Capítulo 74: Convincing
In the dimly lit underground hive-like base, Shino and Karina stood facing a woman of captivating beauty. She was slowly being lowered to the ground by a web of appendages, her alluring figure partially obscured by her flowing black hair as she falls to her knees.
As her eyes fluttered open, revealing a deep shade of red, she locked her gaze onto Shino, her former student. With a calm voice, she muttered, "So, it was you, Shino."
Shino couldn't help but grin at the sight of his former teacher, Kurenai. "Yes, it's me, sensei," he replied, his voice laced with a mix of excitement and mischief.
Kurenai bowed her head with a calm facade, raising an arm to partially cover herself.
However, her actions only seemed to ignite a fire within someone present. Karina, watching with keen interest, fixated her eyes on Kurenai's form, appreciating every detail.
Unable to resist, Shino approached Kurenai, his steps deliberate and slow. He gently lifted her chin, forcing her to meet his gaze. An evil grin crept upon his face as he declared, "There's no need to hide."
Kurenai bit her lip, struggling with conflicting emotions. After a momentary pause, she exhaled a defeated sigh and spoke, her voice calm yet tinged with vulnerability, "I am yours to command, but I have a request."
"Oh?" Curiosity flickered in Shino's eyes, "Tell me."
"Please leave Asuma out of this." Kurenai's resolute gaze, her red eyes ablaze with determination, bore into him.
Shino raised a brow as he turned his gaze toward Karina. "Why is Kurenai still affected by her emotions?" he asked, frowning.
Karina giggled mischievously, her voice laced with amusement. "Shino, isn't it more fun this way? Emotions can be a powerful tool, especially when wielded during emotional activities. I was sure my dear would enjoy it..."
Shino's mind churned with possibilities as he looked back at the beautiful Kurenai, his eyes sweeping over her contours.
He allowed a moment of silence to hang in the air before finally agreeing to her request. "Very well, consider it done," he said, his tone laced with an unsettling sense of detachment, "But remember, every decision comes with consequences. I won't interfere with what will really happen"
Kurenai understood his cryptic hint after a brief moment of contemplation. Panic began to flicker in her eyes as she adopted a facade of calmness, desperately begging, "Please, Shino, save Asuma."
Shino's expression remained unchanged, his fingers glided gently over Kurenai's plump lips, leaving a trail of anticipation in their wake.
His voice dripped with a hint of intrigue as he spoke, his words hanging in the air like a delicate web. "That will depend on your performance later," he murmured, his eyes glinting with a mixture of expectation and desire.
Kurenai averted her gaze, her internal struggle palpable. She bit her lip, torn between the allure of the forbidden and the weight of her conscience.
After a momentary hesitation, she nodded slowly, her eyes returning to meet Shino's penetrating gaze. Her trembling hand rose hesitantly, as if seeking permission.
But Shino stopped her, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "Not now," he whispered, his voice a seductive caress. "You see, this is but a mere clone."
A wave of relief washed over Kurenai, her trembling hand falling back to her side.
But she inhaled sharply, her breath catching in her throat as Shino leaned in, his warm breath tickling her ear as he spoke softly, "Prepare yourself well, my dear teacher. Complete your first mission, and then, I will welcome you."
Kurenai's heart skipped a beat, a mixture of sadness and disappointment flooding her senses.
The weight of uncertainty lifted, replaced by a renewed sense of foreboding. However, her voice, still laced with a professional calmness, carried a hint of curiosity as she asked, "What mission?"
Some time later, on top of a feudal building in the heart of the capital city, Shino's clone stood with his beauties, Karina's clone by his side and Kurenai, the seasoned kunoichi now under their control, standing silently behind them.
Together, they gazed down upon the bustling feudal streets below, the vibrant hub of political power and intrigue. The wind whispered secrets as it danced through the alleyways, carrying the whispers of hidden agendas and dark alliances, their thoughts intertwining in a secret network of communication.
Shino turned to Karina, his voice low and determined. "How are the arrangements for dealing with the nobles progressing, Karina? Have our bugs infiltrated their homes and gathered the necessary information?"
Karina nodded, her eyes gleaming with the intensity of her mission. "Yes, Shino. Our bugs have been relentless in their efforts. They are analyzing the nobles, identifying those who will be the most vulnerable and ripe for targeting."
Impatience laced Shino's voice as he urged Karina to quicken their pace. "The nobles have already begun targeting our newly established gang. We cannot afford to waste any more time. We need to strike first and find ourselves a support."
Kurenai, her head still bowed deep in thought, suddenly looked up and interjected, her voice tinged with concern. "Shino, remember that as ninjas, we should not interfere in the internal disputes of the daimyo and nobles. By breaking these rules, you risk facing severe consequences if our actions are discovered."
Shino shook his head, resolute in his purpose. "Kurenai, I understand the risks. I am just doing our mission."
"The mission?" Kurenai's confusion was evident as she questioned the connection between their current mission and the larger political web they found themselves entangled in. "But Shino, what does the mission have to do with nobles and gangs?"
A faint smile played on Shino's lips as he unveiled the truth behind their mission. "Our mission is not solely to investigate a serial murder case or a mere gang fight. Our mission has been falsely disguised as a serial murder case, when in reality, it is a power struggle. The rise of the Shin gang encroached upon the nobles' interests. The nobles who secretly supported the other gangs have sent their own private ninjas to eliminate our gang, but failed. So, they had outsourced this mission to Konoha in hopes of solving their dispute."
Understanding dawned upon Kurenai as she realized the far-reaching implications of her genin team's assignment. "This is the unfortunate reality of our system. The ninja and daimyo systems intertwine, each supporting the other. The daimyo provide financial support to the ninjas and maintain administrative support over the regular citizens, while the ninjas serve as their military arm."
She shook her head in disappointment, her voice filled with resignation. "Asuma once told me about the darker occurrences within the noble system when he served the daimyo. This commission is merely the tip of the iceberg. But Shino, you still shouldn't interfere. Remember, I've taught you three to not meddle in mundane affairs lest it brings unnecessary trouble."
With a calculated adjustment of her glasses, Karina's admonition dripped with a captivating mix of authority and disatisfaction. "Kurenai, don't forget, you are now a part of the hive. Instead of being bound by the ninja code, you now must take Shino as your utmost priority. You should start thinking from our perspective. In others' eyes, the nobles are manipulating the ninjas to settle their internal disputes while maintaining a facade of innocence. But to us, we are just merely defending ourselves."
Kurenai paused for a moment, nodding before her gaze shifted to Shino, her eyes probing for answers. "How do you plan to deal with this tangled web, Shino? If you are looking for a noble to support your gang, you should be wary of their schemes. These nobles, none of them are fuel efficient lamps. Their loyalty can't be held accountable."
Shino, ever the strategist, knew that sending more ninjas to investigate would risk exposing their foothold in the capital. He needed a different approach, one that would ensure the loyalty of a noble who could support their cause.
With a sly grin, he responded, his voice dripping with confidence. "There's no need to worry about loyalty, Kurenai. We have a plan in motion. Karina, show her."
Kurenai's eyebrows furrowed in curiosity as she looked at Karina, seeking answers.
Karina's understanding nod held an air of esoteric knowledge, as she summoned a mesmerizing holographic display that materialized before Kurenai's slightly startled gaze, yet the seasoned kunoichi swiftly regained her composure, her eyes scanning the intricate details of the briefing with a composed intensity, betraying little of the intrigue stirring within her.
With an air of authority, Karina made her report. "Our infestors are ready, Shino. Once we have selected the optimal targets, our zerg and bugs will infiltrate the mansions of these unsuspecting nobles, neutralize the ninja guards, and bring the noble under our control. We will also establish an outpost below the mansion to facilitate permanent control. It won't be long before our plan is set into motion."
"Good. What do you think, Kurenai?" With an authoritative tone that pierced the air, Shino's unwavering gaze remained fixed ahead, his words carrying an air of intrigue.
Kurenai, after a momentary pause, shook her head, her voice laced with a mix of admiration and concern. "Shino, you have been hiding more methods than I had ever thought. It seems I'm worrying too much as a teacher."
"Naturally." Shino's response was measured and unwavering. "Necessity demands that I keep my hands. There are many watching in the dark, I can only adapt to the situation with hidden cards. You can check our methods in the database when you have time, and you'll know you won't to worry about me as a teacher…"
A tantalizing pause hung in the air, accompanied by a sly grin that crept upon Shino's face, his gaze fixated on Kurenai, hinting at a hidden exchange waiting to be unveiled. "Instead, think about how to play your role well."
A heavy silence descended upon the trio as they contemplated the weight of their choices.
In a sudden flurry of urgency, Karina's demeanor remained unchanged as she presented a live video before Shino's eyes. "Shino, there's a situation over at your clone's side. She is getting impatient."
Shino's gaze flickered between the compelling holographic display and Kurenai, a subtle yet intriguing smile gracing his lips, his words carrying a mysterious undertone. "Oh, it seems there is a chance for you to play your role now, Kurenai. I'm sure you know what to say and what not to do."
"Understood." Kurenai whispered in a voice laced with a serene calm, her nod conveying a silent pact as she gracefully melded into the earth, dissolving into shadows and vanishing from sight.
As Shino's eyes followed Kurenai's vanishing form with a cryptic smile gracing his lips, he mused, "I hope she can bring back what we need, Karina."
Karina's confident tone resonated with assurance as she replied, "You need not worry, Shino. With the additional two clone units of computational power from her assimilation, I will ensure that Kurenai accomplishes the task at hand."
"Good." Shino satisfied acknowledgment lingered in the air as in an astonishing display of transformation, both Shino and Karina shattered into an ethereal swarm of bugs, their forms scattering and blending seamlessly with the shadows, their presence evaporating into thin air.
The buzzing horde remaining dispersed, becoming one with the sprawling city below, their arranged mission cloaked in secrecy.
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