Chapter 69: When a Bug Man Asks for Help, You Say Yes Before He Unleashes His Swarm

"So that's how it is. With no Sharingan… I guess that means I won't ever master that technique."

Kasumi let out a sigh, her shoulders slumping in disappointment.

She had recently grasped Lightning Release and was beginning to use it to stimulate her physical body, improving her speed and responsiveness. She was well aware of what it felt like to move at high velocity, and just how dangerous it could be without enhanced perception.

Without the Sharingan, controlling something like Chidori was nearly impossible. The jutsu required precise control and awareness in high-speed motion. Without that, the technique became more of a liability than a weapon, especially for someone with limited chakra reserves like her.

"It's not about copying it directly," Garou said as he dismantled their gear and made sure the training area showed no signs of their presence.

"Chidori, at its core, is just an application of nature transformation with added shape transformation."

He looked over his shoulder, smirking faintly. "Who says shape transformation has to be so limited?"

Kasumi's eyes sparkled. "You mean there's another way?"

Kakashi smiled to himself. He had developed multiple variants of Chidori over the years, including some that bypassed its weaknesses. Still, he was curious.

What will this boy come up with?

Garou paused and then continued casually, "For example, instead of maintaining the entire technique in your hand, why not integrate the lightning chakra into a blade, a kunai, or even needles or projectiles?"

"Or you could spread it across your body like a lightning armor," he added.

"Another option is to release it in a burst at the moment of impact, instantaneous, no buildup."

He demonstrated, raising a hand.

With a gentle swirl, a Rasengan formed in his palm, no hand seals, no delay.

Kakashi nodded approvingly.

"Seal-less execution. That's a viable solution. I've considered that path too, though I haven't worked it out yet."

He glanced at Garou again.

This kid was walking the same path he had, but faster.

"Of course," Garou continued, "you could also just train your body until it can handle the speeds involved. Like Guy-sensei, he doesn't need a Sharingan to react at insane speeds."

"True," Kakashi muttered, hands in his pockets. "But you need constant battle experience for that kind of growth. And in an era of peace, that's… difficult."

He turned to Tenten. "You still have a sealing scroll, right?"

"Yeah? You want me to seal something?"

"We'll be escorting a shipment of ninja tools soon. Help me store them in your scroll later."

"…Seriously?" Tenten looked at his retreating figure with disbelief. Then she clenched her fist.

"That had better not be revenge! Petty old man!"

Still, she obediently pulled out the scroll and sealed away the four prototype tools.

As she worked, Garou turned to her. "By the way, Tenten, are you interested in sealing techniques?"

"Of course I'm interested," she replied with a sigh. "But sealing arts don't seem interested in me."

Tenten wasn't lying.

She had spent a ridiculous amount of time mastering basic sealing just to handle scrolls properly. Her academic scores had shot up because of it, but progress beyond that had been painfully slow.

Garou shook his head. "I'm not talking about complex, high-level stuff. I mean basic but useful techniques, like the Binding Formation."

"Wait… you think I could actually learn those?" Tenten asked, intrigued.

"Sure. You've already studied the fundamentals. Those two are within reach if you put in the effort."

As they walked, Tenten's mind started turning.

He wasn't wrong.

With all the hours she had poured into sealing theory, learning a couple of practical techniques didn't sound impossible.

Besides, hadn't Garou used the Binding Formation recently to trap enemies in combination with his absorption barrier?

That had worked brilliantly. Maybe there's no such thing as a 'weak' jutsu, only weak shinobi.

Tenten smiled, motivated. "You really are something, Garou."

But after a few steps, something struck her.

'Wait a minute…'

Ever since she joined Garou's team, her study load had been piling up. At first, it was just ninja tools. Now it was forging, ninjutsu, and sealing techniques too.

She glanced sideways at Kasumi. Kasumi had started with just blade and assassination training, then added Lightning Release. That was it.

"Why am I learning more stuff than Kasumi?" Tenten asked, squinting at Garou.

"Is that really the point here?" he replied with a raised brow.

"Isn't it?!" Tenten placed her hands on her hips, refusing to drop the subject.

"Because you have a broader knowledge base and higher potential," Garou said seriously. "If you want to become a jonin, just knowing how to throw ninja tools isn't going to cut it."

Tenten huffed. "Then we should push her to catch up too."

'You can never win a logical argument, not even in this world,' Garou thought wryly.

But in truth, Tenten's complaints never lasted long. She knew he was trying to help her improve. It might be tiring, but the results were undeniable.

Her growth since teaming up with Garou had been tremendous.

—

"That mission was almost too easy."

"Seriously. It felt like the Hokage just handed us a free pass."

"You don't think he's trying to brush us off with filler work, do you?"

Kakashi was about to reassure them when he suddenly tensed. Just as they approached the mission desk, he felt a subtle but unmistakable presence watching them.

He looked up.

Standing nearby was a tall man in the signature dark cloak and shades of the Aburame Clan.

"Shibi?" Kakashi called out.

He didn't miss the brief glance Shibi gave toward Garou.

Kakashi thought. 'He's not here for me. He's after Garou. But why? Does he think Garou knows something about the Aburame insects?'

Shibi remained silent for a moment, then turned to Garou.

"I'd like to request your help with something."

Garou blinked. "You're here for me?"

Shibi nodded.

Kakashi stepped in. "Go ahead, Garou. I'll take care of the paperwork."

"Thanks, sensei."

Garou followed Shibi to a quiet corner outside the building. Once there, Shibi extended his hand, and a small swarm of kikaichū insects dispersed into the air, acting as a natural privacy shield.

Then he spoke.

"One of my clansmen was poisoned on a mission recently."

"I heard your clan's insects can break down most toxins," Garou said. "Was it something specifically engineered to target them?"

"Exactly." Shibi's voice remained neutral, but there was a glint of approval in his eyes.

'This kid really is sharp.'

"The poison spreads through the kikaichū and infects the host. It's clearly designed to disrupt our unique symbiosis." Garou frowned slightly.

Targeted insect-based poisons sounded like the Kamizuru Clan's handiwork, but they'd been nearly wiped out. The survivors were scattered and held little power in Iwagakure these days.

He shook his head.

No point guessing.

This wasn't part of the original timeline. I don't have enough intel to draw conclusions.

And besides, no one knew he was a reincarnator. It wasn't like anyone expected him to have all the answers.

"You want me to help create an antidote?"

"Yes."

Shibi's answer was short, direct.

"Do you still have a sample of the toxin? I can give it a try. But I've been a little busy lately, it might take time."

"That's fine."

Shibi didn't expect a quick fix.

Antidote research was never fast.

"Though…" Garou's eyes lit up suddenly. "I just thought of something. It's not a perfect solution, but it might work."

"Oh?" Shibi leaned forward. "What did you have in mind?"

"…Have you considered poisoning yourself?"

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