Chapter 60

Insect Nightmare

As the tension built around the palace, Shino Aburame activated his unique power over insects, commanding a swarm so vast it darkened the skies. The cloud of buzzing insects descended upon the palace like a living storm, crashing into the barrier with waves of explosions. The sheer power of the detonations was undeniable, shaking the palace grounds and shattering its defensive barrier.

Amid the chaos, Shino darted forward with precision, using his insects as both a weapon and a shield. Those left outside the palace became an ongoing nightmare for its defenders, creating confusion and panic among the guards. Yet, for all his efforts, Shino's plan was not as effective as he had hoped. The enemy had been prepared for his arrival.

Inside the palace, waiting calmly, stood three formidable warriors: Havok, Vulcan, and Captain Marvel. Their presence immediately revealed that Shino's approach had been anticipated. Meanwhile, outside the hotel where Shino's team had been stationed, an equally dangerous group had appeared to confront Storm and Kiba. Scarlet Witch, Iceman, Magneto, Quicksilver, and Supergiant emerged with an air of confidence, their powers radiating authority.

Scarlet Witch, her crimson energy shimmering faintly around her, stepped forward and addressed them with a confident smile. "Greetings, honored guests. It would be an honor if you could willingly follow us," she said, her tone calm but laced with underlying menace.

Shino, observing the scene, remained silent as he processed the situation. Something was off. While the king, Apocalypse, was notably absent, the enemy's calm demeanor suggested they had no intention of letting the shinobi escape. But what puzzled Shino most was their behavior. If the enemy had known they were coming, why hadn't they maintained a low profile to avoid conflict?

Storm, now transformed into her true form, her power radiating visibly, voiced the question that lingered in everyone's mind. "What is the meaning of this?"

Scarlet Witch tilted her head slightly, her expression still calm. "Please, stop being aggressive. We don't wish to fight. Your act of violence is illegal. Turn yourselves in, and we can discuss this matter with your superiors."

Shino quickly realized their strategy. The enemy was leveraging Naruto's well-known nature. They understood that Naruto would not condone unnecessary violence or forceful actions, which gave them confidence in their approach. Storm, catching on, glanced at Shino for confirmation. The unspoken question lingered between them: should they ignore Naruto's orders about maintaining peace and escalate the situation?

Before Shino could respond, Kiba, unable to contain his frustration, jumped down from the window to face the group. "Who do you think we are? Your intentions are clearly hostile, so we have no need to play nice," he growled.

Scarlet Witch remained unfazed. "Hostile? I'm not sure what you mean by that. Isn't it clear that your side is being hypocritical? Where is the peace and unity your leaders claim to promote?"

Kiba's temper flared. "It's obvious your leader is aiming for world domination, so don't try to twist this!" He clenched his fists, ready for a fight. Shino silently moved to stand beside him, wary of Kiba's impulsiveness but unwilling to leave him unprotected.

Quicksilver, crossing his arms with an annoyed expression, interrupted. "Cut the excuses. You're just looking for a fight, aren't you?" His voice dripped with impatience.

The battle began suddenly. Iceman unleashed a freezing wave, aiming to immobilize the group. Magneto manipulated the electromagnetic spectrum to paralyze them in place, while Supergiant attempted to invade their minds. The coordinated attack was overwhelming, a testament to the group's experience and power.

Kiba was the first to fall, his strength as a Kage-level shinobi proving insufficient against the combined might of these adversaries. Storm resisted longer, her powers, now twice as strong as before, managing to hold off the assault temporarily. However, even she was ultimately subdued, leaving Shino to face the enemy alone.

Unfazed, Shino stepped forward, his aura calm but imposing. In his base form, he had already surpassed the legendary Madara Uchiha in strength. Since the war, he had pushed himself even further, mastering Sage Mode from the Toads after discovering there was no Sage Realm for insects. This newfound power gave him a tenfold boost, elevating him to a continental level of strength comparable to peak Naruto during the Fourth Great Ninja War.

Channeling the energy of Sage Mode, Shino's power surged, spreading like a tangible wave that pressed down on the battlefield. His chakra reinforced his fallen teammates, amplifying their power and healing their injuries slightly. The air grew heavy as he asserted his dominance, his voice calm but filled with authority. "I hope you will refrain from fighting us. We do not wish to cause harm."

Scarlet Witch chuckled softly at his words, her crimson energy flaring. "We are already aware of your abilities, Mister Shino," she replied, her tone laced with amusement. "And there is no chance of your victory in this battle."

The stage was set. Despite the overwhelming odds and the enemy's confidence, Shino remained resolute. The weight of the battle—and the fate of the mission—rested squarely on his shoulders.

In the chaos of battle, Storm stepped forward, her resolve unshaken. She activated her fusion with King Ghidorah, transforming her into a being of immense power. Her new form placed her directly on island-level strength, but with Shino's support, her power was elevated to the small-country level. Storm's golden scales shimmered, radiating an aura of raw energy, as her eyes locked onto the enemy with unyielding determination.

Kiba, ever the brash fighter, nodded in agreement. His desire to crush the arrogance of their foes burned fiercely. He activated his fusion with Cerberus, surging to Kage level strength. Not stopping there, he merged further with Akamaru, reaching island-level power. Shino's chakra boost pushed him even further, to the large island level, ready to fight alongside his teammates.

Magneto, unimpressed by their transformations, raised a hand with cold authority. "Stop your hubris, child," he said, addressing Shino. "Both of your partners are liabilities. Surrender now unless you wish to see them die." His tone was sharp and cutting, filled with pride in his overwhelming abilities.

To emphasize his point, Magneto waved his hand, and Storm and Kiba were immediately pinned to the ground by his magnetic power. Only Shino, with his immense stats and mastery over his abilities, managed to resist the effects. Calmly, Shino spread his arms, and a shimmering rainbow-colored barrier formed around the team, a technique called Samadhi Śānti. This barrier had a unique property: it could nullify all abilities unless the opponent's power exceeded the user's. The battlefield shimmered with its iridescent light as Shino prepared his next move.

Wisselen

Moving his wings with precision, Shino unleashed a swarm of scales into the air. The glittering dust carried a sinister purpose—it sought to attach itself to the enemies, giving Shino control over their minds. The colorful storm swirled ominously, a testament to his insect-based mastery. However, the opponents countered swiftly, deflecting the scales with their own defensive measures.

Shino frowned but didn't relent. Instead, he adjusted his tactics, infusing the scales with deadly poison and creating a tornado of venom around the enemies. The toxic vortex spun violently, its fumes strong enough to wither even the sturdiest defenses. To ensure the safety of his teammates, Shino summoned clones to carry Kiba and Storm to safety. The clones burrowed underground, enveloping the duo in the rainbow barrier for protection, while Shino took to the skies alone, facing the enemy head-on.

This change in elevation immediately removed Quicksilver from the fight—his speed was useless without flight. But the remaining foes, Vulcan, Havok, Captain Marvel, Magneto, Iceman, Supergiant, and Scarlet Witch, were quick to pursue.

Shino unleashed his ultimate technique, Insect Cyclone, summoning thousands of insects from his body and hundreds of thousands more from the surrounding area. Enhanced by his new powers, each insect now possessed the strength of a Jounin-level shinobi. The swarm was a living nightmare, capable of absorbing chakra, paralyzing foes, weakening their abilities, causing nerve damage, and even exploding on command. Some carried poisons so potent they bypassed immunity, breaking cells apart on a microscopic level.

The sheer volume and lethality of the swarm forced the enemies to act defensively. Magneto conjured an electromagnetic barrier, shielding himself from the insects. Havok, Vulcan, and Captain Marvel formed barriers of their own, attempting to absorb the energy of the approaching swarm. Iceman froze the insects en masse, using his ice form to avoid harm, while Supergiant shifted into an energy state, trying to drain Shino's mental energy.

Shino observed their strategies calmly, calculating his next move. It was time to isolate and eliminate them, one by one.

King Spiral

Gathering the energy of the natural world, Shino directed his insects into three massive spiraling formations. Each spear was imbued with world energy and aimed at a specific target: Magneto, Iceman, and Supergiant. The spears spun with incredible velocity, tearing through the air with devastating force.

Supergiant, who could phase through physical attacks, underestimated the energy-infused nature of the spear. The insects bypassed her immunity, draining her energy until she collapsed. Similarly, Iceman found himself overwhelmed. His ice form could no longer freeze the insects, and the relentless assault left him drained and incapacitated.

Magneto managed to halt the spear's physical momentum with his magnetic powers, but Shino had anticipated this. Hidden within the spear, Shino himself emerged, using the momentum to pierce through Magneto's defenses with a final, decisive strike: Deadly Sting. A massive stinger, powered by Shino's chakra, shot forward and penetrated Magneto's force field. The impact was overwhelming, shutting down Magneto's body as the venom worked its way through his system.

With Magneto, Iceman, and Supergiant neutralized, Shino turned his attention to the remaining energy manipulators—Vulcan, Havok, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch—and the battle that awaited in the skies. The tide of the fight was turning, but Shino knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down against these formidable opponents.

The battle escalated as Shino's strategic mind devised his next move. His swarm of insects began to coalesce, forming three humanoid warriors, each towering and brimming with energy. These Insect Soldiers were equipped with the unique ability to absorb energy, specifically designed to test whether his remaining opponents could handle his power.

Havok was the first to falter. His energy manipulation ability, while potent, couldn't compete with the relentless energy-draining nature of the soldiers. Within moments, he was incapacitated, unable to muster the strength to continue.

Captain Marvel and Vulcan, however, rose to the challenge. Their powers surged in response, going into overdrive. Both began to absorb not only the energy from the insect soldiers but also the ambient energy from the environment. Heat, cosmic energy, and even the subtle forces of nature were drawn into them, creating a growing vacuum that threatened to destabilize the battlefield. The air shimmered with intensity as their power continued to climb.

Shino observed calmly, his sharp eyes tracking every movement. He dodged their powerful strikes with effortless grace, his body flickering like a shadow through the air. With precise timing, he closed the gap between himself and Captain Marvel, unleashing his Deadly Sting. The venomous strike pierced through her defenses, instantly incapacitating her and forcing her out of the battle.

Vulcan, enraged by his ally's fall, released a massive energy shockwave in retaliation. Shino, ever resourceful, activated his Energy Reflector. Giant, shiny scales materialized around him, forming an intricate shield that absorbed and redirected the incoming attack. The scales then gathered around his arm, transforming into a massive cannon.

The cannon absorbed energy from the world itself, combining it with the power stored within the scales. With a deafening roar, Shino unleashed the Ballet Gun, a concentrated blast of energy that dwarfed anything he had previously used. The beam tore through the atmosphere, radiating destructive power capable of destabilizing the entire continent. Vulcan, despite his immense energy manipulation abilities, was overwhelmed by the sheer force and knocked out of the fight.

As the dust settled, a voice cut through the silence.

"You have done wonderfully, Mister Aburame," Scarlet Witch purred, appearing behind him. Her hand rested on his back, her presence unsettlingly calm. "How about becoming mine?"

Shino froze for a moment, realizing she had bypassed his precognition and evaded his insect scouts. Her mastery over space had rendered his defenses ineffective. But he was prepared for such surprises. Without a word, Shino's body dissolved into thousands of insects, scattering in all directions before reforming a few meters away.

Shino raised his tyrant claw, his eyes gleaming with focus. With a single, precise motion, he unleashed the Dimensional Slash, a technique that cut through all things in creation. The attack ignored distance, barriers, and even the concept of space itself, arriving instantly at its target.

Scarlet Witch, however, proved her mettle. Channeling the dark red energy of the Dark Dimension, she countered the slash with a surge of raw power. Her blood-red energy clashed with the spatial attack, canceling it out entirely. Not stopping there, she launched a barrage of energy spheres, each laced with her mastery of spatial manipulation.

The attacks tore through Shino's body, bypassing his defenses and causing significant damage. Scarlet's control over the Dark Dimension made her a formidable opponent, her abilities enhanced to match Shino's incredible strength.

Shino gritted his teeth, his mind racing. 'She's drawing power from the Dark Dimension,' he realized. He recalled Naruto's warnings about the dangers of that realm, where demons bestowed terrifying powers to their vessels. Shino knew he needed to outlast her rather than overpower her.

Despite the intensity of the battle, Scarlet spoke with conviction. "This is pointless, and you know it. Why not work with us? You've seen our kingdom—does it look like we're evil or selfish? Is your path the only right one?"

Shino's voice was calm but firm. "I can't trust anyone with that kind of power except for Uzumaki Naruto."

"Why is he so special?" she pressed.

"Because he doesn't desire to rule over others. He just wants to help people and would even sacrifice his life for them. I doubt you can say the same."

Scarlet's expression faltered, but she quickly recovered. "That's foolishness. A king sacrificing his life for a citizen is the most unwise thing imaginable."

"Perhaps," Shino admitted. "But it shows that he doesn't place himself above others."

Their exchange gave Shino the insight he needed. He noticed Scarlet's hesitation and inexperience. Despite her power, she lacked the hardened resolve of someone who had mastered it.

Shino's wings began to vibrate, releasing a low-frequency sound that emulated the footsteps of Death itself. The sound carried an eerie, reality-warping effect, killing everything within its radius. Even the air around Scarlet seemed to die, leaving a vacuum of lifelessness.

Scarlet Witch's composure shattered. Her fear of death, amplified by the haunting sound, overwhelmed her. She let out a scream of terror, falling from the sky as her energy dissipated.

Shino descended slowly, his body trembling from exhaustion. The battle had drained him significantly, but he marveled at the potential of the Sage's power. As he stood amidst the chaos, he reflected on what could have been. If the Bijuu had harnessed such abilities in the past, humanity might have been nothing more than second-class citizens under their dominion.

As Shino turned to flee the battlefield, his thoughts raced. The Star King—he knew the name, and he knew the implications. If this being was as powerful as the enemies they had faced, then the situation had grown far worse than he imagined. His plan had been to escape and seek reinforcements, but fate had a different idea.

Suddenly, Shino felt a shift in the air. A pressure unlike anything he had ever experienced closed in around him, and before he could react, he found himself transported within the walls of the palace. His surroundings shifted, the environment warping into a surreal space where the very air seemed to hum with a strange, foreboding energy.

At the center of the room, a massive pool of glowing pink water lay like a twisted mirror. The glow illuminated the figure standing beside it—Apocalypse, the Star King himself, his presence commanding and suffocating.

"You are too late, mortal," Apocalypse sneered, his voice cold and filled with contempt. His eyes glimmered with malice, and the air around him crackled with unfathomable power. His smile was one of cold amusement, as if the outcome of this battle had already been decided in his favor.

Before Shino could even brace himself, the Star King raised a hand with deliberate slowness. The gesture was casual, but the effect was immediate and devastating. An overwhelming pressure slammed down on Shino's body, causing every muscle to tense and every bone to creak under the strain.

Shino gasped, feeling his body begin to buckle under the immense weight. The force twisted his form, crushing his ribs and pressing him to the ground. His vision blurred as the very air itself seemed to crush him, his internal organs threatening to collapse under the brutal force of Apocalypse's power.

Every instinct screamed at Shino to fight back, to escape, but his body refused to obey. The pressure was suffocating, more intense than anything he had ever faced. It was a reminder of just how powerful Apocalypse truly was—this being was not simply another enemy. He was a force of nature.

"Do you feel it?" Apocalypse's voice was soft, almost soothing, as if he were taking pleasure in the suffering of his prey. "This is the power of a true god. You cannot hope to stand against it, no matter how much you strive."

Shino's mind raced, but he was powerless to act. His thoughts spun back to his comrades, to Naruto, to the mission they had undertaken together. However, reality was cruel and Shino succumbed to the enemies power.