Chp-34: The Fearsome Shibi Aburame

Forest of the Land of Fire

Seeing Shibi's team stop in their tracks, the caravan members were puzzled. "What's going on?" one of them asked.

Satoru shrugged, "There's an ambush about 100 meters ahead. If you're feeling bold, you can charge right through."

Ambush?

The word sent waves of fear through the caravan, which halted in the middle of the road.

"Um..." the caravan leader swallowed nervously and looked at Shibi, "Lord Shibi, should we take a detour?"

"It doesn't matter," Shibi replied with a blank expression.

Doesn't matter? The caravan leader was stunned. What does that even mean? Should we proceed or not? We gave you so many precious delicacies to please you; you can't just sit back and do nothing.

Just then, a group of ninjas sprang from the forest ahead, brandishing kunai with menacing grins. Their scarred faces and ruthless expressions caused a collective shudder among the caravan members.

"Looks like we've been spotted. But it doesn't matter; you can't escape!"

"A caravan this big? Looks like we hit the jackpot."

...

Most of the caravan members were ordinary people who had never encountered such a scene. They trembled in fear, some nearly collapsing.

"Rogue ninjas?"

"How are there so many rogue ninjas? We're doomed."

...

Satoru squinted his eyes. Rogue ninjas were often renegades or ninjas without affiliation. Compared to regular ninjas, they were more ruthless, surviving through robbery and banditry—making them the most feared threat by caravans.

In the original series, when Naruto first went on a mission, he encountered rogue ninjas like Zabuza and Haku.

Judging by the size of the group, this was likely the largest band of rogue ninjas in the area.

While Shibi's team remained still, the other team, led by Tanai Ryosuke, couldn't contain themselves. Throughout the journey, the caravan members had fawned over Shibi's team, filling Ryosuke's team with rage.

"Damn, it's just a bunch of rogue ninjas! Let's take them down!"

"A bunch of rogues dare to act tough in front of us?"

Ryosuke led the charge, kunai in hand, rushing toward the rogue ninjas, eager to vent all his pent-up frustration.

Seeing their leader in charge, the rest of his team followed suit with a battle cry.

"Didn't expect Ryosuke to be so brave!"

"Yeah, with Ryosuke's team, we should be fine. These rogue ninjas are nothing to worry about..."

The caravan members sighed in relief, even as their eyes shifted back to Shibi's team, noting that none of them had moved.

Watching the "bravery" of Ryosuke's team, Satoru clicked his tongue.

Hmm, it looks like Ryosuke's in trouble.

Through his Byakugan, Satoru could see that among the rogue ninjas was a Jonin whose chakra level suggested he was no slouch.

Ryosuke's underestimation of the rogue ninjas came from the common belief that rogue ninjas were generally weaker than village ninjas, treating them as mere punching bags. Little did he know, there was a formidable opponent among them.

After all, his team had neither the Byakugan's vision nor Shibi's insect reconnaissance.

"Satoru, should we intervene?" Uchiha Rin asked, looking at him.

"Since they want to show off, let them," Satoru shrugged.

At that moment, the battle shifted. Ryosuke, who had been dominating the rogue ninjas, suddenly felt a chill behind him. He quickly dodged, but a sharp blade still managed to cut his abdomen, leaving a bloody gash.

"Damn it!"

Ryosuke gritted his teeth, stumbling back. In that brief encounter, he realized this rogue ninja was no weaker than him.

"Bastard! You think you can kill my men so easily?"

The rogue ninja flicked the blood off his blade, his scarred face twisted into a grin that sent a shiver down Ryosuke's spine.

"Shit thought they were easy targets, but this one's tough."

Before he could react, the rogue ninja attacked again. The heavy sword strikes against his kunai, leaving Ryosuke's arms numb and forcing him to retreat.

As he dodged another slash, Ryosuke glanced at his team. Without his support, the Chunin and Genin were being overwhelmed by the rogue ninjas.

"Why did I try to show off..."

Regret filled Ryosuke's heart as he desperately fought to stay alive.

"Um, Satoru... should we help them?" Dai hesitated; despite being humiliated by Ryosuke earlier, his kind nature couldn't stand by and watch fellow ninjas die.

The caravan members were frozen with fear, some secretly packing their things, ready to flee.

Satoru looked at Shibi, who gave a slight nod. "Don't take too long."

With Shibi's permission, Satoru shouted and charged into the fray.

Dai and the others followed, quickly turning the tide against the rogue ninjas.

Satoru drew a scroll, and with a puff of smoke, a long sword appeared in his hand. It was the sword he forged with his electromagnetic power, Long Fang.

He swung down, the sharp blade cutting through a rogue ninja's kunai and leaving a bloody gash from forehead to chest.

Satoru took a deep breath. Aside from the Jonin facing Ryosuke, these rogue ninjas weren't very strong. It was a perfect opportunity to practice his swordsmanship.

Dai's body was surrounded by a fierce aura, veins bulging on his forehead. A single kick sent a charging Chunin flying.

"Amazing, is this my father's true strength?" Guy watched in awe.

"This is only the fourth gate, Guy," Dai said, giving a thumbs-up, his teeth gleaming.

Ryosuke was stunned, seeing that Shibi's team of Genin was overpowering the rogue ninjas.

Distracted, Ryosuke was struck again by the rogue ninja, sending him flying and coughing up blood.

The sudden shift in battle made the caravan members feel like they were on a roller coaster.

"Incredible, who knew Shibi's team was so strong."

"I underestimated the bowl-cut guy; he's really powerful."

"With them fighting, we should be safe now."

...

From within the caravan, Shibi watched Satoru practising with his sword, his brows furrowing slightly. He shook his head and muttered.

"Satoru, I told him to hurry up, but he's using this as a chance to train."

With a sigh, Shibi raised his hand, and a swarm of black insects poured out of his sleeve like a dark cloud.

"What's that noise?"

The caravan members turned to see the swarm, and their scalps tingled in terror as the black mass of insects rushed past them towards the rogue ninjas.

In an instant, the screams began.

Nearly all the rogue ninjas were enveloped by the insects, writhing on the ground in agony.

"Sensei's making a move; guess I can't keep training my swordsmanship."

Seeing the enemies being devoured by the insects, Satoru reluctantly put his sword away.

Ryosuke struggled to fend off the rogue ninja, and each clash sent him reeling back until he spat blood.

At the critical moment, the rogue ninja was suddenly engulfed by Shibi's insects, forming a massive black sphere.

"Secret Technique: Insect Sphere!"

Shibi formed a seal, and the sphere contracted, silencing the screams.

The battlefield fell silent, only the buzzing of insects filling the air. The caravan members swallowed hard, staring at the skeletal remains of the rogue ninjas.

Is it... over?