Capítulo 121: The Trigger
Shino stood in silence, his gaze fixed upon the lifeless body of the white Zetsu sprawled upon the cold dissection table. A deep frown etched itself onto his face as the weight of reality crashed down upon him.
He had thought he was worrying too much, his reactions over-exaggerated. But now… reality slapped him on the face. What is a coincidence? This is.
To make it worse, the events unfolding around him seemed more than mere coincidences because they bore the mark of a grand design of some unknown existence. What is an abhorrent plot device to push the story forward? This nonsense.
Suppressing his anger and inner turmoil, Shino swiftly regained his composure, aware that the trigger had been pulled and time was now running out. As he carefully sealed the corpse of the white Zetsu within a scroll, his voice resonated with solemnity as he addressed Karina.
"Karina, is everything prepared?" Reflecting the urgency of their situation, Shino briskly headed towards the entrance of their now relatively empty base.
"Yes, Shino. I've absorbed our lair, leaving only the interior structures which can't be moved. We are ready to depart at any moment," Karina responded, her gaze momentarily shifting towards Kurenai. "However, our insect monitors have detected an approaching force, intent on intercepting us."
"Konoha?" Shino inquired, his tone tinged with a hint of resignation.
"Yes," Karina confirmed. "It appears that news of our location has reached Root. Not long ago, Danzo stormed into Tsunade's office, armed with compelling evidence regarding our involvement with the nobles in the capital city and linking us to the activities of the corpse-stealers during critical events such as the Konoha Crush, the Sasuke Retrieval mission, and the cemetery theft incidence around the world. How he acquired this evidence remains a mystery, but it has pushed Tsunade to take action. Konoha ninjas have been dispatched and are rapidly closing in on our location."
Shino's fist clenched, his frustration simmering within. The inevitable had come to pass. "Damn Danzo. He had the evidence all along but chose to strike at the opportune moment to push me out completely. As expected of that old thing. Well played, indeed."
Turning his gaze towards Kurenai, Shino sought reassurance as he asked, "Are you clear on the anti-Konoha plan and your role within it?"
Kurenai's eyes delved into the depths of the intel on Konoha jonins displayed before her. Her fist clenched tightly as she bowed her head slightly, a helpless resignation emanating from her. "Yes, I am fully aware of my responsibilities and will fulfill my part."
"Good," Shino nodded approvingly. "Prepare yourself and get dressed. Time is of the essence."
Hearing his command, Kurenai's gaze lingered on a particular display, one that showcased Asuma's portrait with his vulnerabilities explicitly outlined. The critical link in the anti-Asuma plan was highlighted in bold: Kurenai herself.
Closing her eyes to regain her emotional equilibrium, she swiftly adorned the mask and hooded Akatsuki cloak, both formed from living biomass.
Following suit, Karina also adorned a similar attire, while Shino saw no need to change his own appearance. After all, his true identity had already been exposed.
However, he utilized the transformation technique to assume the guise of his younger self once more. It's best to not disclose any semblance of his aging self, lest it draws those lunatics to stalk him for research purposes.
Arriving at the entrance, a transport drone emerged from the ground, its wide maw agape, ready to receive its occupants. Surveying the base he had called home for an extended period, Shino snuffed out the lingering attachments and issued the command with unwavering determination. "Alright, let's go."
Turning on his heels, Shino strode purposefully towards the awaiting transport, with Karina and Kurenai by his side. The jaws of the drone sealed shut, and the vehicle descended into the depths of the earth, seamlessly navigating through the earth, embarking on their daring escape, leaving behind their sanctuary.
Not long after the transport drone had departed, a squad of stealthy Root ninjas breached the outer walls of the hidden base. They fanned out, their senses heightened as they searched for their elusive targets.
However, their eyes widened in sheer disbelief as the walls, ceiling, and ground around them ignited with flickering explosive tags!
"No! It's a trap-" one of the Root ninjas cried out in alarm, but before they could escape-
BOOM! The deafening explosions reverberated through the air, shaking the very foundation of the base, incinerating all the infiltrators and wiping away the existence of the base itself.
Afar, the escaping transport drone was momentarily rattled, but it pressed on undeterred. Shino adjusted his glasses calmly, "Hey, they entered the trap game, and we've hit the jackpot."
Suddenly, thick wooden roots drilled forth from the surrounding ground like relentless tentacles, ensnaring the transport drone in their firm grip. With a vice-like squeeze, the roots tugged the drone upwards, dragging it towards the surface.
As the transport zerg breached the subterranean realm, its cavernous maw opened wide, allowing Shino, Karina, and Kurenai to gracefully leap out from within. Behind them, the wooden pillars wrapping the transport drone tightened, squeezing and crushing the transport drone into a mess of flesh and vibrant blood.
Moments afterwards, the wooden pillars shot towards the trio, resembling living tendrils driven by sinister intent.
Reacting swiftly, the three evaded the onslaught, their movements fluid and calculated.
As he flickered backwards, Shino raised his hand, "Arise."
A wave of zerg drones erupted from the earth's depths, unleashing a torrent of insects from their gaping maws. The swarm surged forward akin to a crashing wave, converging upon the wielder of the wood release hidden within the surrounding forest.
In a blur of motion, Yamato, the controller of the wood release, deftly dodged the assault. His hand transformed into a forest of wooden pillars, piercing forward to obstruct the advancing wave of insects.
Yet, despite his efforts, the sheer number of insects overwhelmed him. Some of them latched onto his wood release, draining its chakra and gnawing through the wood, while others weaved through the pillars to assail Yamato's body directly.
However, their momentary triumph was short-lived.
Shino's brow furrowed as he soon detected an anomaly within Yamato's body. It was not flesh and blood but a firm and hard structure. It was a wood clone, cleverly deployed to deceive him!
True to his suspicions, Yamato's wooden duplicate gradually reverted to its original form, transforming into a deformed wooden container and gobbling up the assaulting swarm of bugs, entrapping them within. And Yamato's assault did not cease there.
In a flicker of movement, another Yamato appeared behind the trio, his voice resonating with an authoritative tone. "Wood Release: Wood Locking Wall!"
With Yamato as the centre, from left and right, towering pillars of wood emerged, interlocking with precision to form a dome-like structure, sealing off any possible escape route. The only exit was the very spot where Yamato stood. "Shino-kun, return to Konoha with me. You cannot escape."
Even as Yamato spoke, he prepared to unleash his next onslaught, his hands forming seals, but a familiar voice, filled with urgency, pierced through the air from nearby. "Captain Tamato! Wait!"
The attention of the assembled group was abruptly diverted as a young girl swiftly approached, her Byakugan deactivating as she gracefully landed beside Yamato. The sight of her brought a surge of familiarity - the girl was none other than Hinata.
Shortly after Hinata's arrival, Kiba and Akamaru landed nearby, their eyes fixated on Shino, their expressions a mixture of emotions difficult to discern.
"Captain Tamato, let me talk to Shino-kun. I... I don't believe Shino-kun would do such a thing. Please, let me persuade him to return with us and clear everything up," Hinata pleaded earnestly, her gaze locked onto Shino. Her fingers trembled nervously, betraying her underlying anxiety.
Yamato's gaze shifted from the composed Shino to the two masked figures by his side, lingering for a moment on the red pupils faintly visible through the eye hole of one of the masks. After a brief hesitation, he relented. "Only this time. Five minutes at most."
Hearing Yamato's agreement, a hint of derision crossed Shino's thoughts. Five minutes - the calculated time it would take for the rest of the Jonin to arrive and complete Konoha's encirclement. It was a flawlessly timed calculation.
Uncertain about facing them alone, Yamato had reluctantly agreed to delay time, and Shino, fully aware of the game being played, decided to play his part as well.
Hinata breathed a sigh of relief, her hand pressed against her racing heart as she fixed her gaze on Shino, who remained stoic and composed. Taking hesitant steps forward, she called out, "Shino-kun?"
"Yeah," Shino responded with unwavering composure.
Hinata's lips curled into a slight smile upon hearing his voice, her tension easing as she quickened her pace to approach him. She stopped before him, her eyes darting uncertainly between Karina, Kurenai, and Shino, before she mustered the courage to ask, "Who are these two older sisters?"
Huh?! Who is she calling old?! Karina's body tensed and almost lost her composure, ready to deliver a stern reprimand, but Shino's calming touch on her shoulder quickly brought her back to composure.
Turning to Hinata, Shino smiled softly as he replied, "They are my lovers."
"L-l-lovers?!" Hinata stammered, her shock evident on her face. Even Kiba and Akamaru stood wide-eyed, their gazes shifting between the two older sisters.
Yamato's eyes also displayed a flicker of intrigue, sensing the air of gossip, although Shino knew he was discreetly preparing the methods that ensnared them in the background.
After Hinata scanned the two sisters once more, her gaze fixed upon their chests for a moment before her self-confidence seemed to waver. Bowing slightly and recognizing her defeat, she mustered her courage before asking, "U-um, Shino-kun, the Hokage and many other ninjas say that you were... you have..."
Observing her hesitance, Shino calmly finished her sentence, "Betrayed Konoha?"
A tremor coursed through Hinata's body, her head bowing even lower as she nodded timidly. "Um."
A brief silence hung between them before Shino inquired, "Hinata, do you believe them, or do you believe me?"
Hesitation flickered across Hinata's white eyes as they met Shino's unwavering gaze. She whispered softly, "I... I believe in Shino-kun. Shino-kun is not that type of person. Shino-kun would never betray Konoha. In my heart, Shino-kun is-"
Hinata's voice faltered as she felt Shino's hand gently petting her head, a comforting gesture that instinctively drew her closer, seeking solace in his touch.
"Yeah, you're right, Hinata," Shino spoke in a tranquil tone, his voice carrying an air of composure as he pulled Hinata gently into his embrace.
Her head found solace against his chest, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat a soothing lullaby. He whispered softly, his words caressing her ears, "Then, since Hinata believes in me, will Hinata leave Konoha with me?"
"Eh?" Hinata's surprised squeak resonated through the air as she lifted her head, her gaze fixed upon Shino. Her response was riddled with stutters, her hesitation evident. "I-I-"
"No? You don't want to?" Shino inquired, his voice remaining calm as his hand glided down Hinata's delicate face, gradually tracing the contours of her neck.
Hinata's eyes seemed to widen momentarily, tears welling up as if she grasped the truth. With a trembling voice, she whispered her final plea, "C-Can you not go, Shino-kun?"
A gentle smile graced Shino's face, his tone betraying no hint of change as he replied, "Well, it's impossible... but just for you, Hinata, I have a way - a way to stay in your heart forever."
"Eh?" Hinata's confusion reverberated within the enclosed space, soon interrupted by Yamato's sudden exclamation, "Watch out!"
Puff! In an instant, the sound of flesh being pierced rushed past, and Hinata felt a searing pain pierce through her chest. Slowly, she creaked her head, slowly looking down, her gaze fixated on the hand running through her own chest, blood spilling forth and staining her clothes crimson. An agonizing pain consumed her chest, but an even greater anguish seized her fragile heart.
As the hand retracted, a cascade of blood danced in the air as the arm that once encircled her waist released its grip. Her vision began to fade, yet her gaze locked on Shino, who was growing more distant with each passing moment, while her life's essence dripped from his lowering hand...
Thump. The sound of the body hitting the ground jolted the spectators from their stunned silence.
"HINATA!!!"
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