Naruto: Unlocking Kaido Template

"We can't rush into this ghost intercourse nonsense. Let's take him down first. That guy's clearly got some mental issues."

Aburame Zixu rubbed his chin, thinking that ninjas had a way higher rate of mental illness compared to other professions.

And it made sense. Normal people come back from war zones with PTSD—mental stress, hypervigilance, trauma. Ninjas, though? They're living that horror every damn day—murder, assassination, endless missions, and not knowing who'll stab you in the back.

In a certain foreign country, even fireworks could cause people to panic and scatter like it's a warzone. Now imagine that, but every single day for a ninja. It messed with your head.

Even the idea of the Tsukuyomi Plan was rooted in disillusionment. Many ninjas hated the current system. They believed the ninja world was a lie, a fake reality, and wanted to create a new, equal world.

But that world? It only existed in an illusion.

"Which genius came up with that bullsh*t? In a world of illusion, everyone is equal? Yeah right. That's just a lie. Who believes in that crap?" Zixu scoffed. "Freedom? When you're under someone else's genjutsu, even your will doesn't belong to you. Where the hell's the freedom in that?"

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength?

Zixu chuckled and pushed those thoughts aside, heading back to the arena.

The first round of the tournament was wrapping up. Just like he expected, Aburame Hatsuizumi's team had already advanced and was starting their next match.

Zixu planned to wait for the winner. Whoever finished first would go deal with the Sanbi. No need to rush. Sending anyone else would just be luck-based, and worst-case, he could lure Guren and Yukimaru over to bait the Akatsuki. He was good at poaching.

Back at the arena, the other Four Kage stood apart, keeping their distance. There was no point talking. Their villages all had beef with each other, and until a shared enemy came around, unity wasn't gonna happen.

Zixu didn't want to be part of their political mess, so he found a spot with a great view and chilled out.

The announcer was hyped as ever, his mustache twitching like it had a life of its own. Holding the mic tightly, he started introducing the fighters.

"These two competitors are well-known! On my left is Aburame Hatsuizumi. Her last fight ended quickly. She took down her opponent using only the giant beetle behind her. We haven't even seen her true power yet! Will she show it this time?"

He then pointed to the other side, where a guy wrapped in a coat and dark sunglasses stood.

"Her opponent is Aburame Shino, also a skilled insect user. Let's see who's stronger!"

"That was hella lazy..." Naruto groaned from the stands. "That's all he says about Shino? What, just sunglasses?"

Hatsuizumi looked bored at first, but when she saw Zixu watching her from across the arena, she perked up.

"Zixu's watching! I've gotta put on a good show~" she thought, stashing her giant beetle away. That one was solid, way more helpful than Shigure, who just slept and absorbed chakra.

"Shino! Long time no see~" she called out with a cheerful voice. They were from the same clan and knew each other since they were kids.

"Hatsuizumi... you've changed a lot," Shino muttered. That cute, quiet girl from before had become something else. Still cute, yeah, but now she looked like she'd smile while stabbing you.

"Oh? Well, change is life. Anyway, let's fight. It's a battle between Mushi-tsukai (Bug Users), right? But just a heads-up—my bugs aren't like the clan's~" she said, smiling as her eyes narrowed behind her glasses.

"It looks like Hatsuizumi are ready! Let the match begin!" the announcer yelled, still full of energy—but forgot about Shino again.

"I'm ignored again..." Shino sighed. He launched the first strike.

When Hatsuizumi was still in the clan, she was always coming up with weird ideas. Now she'd clearly gone full mad scientist. But her words weren't to be taken lightly—he wanted to see what her insects had become.

Shino lowered his hand, and countless tiny black bugs crawled out of his skin like grains of sesame. They swarmed forward like a tide, forming a solid wave of insects charging at Hatsuizumi.

"I told you... my training path is different from the clan's." Hatsuizumi shrugged, then pinched her fingers lightly.

A crisp click echoed as armor sprouted across her body—dark purple and smooth, laced with strange, glowing patterns. Beautiful in a creepy, mystical way. The armor hugged her form perfectly, no bulk, no excess. Eight spider-like legs extended outward from her back, chitinous and sharp.

With this Kikai Yoroi (Insect Armor), her presence shifted. She casually pointed toward the bug swarm, and Shino's aggressive insects instantly calmed, circling her like loyal pets. Like worker bees to a queen.

"Well, Shino's bugs have the ability to evolve. The resistance they gain isn't huge, but it's still useful to me," she said softly, her tone cold and clinical, yet a smile still played on her lips—a smile that made people uneasy.

"Hatsuizumi has transformed! Could this be the Mushi no Joō (Insect Queen) form? What a surprise development! Can Shino handle it?" the announcer yelled.

Shino backed up quickly. That kind of forced control over other insects was terrifying—especially against another bug user. It basically meant instant defeat for anyone from their clan.

"Huh? Nothing to say?" Hatsuizumi teased. "We're just getting started~"

She snapped her fingers again. A tiny, dragonfly-like bug floated in front of her.

She didn't bother explaining. She just flicked it toward Shino, then used her eight spider legs to lift herself into the air, hovering like a predator ready to watch her prey squirm.

"Shino, this one's called Jūshi (Heavy Death). Total accident when I created it. You'd better be careful. One misstep and... well, you might die~"

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