Start From Naruto: Shino the Dominator

Free from the darkness that had threatened to engulf them, Shino and Hinata let the dim moonlight guide their path, casting intermittent shadows upon their journey away from the rather unsightly scene.

"Hinata, we'll continue the investigation later. Let's go find an inn and let you wash up." From ahead, Shino's voice beckoned to Hinata.

Trailing behind Shino with her hand discreetly clinging to his sleeves, Hinata uttered an almost inaudible, "Mm."

Then, the duo fell silent. In the midst of their silent walk, Hinata couldn't help but steal glances at Shino.

As usual, he appeared composed and... mysterious. It wasn't known how much secrets he still kept, and he seemed to always be shrouded in a veil.

Before she didn't feel much, but now... she found herself drawn to his mysterious nature, and couldn't help but question why she had remained oblivious to the unique charm hidden beneath the surface of her silent teammate all this time.

Why did she overlook this? No... now that she thinks about it, there's something really strange.

In the shadows of their shared journey, their team's interactions never really allowed Shino to truly emerge from the background.

Instead, Shino seemed to be mostly overshadowed by... the rowdy presence of Kiba-kun? That's right! Plus, Kiba-kun's constant interruptions only served to bolster this effect-

Eh? A sudden realization dawned upon Hinata. Is this Kiba-kun's deliberate ploy to diminish Shino's presence within their team, a goal accomplished by interrupting Shino as much as possible?

However, Kiba-kun clearly didn't succeed.

After all, despite his subdued presence, Shino had become the mature figure upon whom she secretly relied, the confidant to whom she surreptitiously sought solace and guidance from time to time.

In fact, she had even confided to him many of her secrets-

When Hinata arrived at this thought, a disorienting wave swept over her: Oh no! Shino was probably aware of her unspoken affections for Naruto-kun, and probably harbored no interest in her, right? No- wait- what is she thinking?!

Poof! Hinata's face tinted red and she secretly peeked at Shino.

Seeing him looking forward without paying her any heed, she suppressed her fluttering heart and bowed her head in silence, not daring to peek anymore.

In the depths of their secret underground base back at Konoha...

While engaging in her usual discussion with Shino, Karina's gaze fixated on Hinata projected in their screens, observing the emotions playing across her face like a canvas of vulnerability, "Hoh?"

With a sly smile, she turned to Shino, "Wow~ It seems you have easily claimed Hinata's heart, Shino. She will soon be a pawn in your hands, to be played with as you please. And in doing so, we can further strengthen our hive."

"No, it's not so simple to break the bond between the female lead and the protagonist," Shino countered, "This emotional fluctuation is temporary. Once the trauma settles, Hinata will likely flock back to Naruto... unless we take measures to firmly anchor her heart in place."

Curiosity sparked within Karina's eyes as she leaned in to ask for more, clearly eager for Shino's cunning strategy, "And how, pray tell, do we achieve that?"

A sly smirk curved Shino's lips. "With the help of another person, someone whom Hinata trusts, someone who can sway her emotions and reinforce the bonds we seek to create."

"Oh~" Karina's jealousy seeped out as she grumbled in response. "So Shino-sama not only want one, but two?"

With a smug grin on his face, Shino wrapped an arm around Karina's waist, pulling her closer, his gaze lingering on her beautiful facial expressions. "Jealousy is unnecessary, Karina. You know your position in my heart. Plus, we still have plenty of time on our side."

Leaning in to have a taste of his goal, Shino whispered, "So, rest assured, I will satisfy your desires thoroughly along the way."

Karina's frustration soon melted into a begrudging pleasure.

She couldn't help but acknowledge the trap Shino was weaving with his skills, the layers of manipulation designed to achieve his goals in any manner possible.

Enveloped in a state of awe, she instinctively pressed her hand against her trembling lips, stifling any sound that threatened to escape and disturb his efforts, letting her witness the masterful art of his manipulation unfolding right before her very eyes.

After having a good taste, Shino threw a glance at Karina's flushed visage and finally posed the question that had been on his mind, "So, have you delivered the supply of essence to the external base?"

A blaze of fury ignited within Karina's eyes as she directed a piercing glare towards Shino.

With her lips still covered by her hand, her muffled retort seeped through the gaps, laden with unspoken coyness, "I-It's not fair- to keep using that spot- But! I-I haven't lost yet, Shino-"

Suddenly, Karina's eyes widened, darting erratically in every direction, her entire being seized by an intense tremor that gradually dissipated.

Her hands lowered, granting freedom to her panting mouth, and she bowed her head in defeat, "Ha... Ha... Ha..."

She lost, but it was inevitable. Who made her fall so deeply...

Looking up and locking eyes with Shino, her voice transformed into one infused with an overwhelming affection and submissiveness, "Shino, it's already on its way… Now, my dear, let Karina help... speed up its arrival."

"Good." Satisfied, Shino let a part of himself indulge in the pleasure while another part delved deep into the recesses of his consciousness, transitioning seamlessly to the other part of himself in a clone residing within the depths of an underground laboratory near the capital of the Land of Fire...

Dressed in a lab coat, Shino's clone stood within a dark chamber with architecture reminiscent of a honeycomb, dimly lit solely by the eerie glow emanating from the biochambers.

In the background, elongated silhouettes resembling giant bees lurked in the darkness, ominously crawling around while Shino surveyed the unconscious experimental subjects suspended in each of the biochambers.

These were characters of significance - one cradling a loyal canine companion, another embracing a fervent dog lover, and the final chamber enveloping the dormant form of a beautiful teacher.

"Now, what should I do with you three?"