CHAPTER 25

c25 - I Want You To Help Me Train!

After repeatedly confirming the report, Tsunade was genuinely shocked.

"Three young brats actually joined forces and managed to kill two of Iwa's special jōnin?"

Of course, Tsunade didn't care much for the so-called "Iwa ninja's Dark Ninja" title, but considering the age of Yuuji and the others… Even if they had used trickery, their accomplishment was still remarkable.

"Other than Hatake Kakashi, I've never seen a junior who can grow so fast. This generation of fresh graduates… There are quite a few monsters among them."

Tsunade sighed before suddenly asking, "That kid, Yuuji… I heard his Kekkei Genkai can create an extremely potent poison?"

Shibi pushed up his sunglasses and replied, "That's correct. It's a unique ability that Yuuji uses to suppress enemies."

"I see. This kid likes using poison… I bet Orochimaru would be very interested in him. That guy is always eager to study anything unique." Tsunade rested her chin on her hand, tapping the table absentmindedly.

Tsunade was an expert in poisons. Her primary role on the western front was maintaining the army's morale and intimidating the enemy, while her secondary task was studying the poisons used by Chiyo of Sunagakure. However, unlike Orochimaru, Tsunade had little interest in developing poisons herself.

"That said, with someone like you leading him, I imagine his poison-based techniques are often countered by your insects. The Aburame clan's kikaichū are truly impressive."

Tsunade chuckled.

Shibi remained silent, but his lack of response only reinforced Tsunade's assumption.

Shortly afterward, Tsunade began the process of officially restricting information about Yuuji and his team.

This was only a temporary measure, though. News of their achievements had already spread among Iwa and Suna ninjas, and rumors about the mysterious trio had even started circulating among Konoha's own forces.

---

The Journey Back to Konoha

As Shibi and his team departed from the western front, more and more ninja took notice of them.

The team, led by elite jōnin Aburame Shibi, had completed nine B-rank missions and one A-rank mission in just two months—a staggering achievement.

Word of the "three new-generation geniuses" was spreading. Most ninja had never worked with Yuuji's team and had little knowledge of their actual capabilities, but their reputation as prodigies was growing nonetheless.

"Shibi is leading a team of fresh graduates? They must be exceptional talents."

"I'm looking forward to seeing how they develop. I heard the leader is a descendant of the Shiranui clan."

Many Konoha ninja watched as Yuuji and his team left the camp, their faces filled with encouragement and admiration. The stronger the younger generation, the brighter Konoha's future.

Nearby, a familiar voice scoffed.

"Hmph, a bunch of idiots. If you want to know about Yuuji and the others, just ask me. I was the first one to work with them."

"Eh? Ikkaku, you're familiar with them?"

"Of course! Those kids are monsters. Are they heading back to the village? I hope their trip goes smoothly."

Umino Ikkaku smiled as he sincerely wished them well.

---

Mutated Insects on the Move

As they traveled, a sudden disturbance emerged.

SQUEAK!

"Ah! Why are the big bugs suddenly going crazy? Shibi-sensei, you have to keep them under control!"

"Big bugs?" Shibi muttered. "A fitting name… but these insects have become too volatile. The only way to stop their rampage is to cut off their chakra supply."

The group looked at the mutated kikaichū skittering around, their rapidly expanding bodies twitching erratically. These insects, now dubbed big bugs, had been growing far more aggressively than expected.

A few of them had even started rampaging inside Shibi's body, forcing him to expel them in time.

"I'll need to spend time filtering through my kikaichū colony, extracting the mutated ones, and selectively breeding them." Shibi summoned several storage scrolls, sealing the insects into a dormant state before tucking the scrolls away.

"Summoning scrolls… truly a convenient technique," Yuuji remarked.

"Are you interested in learning it? I can teach you," Shibi offered.

After resolving the disturbance, the four finally reached Konohagakure.

---

Return to Konoha

Following a strict inspection by the village guards—who verified that none of them were disguised enemies—the team was allowed entry.

Shibi immediately headed toward the Hokage's office to deliver his report, while Yuuji and his teammates were granted some free time.

As they walked through the streets, Yuuji took in the familiar sights.

"Every time I return to Konoha, I feel like this is what true peace looks like. War is such a miserable thing."

Villagers bustled about, children laughed, and the scent of fresh food wafted through the air. The contrast between this peaceful life and the battlefield was stark.

"To protect this peace and fulfill Yuuji-san's dream, I must train harder!" Guy clenched his fists, eyes burning with determination.

"Oh? Guy, so your dream is to fulfill Yuuji-san's dream?"

"Of course! This is youth! Yuuji-san, Kazue, my blood is boiling! I've decided—I'm going to run around the entire village three times… upside down! Do you two want to join me?"

Kazue and Yuuji both sighed.

"No, thank you, Guy. You've worked hard," Yuuji said.

Guy dashed off, kicking up a dust cloud as he sprinted away.

Kazue smiled and turned to Yuuji.

"Now that it's just the two of us… what are your plans, Yuuji-san?"

At first glance, she appeared like an expectant girl awaiting a romantic reply.

But Yuuji knew better.

"Kazue, it seems like you already have something in mind. If I refuse, will you ambush me in the middle of the night to get what you want?"

"Hehe, I wouldn't dare do that. No one knows how many trump cards Yuuji-san has hidden… Or what kind of deal you made with Shibi-sensei. The big bug—that strange kikaichū—surely has something to do with you, doesn't it?"

Kazue's smile remained, but a hint of tension flashed in her gaze.

She was intimately familiar with the power of Yuuji's radiation. To accelerate her growth, she had spent a year recklessly pushing her body to its limits—willingly enduring the torment of radioactive stimulation. It was a painful yet necessary gamble to escape mediocrity.

But now… the moment she saw that insect, an unsettling realization dawned on her.

The power she had relied on, the power that was supposed to be hers alone… was being shared.

That thought filled her with an unsettling sense of urgency.

"Yuuji-san, I've been thinking… and I've made a decision."

"Hmm?"

"I want you to help me train!"