CHAPTER 18

c18 - Nuclear Release and White Zetsu

Six o'clock.

For the first time, Aburame Shibi engaged in direct combat with the team he led. To be honest, the overall level of his three students was beyond his initial expectations. They were more outstanding than he had anticipated.

"Although their combat experience is still immature, that can be refined through continuous battles," Shibi mused, observing his three exhausted students with satisfaction.

Each of them had already demonstrated remarkable potential. Might Guy, who had graduated from the Academy at the age of eight, had raw talent and an unyielding will. Uchiha Kazue, who awakened her Sharingan at ten, had already advanced to the two-tomoe stage within a short period—an extraordinary feat for her age.

However, the last member of the team was the most puzzling.

"Is it my imagination?"

Even though Shibi specialized in gathering intelligence, he found himself struggling to comprehend Yuuji. The boy's chakra reserves were far beyond what was normal. Despite the prolonged combat, he didn't even look fatigued.

Shibi extended a gloved finger, allowing a kikaichū insect to return with its report. The feedback made him fall into deep thought.

The training ground had been completely devastated, the earth scarred with craters—proof of the intensity of their battle.

"Yuuji-san, Shibi-sensei is too strong. If this continues, we can't…"

Guy clenched his fists, his battle spirit still burning. "Why don't you let me activate that technique? Maybe I can create an opening."

"It wouldn't help. His combat style revolves around using his insects as an extension of himself, minimizing weaknesses. Your current taijutsu level isn't enough to break through his defense."

Yuuji's sharp gaze remained fixed on Shibi. He's strong. I can't find any gaps in his strategy…

Aburame Shibi was one of the most well-rounded elite jōnin in Konoha. Not only was he a master of stealth and intelligence-gathering, but his strategic thinking and battle awareness were top-tier.

"My chakra is nearly depleted… I won't last much longer." Kazue's breathing was ragged, her two-tomoe Sharingan still spinning as she fought against exhaustion.

Yuuji's expression was solemn. "Yeah, I've used quite a bit too. I'm probably down by 30%."

Kazue blinked. "…You still have 70% left?!"

"I split a Shadow Clone earlier, which took 50% of my chakra. Even though I refined more during the battle, I've only recovered to this extent… Oh, now it's back to 80%."

Kazue's Sharingan twitched as she processed his words.

What kind of monster am I teamed up with?!

Even with the chakra-draining effects of the Shadow Clone Technique, Yuuji's reserves still exceeded theirs.

"…Then what's the plan?" Kazue asked, gritting her teeth.

"I have an idea. Listen carefully…"

---

A moment later, flames erupted across the battlefield.

"Still planning a counterattack in this situation?" Shibi pushed up his dark sunglasses.

Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!

A massive fireball ignited the field, forcing Shibi to retreat slightly. At the same time, he raised both hands, releasing a flood of kikaichū from his sleeves.

Against his insects, nothing could remain hidden.

The moment the fireball faded, a blur of movement shot forward.

A Konoha Whirlwind Kick tore through the air.

Guy, having unlocked the Second Gate, launched himself at Shibi with frightening speed, his muscles surging with energy.

Yet before his strike could land—

Insect Jamming Technique!

A cloud of kikaichū intercepted Guy mid-air, breaking his momentum and sending him crashing to the ground.

In that instant—

Yuuji moved.

Two of him.

Shibi's sharp gaze flickered. A Shadow Clone? No, something's off…

His kikaichū swarmed toward the two figures. The moment they made contact—

BOOM!

One Yuuji exploded in a violent eruption of radiation and heat.

Shibi's insects screamed. The feedback he received from them was unlike anything he had encountered before.

"What…?"

A rare expression of surprise crossed Shibi's face. His kikaichū transmitted bizarre sensations:

"Disgusting chakra."

"Uncomfortable to touch."

"Fear…"

"Fear?"

Aburame insects had no emotions, only instincts. Yet these creatures were terrified.

In that instant, his eyes widened as realization struck.

The Yuuji and Kazue being swarmed—

Melted.

What?!

The instant nuclear detonation obliterated countless insects in a split second.

Dark radioactive rain began to fall, spreading contamination across the battlefield.

Shibi took a step back. A Kekkei Genkai that kills insects on contact…?

A whisper of movement behind him.

Shibi turned—

Illusion Technique: Sharingan Hypnosis!

The two-tomoe Sharingan locked onto him.

A Genjutsu.

Shibi's superior mental resilience prevented him from being fully ensnared, but the slight delay was all they needed.

Yuuji completed a series of hand seals—

Nuclear Release: Oscillating Wave!

A concentrated nuclear chakra beam tore through the air, striking Shibi's chest.

For a split second, he staggered. Then—

His body crumbled into thousands of fleeing kikaichū.

His Insect Clone had been destroyed.

"…Well done," came Shibi's voice.

In the distance, the real Shibi stepped forward, his hands in his pockets, his presence exuding quiet authority.

"Very impressive. Your level of teamwork and adaptation surpasses my expectations."

Guy collapsed onto the ground, rubbing his sore muscles. "Wait… so Shibi-sensei wasn't even fighting us directly?! When did he switch?!"

A tense silence followed.

Shibi turned to Yuuji, his usual cold expression showing a hint of intrigue.

"The toxin you used against my kikaichū… It wasn't blood-activated like against Anko. That makes it even more dangerous. What kind of Kekkei Genkai is this?"

He adjusted his sunglasses.

"The strangest part is…" Shibi continued, "my insects felt fear. Something in your chakra disturbed them at a fundamental level. Was it the poison itself or… something else?"

He didn't receive an answer.

What truly unsettled him was the clone technique Yuuji had used. It wasn't a simple Shadow Clone. It was something else entirely.

"Regardless, we'll begin mission assignments tomorrow. Meet here at six AM."

With that, Shibi vanished into the darkness.

---

Yuuji exhaled and walked toward the two melting clones.

Smiling, he placed a hand on each of their dissolving forms.

As their nuclear-infused flesh reintegrated into his body…

Two tiny white spheres pulsed within.

White Zetsu's tissue.

His experiment had succeeded.

This Nuclear Clone Technique—a fusion of his Kekkei Genkai and something else—was only the beginning.

---