Start From Naruto: Shino the Dominator

The echoes of Kiba's anguished screams gradually subsided, letting the stillness engulf them.

All that was left behind was a gasping Kiba sprawled on the unforgiving ground, accompanied by the soft whimpers of Akamaru.

"Kurenai-sensei, Kiba-kun, he-" Hinata's heart was fraught with worry and concern, but not knowing what to do, she could only turn to Kurenai.

Kurenai could only avoid the innocent eyes staring at her because she was well aware of the retribution that had been implanted within Kiba's mind, but she chose to withhold the truth of its malevolence… mainly because she had no choice.

Kneeling down beside Kiba, Kurenai gently checked him while offering an explanation that only hinted at the true magnitude of his suffering.

"This may be repercussions of the high dosage of drugs and the blow to his head. Time would heal his wounds, perhaps... within a few months at most. Kiba, if you want reassurance, I suggest a visit to the Konoha hospital for a thorough checkup."

Kiba clenched his jaws, forcing himself upright while struggling to spit out a false bravado, "It's just. A bit of pain. No big deal... it won't hinder me."

This earned him the worried voices that he hoped for, "Kiba-kun..."

Finding strength in himself once more, Kiba cradled the whimpering Akamaru in his arms, a faint glimmer of happiness surfacing on his scrunched face when he peeked over at Hinata and saw the genuine concern on her face.

Watching this, Shino adjusted his glasses, and he could almost hear some director somewhere screaming "write that down, write that down!"

Meanwhile, Kurenai could only throw a helpless, fleeting glance toward the silent Shino.

Inwardly sighing, she recognized the deadly threat that lay hidden within her team, a threat that could swallow the team whole.

Alas... she was part of this threat now.

"Okay. Since Kiba is fine, we should head back to Konoha as soon as possible..."

Considering Kiba's circumstances, it was a bit inconsiderate of her to say this, but she hoped to drive the innocent girl and dogs forward, hoping they will return to the safe confines of their home sooner, lest they delay and the lurking shadows couldn't help but extend their claws...

The journey back to Konoha seemed interminable, elongated by the burden of Kiba's sealed chakra, forcing the quartet to navigate the terrain with measured breaks and patience.

Fortunately, with each passing day, Kiba's physical strength gradually rekindled, only to be pushed even harder by Kurenai to quicken their pace, using the excuse: "We don't want to come under attack when Kiba is in this state."

Can't argue against that, especially considering their past couple of attacks.

During the journey back, Kurenai even dropped hints, here and there, that the attacks were from the same person that attacked them in the past, discreetly pushing this pot onto someone's head, according to the orders she received.

This excuse conveniently shut the angry Kiba up because they all knew by now that the Konoha advisors ain't gonna do jacknoha about their report. Even their own clans are helpless without evidence.

So, an impromptu punishment game was swept under the rug just like that.

When they approached the familiar forests near Konoha, the group couldn't help but finally breath a sigh relief.

"Yahoo! I bet I managed to scare away all those sneaky buggers when they saw I am alive and well, right Akamaru?" "Arf!"

"Almost home... Go back and... eat? Or go find Naru-"

"Hurry up Ero-sennin!" Speak of the devil.

Approaching the gates of Konoha, Team Kurenai bumped into another group returning: Naruto, Sakura, and the famous Sannin, Jiraiya.

This was a convergence of destinies set against the backdrop of the village's entrance, where tales of valor and camaraderie burned bright…

Well, at least, in the original story.

Seeing the boy with an indomitable spirit, now wrapped in bandages… again, a wide grin couldn't help but spread across Kiba's face, "Naruto?! What happened to you?"

Naruto, dressed in his signature orange jumpsuit, his body wrapped like a mummy, flashed a bright smile and waved his bandaged hands. "Hey, Kiba! I just finished a mission with Ero-sennin. I'm about to head over to report to Granny Tsunade!"

Thus, Kiba learned the news that his blonde-haired classmate had completed an S-rank investigative mission and training alongside the legendary Sannin... leaving the vinegar boiling in him. Then, Naruto even took the chance to add salt...

"Eh? Hinata, you're here too? Why are you so quiet?"

Hinata's heart skipped a beat when she heard Naruto's voice.

She had missed him dearly during his recovery in the hospital, went on a mission when he recovered, and now he was returning to the hospital…

Um? Maybe she should sign up to be a nurse?

The thought turned her face into a tomato, and her shyness threatened to keep her emotions locked away, but this time, she summoned her courage.

Shyly bowing her head, Hinata squeaked in a voice barely above a whisper, "Na-Naruto-kun... I'm glad to see you… I hope you get better soon."

"Yeah! There's no need to worry, Hinata! I'll be all healed up in no time, dattebayo!"

Gaining a response, Hinata blushed, her gaze shifting back and forth erratically. She wanted to say more, but her shy nature held her back.

When the excited Kiba noticed Hinata standing there, her white eyes downcast, her shy demeanor showing, Kiba felt as if Naruto had stuffed a frog down his throat.

Meanwhile...

Observing the trio's banter in silence, was Sakura, who was too busy to care about the others because she was drowning in a quagmire after repeated failures in rescuing Sasuke.

And then there was Shino.

Though his usual calm demeanor masked his thoughts, Shino harbored a quiet discontent, his thoughts mired in frustration.

Seriously. The protagonist's aura is too overpowered. Just by showing up, his influence had already crumbled the defenses of Hinata's world, drastically tilting the balance of Hinata's scale in his favor.

This fated beacon of inspiration had an aura that shone too brightly, so bright that Shino almost couldn't see the effects of his own advances toward Hinata anymore...

But life was just like this sometimes. It's twists and turns like these that makes it more interesting.

Things got harder, but Shino was definitely willing to accept the challenge. Isn't it just planning more and planning harder? Oh, he likes doing that. A lot.

While the young group of shinobi gathered, each with their own agenda...

Unbeknownst to the others, Jiraiya also had a hidden agenda.