Uchiha Izumi's figure instantly vanished.
Di Yan reclined back into Kurenai Yuhi's soft embrace.
He patted Inuzuka Hana's cheek, signaling her to continue massaging his legs.
He then playfully poked Uchiha Hikari, who was in his arms.
It was as if he had just dealt with a trivial matter.
"Alright, just a small interlude, no need to worry."
He lazily closed his eyes. "Continue. Tonight, it seems, will be very interesting."
The courtyard once again returned to its eerie, luxurious tranquility.
Only the faint scent of incense and the suppressed breathing of the girls could be heard.
But everyone's hearts...
had been thoroughly stirred by the few sparrows delivering messages and Di Yan's understated words.
Outside the high walls of the palace...
Asuma's squad was completely unaware of this.
They were following their "meticulous" plan...
like moths flying into a net.
They quietly pried open a side door on the west, which "happened" to have lax guards, and infiltrated the deepest part of this den of dragons and tigers.
Meanwhile, in the shadows, countless eyes had already locked onto them.
Inside the courtyard, the luxurious and warm atmosphere seemed to solidify.
Kurenai Yuhi listened to Di Yan's cold command to Izumi.
Every word was like an ice pick stabbing into her heart.
Asuma was in danger... Ino was in danger... Di Yan clearly intended to wipe out Asuma's squad...
all in one fell swoop!
The immense fear and concern for Asuma's safety finally broke through Kurenai Yuhi's last psychological defense.
She suddenly broke free from behind Di Yan.
She didn't even bother to straighten her somewhat disheveled clothes.
She stumbled and knelt on the soft bed.
Kurenai Yuhi looked up, her eyes filled with pleading and resolve:
"Your Majesty! I beg you! Please spare Asuma and the others!"
"As long as you let them go... I... I will agree to anything you ask!"
"From now on, you can do whatever you want to me, and that place you asked for... I will also obey you... I beg you!"
Her voice was choked with sobs, full of humble pleading.
To save her companions...
she was willing to pay any price.
Even that place he requested a few times... it wasn't impossible... Di Yan slowly turned his head.
He looked down at Kurenai Yuhi, who was kneeling at his feet, humbly begging.
The playful smile on his face deepened.
He reached out a finger and gently hooked Kurenai Yuhi's chin...
forcing her to look at him.
"Oh? Anything? Even that place...?"
His voice was low and full of innuendo.
His finger sensually slid along her jawline.
His gaze was almost tangible as he looked towards Kurenai Yuhi's backside... Kurenai Yuhi's face instantly turned ashen, and her body trembled uncontrollably.
She completely understood the naked implication in Di Yan's words.
But... thinking of Asuma possibly dying horribly like those Inuzuka and Aburame Ninja...
thinking of Shikamaru, Ino, Choji, those young children... Kurenai Yuhi bit her lip so hard it almost bled.
Finally, she seemed to have lost all her strength.
With immense difficulty yet unwavering determination, she nodded, tears streaming from her eyes:
"Yes... as long as you let them go... I'll... I'll be at your mercy..."
The moment her voice fell...
a few more sparrows fluttered in through the window.
They chirped incessantly around Di Yan.
Di Yan's attention was temporarily drawn.
He listened intently, and the smile on his face gradually turned cold and mocking.
"Heh... so that's it. Tsunade isn't entirely stupid after all."
"She even sent two hidden squads to lie in wait?"
"It seems Konoha has grown a little suspicious."
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes. "Want to be the mantis stalking the cicada? Too bad, I am the hunter."
He sneered, not even bothering to avoid Kurenai Yuhi and the others.
He directly reached out and lightly slapped Uchiha Hikari's small, perky bottom in his arms:
"Hikari, go play by yourself."
"Hmph! Big Brother is mean!"
Uchiha Hikari pouted.
But she still obediently jumped out of his arms.
She ran to the side, curiously watching the sparrows.
Di Yan clapped his hands.
A woman in a female guard's uniform, with a cold expression, appeared silently at the door and knelt on one knee:
"Your Majesty."
"Go tell Izumi and Tekka."
Di Yan's voice showed no emotional fluctuation, as if he was giving instructions for a trivial matter. "Outside the palace, there are two more Konoha rats hiding in the shadows."
"Have them clean them up, leave no one alive."
"As for the four inside the palace... let them in. I want to have some fun..."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
The female guard did not hesitate; she disappeared instantly after receiving the order.
This command, like a death sentence...
instantly shattered the faint glimmer of hope that Kurenai Yuhi had just felt.
She widened her eyes in disbelief.
Her body swayed precariously.
Not only did Di Yan not agree to spare Asuma...
but he also intended to kill all the reinforcements apart from him.
And he wanted to let Asuma in alone to "toy" with him?
"Your Majesty! You..."
Kurenai Yuhi still wanted to make one last plea.
But Di Yan had already turned his head, refocusing his gaze on her.
His eyes were filled with the playful mockery of a cat toying with a mouse, and cold desire:
"Yuhi, I heard your request just now."
Kurenai Yuhi's heart tightened.
"I can promise you not to kill Asuma immediately."
"And even let him 'smoothly' reach here."
Di Yan said unhurriedly.
Every word carried a cruel meaning.
"But... my promise requires you to pay a small 'deposit' in advance."
His gaze became extremely aggressive, firmly locking onto Kurenai Yuhi:
"Now, right here, fulfill your promise from earlier."
"Since you're willing to try a different path, let me see your 'sincerity'."
... 39 Han Road is also a road; exposed
Kurenai Yuhi felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar, her entire body cold.
She looked at Di Yan's unquestionable gaze.
Then she glanced at Hinata and Inuzuka Hana beside her, who were equally pale with fright and at a loss.
Finally, she thought of Asuma, Ino, and the others who were walking into a death trap... Immense despair and humiliation engulfed her like a tide.
She knew she had no choice.
Any hesitation or resistance...
could immediately cause Di Yan to change his mind and order them all killed.
She bit her teeth so hard she almost tore her lower lip.
She tasted the metallic tang of blood.
Finally, she seemed to have used all her strength.
Slowly, tremblingly... she turned around.
Under the horrified, sympathetic, and embarrassed gazes of Hinata and Inuzuka Hana...
under Uchiha Hikari's innocent and curious observation...
Kurenai Yuhi humiliatingly bent down.
She lay prostrate on the luxurious but cold animal skin bed.
She buried her burning cheeks deep into the soft fur.