Chapter 133: Naturalistic Savagery! Pt 7

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Shino's POV (East Forest of Irminsul - Terra)

"We shall aid you as asked… under certain circumstances of course."

"A circumstance? From what you said, you are allies of the Okama Clan." Hinata chimed in. Shino nodded at her angle. It was good to see that Hyuga could be as wise as she was timid. Using the Okama as an angle may spare them from combat. "One of ours is, in fact, a summoner of theirs. Would it not be beneficial for the Antuni to heed the words of the Okamas?"

Another series of clicks was more aggressive than nature than the last sound. "You humans know little… We are not allies of the Okama nor enemies, merely colleagues at best. In fact, any we interact with is beneficial to us or prey. We intend to see what you shall be. If you're powerful enough to be useful, we will treat you as a guest and aid in your quest, as the Okama asked. Otherwise, we will slaughter and consume the two of you." 

Shino narrowed his eyes behind his sunglasses. "And how would you have us prove ourselves?" 

"There is a group of creatures that invade our land. Mutts that savagely hound us. They are much less kind than us and ferocious in nature. Normally, we would simply war with and exterminate those who would dare. But with their numbers, we would lose far too many soldiers. Deal with this threat for us, and we will offer you our aid. That is the word of Queen 3."

"How do we know you'll keep your word?" Shino asked. "Or even need your aid?" 

"We can sense another pair of humans nearby, just northwest of here, struggling against this enemy. I can safely assume they are your allies. The littles mentioned they have the same headband as you. They are a distance away, far enough that you need to be absurdly fast to aid them. Even now, your scouts have yet to discover them."

Hinata dropped into a low combat stance, kunai drawn and coated in chakra. She glared fiercely at the ants. "Take us to them!"

"Yet your clan can sense them. And if you mention it, you must have a way to help us. You simply are attempting to bind us unfairly to you." Shino interrupted Hinata and stared down the ant unflinchingly.

The first series of clicking sounds went off again; it was laughing. As the ant recovered, it replied, noticeably amused with Shino: "You are wise for a human. Yes, we have the ability to tunnel through the earth at incredibly fast speeds. This would allow you and a strike force of us to attack them and likely save your humans."

Shino looked back at Hinata, who nodded hesitantly. Shino was less sure. Could these ants truly be trusted? How could they sense the others? Could he afford to take the risk of not believing them? No, he had loosely sensed Choji in the same general direction. It certainly gave credence to what the ant had said. Besides, it had been aware of the Okama clan and could have attacked them earlier…

"Very well, lead the way." Shino agreed.

The ant nodded before clicking several times loudly. The other large and small ants reacted immediately. Moving in a straight, thick line, they immediately began to dig, somehow easily getting what Shino estimated was ten feet deep in mere seconds. 

Choji would need only wait a while longer…

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Kurobachi's POV (Nearby Shino's Group)

"There's no way I'm seeing things properly." Jibachi whispered angrily. "Not only are we not the only group here, but they have an Aburame. Should we rush in and kill the lot of them."

Kurobachi whacked his younger brother roughly on the head. "Let me think, fool," he barked. Jibachi bitterly went silent, and as Kurobachi's peace returned, his anger stilled. Kurobachi used to be the next head of one of the most prominent clans in all of Iwa. Now, he was an old man.

His hair still held its darkness and thickness. He still uses his preferred split styling, and his stache and beard are as healthy as ever. And yet he felt each and every one of his years. Kurobachi's life had changed drastically after the last war. First, his clan had been nearly destroyed by the Aburame, then Irminsul by their own home village, and finally, he had been surpassed by his younger sister.

Now, his sister had claimed to have found a job to redeem the lot of them. Kurobachi, a proud member of the Kamizuru clan, could not ignore this. Even their petulant youngest brother was present. His spectacle-wearing blonde sibling had also sought to redeem their name. 

Now, things have changed drastically. They had not only arrived at their destination, but Kurobachi had stumbled upon their hated rivals and a promising clan. A numberless powerful insect faction would do nicely for the Kamizuru clan. Even better, it may restore him as the rightful heir…

But how do you approach the situation? The ants seemed at peace with Aburame and the Hyuga. They seemed young and would surely be weaker than them, but the ants were unknown. If they join the battle, it may make things difficult. Already, his bees were struggling to keep the group hidden from Aburame's drones and the gaze of that woman…

"We won't attack for now. Make no mistake, by both our contract and the need for vengeance, we will kill the two. Part of our job is to eliminate any found humans and find new summons. But we have no clue how the ants will react. Send some drones in as close as you can. We'll follow and listen in, waiting for our moment."

"I suppose that makes sense, you grumpy bastard. As long as we get to kill Aburame, I'll wait. Makes this job worth it, finally." Jibachi spat. He seemed to think for a second before sending off some bee drones. "Should I not send some to find Suzumebachi? Our "fearless" leader will probably want to hear about this."

"No need. If we fail, she may succeed elsewhere." Kurobachi answered convincingly. He had to stop his smile when Jabachi nodded.

Suzumebachi didn't need to know… the glory would be his…