章 103: Welcoming Ceremony
In the hidden lab within his base, Shino stood in deep contemplation, his gaze leaving the holographic screen displaying the recent exchange between Tsunade and Shizune. There was an underlying unease gnawing at him, a feeling that something was amiss, but he couldn't quite pinpoint it.
However, he soon shifted his focus, his analytical mind churning, searching for plans amidst the sea of plans that flooded his vision, "Yamato huh? It may be a bit troublesome, but it is also an opportunity."
Despite sensing his unease, Karina, who was focused on her research, began forming seals once more, her attention divided between the swirling concoctions and Shino's musings.
Without looking away from her work, she spoke, her voice laced with curiosity, "Isn't Yamato the instructor you've been wishing for, Shino?"
Shino nodded, his expression dubious, his voice tinged with uncertainty. "Yes, but based on our calculations, the estimated likelihood of this best-case scenario was only five percent. Yamato is undeniably overqualified, not to mention a protected resource due to his rare wood release. Naruto, being the protagonist, naturally acquired him, but only because there was a necessity to control the Nine Tails. It's puzzling that we, with our ordinary team, would also be fortunate enough to have him."
Karina paused for a moment, her eyes narrowing as if performing calculations within her mind. She swiftly accessed the vast database stored within the lab's system, searching for any anomalies or discrepancies.
After a brief moment of silence, she replied, "I couldn't find any problems in the records. Perhaps it was merely a stroke of luck, or maybe Yamato was available due to other circumstances."
Shaking his head, Shino dismissed the notion of luck. "I don't believe in luck," he asserted firmly.
Karina's eyes sparkled mischievously as she reminded him, "Wasn't it luck that our Tobey clone managed to pass Pain's review check?"
Shino paused, his expression softening with a hint of sarcasm. "Do you truly believe that Pain bought the fabricated life story we created for Tobey? An artificial life escaping from an experimental lab in the hidden village of Marvel? Even with meticulous details and forged traces and clues, Pain couldn't have been so blind to the deception."
Shaking his head in exasperation, Shino continued, "Alas, this method was one of the optimal choices after considering Pain's mentality. And, our calculations were correct. It is clear he had other considerations when accepting Tobey. Naturally, there might have been an element of luck in his acceptance, but regardless of luck or not, we have to be cautious, especially considering Nagato's unpredictable nature. After all, despite not being the final one, he is still a big boss, and who knows if he would pit us after using us."
Agreeing with a nod, Karina's exasperated expression melted into determination. "I've logged your concerns in the system, Shino. Rest assured, if I detect anything amiss, I'll report it immediately."
Satisfied with her response, Shino turned his attention to the mind map displayed on the holographic screen. As he marked the anticipated route of their new instructor, he couldn't help but issue a command to Karina. "Generate plans to determine the feasibility of acquiring Yamato's sealing abilities and cells. Even if we can't unlock the secrets of wood release, I know he possesses other valuable techniques. It may help with our capture of the Seven Tails."
Karina nodded, her eyes glinting with a mix of anticipation and curiosity. "Consider it done. I've already logged the request and will delve into the research. His abilities will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to our team."
With their tasks at hand settled, Shino noticed Karina tidying up the research table, commanding appendages to deftly clean the failed substances. Intrigued by her sudden change in routine, he inquired, "What's wrong, Karina? Why are you finishing up early today?"
A playful smile graced Karina's lips as she glanced over at Shino. "There's another important matter happening today, Shino. Trust me, it's something you should look forward to."
Perplexed, Shino tilted his head, a curious expression on his face as he searched his memories and the database. "Another important matter? What could it be?"
Karina walked out of the lab, her hand gracefully waving in the air, her voice carrying a hint of excitement. "Just be patient, Shino. I'll take care of the preparations for the welcoming ceremony. You'll find out soon enough."
As Karina disappeared from the lab, Shino's eyes glimmered with a newfound sense of anticipation. He mulled over her words, a realization slowly dawning upon him. "Time sure flies," he murmured to himself. "It seems she has arrived."
In the entrance hall of the hidden base, a captivating beauty with flowing untamed black hair, devoid of the signature purple streaks of zergs, stood in silence. Her piercing red eyes gazed ahead, betraying no emotion.
Bandages adorned the red mesh blouse wrapping her body, fluttering gently as a breeze swept through the hall, accentuating the swiftness with which Karina circled her, analyzing every angle of her mature form.
Karina came to a graceful stop in front of Kurenai, a sly smile curling upon her lips. Her playful eyes swept over Kurenai's face, assessing her with a mix of amusement and curiosity. "Tsk, tsk," she chided softly. "With this body, no wonder he is interested in you."
Kurenai stood in silence, refusing to give a response. But Karina felt no anger rising within her.
Instead, a gentle smile graced her features as she lifted her hand, a strange and eerie abomination emerging from the ground behind her. It slithered and twisted, molding itself into a grotesque chair that soon solidified into a throne. With grace, Karina settled upon the makeshift seat, resting her hand upon the armrest.
Resting her head against her hand, Karina's eyes remained locked on Kurenai as she declared, her voice laced with a mixture of authority and curiosity, "You've got attitude. I'm sure he'll like it. But since you are here, there are some rules you must know..."
Then, in a sudden change of tone, Karina's eyes sharpened, and she coldly commanded, "Kneel."
As if under a spell, an invisible authority compelled Kurenai to drop to her knees, a flash of pain briefly crossing her calm facade. Her head dipped slightly, concealing her discomfort.
Karina leaned forward, lowering her hand and using her finger to lift Kurenai's chin, their eyes locking. With an air of superiority, she spoke, her voice laced with a chilling intensity. "First, I hope you are clear about your position here. You were his teacher, but now he is your master, our master. So, do not display your attitude unless it pleases him. Understood?"
A heavy silence settled between them before Kurenai, through gritted teeth, whispered, "Yes."
Releasing her grip on Kurenai's chin, Karina observed her for a moment longer before continuing her declaration. "Second, we are both his queens, and there may be more queens in the future. However, let it be known that if every other queen can be considered a first-generation queen, then I am his one and only zeroth-generation queen. He is your master, and I am your mistress, eternally. Have I made myself clear?"
With her head still bowed, Kurenai's voice came out after a moment of silence, her words laced with resignation. "Understood, mistress."
A pleased smile played upon Karina's lips as she straightened up, the throne disintegrating into a mass of organic matter that receded back into the ground. She reached out her hands to gently help Kurenai rise, her touch surprisingly gentle as she rubbed against Kurenai's hands.
Her tone softened as she spoke, "Don't worry. I won't mistreat you in the future, as long as you know your place. Though our ages may differ, we both serve him, and from now on, we shall be sisters, right, Sister Kurenai?"
Kurenai's gaze locked onto Karina's smiling face, realizing that her fate was no longer within her grasp. With a slight nod, she replied, "Yes, Sister Karina."
Karina nodded in approval, "Hmm. I'll call you Kurenai because there is no need to be so strict with names and roles in the future, as long as he approved of it. After all, he may find it to be more exciting that way… As for our real identities, we just have to know it in our hearts," she added cryptically.
With a graceful turn, Karina took hold of Kurenai's hand, leading her forward into the depths of the hidden base. "Come," she beckoned softly. "Let me give you a quick tour of the base."
Guiding Kurenai through the intricacies of their underground haven, Karina showcased the various areas that would soon become Kurenai's domain.
They passed by Kurenai's future workspace, a laboratory brimming with bugs and plants. Karina explained that Kurenai would be in charge of their genjutsu research, from offensive to defensive techniques, as well as exploring the integration of genjutsu with their unique insects. Here, Kurenai could also explore her new genjutsu abilities.
"As for more details, I've granted you authority to access the system database, a valuable resource that would aid you in your research endeavors. You can access it anytime with a mental command. When you have time, feel free to browse through it as you may find many interesting tidbits in there."
Kurenai nodded silently, her red eyes flickering with a mix of anticipation and contemplation, feeling the strange pollen infused within her body beginning to stir, a subtle reminder of the changes she had unknowingly embraced.
They arrived at a spare room, which Karina proudly declared had been transformed from a storage space into a functional bedroom. She acknowledged its modest size, assuring Kurenai that it would suffice until their base expanded further.
Karina's playful smile twisted into something more mischievous as she inadvertently let slip a cryptic hint. "As entities intertwined with our altered zerg genetics, we do not truly require sleep, and even our current youthful forms are eternally preserved. However, you can rest and freshen up in the room after serving him, should the need arise."
Kurenai's body trembled ever so slightly at the implications. Seeing this, Karina felt a tinge of sympathy, allowing her soothing words to wash over her, offering a bittersweet comfort. "This was the path we walk. Remember your deal. You belong to him now."
Bowing her head in a moment of silent contemplation, Kurenai looked up with a determined expression, her voice a soft whisper. "I understand."
Karina's smile widened at Kurenai's acceptance. "It's good that you understand," she affirmed. "It's better to come to terms with it now rather than later."
With a gentle tug, Karina led Kurenai further into the base, finally arriving at the lounge where Shino patiently awaited them, seated upon a couch.
Karina took the lead, her confident strides captivating Shino's gaze, his eyes revealing a profound understanding of her calculated display of authority over the other, aware of the implications yet he chose to indulge her, a silent agreement unspoken as he allowed her to revel in the role she had chosen.
And as Kurenai stepped into the room, Shino's deep eyes fixed upon her, his gaze momentarily captivated by her ethereal beauty, his eyes roaming over her captivating form, especially her long, mesmerizing jade legs.
Karina's playful tone cut through the air as she addressed Shino. "Shino, I've brought her," she announced. "I recall you had some questions regarding genjutsu. Now, you can discuss it with your teacher, who will personally guide you as your personal tutor."
A shadow seemed to flicker within Shino's intense gaze as he felt the questions swirling within him, seeking guidance. In a chillingly impatient voice, he commanded, "Come here."
Kurenai's body trembled, a momentary hesitation marring her movements. Yet, she steadily walked forward, her eyes fixed upon Shino, a silent plea hidden within their depths. As she came to a stop before him, her pleading gaze met his heated stare, and any flicker of hope vanished, replaced by resignation.
A small chuckle escaped Shino's lips as he observed Kurenai standing before him. "You're not a virgin," he remarked, his voice laden with a foreboding darkness. "I'm sure you know what to do."
週次パワーステータス
-- 推薦
ランキング 
-- 推薦
チケット