Shishou's left eye locked onto the golden caterpillar, causing its body to grow rapidly until it reached the evolution threshold.
"Tch, still no special evolution," Shishou muttered, opting to enhance its toxicity before placing the caterpillar back into the breeding space.
Next, he turned his attention to the healing bug. With his newly awakened Hashirama's power, using the Mangekyou Sharingan no longer significantly affected his vision. However, it still consumed chakra and ocular power.
A few minutes later, the healing bug also reached the evolution threshold. Unfortunately, this bug too lacked a special evolution.
"It seems the higher the insect's level, the higher the chance of special evolution," Shishou mused, selecting detoxification as the evolution path for the healing bug and storing it back in the breeding space.
Both the golden caterpillar and the healing bug required two days for evolution, during which time Shishou couldn't disturb them.
For the next week, Shishou remained in his secret lab, utilizing shadow clones to learn fire nature chakra transformation, Hashirama's Wood Release, and senjutsu while accelerating the evolution of the golden caterpillar and healing bug.
Once the healing bug was ready for further evolution, Shishou didn't proceed immediately. Instead, he waited until the golden caterpillar was also ready and evolved them simultaneously.
Healing Bug Information:
Mutant Healing Bug: Rare species, evolved nine times, ready for further evolution.Evolution is irreversible, proceed with caution.Choose evolution path:Path 1: Life Healing Bug: Rare species, capable of detoxifying and healing human injuries with potent hemostatic effects.Path 2: Detox Healing Bug: Rare species, capable of detoxifying and healing human injuries with strong detoxification abilities.
Considering his current resources, Shishou chose Path 2 for its strong detoxification capabilities.
Golden Caterpillar Information:
Golden Caterpillar: Rare species, evolved nine times, ready for further evolution.Evolution is irreversible, proceed with caution.Choose evolution path:Path 1: Rainbow Caterpillar: Rare species, thrives in shade, causes redness and itching at the sting site, difficult to heal with conventional methods, quickly cured with its secretions, and has the ability 'Poison Sting.'Path 2: Rainbow Emperor Moth: Rare species, emits slightly toxic phosphorescent powder with hallucinogenic effects.
Shishou opted for Path 1, valuing the additional ability.
Evolution Timeline:
Healing Bug evolution time: 60 days.Golden Caterpillar evolution time: 60 days.
"The first evolution took 30 days, now it's 60 days for the second," Shishou noted, slightly frowning at the extended timeline.
Over the next few days, Shishou continued his training in Wood Release and Uchiha Fire Release, patiently waiting.
Finally, he received the notification.
Phosphorus Worm Information:
Legendary species: Nano Poison Worm, reproduces by consuming biological cells and energy.
Shishou noticed a key change: the Phosphorus Worm could now survive in the air indefinitely.
System Notification:
Congratulations, host, for evolving an epic insect into a legendary species for the first time.Breeding space +3.Received a random insect package containing a mother insect of random grade.Evolve epic or higher insects three times to further expand the breeding space and receive more packages.
Amused by the identical package appearing in the air, Shishou exaggeratedly exclaimed, "Wow, a package!" before muttering a prayer.
"Goddess of Wisdom, please bless me."
"..."
"Eris's bust is padded..."
After his nonsensical prayers, Shishou pulled the ribbon to open the package.
System Notification:
Congratulations, host, on receiving a rare insect species: Armor Bug.
"An armor bug?" Shishou thought, disappointed at first, until he read the description.
Armor Bug Information:
Can attach to the host's body, providing a perfectly fitted armor, enhancing defense. The armor model can be customized.
Excited by the potential, Shishou attached the Armor Bug to his hand to test its capabilities. Gray-white particles surrounded him, forming a sleek, black samurai armor.
The armor shifted, transforming into a Genji-like suit from Overwatch.
"Looks cool," Shishou nodded approvingly. The armor was light, providing significant defense.
"This will be more useful for Mikoto and the others," Shishou thought, canceling the transformation and accelerating the Armor Bug's growth with his Mangekyou Sharingan.
Armor Bug Evolution Information:
Rare species, ready for evolution.Choose evolution path:Path 1: Functional EnhancementPath 2: Defensive Enhancement
Curious about the functionality, Shishou hesitated until a system prompt offered a third option.
Special Evolution: Energy Absorption
Can absorb part of the damage received and convert it into energy for the host.
Stunned by the potential, Shishou chose the special evolution.
"Could this evolve into something like a Kamen Rider suit?" Shishou mused, choosing the special evolution.
After several days of continuous evolution, the Armor Bug gained another special ability: Physical Enhancement.
Physical Enhancement Information:
Enhances the wearer's physical attacks, speed, and defense by 20%.
Satisfied, Shishou left his lab after nearly a month, heading to Fire Source City. In front of Uzuki Yugao and Anko, he scooped up Mikoto and carried her to her bedroom.
"Put me down," Mikoto protested, her face flushed.
Ignoring her, Shishou tossed her onto the bed and followed, indulging in a long-awaited reunion.
...
In a massive cave, the Gedo Statue's ten fingers extended, palms facing upwards, with ten spectral figures appearing on each hand.
Standing on the right thumb, Pain surveyed the members below and coldly ordered, "Report... Sasori, you first."
After each Akatsuki member reported their mission, Kakuzu spoke up.
"I've received information that the Flying Thunder God user will appear near Sand Dune City in the Land of Wind this month, intending to purchase a mine through the black market."
Since Akatsuki didn't know Shishou's name, they referred to him as the 'Flying Thunder God user.'
On the left thumb, Uchiha Obito asked, "Is the information reliable?"
Kakuzu shrugged, "Not reliable. This came from the black market. If you're interested, you can investigate. The informant's address is..."
Having been terrorized by Shishou's Wood Release, Kakuzu avoided direct contact, ensuring the information passed through several intermediaries.
"Hmph, Kakuzu, you dare present unreliable information," Kisame sneered.
"Ah, Kisame," Kakuzu retorted dismissively, immediately silencing Kisame.
Feeling slighted, Kisame threatened, "Be careful out there, Kakuzu."
Having received Hashirama cells to heal his limbs, Kisame's confidence soared, but Kakuzu wasn't intimidated.
Pain intervened, instructing, "Zetsu, investigate."
"I'll be in the area. Notify me if you find the Flying Thunder God user," Pain added.
"Yes, Leader," White Zetsu responded.
With that, Pain ended the meeting, and the members dispersed.