Konoha: Gu Master

"See you later, Shinho-kun," Hinata said, her small face showing a hint of reluctance.

Being with Shinho not only allowed her to see all sorts of new and interesting things, but it also made her feel happy and at ease, free from the usual restraints she felt elsewhere. Unlike with her father—every time she saw him, she felt a sense of oppression.

Hmm. Maybe I can imagine Father as a radish? Hinata tilted her head, pondering this possibility.

Shinho arrived at the Forest of Death.

This was a marvel created by Hashirama Senju's Wood Release ninjutsu.

In the forest, one could hear all kinds of animal sounds.

In other words, many creatures lived here.

Shinho's target was wild boars.

Both his Black Boar Gu and White Boar Gu required pork as food.

Moreover, to refine the White Jade Gu, he needed wild boar tusks.

Ordinary wild boar tusks might not meet the standards, so he planned to hunt a Wild Boar King to increase his chances.

Shinho halted his steps. Bronze-colored true essence surged under his feet as he climbed up a tree.

Parting the dense foliage, he spotted a herd of wild boars ahead.

The largest one—the Wild Boar King—was drinking water by the riverbank.

After a brief thought, Shinho devised a simple plan.

With a focused mind, he infused true essence into his Jade Skin Gu.

Soon, his skin emitted a pale jade hue, resembling fine jade.

Shinho leaped down directly.

The sudden noise startled the herd.

The nearest wild boar immediately reacted, it rushed toward him, intending to tear him a new one, with its tusks.

Shinho neither dodged nor evaded, extending both hands to press against the boar's head, engaging in a direct contest of strength.

The wild boar couldn't advance an inch.

Frustrated, it opened its mouth wide, snapping repeatedly but always falling just short of biting Shinho.

Wild boars are incredibly strong.

Yet Shinho still felt at ease.

He slightly loosened his grip.

The wild boar bit down on him.

Its sharp tusks actually developed cracks.

The boar stood there, dazed.

Shinho nodded in satisfaction.

The Jade Skin Gu's defensive power was indeed astounding.

Perhaps in the future, he could imitate Hashirama Senju stabbing himself with a kunai.

Back then, what was Madara Uchiha thinking to actually believe that act?

Shinho could only think of one possibility:

Madara Uchiha: "This is love!"

Hashirama Senju: "I love you too!"

One had to admit, the God of Shinobi had a bit of a mischievous streak.

More wild boars charged toward him.

Shinho stood his ground.

Bone Lance Gu!

A bone spear materialized out of thin air, speeding forward.

It soared over the herd, heading straight for the Wild Boar King at the back.

Blood splattered.

The Wild Boar King was pierced through.

Clenching his fists, Shinho faced the oncoming wild boars, taking them down one by one with his punches.

He didn't engage in unnecessary slaughter.

After all, the Black Boar Gu and White Boar Gu only needed to consume two pigs every five days.

In a short time, all the wild boars were knocked unconscious.

Shinho exhaled a breath.

He walked over to the Wild Boar King and released his Black Boar Gu and White Boar Gu.

The two Gu worms quickly devoured it until only bones remained.

Shinho picked up its tusks.

[The wild boar tusks meet the requirements.]

[Do you wish to refine the White Jade Gu?]

[After refinement, the Jade Skin Gu and White Boar Gu will disappear.]

Shinho pondered for a moment and decided not to proceed.

He was currently a Rank One Gu Master, and the White Jade Gu was a Rank Two Gu, which would consume more true essence.

He didn't need it for now; he could wait until he advanced to Rank Two before refining.

In the original work, although the Black Boar Gu and White Boar Gu were Rank One Gu, their value was comparable to Rank Two.

Besides the permanent increase in strength, they could be used alternately.

They could enhance the entire Aburame clan.

Shinho hadn't yet figured out how to utilize them.

He needed a reasonable explanation, perhaps disguising it as a kekkei genkai.

Therefore, he had to plan carefully.

Moreover, the achievement system might grant duplicate Gu.

Shinho returned to the wooden house.

After bathing and changing clothes, he took the Flower Nectar Wine and headed to Tsunade's residence.

He raised his hand to knock but received no response.

"Are they both not home?"

Shinho took out a key and opened the door.

On the table, he saw a note from Shizune stating that she and Tsunade had gone to the casino.

Shinho shook his head.

In less than three days, Tsunade had reverted to her old habits.

Indeed, Konoha's reputation for "gambling, debauchery, and vice" was well-deserved.

He set down the Flower Nectar Wine, sat on the sofa, and focused his mind into his aperture.

Kaikachu, the standard insect given to him by his father now soaked in the sea of bronze-colored true essence—its black shell now subtly exhibited a jade-like quality.

At the very least, its aesthetic appeal had greatly improved.

He wondered about its power after the modification.

If it was enhanced, it would mean that true essence was indeed effective.

Then he could conduct a second experiment:

Have the modified Kaikachu produce offspring.

Shinho collected his thoughts and began cultivating.

"Damn it!"

Tsunade left the casino, grinding her teeth. "My luck is getting worse and worse; it must be because I returned to Konoha!"

Shizune was speechless.

Your luck has always been terrible; it has nothing to do with Konoha.

Of course, she didn't dare say this aloud and could only complain inwardly.

"Has that kid returned from school yet?" Tsunade looked at the sky and asked.

"He should be home by now," Shizune replied.

Tsunade paused for a moment and subconsciously quickened her pace.

"Lady Tsunade."

An unexpected voice suddenly called out.

Tsunade turned to look.

It was Hiruzen Sarutobi.

But he wasn't alone; beside him stood a blond-haired little boy.

Tsunade drifted into memories.

Has Kushina Uzumaki's son grown this much already?

"Naruto, this is..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi was about to introduce them but was interrupted.

"I know! She's Shinho's teacher," Naruto Uzumaki said with a bright smile. "Granny Tsunade!"

"Granny?"

A vein popped on Tsunade's forehead, and her right hand involuntarily clenched into a fist.

"He's just a child; he doesn't understand," Hiruzen Sarutobi said with a hearty laugh.

He hadn't seen Tsunade make this expression in a long time; it brought back memories.

"Of course!" Tsunade replied, glancing at the milk and instant noodles in Hiruzen's hands. She asked, "His name is Naruto?"

She recalled that "Naruto" was the name of the protagonist in Jiraiya's novel.

Sounded like something Minato Namikaze would do.

"Naruto Uzumaki," Hiruzen Sarutobi said meaningfully.

At the same time, he gave her a pointed look.

Because Tsunade knew Naruto's true identity.

But now wasn't the time for that to be revealed.

He bore the surname Uzumaki, not Namikaze.

Tsunade understood but couldn't help feeling a pang of disappointment.

The Hiruzen Sarutobi of her youth wasn't like this.

She waved her hand and turned to leave.

Hiruzen Sarutobi remained silent.

Naruto scratched his head.

He felt that this Granny Tsunade was a bit strange.

"Naruto," Hiruzen Sarutobi resumed his usual demeanor and asked, "What do you think of Shinho?"

"Um... he's a good person!" Naruto thought for a moment and replied.

"A good person?" Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help but smile.

Indeed, only children cared about good or bad.

He already knew about Shinho Aburame's interactions with Naruto through his crystal ball.

From the current standpoint, it was indeed promising.