The morning sun had fully broken over the trees, casting long shadows across the Aburame compound. Eli was already outside, crouched at the base of a tall tree, his venom-influenced swarm crawling over his arms and legs. Hundreds of tiny insects moved in a coordinated rhythm, responding instantly to his chakra. Their fast reproduction over the past months had created a thick, dense swarm, large enough to give him subtle control advantages—but he kept it hidden, as always.
Calyx stirred quietly beneath his skin, a soft ripple Eli had learned to sense like a second heartbeat.
"Your stance is off," Calyx murmured. "Shift your hips slightly. Balance."
Eli adjusted, feeling the swarm cling and slide along his limbs, helping him sense the smallest micro-movements. "Better?"
"Slightly. Don't relax yet."
He stepped onto the first branch, letting chakra flow into the soles of his feet, feeling every muscle and tendon adjust. The branch trembled lightly, but the bugs responded instantly, forming a delicate mesh that distributed his weight. He climbed higher, focusing on rhythm and precision rather than speed.
"Slow, controlled. Don't rush," Calyx reminded him.
Eli smirked slightly. "Slow and controlled, huh? That's basically my life mottoBy mid-morning, he had moved to the river, a small tributary curling behind the compound. Standing on the water was trickier than tree climbing—the current demanded constant micro-adjustments. He focused chakra into his feet, letting it spread evenly. One slip sent him plunging into the river, the swarm buzzing to stabilize his movement in tiny adjustments.
"You're still tense," Calyx noted. "Relax your shoulders. Flow with it."
Eli exhaled slowly and tried again, balancing for four seconds before slipping, then six. The bugs hummed, sensing the current and nudging him subtly.
"Better," Calyx said, almost approvingly.
"Barely," Eli muttered, grinningAs dusk fell, Eli climbed to the roof to survey the village. His mother called softly from inside. "Dinner soon, Eli!" Warm and supportive, she never interfered. His father remained silent in the corner, quietly reading. Eli liked the balance—support without intrusion.
"Tomorrow," Calyx whispered beneath his skin, "shuriken guidance with the swarm. Precise. Invisible. No suspicion."
"Good," Eli said, feeling the soft evening wind on his face. The village looked peaceful, normal, almost too calm. But that didn't matter—he had his swarm, his secret partner, and steady control.
He allowed himself a small smile before slipping inside. Step by step, bug by bug, shuriken by shuriken, he would prepare quietly. The Chūnin Exams were far away, but Eli knew his secret training would give him an advantage no one in Konoha would see coming.Later, Eli retreated to his hidden study beneath the house. His father's scrolls lay open: tree-walking, Body Flicker basics, chakra breathing, and basic shuriken guidance. Though his father rarely spoke to him, these scrolls were enough for Eli to continue learning in secret.
With Calyx quietly assisting, he traced chakra paths with his finger, imagining the bugs moving in sync. "Too much chakra there. Smooth it." Calyx's guidance was purely practical—no commentary on the ninja world, just subtle, movement-based advice.
Eli practiced a leaf-sticking exercise on his forehead. It stayed a fraction of a second longer than yesterday.
"Better," Calyx said.
"Better is enough for now. Step by step," Eli replied.
As dusk fell, Eli climbed to the roof to survey the village. His mother called softly from inside. "Dinner soon, Eli!" Warm and supportive, she never interfered. His father remained silent in the corner, quietly reading. Eli liked the balance—support without intrusion.
"Tomorrow," Calyx whispered beneath his skin, "shuriken guidance with the swarm. Precise. Invisible. No suspicion."
"Good," Eli said, feeling the soft evening wind on his face. The village looked peaceful, normal, almost too calm. But that didn't matter—he had his swarm, his secret partner, and steady control.
He allowed himself a small smile before slipping inside. Step by step, bug by bug, shuriken by shuriken, he would prepare quietly. The Chūnin Exams were far away, but Eli knew his secret training would give him an advantage no one in Konoha would see coming.
Later, Eli retreated to his hidden study beneath the house. His father's scrolls lay open: tree-walking, Body Flicker basics, chakra breathing, and basic shuriken guidance. Though his father rarely spoke to him, these scrolls were enough for Eli to continue learning in secret.
With Calyx quietly assisting, he traced chakra paths with his finger, imagining the bugs moving in sync. "Too much chakra there. Smooth it." Calyx's guidance was purely practical—no commentary on the ninja world, just subtle, movement-based advice.
Eli practiced a leaf-sticking exercise on his forehead. It stayed a fraction of a second longer than yesterday.
"Better," Calyx said.
"Better is enough for now. Step by step," Eli replied
Months passed. Seasons shifted, bringing warmer air and fresh leaves. Eli had grown taller, his movements sharper, his chakra control smoother. His bugs had multiplied further, forming a thick, dense swarm now crawling along his limbs and shoulders.
Calyx remained quietly under his skin, nudging, adjusting, and stabilizing his balance during exercises.
Shuriken practice had improved—still imperfect, but far better than most children his age. He could hit targets with reasonable consistency, guiding weapons subtly with the swarm. Tree climbing and water walking were easier, though he still struggled occasionally. His chakra flow was smooth and controlled, basic elemental understanding of wind, lightning, and water began, but he had yet to manipulate them fully.
Other skills—genjutsu avoidance, taijutsu form, and jutsu comprehension—were competent but ordinary. He blended in perfectly with normal students while hiding the true edge he had gained through secret training and Calyx.
Eli's first day at the Academy arrived with a crisp morning breeze. He arrived early, his swarm neatly concealed beneath his sleeves and clothing, moving with a quiet, constant hum. Most of the children were busy chatting, laughing, and running around, but Eli kept to the edges, observing, analyzing. He had already decided: blend in, stay unnoticed, and only show what was necessary.
Calyx shifted under his skin as Eli walked. "They're everywhere. Focus."
Eli nodded, keeping his posture relaxed. He had mastered enough chakra control to make the swarm invisible to casual observation, and his movements were smooth, natural. When a classmate bumped into him, his reflexes allowed him to catch the small rock the other boy had dropped and return it without drawing attention.
Even during basic warm-up exercises, the swarm subtly assisted his balance and precision, nudging micro-adjustments in his movements. He didn't need anyone to know—he didn't want anyone to know.
Eli felt the quiet satisfaction of someone who was preparing, learning, and already ahead. The Academy would see just a normal, competent kid. The real edge—Calyx, the swarm, and his secret training—remained invisible, ready for when the world would truly test him.weight, helping him stay steady.
He placed a leaf on his forehead and focused on keeping it attached with chakra. It stayed longer than in previous attempts. A small, satisfied grin formed on his face.
"Good. Progressing," Calyx noted. "Keep attention on core balance."
Eli nodded. He didn't need to explain what he was doing to anyone else—just keep training, keep improving, and blend in. The Aburame kids in the class glanced at him occasionally, avoiding interaction. They didn't know why, and Eli didn't care. That quiet separation suited him perfectly.
By the end of the day, Eli was exhausted but satisfied. His body had moved through dozens of exercises, his chakra had flowed steadily, and his swarm had performed flawlessly in the background. He kept meticulous notes in his head about where he could improve and where the bugs assisted without being noticeable.
On the way home, he found a few yen coins near the marketplace and smiled. A small reward for a small day. He decided to visit Ichiraku Ramen after dinner, slipping quietly through the village streets, careful not to draw attention.
Calyx hummed faintly beneath his skin. "Rewarding yourself is logical."
"Not just logical," Eli said with a grin. "It's delicious."
As they walked together, hidden in plain sight