a swiftly changing current veering towards another matter. "What about the harvest from the cemeteries?"
In a profound display of disappointment, Karina's head dipped lower, her graceful bow bordering on the precipice of her own limits, an emblem of disheartenment that mirrored the depths of her disappointment with the harvest.
[As you predicted, there wasn't much biomass to be harvested. Most of those buried had become bare bones, with many graves being empty, their owner's body lost in the wars or for other reasons. The corpses buried in the public cemeteries also did not have the worth to be lugged back for research because important corpses are kept in well-guarded and hidden locations - ones our zergs' burrowing ability can't penetrate.]
A shadow of disappointment draped over Shino's countenance, tinged with a begrudging acknowledgment that the seemingly impenetrable security he encountered surpassed his initial expectations.
After all, if the zerg's burrowing ability could succeed, the Hidden Rock village, known for its ruthless tactics, would have long robbed the corpses of every village.
This revealed the final destination of Shino's pursuit - cemeteries of ordinary civilians and ninjas, devoid of the formidable security available to important figures.
"The harvest is lacking, however, even mosquito meat is food," In seamless synchrony with his body, Shino's shoulders rose and fell in a nonchalant shrug, a gesture devoid of remorse.
With a profound rhythm, Karina's head bobbed in a symphony of approval, each nod descending to the depths of agreement, adding a deliberate pause accentuating the gravity of her unwavering support, before rising again.
[Shino, Karina has harvested what could be harvest without disturbing the graves itself. As for the funeral objects…]
"We can never have enough money. Find a time to sell them on the different black markets with our clone." Immersed in a reverie of the wealth he will soon acquire, Shino's mind conjured vivid images of counting stacks of illegal money, his senses attuned to an ethereal symphony of whispered curses emanating from the depths of readers' imaginations.
Yet amidst this backdrop of disapproval, a resolute absence of remorse pervaded his being, as if the allure of his forbidden desires outweighed the disapproving chorus that echoed through the shadows of an audience that shouldn't exist. After all, his life wasn't a story. How could there be an audience?
Moreover, Shino believed tomb raiders, with their audacious exploits and unwavering resolve, were also a respectable profession. And those hailed as strong players embodied the essence of professional tomb raiders, embodying a captivating mindset that dared to seize and loot all that lay within reach.
Despite Shino's morally dubious methods, Karina's head bobbed with an almost feverish velocity, a rapid affirmation shrouded in her unique grace, signifying her resolute agreement with the unfolding path that lay ahead.
Shino was bad, but she, Karina, liked a big bad Shino…
[Affirmative, Shino- Umph-]
As Karina's meticulous report came to a close, her unwavering fiery gaze intertwined with Shino's, igniting a spark within him that resonated with the fervor of a seasoned gamer, for her professional demeanor and attention to intricate details awakened his dormant player spirit.
During her post-report assignment, the depths of Shino's eyes swelled with an intensity that spoke volumes, foretelling the grave consequences that Karina's report bore upon him, casting a shadow that hinted at the impending gravity of their shared destiny.
In the mesmerizing display of Karina's holographic projections, Shino's discerning gaze honed in on the simulated tomb, a mere mirage veiled within the beautiful expanse.
As he anchored the vast expanse of the projection, which cradled the tomb, against the very fabric of the wall, a profound energy resurged within him, a testament to his profound prowess as a tomb raider.
With unwavering resolve, he embarked on a perilous journey, putting his tomb raiding abilities to the test, his every move a calculated testament to his mastery in the art of plundering ancient secrets.
"Ha… Ha… Ha..."
Not long later, Karina's laughter permeated the air, a captivating melody that wove through the currents of their shared endeavors, but her next tantalizing reminder stirred the depths of Shino's consciousness, leaving a trace of intrigue lingering in its wake.
"Ha- Ha- Shino, it's almost time- ha- d-don't forget to send your clone on the mission today- Ha- Ha…"
Amidst the captivating dance of Shino's relentless raiding, a fleeting pause ensued, his countenance betraying a beguiling mixture of perplexity and curiosity, "Mission? What mission?"
Estado de energía semanal
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