The destructive power of the explosion beetles, created from a combination of blood beetles and explosive tags, completely exceeded Aburame Shigeo's expectations.
However, upon reflection, it seemed only logical.
The original explosion beetles, created by fusing rations beetles with explosive tags, were already several times more powerful than regular explosive tags.
The blood beetles synthesized using Nagato's hair contained 100 times the chakra of a single rations beetle.
Even more astonishing, the blood beetles derived from Nagato's cells held 500 times the chakra of the rations beetle!
By that calculation, the two explosive blood beetles Shigeo just deployed had an explosive force equivalent to thousands of explosive tags detonating simultaneously.
Such power made leveling an entire bandit stronghold laughably easy—though admittedly a bit extravagant.
In the past, Shigeo would have been reluctant to use blood beetles for crafting explosive beetles, but now things were different.
The exclusivity of Wood-Style parasites meant he could no longer host other parasite species within his body and had to rely on external options.
Externally housed blood beetles couldn't replenish his chakra and could only serve as weapons.
His 20-plus years of battlefield experience taught Shigeo that explosive beetles were the most efficient weapons.
Their stealth, versatility across terrains, immense power, and wide area of effect made them the nightmare of many shinobi.
Shigeo's reputation among the Cloud shinobi as the "Black Demon" owed much to these deadly insects.
Such a useful tool deserved to be carried forward.
The only issue now was that the explosive blood beetles were almost too powerful.
During the recent explosion, the blinding light and deafening thunder could be seen and heard from miles away.
The sight reminded Shigeo of the time he witnessed Minato Namikaze teleport a Tailed Beast Bomb from Kurama away from Konoha.
Terrifying.
"If this thing exploded near me, what kind of defense or vitality would I need to survive?"
Shigeo doubted even he could endure such a blast unscathed.
"Absolutely no close-range use. Otherwise, I'd end up like that idiot Deidara."
In the original storyline, Deidara self-destructed in an ultimate explosion to kill Sasuke, using his own body as the catalyst.
Even Sasuke only survived by summoning Manda, the boss snake of Ryuchi Cave, as a meat shield.
Manda was obliterated, leaving behind an intact corpse, while Deidara was reduced to nothingness.
Shigeo had no intention of following their example. He resolved to only deploy explosive blood beetles from a safe distance. Otherwise, he'd become the next Deidara!
Thinking of Deidara, Shigeo recalled that Nagato had mentioned finding a new partner for Sasori. That partner was likely him.
In the original storyline, Deidara became Sasori's second partner, and fans often referred to them as the "Art Duo."
With this in mind, Shigeo turned to Sasori.
"Sasori, since Orochimaru isn't here, let's head back to the organization's base. Didn't the leader say your new partner was already lined up?"
"Yes."
Sasori nodded, then turned to Shigeo.
"Honestly, I'd prefer if you were my new partner. Your bugs would be very useful for my puppets."
"Oh?" Shigeo raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Can your puppet techniques control insects?"
"They can't."
Sasori shook his head, then explained with a rare hint of excitement.
"The human puppets I create can use the jutsu and kekkei genkai they had in life, though it costs me chakra. But your insects are unique."
He continued with growing enthusiasm.
"Once your bugs enter the chakra pathways of a human puppet, they generate an endless stream of chakra, almost as if the puppet were alive again. It's amazing!"
"Uh…" Shigeo blinked. "And then?"
"…"
Sasori gave him a look that screamed, *Are you even listening?* before elaborating.
"With their own chakra source, the puppets' jutsu and kekkei genkai become stronger. Most importantly, they can sustain longer combat times!"
"Got it!"
Now understanding, Shigeo grinned.
"I didn't realize my bugs were so useful to you. Let's make a deal—I'll sell them to you. How about 100,000 ryō each?"
"…"
Sasori didn't respond, but the look on Hiruko's puppet face clearly said, *Are you stupid, or do you think I'm stupid?*
Shigeo was impressed by the expressiveness of the puppet but realized he might have overcharged.
He quickly spread his hands in a conciliatory gesture.
"Business is all about negotiation. Sasori, name your price—I'm reasonable."
"10,000 per bug."
Sasori slashed the price by tenfold but added a sweetener.
"I'll talk to Kakuzu when we get back and make sure he stops bothering you."
"Deal!"
…
Sasori was as ruthless as he was trustworthy.
Upon returning to the Akatsuki base, his first move was to pierce one of Kakuzu's hearts with Hiruko's venomous tail.
Poison coursed through Kakuzu's body, leaving him stunned and helpless on the ground.
"Sasori, what is the meaning of this?"
"Kakuzu, I need a word with you," Sasori said coldly.
"I don't want you bothering Shigeo anymore. Agree to this, and I'll give you the antidote."
Kakuzu: "…"
*Do I have a choice?*
Feeling the poison creep toward his remaining hearts, the centuries-old shinobi could practically feel Death's breath on his neck.
Faced with the threat of demise, Kakuzu grudgingly agreed.
"Fine. I'll leave him alone. Now give me the antidote."
"Remember your promise."
Sasori handed over a vial of purple antidote, but just as Kakuzu reached for it, a pale hand snatched it away.
"So this is the antidote!"
Shigeo held the vial aloft, admiring its striking color with genuine awe.
"Such a beautiful and practical piece of art. It'd be such a shame to use it. Don't you think, Kakuzu?"
Kakuzu: "…"
*I think you want me dead.*
Watching Shigeo's admiration, Kakuzu's face twitched with suppressed rage.
"What do you want?"
"Kakuzu, I need a word with you."
Shigeo's expression turned cold, mimicking Sasori's earlier tone.
"I want an additional 20 million ryō per year for the cell cultivation lab. Agree to this, and I'll give you the antidote."
Kakuzu: "…"
*You're exploiting me, aren't you?*
Glaring murderously at Shigeo, Kakuzu had no choice under the shadow of death. Grinding his teeth, he spat out a single word.
"Fine!"
(Chapter End)