Start From Naruto: Shino the Dominator

Rushing through the dungeon, the trio's search finally led them to Kiba, imprisoned in a decadent cage that seemed to mock his vibrant spirit.

"Kiba-kun!" Hinata's voice rang out, filled with relief and joy. Aiya, she was really not suitable to be a ninja, for many reasons.

Kiba's gaze lifted, his eyes brightening as he spotted his comrades. Leaping up, Kiba rushed towards the edge of the cage, grinning in excitement.

"Yaho! I knew you'd come for me, Hinata, Kurenai sensei!" Another dunce. So, much for leaving no clues behind.

Fortunately, the poor boy's excitement was tampered out when he saw Hinata instinctively stepping back away from the cage.

Kiba paused in place, a flicker of confusion clouding his expression, "What's wrong, Hinata?"

Hinata, her heart heavy with regret, lowered her head, her fingers fidgeting nervously.

In her kindest tone, she did her best to soften her blow, "Kiba-kun... I-I think you might need... need... a shower."

Hinata uses [Spurn]. It was... Super Effective!

For a moment, Kiba's jubilant expression was almost shattered by this critical blow.

However, he quickly recovered, laughing off the suggestion while awkwardly hiding his hand behind his head, "Haha... yeah, I think so too! I must smell like bugs!"

Yet, his clenched fist betrayed his hidden turmoil. Those words were probably going to stick like a nightmare, wasn't it?

As if she hadn't done enough already, Hinata poked her fingers together, shyly saying, "Ano... Shino-kun doesn't smell..."

Keying in that something was wrong, Kiba finally tore his eyes away from Hinata, landing on the culprit, "Oh. You're here too, Shino. Yo, don't stand there and do nothing-"

With a simple click, the cage door swung open, granting Kiba his long-awaited freedom.

Oh. Kiba reined in his words, his expression changing on the fly, as if nothing has transpired.

"Yahoo! Freedom!" Kiba stepped out, his nose twitching and locating Akamaru, his loyal companion.

Running up to the little dog's cage, he grasped the bars and waved at Shino to urge him, "Shino, unlock Akamaru's cage while you're at it! Hurry up, you're like a snail!"

Despite his rude remark, Shino complied, his deep eyes fixed on Kiba's back, a silent mocking crossing them. Oh, he'll play along. Once they are out... he can't wait to see his struggles that lay ahead.

Kurenai, ever observant, caught the Shino's venomous gaze. Glancing at Kiba, her gaze was filled with empathy.

She understood the weight of their circumstances and the punishment that might be required of Kiba in the future. Poor boy, but... teacher is also helpless.

Meanwhile, the oblivious Kiba scooped Akamaru into his arms, showering him with affection, "Akamaru, I won't let this happen to you again, I promise!"

After petting the unconscious dog and eliciting some subtle responses, Kiba's gaze finally shifted towards the other children in the dungeon, meeting their eyes filled with a mixture of hope and longing.

The blood immediately flowed to Kiba's head and he immediately commanded, "Shino! Open the rest of the cages, we need to save them!"

But Shino remained silent, his stoicism unyielding.

"Oi, Shino! Can you not hear me?!"

Still getting no response, Kiba angrily rushed over, "Shino, are you deaf?! I said to-"

But before his anger could fully erupt, Kurenai intervened, blocking in between Shino and Kiba, declaring in a cold, firm voice.

"Kiba, remember. As ninjas, we cannot interfere in the affairs of the nobles. Unless you are willing to abandon your ninja career or become a rebel nin, we are bound by the rules that govern us."

"Kurenai-sensei! Not you too!" Kiba's teeth clenched in frustration, huffing with anger and incredulity.

"Aren't we supposed to protect the weak and helpless?" Kiba's free hand pointed at the innocent children. "If not, what's the point of being a ninja then?!"

The somber Kurenai fell silent for a moment, her gaze filled with sorrow.

After a moment, she simply uttered the bitter truth that gnawed at their hearts.

"This is the cruel reality of our world. We are bound by the rules, forced to make difficult choices. We can protect many people with our strength, our comrades, our friends, families, village, but... we can't interfere with the affairs of certain existences, unless we possess enough strength to challenge and reshape the rules themselves..."

As if realizing she said something wrong, Kurenai shook her head, advising with caution. "Let us not dwell on these dangerous thoughts. We must focus on the battles we can win, on the lives we can save within our reach. As for the rest, we can only report it and wait for the ones above to make a decision."

"Damn it." Kiba cursed softly, his fists clenching with his sharp nails digging into his palms...

But in the end, he could only accept reality.

With heavy hearts and unsaid words lingering on their tongues, the four members of Team Kurenai silently made their way out of the dungeon, leaving behind the darkness that welcomed disappointment and despair once more...

There was no trouble getting out, even with the heavy burden they were carrying.

Back on the bustling streets of Oujisama city, the group silently made their way to the mansion to turn in their task.

"Oh, you finished your mission! Oh good, very good. As expected of a group led by a jonin. Here, take your commission and you're free to go..."

The commission they had received from the noble attendant, with a fake smile plastered on his face, did little to alleviate the somber mood and confusion that enveloped two members of the team. When did they complete the mission?

Once outside the confines of the city, Kiba couldn't contain his curiosity any longer.

He turned to his teacher, his eyes searching for answers, "Kurenai sensei, what about our mission?"

Kurenai's eyes shifted ever so subtly towards Shino, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them.

She took a moment to compose her heart before responding in a measured manner, "I had already completed the mission after I made my escape... The dangerous elements have been cleared."

Rubbing the dazed Akamaru's head, Kiba grinned slightly, "So, we pass-"

"No. This mission was a failure," Kurenai's voice took on a more critical edge. "An absolute failure."

Kiba's grin became stiff while Hinata bowed her head lower, fidgeting her fingers, even though the person being reprimanded wasn't her.

Kurenai's red eyes bore into Kiba, reprimanding him harshly, "Kiba, your reckless choice to separate from the team was not very smart. I've taught you three how important teamwork is. Yet, you actually let your arrogance get over your head. Ignoring orders, carelessly running into a trap, and even... bringing harm to your companions."

There was a hint of something deeper hiding within her words, yet she didn't let the two innocent members dwell on it, swiftly redirecting the conversation, "You cannot afford such failures in your future missions. Without my guidance, a failure of that magnitude could lead to irreversible consequences - death… or worse."

The shadows of unspoken truths danced in her eyes, mingling with a subtle undercurrent of reluctance and sorrow.

A hidden glance towards Shino revealed a depth of meaning that her words could not fully convey, before she sighed, warning in a softened voice, "My time with you is limited, and one day you three will have to set off on your own. I hope you have learned your lesson this time."

Kurenai swept her gaze over her other two student, her words bearing the weight of disappointment and concern, "Kiba, I hope you restrain your recklessness and control your attitude. There is always a price for failure, even if you are not the one paying for it. Remember that well."

Kiba nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze fixed on Akamaru as he absentmindedly stroked his loyal companion.

Kurenai contemplated continuing her reprimand, her intent to reinforce the gravity of their failure.

There were dangers that lurked in the depths of their world, and even in their squad.

So, the harsher she was, the better it was for them in the future. There were fates worse than death, and Kurenai hoped that her students would never have to experience them.

But before she could utter another word, Hinata, unable to bear witnessing the relentless chastisement any longer, made a gentle plea in defense of Kiba. "Kurenai sensei, Kiba-kun will do better next time..."

"Hinata," Shino placed a hand on her shoulder. With a shake of his head, Shino attempted to convey the necessity for Kiba to understand the severity of their circumstances. "Kiba needs to understand-"

However, before he could finish his sentence, Kiba's cheeky voice cut through his words with an outburst of frustration. "I get it! I get-"

But in an instant, the atmosphere shifted.

A sudden wave of anguish distorted Kiba's expression. "Arghhhh!" He immediately crumbled to the ground, a cry of pain escaping his lips as he clutched his head in torment.

"Eh? Kiba-kun!?! Are you okay?!" The shocked Hinata had distress written all over her face as she cried out his name.

Meanwhile, Kurenai and Shino watched on, their reactions diverging - one with a profound sense of pity etched upon her face, the other one with a sly smile playing at the corner of his lips.

The looming specter of unpaid debts hung in the air, a haunting reminder that the time for retribution would come, and its arrival would bring a torment that surpassed all expectations.