A New Path

As the match between Ino and Kin concluded, the latter was escorted out of the arena by the medical team, her movements sluggish, head still spinning from Ino’s final attack. The fight had been decisive, and while Kin had shown some skill, she had ultimately underestimated her opponent. Now, all attention turned back to the board, anticipation thick in the air as the next match was about to be decided.

The screen flickered for a moment before settling on the next two names.

Shino Aburame vs. Kankuro

A quiet hum of interest moved through the observing genin and sensei. This was a match many hadn’t given much thought to before, but now that it was happening, it held a certain intrigue.

On the sidelines, Kurenai Yuhi crossed her arms, her sharp crimson eyes narrowing in thought. With Hinata and Kiba still being treated by medics, Shino was the only member of Team 8 currently in the arena. She stepped forward slightly, catching the attention of her ever-calm student.

"Shino," she called, her voice quiet yet firm.

The boy in question turned his head slightly toward her, his expression unreadable beneath his high-collared coat and dark glasses.

"I don’t know much about Kankuro’s fighting style, but given that he’s from the Sand, be prepared for something unorthodox. The Sand Village shinobi are known for their trickery—don’t underestimate him."

Shino nodded, pushing his glasses up slightly. "Understood, Kurenai-sensei. I will observe carefully and adjust accordingly."

He spoke with the same unwavering composure he always carried, but Kurenai knew that under that calm exterior was a highly analytical mind. Shino wasn’t the type to rush into battle blindly—he would study his opponent and strike when the time was right.

Without another word, Shino descended the stairs, his hands tucked into his pockets, every movement precise and controlled. He stepped into the center of the arena, his posture relaxed yet prepared.

Up on the Sand Siblings' side of the balcony, Temari exhaled through her nose, sending a glance toward Kankuro.

"Don’t get too cocky down there, Kankuro," she muttered, her arms folded across her chest.

Kankuro scoffed, rolling his shoulders as he stepped forward. "Relax, Temari. This is gonna be an easy one. Bugs? Seriously?" He smirked as he leaped down from the balcony, landing opposite Shino with casual confidence. "I’m not losing to a guy who lets insects fight his battles."

Temari sighed, shaking her head. She knew her brother was strong, but she also knew that arrogance could be a downfall in a fight. Unlike Gaara, who carried a quiet but terrifying certainty in his abilities, Kankuro had a habit of underestimating opponents.

Down in the arena, Shino remained utterly impassive in the face of Kankuro’s taunts. He merely adjusted his sunglasses, tilting his head slightly.

Hayate Gekko stepped forward, his expression was as tired as ever. He coughed into his fist before speaking.

"The next match: Shino Aburame vs. Kankuro. Begin!"

Shino stood still, his unreadable gaze locked onto Kankuro. He wasn’t the type to rush in blindly—observation was key. His insects had already begun to spread beneath the surface of his coat, sensing the chakra in the air, waiting for his command.

His eyes, hidden behind dark lenses, swept over his opponent, taking in every detail. The cocky swagger in Kankuro’s stance. The confident smirk. The way his fingers twitched slightly, as if itching to move. But most notably, the large wrapped object on his back.

Kankuro reached behind him, his fingers easily unlatching the bundle. The sound of clasps unhooking echoed across the arena. He moved with a dramatic flourish, setting the object down with deliberate slowness as if relishing the moment. The cloth fell away, revealing a humanoid wooden figure, covered in joints and hidden compartments.

A puppet.

For a moment, the tension in the air thickened. The atmosphere shifted. This was something uncommon. Even those in the stands who weren’t fully aware of the Sand’s shinobi techniques could tell—this was different from the fights they had seen so far.

Kankuro cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as he flexed his fingers. A confident smirk tugged at his lips.

"Tch. I’ll be honest with you, bug boy. You might as well forfeit now. Once this starts, you won’t even know how you lost."

Shino remained completely unshaken, his silence unnerving in its steadiness. Instead of answering, he merely adjusted his glasses again, letting the sunlight briefly reflect off the lenses.

"Oi, what is that thing?" Naruto was the first to break the silence, his expression scrunched in confusion as he leaned forward over the railing.

"It’s a puppet," Harry muttered, eyes narrowing as he took in the strange wooden construct.

Sakura frowned slightly, glancing toward Kakashi. "I’ve never heard of shinobi using puppets in battle. How does that even work?"

Kakashi hummed in thought before answering, his tone calm but laced with something deeper—respect, maybe even wariness.

"That’s because it’s a technique exclusive to the Hidden Sand. Puppetry is a highly specialized shinobi art, one that requires precise chakra control, dexterity, and years of training to master." His lone eye lingered on the arena below as he continued. "It’s a skill the Hidden Leaf has never been able to steal or exploit. The Sand Village has guarded its secrets well."

Sakura’s brow furrowed. "So it’s not like ninjutsu or taijutsu? It’s its own thing?"

"Exactly," Kakashi nodded. "Puppet users, or puppeteers, control their creations with chakra threads, invisible to the naked eye unless you know what to look for. A skilled puppeteer can control multiple at once, turning each into a deadly weapon. Inside those puppets are hidden mechanisms—traps, blades, poisons, and sometimes even explosives. They aren’t just lifeless dolls. Every part of them is designed to kill."

Naruto paled slightly at that. "That’s kinda creepy."

Sasuke crossed his arms, watching Kankuro carefully. "So, if Shino gets caught off guard, this fight will be over fast."

Kakashi glanced at him, his usual lazy expression unreadable. "That depends. Puppetry relies on distance. If Shino gets in close, it won’t matter how good Kankuro is."

Sakura exhaled slowly. "This fight is going to be tricky, then."

As if on cue, back down in the arena, Kankuro lifted his fingers—the invisible threads of chakra connected to his puppet tensed.

Shino remained still, but beneath his coat, his insects stirred.

The match was about to begin.

Shino remained motionless, his gaze hidden behind the reflection of his dark glasses. He was already analyzing every movement Kankuro made, piecing together his strategy.

From what he could tell, Kankuro’s primary method of attack revolved around his puppet—keeping himself at a safe distance while Karasu did the fighting.

But there was one flaw in that plan.

Kankuro relies entirely on his puppet.

Shino’s hands remained tucked into his coat as he subtly gave his insects their first command. Beneath the fabric, his colony moved with purpose, crawling invisibly along the ground, hidden in the arena’s dust. They were already on their way to their target—Karasu.

Meanwhile, Kankuro smirked, raising two fingers as his chakra threads flexed.

"Let’s see how long you last!"

With a sudden burst of speed, Karasu lunged.

The puppet's body twisted unnaturally midair, joints clicking into place as its arms extended with a sharp metallic hiss. Then—with a snap—its limbs unfolded further, revealing multiple hands, each gripping a katana.

Four blades gleamed under the arena lights.

Gasps erupted from the crowd as Karasu swung, its movements eerily fluid despite its wooden frame. The first slash cut through the air toward Shino’s neck—only for him to sidestep effortlessly, shifting just out of reach.

But Kankuro wasn’t done.

With a flick of his fingers, Karasu twisted mid-motion, adjusting its angle and bringing its other blades down in a rapid flurry of slashes. Each strike was fast, precise, and merciless.

Shino’s movements were smooth, and calculated. He leaned back just enough for a katana to slice past his nose, then ducked low as another aimed for his side. Karasu’s speed was impressive, but Shino had been watching the subtle pulls of Kankuro’s fingers.

He’s controlling everything manually. If I read his movements, I can predict the attacks before they come.

Another blade came for him—this time from above. Shino pivoted, stepping to the side at the last possible second, the katana barely missing his shoulder. The air around him hummed with the force of the missed strike.

Kankuro clicked his tongue. "Not bad. But let’s see how long you can keep dodging!"

He jerked his fingers sharply.

Karasu’s body suddenly contorted again—its torso spinning unnaturally as its lower half locked into the ground. Its blades struck out in a spiraling motion, aiming to catch Shino off guard.

Shino didn’t move.

Instead, he tilted his head slightly, sensing something.

Kankuro’s smug expression faltered.

Karasu was slowing down.

It was slight—so subtle most wouldn’t notice—but Shino had been counting the speed of its strikes. And now, there was a fraction of a second of hesitation between each movement.

They’ve begun eating through the wood.

Beneath Karasu’s frame, Shino’s insects had already infiltrated the puppet, chewing away at its joints. Hidden inside the puppet’s hollow body, they gnawed at the delicate chakra thread mechanisms woven through its structure.

Kankuro didn’t realize it yet.

But soon, his weapon wouldn’t be able to move at all.

Shino’s fingers twitched ever so slightly under his coat. His next move was already in motion.

The fight was only beginning.

As Shino stood poised for his next move, the subtle creak of Karasu’s wooden joints filled the silent tension in the arena. His insects had burrowed deep into the puppet’s frame, their microscopic jaws devouring its wooden structure and disrupting its inner mechanisms.

Kankuro’s fingers twitched—and then Karasu stopped moving entirely.

The puppet suddenly jerked unnaturally, its once-fluid movements now stuttering, limbs seizing up as if paralyzed. A moment later, the damage reached its peak—a sharp crack ran through Karasu’s body before it completely collapsed in on itself.

Then, with a loud poof of smoke—Karasu vanished.

Shino’s hidden eyes widened behind his glasses.

"A... clone?"

A flicker of realization passed through his mind. He had anticipated resistance, a struggle, anything—but not this. His insects had successfully infiltrated Karasu, yet the moment they dealt critical damage, it simply disappeared. That could only mean one thing—the Karasu he had been fighting had never been real.

A slow chuckle broke the silence.

"Looks like you figured it out," Kankuro’s voice drawled.

Shino turned his head slightly, his posture still unreadable. His mind was racing, analyzing the situation at a rapid speed. If that puppet had been a clone, then—

Where’s the real one?

Kankuro raised his arm, fingers forming a casual seal. The air around them shimmered for a split second—then, like a thin layer of glass being shattered, the illusion broke.

Standing before Shino, completely intact and unharmed, was the real Karasu.

Shino didn’t react outwardly, but his stance subtly shifted. He had been caught in a genjutsu—and he hadn’t even realized it.

"Man, you’re pretty smart, but you couldn’t even see through it, huh?" Kankuro grinned, his tone dripping with confidence. "You Aburame guys are a pain, but from what I can tell, your bugs can eat through basically everything." He gestured at his puppet, flexing his fingers as Karasu’s head twisted slightly in a disturbingly lifelike manner. "So, I had to throw you off first."

The arena buzzed with murmurs as the spectators processed what had just happened.

Up in the stands, Team 7’s expressions were mixed.

Naruto’s eyes were wide, eyebrows furrowed as he leaned forward. "Wait, what?! That thing was a clone the whole time?! How?!"

Sasuke, arms crossed, narrowed his eyes at the scene below. "He caught Shino in a genjutsu before the fight even started."

Harry frowned slightly. A genjutsu so subtle that Shino didn’t notice? That was impressive—deceptive in a way that was different from the illusion-based tricks he had seen so far.

Sakura blinked before scowling. "I hate puppet users."

Naruto shot her a questioning look. "What? Why?"

"Because they’re sneaky."

Kakashi hummed, placing a hand on his chin as he observed the battle with interest. "Ah, Kankuro’s quite good at deception. He understands that puppets have a weakness—once they’re broken, it’s over. So instead of risking that, he let Shino attack a fake." His eye curved into a smile. "Smart move."

Naruto huffed. "Tch, yeah, yeah. But don’t count Shino out just yet!"

Sasuke didn’t say anything, but he was watching Shino carefully. Something about how calm the Aburame remained was unsettling.

From a distance, Kurenai observed her student intently.

"A genjutsu on Shino?" The thought alone was surprising. Shino wasn’t the type to fall for simple tricks, which meant Kankuro was better at deception than she initially expected. She narrowed her eyes slightly. This fight isn’t over yet.

On Team 10’s side, Ino crossed her arms, her nose scrunched in frustration.

"Ugh, I hate fighting people like this! It’s all about tricking your opponent instead of just beating them down!"

Choji, munching on a bag of chips, nodded sagely. "Yeah, it’s kinda annoying."

Shikamaru, however, sighed, rubbing his temple. "Kankuro’s not just using deception—he’s forcing Shino to play by his rules." He exhaled, his sharp eyes flickering with intrigue. "Shino’s going to have to figure out a way around that... or he’s in trouble."

Asuma smirked slightly, taking a slow drag from his cigarette. "Well, I’d say this just got a lot more interesting."

Temari exhaled, crossing her arms as she eyed her brother in the arena.

"Cocky bastard," she muttered under her breath.

She had warned him not to get too full of himself. And yet, there he was, grinning like an idiot because he managed to trick Shino once.

"Tch. Don’t get ahead of yourself, Kankuro."

She knew her brother well—his overconfidence was his biggest flaw. He was skilled, yes, but if he underestimated Shino again, this fight wouldn’t go the way he expected.

Shino adjusted his glasses.

So he uses clones and genjutsu in tandem with his puppets.

Interesting. That meant Kankuro wasn’t just a long-range fighter—he was a strategist.

But that didn’t change the fact that puppets had one critical weakness. It was made with wood, wood that Shino’s bug could eat through.

A faint hum vibrated through the air.

Beneath his coat, Shino’s insects moved again. If deception was Kankuro’s greatest weapon... then Shino would simply have to counter it. The match was far from over.

However, the moment Karasu’s clone had been exposed, Kankuro didn’t hesitate—his fingers twitched, chakra strings shifting in an instant.

POOF!

A cloud of smoke erupted, and in the next second, another Kankuro appeared beside him.

Shino’s brows barely lifted. A Clone Jutsu? That was unusual for a puppet user. Most long-range fighters didn’t bother with clones, as they preferred to keep their enemies at bay.

But this was different.

Two Kankuros. One was likely a clone, the other the real one. Karasu lurked behind them, its wooden joints subtly shifting, the sound nearly lost in the chaos.

He’s trying to keep me occupied.

Shino barely had time to react before both Kankuros shot forward at the same time. This was a tactical shift. Unlike before, where Kankuro played defensively, letting deception take the lead—this time, he was forcing Shino into close combat.

The first Kankuro lunged with a spinning kick, aiming for Shino’s ribs. Shino sidestepped, but the second Kankuro was already moving, hands forming quick seals before a kunai slashed toward Shino’s blind spot.

Shino ducked. Too direct. This was the clone.

With a flick of his wrist, he sent a kunai slicing through the second Kankuro’s chest—

POOF!

—it dispersed into smoke, confirming it was fake.

But in that split second—

Karasu struck.

The puppet’s mouth snapped open, spewing out a thick purple mist in all directions.

Shino’s first instinct was to jump back, but it was too late. The fine, violet mist engulfed him. It had no scent, no taste—but the moment it touched his skin, he felt it.

A strange, creeping sensation flooded his limbs.

It wasn’t chakra-based or a genjutsu.

But the world around him shifted. The solid ground beneath him suddenly felt like it was tilting. The arena blurred, colors smearing at the edges of his vision. His balance was off.

What…?

His footing faltered for half a second—just a half-second.

And in that small window, Kankuro laughed.

"You’re probably wondering what that is, huh?"

Shino’s fingers twitched, but his usual precision was... lagging.

"Don’t worry, it’s not poison," Kankuro continued, his smirk widening. "If it was, you'd already be on the floor."

Shino’s head swam, but he steadied himself, feet planted firmly despite the overwhelming dizziness.

"It's just a little something I cooked up—nothing lethal, just enough to mess with your balance." Kankuro’s smirk was absolutely infuriating. He tilted his head, watching Shino’s still figure with amusement. "Feels like the whole world’s spinning, right?"

Shino remained silent. But inside, he was already analyzing.

The mist wasn’t just a simple irritant—it disrupted equilibrium. The dizziness wasn’t natural, meaning his inner ear had been affected. That means it’s an airborne drug...

A miscalculation on his part. And Kankuro was taking full advantage of it. But he underestimated Shino.

Kankuro barely had time to react before Shino collapsed into a writhing, shifting mass of insects.

"Wha—?!"

His body stiffened in shock as the bugs—a thick, buzzing wave—lunged at him and Karasu.

The real Shino, completely unharmed, stepped forward from the shadows, hands calmly tucked in his pockets. His ever-present sunglasses concealed his gaze, but the tilt of his head made it clear—he had already won.

Kankuro stumbled back, his usual cocky demeanor cracking. His fingers twitched, chakra strings desperately trying to command Karasu—but it was useless.

The bugs swarmed over Karasu, sinking into its joints, and gnawing through its limbs like termites.

"Shit—!"

The puppet’s wood cracked and splintered, its mechanisms jamming as insects burrowed deep inside. The poison mist that had once given Kankuro the advantage did nothing against the relentless swarm.

And that wasn’t the worst of it.

His own body was next.

The insects crawled up his legs, his arms, his back—thousands of them. Tiny legs skittered over his skin, biting, draining his chakra, sucking away his strength.

His fingers twitched. He couldn't move properly.

How?!

Kankuro’s eyes snapped toward Shino, realization hitting him like a brick wall.

"You… You used genjutsu?"

Shino gave the slightest nod. "A simple illusion."

Kankuro’s mind raced—when had Shino even done that? He’d assumed Shino only relied on his bugs!

"You never got caught in my mist, did you?"

Shino was quiet for a moment before speaking again.

"No."

Kankuro gritted his teeth.

"Then that clone I was fighting…"

Shino didn’t answer. He didn’t need to.

It was never him. The moment Karasu had sprayed the mist, Shino had already begun his counter. He had cast a genjutsu on himself—keeping himself completely hidden. Meanwhile, his bugs had created a perfect clone of him—one that had played right into Kankuro’s hands.

Kankuro had been fighting nothing but insects the entire time.

Naruto leaned forward, eyes wide. "Whoa! That was awesome, dattebayo!"

Sasuke narrowed his gaze, analyzing the battle in silence. He had expected Shino to be methodical, but this level of deception had caught even him off guard. He made Kankuro think he had the upper hand the entire time...

Sakura, who had originally been watching with mild curiosity, now had a hand on her hip. "That was actually kind of impressive," she admitted.

Harry, still getting used to shinobi battles, was thoughtful. A battle of deception… It's like chess, but with deadly consequences. He glanced toward Kakashi, expecting some sort of commentary.

Kakashi, however, simply chuckled. "You should always be wary of quiet opponents."

Kurenai allowed a small, proud smile to cross her lips. "Shino executed that perfectly."

She had no doubt that, if Kiba had been here, he would’ve been ranting about how unfair bug users were. And Hinata? She would have been quietly impressed. Instead, Kurenai just crossed her arms, pleased that her student had once again proven how dangerous he truly was.

Shikamaru sighed, shaking his head.

"Of course, he had a plan."

Ino smirked. "I gotta admit… that was pretty cool."

Choji, still munching on a bag of chips, nodded. "Man, I’m glad I don’t have to fight him."

Asuma chuckled, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Shino’s the kind of opponent people underestimate. Kankuro just learned that the hard way."

Temari’s brows furrowed. This wasn’t good.

"Tch." She crossed her arms, shifting her weight. "Kankuro got too cocky. Again."

Gaara, silent as always, merely stared.

If he was surprised, he didn’t show it. But his attention lingered on Shino longer than usual.

Back in the arena, Kankuro gritted his teeth. His body was getting weaker by the second. The bugs continued to swarm over him, draining him dry of his charka.

He had no choice but to admit defeat.

"Tch… I forfeit!"

The proctor, Hayate, immediately stepped forward. "Winner—Aburame Shino."

The bugs pulled back at Shino’s silent command, retreating into his coat. He turned without another word, heading toward the stairs.

Kankuro, still recovering from the chakra drain, clenched his fists. He had lost.

But next time—next time would be different.

Kankuro let out a heavy huff as he yanked Karasu's broken remains off the arena floor. The puppet was a mess—its limbs barely hanging on, joints clogged with bug-eaten splinters, and the inner mechanisms utterly ruined.

"Dammit..." he muttered under his breath, adjusting his grip on what was left of his prized puppet. He could already tell—he'd have to rebuild the entire thing from scratch.

With a final scowl at the battlefield, Kankuro stomped his way back up to the stands, Karasu’s damaged parts clanking in his grip. The moment Kankuro reached the stands, Temari was already waiting.

Arms crossed, she raised an eyebrow at him, a smirk tugging at her lips.

"Wow. That was pathetic."

Kankuro twitched.

"Oh, shut up, Temari."

Temari chuckled, shaking her head. "You got played like a damn fool. That Aburame guy made you think you had the upper hand the entire time—" she paused for dramatic effect, "—and you actually fell for it. Seriously? A puppet master tricked by a genjutsu?"

Kankuro growled.

"Like you have room to talk!" He whipped around, jabbing a finger at her. "You didn’t even beat your opponent! That weakling just gave up! You didn’t do a damn thing!"

Temari’s smirk vanished and her eye twitched as she glared at her older brother with murderous intent. Gaara, standing nearby, remained silent, his cold gaze flicking between his bickering siblings.

Temari scoffed, flipping her fan onto her shoulder. "Whatever. At least I didn’t get my ass handed to me."

Kankuro grits his teeth but doesn’t retort. He just turned with a final grumble, heading toward the railing. He set Karasu’s broken parts down, rolling his sore shoulders.

Meanwhile, Shino calmly ascended the stairs, his pace unhurried.

His expression remained unreadable behind his high collar and dark glasses, but beneath his exterior, he was beaming. He could still feel the residual hum of his kikaichū inside his coat—his silent allies, his hidden strength. They had done their job flawlessly.

As he reached his sensei, Kurenai greeted him first.

"Well done, Shino."

Shino nodded respectfully. "Thank you, sensei."

Kurenai gave him a small, proud smile. "That was a perfect execution of deception. You manipulated your opponent into a false sense of control and exploited his overconfidence. A true shinobi tactic."

Shino, ever composed, merely nodded again but beneath his collar, he was undeniably pleased.