After obtaining military rations pills from Akimichi Jihmaru, Shigeo Aburame, freed from some financial constraints, saw his strength improve rapidly over the next six months.
The number of chakra-consuming bugs (Bikōchū) in his body skyrocketed from 1,000 to 2,000! With the chakra fed back from these 2,000 bugs, the ordinary destructive bugs he maintained reached an impressive total of 20,000.
Such a swarm size was considered top-tier among the Genin of the Aburame clan.
However, Shigeo didn't flaunt his prowess. Even when selling destructive bugs to the clan's chitin-refining workshop, he reduced the quantity slightly to keep a low profile.
Caution was his priority.
But sometimes, caution alone isn't enough. When trouble finds you, there's no avoiding it.
That night, after synthesizing 20 more chakra-consuming bugs, Shigeo was about to go to bed when a sudden commotion outside caught his attention.
Moments later, the chaotic sound of approaching footsteps echoed.
Peering through the window, Shigeo saw a group of ninja with fan symbols on their uniforms running past.
His brows furrowed at the sight.
"What's the Konoha Police Force doing in the Aburame clan compound?"
Puzzled, he quickly dismissed the thought with a chuckle.
"Never mind. It's not like it's my problem. The clan elders will handle it. I just need to sleep."
With that, he turned and headed for his bed.
But as he reached it, he froze, his expression shifting uncertainly.
Living alone, Shigeo had always been cautious, even within the clan's compound. Whether attending the Academy or resting at home, he would leave surveillance bugs around his yard as makeshift cameras and alarms.
Moments ago, one of these bugs transmitted an image: **a stranger had broken into his house!**
Normally, he might dismiss it as a thief. But with the Konoha Police Force rushing by, could this person be a mere thief?
What kind of thief could evade the Uchiha clan's infamous "red-eyed rabbits"?
"This person is a ninja!"
Upon reaching this conclusion, Shigeo quickly slid under his bed and released a swarm of destructive bugs.
These bugs swarmed onto the bed above, forming a human figure that gradually took on Shigeo's appearance.
**Aburame Clan Secret Technique—Bug Clone!**
Unlike the illusionary clones taught at the Academy, the bug clone was a tangible entity capable of inflicting real harm.
However, Shigeo had no intention of fighting. The bug clone was merely a precaution.
If the intruder left, all the better. But if they entered his room, the clone could buy him precious seconds to escape.
Still, Shigeo felt this wasn't safe enough. He released the rest of his ordinary destructive bugs, keeping only 2,000 chakra-consuming bugs in reserve.
"With these, I can always rebuild my swarm even if the others are wiped out."
Satisfied with his foresight, Shigeo commanded the bugs to form another clone and hide in the wardrobe.
He devised a plan:
- If the intruder entered, the bed's bug clone would draw their attention.
- Meanwhile, the wardrobe's bug clone would flee through the door.
- When the intruder pursued the escaping clone, Shigeo would leap out the window to safety.
Still, it didn't feel foolproof.
Frowning, Shigeo popped a ration pill into his mouth to replenish his chakra, then used another clan technique:
**Secret Technique: Bug Cocoon!**
This technique rapidly consumed chakra to hatch and breed a fresh swarm of bugs, which crawled out from his sleeves.
The new swarm formed yet another clone, which Shigeo placed by the window.
"This one will jump out the window. There's no way they'll expect me to still be under the bed!"
Feeling more confident, Shigeo held his breath and monitored the intruder via his surveillance bugs.
By now, night had fully fallen, and the courtyard was shrouded in darkness. But through the bugs' vision, Shigeo could see everything clearly—including the intruder's trembling shoulders and bloodied arm.
"He's injured?"
A spark of hope lit Shigeo's face, bolstering his confidence in escaping.
Fighting was still off the table, though.
Even if the intruder was injured, what if they were a high-ranking ninja with a Kekkei Genkai? A wounded elite could still obliterate him with ease.
Caution was paramount!
Shigeo prayed that the Konoha Police Force wouldn't pursue too closely, giving the intruder a chance to flee. Once they left, Shigeo would be safe.
But just as this thought crossed his mind, a loud shout echoed outside:
"There's blood by the wall here! He must've climbed in from here. Surround the area! Move in and capture him—don't let him escape!"
Shigeo: "…"
*You've gotta be kidding me.*
You're ninja, aren't you? Can't you use hand signals or silent communication? Why the heck are you yelling and alerting the enemy?!
What a disgrace to ninja!
Suppressing a string of mental curses, Shigeo braced himself for the intruder to panic and storm his room.
Sure enough, as the police force closed in, the intruder, cornered, burst into Shigeo's room.
In that instant, Shigeo's bed-bound bug clone stood up under his control.
The intruder instantly dashed behind the clone, clamping a hand over its mouth and twisting its neck.
The disguise broke, and the swarm of bugs scattered with a rush, then swirled back to envelop the intruder completely.
Meanwhile, the wardrobe and window clones sprang into action, rushing for the door and window respectively.
But before they could escape, a loud "thud" signaled the intruder collapsing onto the bed, completely wrapped in bugs.
As the swarm dispersed, they revealed a pale, wide-eyed face, mouth agape in terror.
Under the bed, Shigeo stared in disbelief.
"That's it?"