Weekends were spent with Mito, learning medical knowledge, sealing techniques, and Barriers, while weekdays were for school. Miki's days were ordinary and commonplace.
She learned a lot at school, mainly focusing on the basics of being a Shinobi, primarily honing her body and learning Ninjutsu. As she grew older, her various attributes would naturally increase to a certain extent.
Chiri, Hitomi, and Miki were inseparable all day, going everywhere together. Gradually, Miki grew accustomed to their clinginess.
She thought of them as two attachments, quite useful for running errands.
The first winter since starting school brought heavy snowfall as expected. Everything was pristine white, pure and dazzling.
The Village's winter festival was lively. Traveling merchants set up stalls on the streets, offering a dazzling array of goods that made people linger.
Chiri had saved money for nearly a year and finally had a place to spend it.
"Does it look good?"
The little girl, wearing a simple floral print yukata, stood gracefully before Miki, a cute little cat mask pinned to her head.
Chiri asked.
"Mm," Miki replied.
"What about me?" Hitomi, also wearing a cute yukata, asked, her face flushed with shyness, perhaps from the cold. She held an apple candy, and with her pure, flawless Byakugan, she was as delicate as snow.
"Kawaii," Miki complimented without emotion.
"What do you mean? Who's cuter, after all!" Chiri said, displeased.
Hitomi also looked at Miki expectantly. At least in terms of appearance, she was confident.
She could win!
Miki glanced at the two and said coldly, "I'm cuter."
"What do you mean? There's such an answer!?" Chiri was a little displeased and said, "We've known each other for so long, and we haven't even seen your face!"
"I'm definitely cuter than you two," Miki said. "As long as I don't take off my mask, everyone will imagine how cute I am, and then imagine me as the cutest version they can think of."
Is that so?
"That's too sly!" Maybe I should wear a mask too?
Chiri thought of this.
Hitomi nodded in agreement, then looked at the cute bird masks sold by the vendor.
"Hmph, boring," Miki said, stepping forward.
This winter ended happily and peacefully amidst a magnificent fireworks display.
The three of them watched the fireworks bloom.
Until they faded into the dark sky.
If life could continue like this forever, it would be wonderful.
Facing the sky, everyone made different wishes.
"What did you wish for, Miki?"
"It's a secret."
"Then mine is a secret too."
"What about Hitomi?"
"Secret…"
Konoha Year 15 ended.
The Second Shinobi World War advanced silently.
But no matter when, death would come.
Miki could smell death.
It wasn't decay, nor despair.
It was just an ordinary smell.
She thought she would die that winter, but she survived, only to die in the spring when everything revived.
The most beautiful season of the year.
The sun was bright that day, perfect for an outing or for lounging at home, basking in the sun.
According to her wishes, she was not buried in the Konoha Heroes' Cemetery but chose the ancient Insect Burial.
Since ancient times, to prevent outsiders from obtaining information about their clan, the Aburame Clan would choose to let their Insects consume their bodies.
Living in symbiosis with insects, dying with insects.
Not many people attended the funeral, almost all of them were from the clan; no outsiders came to observe.
The taciturn clan members said little; the only sound echoing in the venue was Yumi's heartbreaking cries.
She knelt outside the final Insects swarm, crying as if she might faint at any moment.
Miki had seen such a scene once before when the Leaf Ninja brought back her father's remains.
A bag of Insects husks, a broken Kunai, a Konoha headband.
That was all that person left behind in life.
That person died in such a way.
This was the Shinobi's destiny.
And also the Aburame's destiny.
"Mushi-Hime, say something," Old Man Shihō looked at Miki, his voice filled with sadness.
The clan members silently turned to look at Miki.
Despite her small stature, she stood exceptionally tall.
This is the future pillar of our clan.
Every Aburame knew this, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"There's nothing to say."
Miki said.
"Secrecy, secrecy, and still secrecy!"
"Like insects, whether in sunlight or darkness, to survive in secrecy is the meaning of my clan's existence."
"Living is stronger than anything."
"And I will lead you to live."
"No matter if we face strong winds or heavy rains, my clan will always stand firm on the earth, like insects!"
The Insects swarm consumed the last of the body, and the insects stopped in place, their vital signs fading one by one.
They committed suicide.
Their master was gone, and their own existence had no meaning.
Only empty husks remained on the ground.
"Disperse!"
Miki presided over the final ritual of the funeral.
The moment she spoke, the Aburame instantly vanished in unison, none hesitating at Miki's command.
Miki, who remained, stepped forward and gently helped her mother, who was on the verge of fainting.
"You still have me, don't be too sad."
At her words, Yumi clung tightly to Miki, crying with suppressed pain.
Tears soaked Miki's chest.
"Old Man Shiyū wouldn't want to see you like this."
Miki gently patted Yumi's back.
After the funeral, Miki's life continued as usual, plain and simple: studying, studying, and more studying. Miki greedily absorbed all sorts of knowledge from Mito.
Mito didn't mind teaching all the secret techniques of the Senju Family to the three of them.
Days passed without much change; the three of them remained inseparable as ever.
Two years later, Old Man Shihō died. Three years after that, Old Man Shihu also died.
Miki presided over their funerals.
One died in the scorching summer, the other in a winter of heavy snowfall.
Her feelings were the same as that day years ago.
She couldn't cry.
Only felt deep sadness.
Six years had passed. Miki had graduated from the Ninja Academy and officially become a Konoha Genin.
After doing D-rank missions for a while, Miki and the other two entered the Konoha Hospital.
They started with odd jobs, accumulating experience in healing.
This went on for four years.
Tsunade, upon learning of this, clamored to join them.
She was tired of endless missions outside the Village.
Konoha Year 25, summer. The footsteps of the Second Shinobi World War seemed to subtly echo in Miki's ears.
"The curtain is about to rise, isn't it?"
Looking at the brilliant rising sun on the horizon, leaning against the third-floor railing of the Hospital, Miki said softly.
"Time really flies…"
Looking at the slender figure of the beautiful girl with wavy black hair leaning against the railing, Chiri said with a smile, "Yes, it really does fly."
"Where's Hitomi?" Miki asked.
"She was too tired and fell asleep," Chiri said, leaning against the wall. "What's about to start?"
"No, nothing," Miki shook her head.
She looked down at the blonde, ponytail girl doing morning exercises on the playground below.
"Big Forehead!" Miki called out.
"Do you want to die, you damn Insect Woman!" Tsunade instantly turned around and roared from downstairs.
"Tsk…" Miki clicked her tongue.
The World War II was still a long way off; sixteen-year-old Tsunade was still flat-chested.
When will she grow up…
"When will you grow up? Don't make Tsunade angry! She's super scary right now!" Chiri said grumpily, looking at the diamond-shaped Yin Seal mark on Tsunade's forehead.
Although she had one too.
"I'm used to it," Miki said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Summer is back again."
Miki said with a smile.
"You come up here, Big Forehead!"
"You come down here!!! Insect Woman! I'll beat you to death!!" Tsunade roared.
Chiri burst out laughing.
The story is now transitioning. All the early explanations have been given, and there's nothing particularly interesting to write about for now. Next will be the true Shinobi World.
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