Bab 124: Confusion
Crashes and booms shook the earth, reverberating through the forest as mighty trees succumbed to the onslaught, casting clouds of dust and debris into the air as they toppled over.
"Feel the youth burning inside me, Konoha Whirlwind!" roared Guy, his voice filled with determination.
Boom!
Yet another tree fell victim to the devastating force, its top half snapping off and sent soaring, cleaving through the air before colliding with another unfortunate tree. If there were radical environmentalists in this world, they would mob this guy even if he is part of team green.
As Guy touched down on the ground, his gaze locked onto the retreating figure of Shino, a frown etching across his face. "Taijutsu doesn't seem to be effective, but... I believe I can land a hit if I am faster!"
With a mischievous grin, Guy widened his stance, readying himself to unlock his gates. "The warm-up is over; now it's time for youth to burn!"
However, before Guy could unleash his gates, another Shino appeared not far from him, rushing towards him and causing him to pause in confusion.
Soon, he noticed Kakashi appearing in pursuit of the other Shino clone, both converging on his position. As the approaching Shino neared him, it vanished in a puff of smoke, leaving Guy staring blankly at Kakashi. "Kakashi?"
"Guy, it seems we both chased after the shadow clone," Kakashi explained, his Sharingan fixed on the remaining Shino, who waved goodbye before dissipating into thin air, "We've been tricked."
"Ahh! I could feel the youth burning within me! How could he just leave like that?" Guy complained, pointing an accusing finger at Kakashi. "Kakashi! Feel the intensity of my burning youth! I challenge you! Let's see who can locate the real Aburame shonen first!"
Kakashi, his expression stoic and unimpressed, met Guy's fiery gaze with his own deadpan stare. "This is no time for games, Guy. We can't afford to underestimate his tricks-"
Whoosh! Kakashi instinctively tilted his head, narrowly evading a kunai hurtling through the air. His Sharingan honed in on another Shino clone perched silently on a tree branch.
Whoosh! Boom! With a powerful kick from Guy, the tree shattered, both Guy and the clone hurtling towards the ground. Kakashi swiftly positioned himself in front, Chidori crackling in his hand, ready to deliver a decisive blow.
Yet, just as victory seemed within reach, with a puff of smoke, the Shino clone vanished into thin air in midair, leaving Kakashi bewildered as he stumbled to a halt.
Landing on the ground, Guy pointed vehemently at the spot where the elusive Shino had disappeared."Nani?! Another fake?!" Guy exclaimed through gritted teeth.
Tap. At the sudden sound of footsteps on a nearby tree, both Guy and Kakashi turned their heads to find Asuma perched on a branch, a frown creasing his face as he gazed down at them. "He led me this way," he muttered, his voice filled with frustration.
Kakashi's brow furrowed as his Sharingan scanned the forest, his gaze settling on another approaching figure in the distance. With a swift exchange of glances between Guy and Asuma, they dashed forward, only to witness the Shino clone vanish in a puff of smoke, revealing Yamato in its wake.
"Yamato? Shouldn't you be guarding Sakura?" Kakashi inquired, a kunai discreetly clasped in his hand.
"Kakashi-senpai! I thought Guy was looking after them!" Yamato retorted, his usually stoic expression now tinged with concern. "Oh no! We've been had!"
The four of them exchanged glances, a sense of urgency propelling them back toward their starting point. Guy took the lead, his voice resolute as he bellowed, "Kakashi! I challenge you to a race! Let's see who-"
Puff! A sickening sound of flesh being punctured pierced the air, causing Guy's body to tense as he swiftly spun around, skidding across the ground with his hand poised for combat. To his astonishment, he beheld a baffling sight - Kakashi, who had been following closely behind, now impaled Yamato from behind!
"Kakashi?" Guy's voice wavered with uncertainty.
"Guy! He's a fake!" Kakashi declared, leaping back with vigilance, his Sharingan never wavering from Yamato's transformed form.
"Nani?!" Guy's face contorted in shock as his eyes remained fixed on Yamato, who now wore a sinister grin upon a gradually shifting visage. Yamato's familiar form dissolved, replaced by a grotesque humanoid abomination - the unmistakable manifestation of white Zetsu.
Whoosh! In an instant, Guy appeared beside the white Zetsu, his fist barreling forward with tremendous force, connecting solidly and blasting a gaping hole through its body. The white Zetsu crumpled to the ground, emitting a chilling chuckle before disintegrating and vanishing into the earth.
Guy's brow furrowed deeply. "What is that... thing?"
But his focus was abruptly torn away as the clash of weapons resounded, drawing his attention to Kakashi and Asuma, who were locked in a fierce battle.
"Kakashi! Asuma! What in the world are you doing?!" Guy exclaimed in disbelief, swiftly positioning himself between the two combatants, intercepting their attacks with his bare hands.
"Guy! Asuma is the fake! Help me apprehend him so we can bring him back to Konoha!" Kakashi implored, his voice laced with urgency.
"Don't listen to him, Guy! I'm the real one!" Asuma retorted, spitting out his cigarette as he tightened his grip on his trench knife, his eyes fixed on Kakashi. "Instead, shouldn't you be curious about how Kakashi sensed that Yamato was a fake when the rest of us detected nothing amiss?"
Kakashi remained silent, his Sharingan glinting ominously, a testament to his heightened perception. Seeds of doubt were planted, leaving Guy caught in the crossfire, a drop of sweat rolling down his visage, torn between two sides, uncertain of whom to aid.
Back at the initial battlefield, Yamato and the Shino clone faced off in a tense silence, the weight of their conflicting loyalties palpable in the air. Yamato, ever resolute, attempted to persuade once more. "Shino-kun, return to Konoha with me."
"No," came Shino's cold and concise response.
Yamato's expression remained stoic as he persisted in his efforts. "I don't know who or what has led you down this path, but Konoha is your home. It hasn't harmed you-"
"Hasn't harmed me?" Shino's voice dripped with disdain as he tilted his head ever so slightly. "Didn't you know what Danzo did?"
Yamato fell silent, his realization evident in his somber sigh. "Even so, there must be a way to rectify this situation."
Shino sneered, a hint of bitterness tainting his voice as he waved his hand dismissively toward the dome where Hinata and Kiba laid, life and death unknown. "Do you honestly think we can undo the damage I've caused?"
Yamato's silence spoke volumes, acknowledging the harsh truth that lingered between them. If Shino were to return, his fate was all but sealed. Yet, it was Yamato's duty to bring him back, dead or alive.
A mirthless chuckle escaped Shino's lips, his tone growing mysterious. "But I can tell you what I'm doing right now."
Yamato narrowed his eyes, playing along as he asked, "And what might that be, Shino-kun?"
A cryptic smile graced Shino's face as he gestured toward the forest. "Despite our conflicts, I struck a deal with someone. He promised to help me leave Konoha safely, as long as I lured you here alone."
Yamato's gaze followed Shino's gesture, only to catch sight of an elderly man approaching with calm, steady steps - an old man with bandages wrapped around his forehead and one eye, his walking stick tapping the forest floor with unwavering determination.
Though not everyone may recognize him, Yamato knew all too well who he was. "Danzo."
"Oh? After Hiruzen took you away from me, have you already forgotten all the training I imparted to you? Where has your respect gone, Kinoe?" Danzo's voice slithered into Yamato's ears, causing a shiver to run down his spine.
"Well, I won't disturb you two any longer. Don't forget our deal, Danzo," Shino said before vanishing into a puff of smoke.
Yamato clenched his fist, a solitary bead of sweat tracing a path down his face as he tried to comprehend the situation unraveling before him.
But before he could fully process it, Danzo's voice pierced the silence once more. "Since Hiruzen is no longer with us, I believe it's time for you to return to where you truly belong. Don't you agree, Kinoe?"
Understanding his purpose, Yamato's body visibly relaxed, tension dissipating as he replied in a calm tone, "Danzo...sama, I believe my place is in Konoha."
"Root is also a part of Konoha, is it not?" Danzo retorted, his lips pressed into a thin line as he locked eyes with Yamato.
A heavy silence hung between them, the wind gently rustling the leaves of the surrounding trees, some drifting across Yamato's field of vision. Yamato's gaze remained fixed on Danzo, his answer clearly conveyed through his silence,
Danzo lowered his head. "Ah, I see. But, Kinoe, your answer truly disappoints me..."
Danzo lifted his head, his eye gleaming with intensity. "Do it!"
Before Yamato could react, barriers materialized on all four sides, trapping him and Danzo within. Yamato frowned, his hands instinctively moving into a sealing position as he warned, "Danzo-sama, you don't want to do this."
A low, sinister laugh escaped Danzo's lips as he declared, "A dangerous factor like you should never be exist in the hands of others! I'm merely doing what is necessary for the sake of Konoha!"
In a distant part of the forest, an aged figure moved silently through the dense foliage, his presence masked by the faint echoes of Root ninjas leaping from tree to tree above. If Yamato were present, he would be astounded, for this man was none other than Danzo himself!
Abruptly, a Root ninja appeared before Danzo, dropping to one knee as he delivered his report. "We have located Shino Aburame. He is accompanied by two individuals wearing the attire of the Akatsuki, though we are uncertain of their origins."
Danzo remained silent for a moment, contemplating the information. Then, he issued his command with unwavering authority. "It matters not if they are from the Akatsuki. Our primary objective is the Aburame boy. Seal off the area and await my arrival."
"Hai!" The Root ninja vanished in a swift motion after acknowledging the order.
Danzo pressed on, his footsteps steady and purposeful, until he reached the designated location. There, a ring of Root ninjas encircled a barrier, confining three figures within.
A faint smile played on Danzo's lips, his demeanor calm as he gazed upon Shino, his voice carrying an air of confidence. "You pose a threat to Konoha. However, I shall offer you one last chance to-"
Before Danzo could finish his speech, the Shino before him raised a hand and defiantly extended his third finger.
Then, without warning, the trio within the sealing barrier underwent a startling transformation. They dissolved into a mass of wriggling bugs, consuming themselves in a twisted display of self-destruction. The remains coalesced into a small zerg-like creature, which absorbed the remaining insects before disintegrating into a corrosive slag, erasing all traces of its existence save for the patch of corroded earth.
Witnessing this spectacle, Danzo's walking stick slammed forcefully against the ground. A frown etched itself onto his face, his narrowed eye scanning the surrounding Root ninjas. They bowed their heads, their bodies trembling ever so slightly, as Danzo issued a stern command. "I don't want to see such a mistake again. Search! I refuse to believe that we cannot find him!"
In another direction, concealed in the sky, an entity of deception floated, its bloated form blending seamlessly with the surrounding clouds and airspace.
Within its cramped interior, Shino, with his deep brown hair combed slickly, sat in silence, his gaze fixed upon the holographic screens that surrounded him, displaying the intriguing characters trapped within his illusion.
To his left, Kurenai rested her head upon his shoulder, her eyes closed, her consciousness drifting elsewhere.
On his right, Karina also leaned against him, her eyes similarly shut. Suddenly, she opened her eyes and delivered a report. "All targets are in position. Phase one of the illusion is complete. We are ready to proceed to phase two, my dear."
Shino nodded, a sly chuckle escaping his lips. "Proceed as planned. Once we stimulate them, disseminate selective information to pit the villains and set up our firewall of youth to buy us time. Then, we can drive our Overlord to make a swift escape."
Upon hearing his command, Kurenai's body trembled ever so slightly, her fist clenching. Sensing her unease, Shino's arm, coiled around her waist, rose up, slipping between the seams of her attire.
He caressed and fondled the soft, voluptous curves, evoking a suppressed moan from her lips. Leaning in, he whispered into her ear, his voice laden with dominance. "Remember, you are mine now. Play your role well. Short-term pain is better than prolonged suffering, isn't it?"
Kurenai bit her lip to suppress her voice and nodded, her movements becoming still once more.
Karina, nestled beside Shino, pouted and shifted closer, rubbing her chest against his arm before closing her eyes once more. Shino responded with a sly smile, closing his eyes as well, his focus shifting to the manipulation of his illusion.
Engaging the jonin head-on would likely lead to his downfall, especially against the formidable Might Guy, capable of unleashing the power of the Six Paths. Shino wasn't foolish enough to do such a thankless thing.
However, armed with his new genjutsu abilities and knowledge of their pasts, futures, and weaknesses, he saw no reason to fear their strength because he didn't need to confront them head-on.
So what if they were powerful? In the end, weren't they all still dancing obediently within the palm of his hand?
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone