Start From Naruto: Shino the Dominator

The morning sun cast a warm glow through the windows of Aburame's clan house.

Shino awakened in the body of his clone. Stretching his arms, he rose from his bed and went about his usual routine, preparing himself for the day that lay ahead.

Little did he know that this day would be different from any other, for within the walls of his home, a storm was brewing.

When Shino headed for the dining room, he found his father, Shibi, waiting for him in the living room.

Their eyes met, and a heavy silence settled between them.

Well, Shino had already grown accustomed to these encounters, knowing all too well that his father had something important to discuss.

With a nod, Shibi motioned for Shino to join him, and they took their places, facing each other once again.

Shibi cleared his throat and began, his voice laden with a mix of concern and unease. "Shino, have you heard about the accusations against our clan regarding the theft of the corpses?"

Though his mind raced with knowledge he dared not reveal, Shino's expression still remained impassive, leaking nothing as he replied calmly, "I haven't been officially informed, but I have heard whispers through my own methods."

Shibi nodded, understanding his son's unspoken words. "So, what are your thoughts?"

"I know it cannot be us," Shino paused as if pondering before he continued, "The upper echelons of the village would never allow such a tarnish upon our name to go unnoticed. So, what did they say, father?"

Shibi's eyes reflected agreement, but he spoke words that revealed the harsh realities of their world, "In politics, my son, truth is not always the driving force. There are machinations at play that go beyond what is right or wrong."

A moment of silence passed between father and son, the weight of their shared wisdom pressing upon them.

Then, with a measured tone, Shibi pulled opened the curtains to the political struggle behind the scenes, "That one has approached me, Shino. He demands that more Aburame clan members join Root, promising assistance in finding... 'evidence' to prove our innocence."

Shino's eyes narrowed, his mind piecing together the twisted web that had been spun.

He could already imagine the clan member's dissatisfaction when they learn they are forced to join Root due to the Aburame clan's heir refusal.

A dirty but effective method to divide the hearts of the members of any clan. Truly, it was something that bad old man likes to do.

"A clever ploy. Because I refused his offer, this is the his way of forcing our hand, of disgusting us and creating a rift within our ranks."

Listening to his son's analysis, Shibi's gaze was filled with approval and a father's protectiveness.

He chose his words carefully before responding, "I'm glad you can see this, Shino. My vision wasn't wrong, and I believe you will grow into a competent heir. So, I implore you, my son, do not fall into that man's grasp out of guilt. You are the rightful heir, deserving of protection. Moreover, your mother would never agree to such a sacrifice."

Being reminded of his forgotten mother, Shino arched a brow. Yeah, that's right, his mother definitely won't agree- Huh? Now, that he thinks about it...

Vague memories of her presence lingered in his mind, but she had always felt... absent.

In the story of his life, it seemed as if his mother were a character never mentioned, shrouded in mystery. It was... rather intriguing.

Hoping to unravel the mystery behind her low presence, Shino couldn't help but inquire about her, "Where is Mother?"

Shibi's gaze bore into Shino's, his eyes holding secrets yet to be unveiled.

"She has always been here, my son," he replied cryptically, leaving Shino slightly perplexed.

The answers seemed just out of reach, teasing him from the shadows.

Sensing his confusion, Shibi advised him not to dwell on it, "Shino, the truth would reveal itself in due time."

Then, Shibi emphasized with a firm tone,"Just know that if your mother disagreed with a decision, it would be impossible for me to agree as well."

A playful smirk curved Shino's lips as he quipped, "So, Father, are you truly so obedient when faced with Mother's will?"

Shibi's silence hung in the air, pregnant with unspoken memories and uncharted emotions.

After a moment, he responded with an air of mystery, "In time, my son, you will come to understand."

Before Shino could press for further answers, Shibi turned the conversation back to the critical matter at hand.

"Shino, it's best for you to embark on a mission as a temporary reprieve from the swirling winds of uncertainty. News had reached me of your recent mission failure, but do not lose heart, Shino. Although your own strength had been overshadowed by the recklessness of your teammate, this is also a process of tempering. Eventually, you will break out from your cocoon and shine like a true Aburame."

"Yes, father. The Aburame surely do like to shine by going unnoticed." Shino quipped playfully.

The father and son silently stared at each other with mirthful smiles.

"Don't worry Father, I'll go apply to Kurenai sensei for another mission soon."

Since there's a storm here, let's get out. Steady and efficient.

As Shino made the pledge, he made a mental note in the system, informing Karina to contact Kurenai. The path forward became clearer, with every step bringing him closer to the steady endgame he sought.

Shibi nodded in approval. His son knows when to shrink. As a father, he fears not a cowardly son, but a dead one. So, this was a good thing.

"Shino, do not burden yourself with the affairs of the clan. Father is here, and know that Konoha would not sever one of its own limbs completely for some rumors. The clan's disgust would be a temporary obstacle. As long as you have sufficient strength and intellect, the position of clan head will be stable in your hands, Shino."

His words painted a future in which Shino held the clan in the palm of his hand.

Grateful for his father's silent support, Shino earnestly nodded. "I will work hard."

The affirmation earned him a reassuring pat on the shoulder from Shibi.

His father rose to leave, but just when he got up, a spark resurfaced in Shibi's eyes as if he received a reminder from someone.

Retrieving a scroll, he pushed it towards Shino, "This scroll holds a genjutsu technique your mother had acquired during one of her missions. It is a gift for your teacher, a token of gratitude for her own gift to you."

Oh my. Buy one, get one free!

Accepting the scroll with a sly smile, Shino expressed his gratitude, "Tell mother thanks for me."

Shibi paused for a moment before he said, "She already knows."

Huh? Deep inside Shino's mind, a sense of incongruity bloomed. The vague unease left him feeling something was amiss, a puzzle piece out of place, yet he couldn't quite grasp it.

However, that thought soon evaporated as he watched his father depart from the house, his clone's attention now fully focused on the scroll's contents.

The urge to record its secrets grew, a new record in Shino's growing database of genjutsu.

Meanwhile... within the confines of the underground main base's training ground...

Shino's main body was immersed in a labyrinth of very, very intricate calculations and experimentation, guided by the system database crafted by Karina.

The computation power hummed, its resources dedicated to deciphering the new Flying Thunder God technique and generating potential working variants...

Why variants? Well, did anyone really think Shino could simply learn and use the recorded technique just like that?

The scroll's formula, although present, was merely a vague blueprint, requiring further research to unleash its true power.

Moreover, there was another reason for caution - using the recorded formula could inadvertently expose his location to others who possessed the same knowledge.

For all those who knows the key to the recorded formula seal, it was basically a public space-time coordinate.

Shino definitely didn't want the revived Hokages to teleport into his secret base just because he imprinted a seal in it for his own convenience.

So, Shino had to go the extra mile to resolve this issue. Of course, he isn't doing it alone.

Beside Shino, clones of Karina buzzed with activity, engrossed in their own studies of the Thunder God technique, inscribing the system-generated blueprints into reality.

But these weren't just normal clones. They were clones with their own independent thinking capabilities!

Shadow clone technique – the long overdue B-rank ability, finally put to use!