Another sister has fallen into the devil's clutches.
"Hana… Big Sister Hana?"
Hinata couldn't help but speak with a trembling voice.
Her voice was filled with disbelief and a hint of a sob.
Inuzuka Hana heard it clearly underwater.
The pity in that voice stung her heart like a needle.
She suddenly raised her head, no longer caring to conceal herself, and growled in a mix of shame and anger:
"Teacher Kurenai, Hinata… why… why are you here? Get out! Quickly, get out!"
She would rather endure all of this alone.
She didn't want to be witnessed in her disgrace by acquaintances!
Di Yan took in the three women's vastly different reactions.
The malicious smile on his lips became even more pronounced.
He enjoyed such scenes.
He enjoyed watching these proud female Ninja gradually lose their dignity before him, each witnessing the other's downfall.
This could dismantle their mental defenses more quickly.
It would create a strange sense of 'fellow sufferers' camaraderie.
Making it easier for them to accept their current situation and serve him.
He ignored Inuzuka Hana's attempts to drive them away.
Instead, he waved at Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata, his tone as relaxed as if greeting friends:
"You've come at a good time. Yuhi, Hinata, come down and soak with us."
"This hot spring has the effect of soothing nerves and nourishing the skin."
Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata's bodies stiffened simultaneously, their faces drained of color.
Again… in this setting… and with Inuzuka Hana, who had just suffered humiliation?
Watching the two of them look terrified and hesitant.
Di Yan seemed to find it very amusing.
He suddenly seemed to remember something and turned to Inuzuka Hana in the water, saying:
"Oh, right, Hana. I forgot to tell you something."
His tone became slightly more "serious."
As if discussing official business.
"I've discovered that your Inuzuka Clan's ability to communicate with Ninja dogs, and even coordinate in battle on a deeper level, is very interesting."
"This isn't simple beast taming; it's more like a… talent?"
"A talent for being close to nature and perceiving the emotional fluctuations of living beings?"
Inuzuka Hana was stunned.
She didn't understand why he was suddenly talking about this.
Di Yan continued, his eyes filled with a researcher's curiosity:
"I'm very curious: if this talent were further developed, would it have even more astonishing potential?"
"For example… sensing and absorbing natural energy? Just like the Sage Mode of the legendary Three Great Sage Regions?"
Sage Mode?
Inuzuka Hana, Kurenai Yuhi, and even Hinata looked at Di Yan in shock.
What was this man thinking?
How could the Inuzuka Clan's abilities possibly be related to Sage Mode?
Di Yan seemed quite pleased with their reactions.
He smiled slightly, his gaze once again becoming aggressive, firmly fixed on Inuzuka Hana in the water:
"So, Hana. Stay by my side. Cooperate with my 'research.' "
He deliberately emphasized the word "research."
The implication was clear.
"Perhaps one day, I might be able to master Sage Mode with your power, who knows?"
His tone carried a confidence that bordered on arrogance.
As if this were already a foregone conclusion.
"Of course," he changed the subject, reverting to his cynical demeanor, "this is just a small conjecture of mine."
"Whether it can actually be achieved… we'll have to 'fall in love over time' and 'delve deeper' into it in the future, won't we?"
His gaze lingered suggestively on Inuzuka Hana's skin exposed above the water.
Inuzuka Hana trembled with anger at his absurd yet aggressive words, yet she was powerless to refute him.
This devil not only wanted her body.
He even coveted the power within her bloodline?
And even fantasized about using it to grasp Sage Mode?
Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata felt a deeper chill.
Di Yan's ambitions seemed far grander and more terrifying than they had imagined.
He wanted not only power and women.
He even wanted to pursue one of the ultimate powers of the Ninja World.
These women, in his eyes.
Perhaps they were merely tools and test subjects for achieving his goals!
Di Yan said no more.
He clapped his hands, gesturing to Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata:
"What are you still standing there for? Do I need to 'invite' you down myself?"
Under Di Yan's undeniable gaze.
Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata gritted their teeth, their fingers trembling.
They began, as if walking to their deaths.
Very slowly, to untie their sashes.
In the warm pool.
Inuzuka Hana watched her companions about to suffer the same fate.
She closed her eyes in despair.
Misty vapor spread, enveloping the soon-to-be-added, humiliating and sorrowful new figures in the pool.
Di Yan, meanwhile, admired them like masterpieces.
Watching his "collection" approach, step by step… The turning point of the Second Great Ninja War had begun… In this battle, Di Yan achieved the feat of taking on three women.
[Ding! Communication with Kurenai Yuhi completed, Mental Power (Yin Release) greatly increased.]
[Ding! Communication with Hyuga Hinata completed, Byakugan purity greatly increased.]
[Ding! Communication with Inuzuka Hana completed, further closeness to natural energy achieved.]
...37 Ino–Shika–Chō Begins Action; Sparrows of the Capital
Three days later.
On the bustling streets of the Land of Fire's capital.
Several seemingly ordinary merchants and travelers appeared.
Asuma Sarutobi held an unlit cigarette in his mouth.
His hat brim was pulled low.
His sharp gaze subtly scanned his surroundings.
Ino Yamanaka, Nara Shikamaru, and Akimichi Choji had also made simple disguises and mingled in the crowd.
Vigilantly gathering all possible information.
They did not, as Asuma had impulsively thought at first, directly rush into the imperial palace to demand their people.
As an experienced Jonin.
Asuma forcibly suppressed the anxiety in his heart.
And chose a more cautious approach.
After two days of secret investigation.
All clues pointed to the majestic, opulent, and heavily guarded imperial palace.
The last place Kurenai Yuhi's squad appeared and disappeared.
"So, Teacher Kurenai and the others must be imprisoned in the imperial palace!"
Ino lowered her voice, her tone firm and a little urgent, "Why don't we just go directly to that emperor and ask him clearly?"
"He can't openly detain our Konoha Ninja, can he?"
"Exactly, exactly," Choji echoed, cautiously eating snacks to replenish his energy, "Maybe it's a misunderstanding? We'll know if we ask."
Only Shikamaru had his hands in his pockets, his brow slightly furrowed.
He looked at the imperial palace complex in the distance, sprawling like a giant beast.
His face bore its usual "troublesome" expression.
He remained silent.
Asuma took a deep breath, exhaling a faint scent of smoke.
His face grim, he explained: "It's not that simple. I once… served this new Daimyo…"
"Hmm, now he calls himself the Emperor. I once served as his Guardian Ninja for a period."
"Strictly speaking, during Ninja Academy, he also briefly joined our class as a transfer student for a while."
Ino and Choji both looked surprised.
They had never heard Teacher Asuma mention this before.
"So I have some understanding of his character,"
Asuma's eyes became deep and solemn, "He is definitely not as simple as he appears on the surface."
"He is cunning, and his methods… are also quite unusual."
"I suspect Yuhi and the others' disappearance was not a mission accident at all."