Capítulo 71: Shadows of Reflection
Shino sat in the dimly lit hotel room located in the bustling commercial area of the capital city. The faint hum of the city's activity outside formed a distant backdrop to the room, but it was the alluring sound of water flowing from the bathroom that commanded his attention.
It was Hinata, who he had saved not long ago, who stood under the cascading streams. Surprisingly, despite her shyness, it was she who had asked him to stay with the pretense of watching out for potential ambushes.
As Shino contemplated the situation, he couldn't help but shake his head at Hinata's innocent little tricks.
Though he was attracted by her, it was the Hinata after the time skip, the one who had transformed into a strong and independent woman, that captured his imagination. The childish Hinata of the present held no allure for him. He had Karina, and she was a far more attractive option at the moment, both appearance-wise and emotion-wise.
"Well, perhaps Hinata was really just traumatized and needed my company."
Shino's thoughts traveled back to the recent events that had led them to this hotel room, recalling his cruel plan.
He had seen enough of the world's cruelty and understood the sacrifices necessary to achieve his goals. Shino was not one to shy away from breaking others if it meant accomplishing what he set out to do.
However, as much as he yearned for power and control, Shino knew better than to meddle with Hinata.
She was not just any ninja he had encountered along his journey; she was the female protagonist of the story, essentially a child of luck of this world.
Shino had delved into enough novels to understand the unwritten rules: never confront the protagonist head-on, and never underestimate the uncanny luck that seemed to accompany the protagonist and his lovers.
If he were to blacken Hinata's path now, in this very moment, he risked gaining an avenger - one who may become his undoing in the future once she embarked on her own path of vengeance.
However, if he were to earn her affection through natural means, he may be blessed by luck… or become a tragic supporting cast like Neji. It's a gamble, but also part of the process of conquering a world.
Of course, this was all speculation. Cause and effect – it is a mysterious subject his current powers couldn't delve into.
Suddenly, the sound of running water ceased, drawing Shino back to the present. Hinata emerged from the bathroom, her short damp hair clinging to her delicate frame. Her eyes, a reflection of both innocence and strength, met his gaze. A faint blush arose on her face as her gaze shifted away.
Hinata's voice trembled with a hint of apology as she said to Shino. "I'm sorry for all the trouble, Shino-kun. It wasn't fair of me to ask you to stay here and watch over me."
Shino's face remained stoic as he patted the bed next to him. "No problem, Hinata. Come, sit beside me."
Hinata's face flushed with a mixture of gratitude and embarrassment as she awkwardly made her way to the edge of the bed, bowing her head slightly. Shino, unfazed by her temporary emotional fluctuations, remained silent, lost in his own thoughts.
From the corner of her eye, Hinata stole a few glances at Shino, studying his calm demeanor from time to time, curious regarding this thoughts.
However, when Shino had movement, her habit kicked in as she bowed her head and fidgeted her fingers.
Silence enveloped the room, broken only by the faint sounds of the city outside.
Eventually, Hinata's curiosity got the better of her, and she risked stealing another glance at Shino, only to find his gaze already upon her.
"What is it, Hinata?" he asked, his voice gentle but demanding.
Startled, Hinata stumbled over her words. "Um, well... I was just wondering... when do you think Kiba-kun will come back? And... will he be able to find this hotel?"
Shino considered her question for a moment before responding. "Kiba is resourceful, and Akamaru's smell is strong. He'll find us on his own, guided by both our scent. There's no need to worry."
Shino's words reassured her, but a different sense of unease gnawed at her due to the silence.
On the other hand, Shino had a sly countenance hidden behind his glasses and collar. He knew Kiba wouldn't be returning anytime soon.
Sensing her silence, Shino decided to take his leave. "I think I should go back to my own room now."
Panic flashed across Hinata's eyes as she looked up, her hand instinctively reaching out to hold Shino's sleeve. She pleaded in a soft voice, "Shino-kun, please... Can you stay a little longer? I don't want to be alone."
Shino stared at her for a moment, his gaze unwavering. Slowly, he relented. "Very well. Hinata, I believe you will be strong enough to get through this, and I will accompany you until you do."
With those words, he made his way to the nearby chair, settling himself with closed eyes. Hinata watched him, a mixture of relief and gratitude washing over her. She had managed to keep him by her side, at least for a little while longer.
Unbeknownst to Shino, Hinata continued to secretly observe him, her thoughts swirling in a storm of confusion. She muttered under her breath, torn between her lingering feelings for Naruto and her intriguing teammate.
Meanwhile, Shino closed his eyes, his consciousness transcending the confines of the hotel room, transferred to other tasks.
Far away, the Hidden Rock village was abuzz with a mix of tension and confusion.
In an office sat a short, old dwarf with an air of ancient wisdom, possessed features that seemed to tell tales of a lifetime lived in the shadows; his face adorned with a triangular beard and a mustache that curved sharply at the corners, while his prominent red nose and thick eyebrows added an intriguing depth to his countenance.
Atop his weathered visage, a smooth expanse of baldness contrasted with the ethereal white hair that gracefully adorned the lower half of his head, meticulously arranged into the traditional chonmage hair cut, culminating in a captivating topknot secured by a vibrant yellow ribbon.
Draped around his small stature was a split-apart green coat, partitioned into four distinct sections adorned with trims of luminous yellow, and an ornate red collar – the representative color of the Hidden Rock village.
This old man with an unassuming stature was Onoki, the Third Tsuchikage of the Hidden Rock village.
Right now, Onoki sat in his office, his aged eyes scanning the complaint report before him.
It was a joint complaint from the other ninja villages, accusing the Hidden Rock of being responsible for the loss of corpses. The blame had fallen on the Hidden Rock because of their ninjas with burrowing abilities, but as Onoki delved deeper into the matter, he discovered something unexpected.
His face contorted with anger, the Tsuchikage slammed the report onto his desk. "Bugs!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with disbelief. "They suspected us, but it was bugs all along? Unacceptable!"
His subordinates stood before him, trying to gauge his reaction. "Tsuchikage-sama, we have conducted a thorough investigation," one of them spoke up. "It seems that the culprit behind the missing corpses is indeed a swarm of bugs. But our graves remain undisturbed… which may be why we became the main suspect."
Onoki huffed, his brows furrowing deeply. "Do they think I'm a soft persimmon just because I'm old?" he muttered under his breath, his frustration palpable. He clenched his fists tightly, the pain in his back intensifying as he vented his anger.
As the Tsuchikage's fury gradually subsided, he took a deep breath and composed himself. He leaned back in his chair and fixed his gaze on his subordinates. "Suzumebachi," he said, his voice stern but tinged with concern. "Locate her immediately. She disappeared some time ago, and I want to know if she has any connection to this grave-digging incident."
The subordinates exchanged glances, their faces filled with worry. "Tsuchikage-sama, we have been trying to find Suzumebachi, but her whereabouts remain a mystery," one of them admitted reluctantly.
Onoki rubbed his temples, a mix of frustration and concern evident in his eyes. "Troublesome," he muttered. "Why are the newer generations of this village so troublesome? No talent, no sense of responsibility."
"Should we send out search parties, Tsuchikage-sama?" another subordinate suggested cautiously.
"Yes, gather a team and search every corner of the Land of Earth," Onoki commanded. "We cannot afford any loose ends. If Kamizuru Clan is involved, I want to know."
One of the subordinates stepped forward, a hesitant expression on their face. "Tsuchikage-sama, what about the complaints? Should we address it?"
Onoki smirked, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Oh, we will address it, but not in the way they expect," he said slyly. "Pouring dirty water, who can't? File a complaint on our own, shifting the blame to the Aburame clan. Let them deal with the fallout for once. Let's see Konoha's reaction."
The subordinates exchanged surprised looks, but they knew better than to question their leader's decisions. They nodded in unison and quickly left the room to carry out his orders.
Left alone in his office, Onoki leaned back in his chair once again, his mind consumed with thoughts. He had to find Suzumebachi, not only to unravel the mystery of the grave-digging incident but also to ensure the safety and integrity of the Hidden Rock village.
His thoughts shifted to the bugs that had caused such chaos. "These new traces of bugs," he muttered to himself, a hint of curiosity in his voice. "If they can be controlled and put to use by our village, we may have a powerful weapon at our disposal. But we'll have to find their lair first, or at least whoever is behind this incident..."
Unknown to Onoki, as he sat in his office, his every word was being intercepted by a swarm of tiny bugs that had discreetly made their home on the walls of the buildings.
These bugs served as the silent messengers for the mastermind behind the grave-digging incident. Amongst the zerg network, Karina, who constantly monitored the network, listened intently as the bugs relayed Onoki's speech to her in real-time.
In their main secret base, Karina played back the recording of Onoki's conversation for Shino.
Shino's eyes gleamed with intrigue as he absorbed the old man's words. "So, he is open to collaboration," he murmured, his voice laced with calculated contemplation.
Shino body paced at a steady rhythm, his mind spinning with possibilities. "Onoki is willing to hire even the likes of Akatsuki, he has the resources, and now he shows interest in our bugs. If we can present a mutually beneficial proposition, we may just secure the a stable job for our zergs," he pondered aloud, his voice a low whisper.
Karina, her neck perched on the edge of a table, her back laying flat, watched Shino with a mixture of affection and admiration. She knew his mind was already working tirelessly, crafting intricate plans within plans. She had seen his strategic prowess in action before, and now she was witnessing it once again.
Shino's sly grin surfaced, a glint of excitement dancing in his deep, penetrating eyes. His hand approached Karina's head and gently traced over her face, praising her for her remarkable planning abilities. "Karina, my dear, you have always been an excellent strategist," he commended, his voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Together, we will navigate this delicate path and exploit the opportunities that lie before us. I trust you will optimize our plan and minimize the danger."
Karina leaned into his contact, a hint of a smile playing on her lips, her eyes never leaving his.
[Shino, your trust means everything to me. Feel free to go into deeper details regarding your plan.]
Their minds aligned, Shino and Karina began to forge a plan. Their voices blended in a symphony of whispered strategies and shrewd calculations, each idea building upon the next. They analyzed Onoki's unscrupulous methods, realizing they needed to exercise caution in their collaboration with the cunning old man.
In this shadowy game of manipulation and power, they were determined to emerge as the masterminds orchestrating their own destiny.
With his plan taking shape, Shino's fingers continued to roam Karina's beautiful visage, a soothing gesture amidst the intensity of their plotting. "We must be meticulous, Karina. Onoki may be a valuable ally, but his true nature demands wariness. Be careful of his unscrupulous means," he warned, his tone laced with a touch of caution.
Karina nodded in agreement, her eyes shining with a mix of determination and anticipation.
[I understand, Shino. Karina will tread carefully and ensure that our interests remain protected. Shino can leave his trust with Karina anytime, anywhere.]
"Oh, then what if one day you betray me, Karina?" Shino's eyes, brimming with ambiguous depths, stared down at the captivating face suspended upside down before him.
In the stillness that enveloped them, Karina's silent demeanor concealed a world of unspoken emotions, her eyes affectionately locked onto Shino's, yet he could already feel her response unraveling through the subtle dance of her tongue.
So, he hesitated no longer and rewarded her with his complete trust as her response echoed in his mind.
[Then, Karina will- umph]
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