Bab 32: Chapter 32: The Insects Fear!
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Yakiniku Q was a famous barbecue restaurant in Konohagakure.
Its renown stemmed from its premium pricing.
This was a high-end yakiniku establishment using only the finest top-quality meats.
Rumor had it even shinobi were hired to raise the livestock.
Such extravagance gave most ninjas pause before splurging on a meal here.
But for Colt, cost was no object.
Unlike Chōji, he wouldn't bankrupt a jonin with just two orders.
The salaries at Konoha Hospital were quite generous. After years of saving, his personal treasury was more than ample.
...
"A table for one, please."
"Certainly, right this way."
After a brief exchange, the host led Colt inside.
Suddenly, a voice called out to him.
"Yo Colt! Over here!"
Following the call, he spotted Kiba Inuzuka seated with Shino Aburame beside a woman with distinct fang markings on her cheeks.
"Go on ahead." Waving off the host, Colt approached the group.
"Didn't expect to run into you here."
"Hey there, Akamaru."
The puppy perched atop Kiba's head barked twice in greeting.
"You came alone? Where are the others?" Kiba asked as Colt took a seat.
"Oh, let me introduce you. This is my older sister, Hana Inuzuka."
"No need, I know Kamiyo Colt already," Hana smiled warmly.
"Thank you for your help with my uncle before."
Colt pondered a moment. "You mean Rin Inuzuka, right?"
He once treated a shinobi from the Inuzuka Clan, that must be the uncle she referred to.
"Correct."
Shino remained quiet while Kiba looked a bit confused.
"Sis, what are you talking about? When did Colt ever help Uncle Rin?"
Hana explained the situation to her younger brother.
Kiba's eyes widened. "I didn't realize your medical ninjutsu was so powerful!"
Colt just shrugged it off noncommittally.
He shared a good rapport with Kiba, no need to be too formal.
As the group chatted and ate, the atmosphere grew livelier.
On a whim, Hana ordered a couple of bottles of shōchū, eliciting a pang of envy from Colt.
After all these years, he still hadn't tasted alcohol since vendors refused to sell to minors.
Now, watching someone indulge right before him, he couldn't help feeling a tad wistful.
Eyeing Akamaru sprawled over Kiba's head, Colt finally voiced a long-held curiosity.
"Say Kiba, Akamaru is four years old this year, right?"
"Yeah, he was born during my year at the Academy. Why d'you ask?"
Kiba seemed puzzled, while Akamaru's crimson eyes blinked curiously at Colt.
"Well, why hasn't Akamaru's body changed much over the years then?"
Kiba grinned. "Ah, so that's what you wanted to know."
"It's a secret Inuzuka technique. For the first few years, every ninken is fed special compounds to fortify their physiques, retarding any major growth spurts."
"This regimen continues until their bodies can no longer endure it. My Akamaru here is the finest ninken of this generation!"
"According to the Elders' projections, it may still be several years before Akamaru's adult form fully manifests."
Speaking with evident pride, Kiba affectionately ruffled Akamaru's fur, the pup responding enthusiastically.
'So that explained it.'
Colt suddenly recalled harboring this same curiosity in his past life over Akamaru's dramatic size increase during Shippūden.
He too wished to have a faithful animal companion someday.
"Do you have any spare ninken pups in your clan? I don't need one for combat, just an obedient, cute pet."
"Well..." Kiba glanced at his sister. As the future Clan Head, he technically held authority, but was still quite young after all.
No need to overstep his bounds just yet.
"That would be fine," Hana assured, tapping her chest. "I'll definitely pick out a suitable ninken for you, Colt."
She felt indebted to Colt for treating her beloved uncle so well after his career-ending injury. Hana had grieved deeply over Rin's retirement back then.
Providing Colt with a companion was the least she could do to express her gratitude.
"Thank you kindly, Hana-san."
Colt smiled appreciatively. His home did feel rather empty at times - a ninken would make a wonderful housemate.
After finishing their meal, Colt moved to pay the bill, only for Hana to wave him off dismissively.
In her eyes, they were all still children - how could she let them pay?
With their respective clans' residences lying in opposite directions, the group soon parted ways amicably.
The Aburame and Inuzuka compounds neighbored each other closely.
Along the path home, Kiba voiced a lingering doubt to his customarily reticent teammate.
"Say Shino, you hardly ever talk to Colt whenever we hang out with him. What's your take on the guy?"
While being the class heart-throb, Colt's reputation among their generation was nonetheless good.
Yet Shino never contributed more than brief pleasantries during their interactions.
It was a puzzling behavior that made Kiba quite curious.
Shino adjusted the shades he insisted on wearing, even at night, before shaking his head.
"No, I have an extremely positive impression of Colt. He is a friend worth cultivating."
Kiba grew even more perplexed. "Then why are you so distant with him?"
Shino sighed helplessly.
"My clan's insect techniques are quite...intuitive regarding potential threats."
Kiba nodded in understanding. The symbiotic relationship between the Aburame and their kikaichū broods was well known.
Shino continued his explanation. "Every time I'm around Colt, the kikai in my body prevents me from approaching too closely out of self-preservation."
"If I attempted to get within proximity by force, it's highly likely they would attack him instinctively."
"The aura he exudes is far more potent than even our Academy instructors after all."
"So, unless the kikkai can definitively identify Colt as an ally rather than a threat, I have no choice but to maintain my distance."
Kiba and Hana were both startled at this revelation. They never expected such unassuming reasoning behind Shino's standoffish conduct.
His gaze turned pensive as he glanced back the way Colt had departed.
If that terrifying pressure unnerved even Shino's insects, then the Aburame heir could scarcely bring himself closer to its source.
Not even his esteemed father, the current Clan Head, could project such an overwhelming aura of menace.
An uneasy silence fell over the trio for a long while after.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone