The Hyūga jōnin's words sent chills down the spines of the entire Yega family. Even Dr. Nak, huddled in the corner, felt a surge of sympathy for them.
They were just an ordinary family.
Yet, they had been drawn into the heart of a storm.
Nono's face remained expressionless, but internally, waves of turmoil surged. She carefully considered an escape plan, her right hand gripping a kunai tightly, intending to rescue the child she had healed two nights prior.
Alone, facing four Konoha jōnin and a ninja hound, she knew she couldn't save the entire family.
"Director Nono, I advise you not to act rashly. Otherwise, we'll deal with you the same way we handle rogue ninjas!"
Asuma cast a sidelong glance at her, removed the cigarette from his mouth, discarded it casually, and pulled out another from his pocket, lighting it anew.
"Alright, to be honest, they are intelligence operatives placed on the border by the Root organization. If you harm them, you'd better consider how to face Lord Danzō!"
Realizing her intentions had been seen through, Nonoyu attempted to intimidate them with a different approach.
The four's expressions suddenly changed noticeably. Nono felt a glimmer of hope, thinking this tactic was effective—no Konoha ninja was unafraid of Danzō's notorious reputation.
"Haha... Root organization, Lord Danzō, don't make me laugh!" The Hyūga branch family jōnin couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head.
Asuma exhaled a puff of smoke, displaying the same contemptuous smile.
Nono furrowed her brows slightly, puzzled and confused by their reactions.
No one paid attention to the bewildered Nonoyu anymore.
"Asuma, give me an explanation!!"
A magnetic female voice rang out from outside the door, reaching everyone's ears inside the house.
Asuma turned to look.
Kurenai Yūhi stepped slowly into the wooden house, surveying everyone inside with a cold gaze that settled on Asuma.
According to the plan, she had separated from her teammates.
Alone, she searched for the Uchiha squad's trail on Kikyo Mountain, only to discover that Asuma and the others had proposed splitting up, clearly intending to shake her off.
By the time Kurenai arrived at this mountain village,
She was shocked to find
Asuma and his team had massacred the entire village composed of refugees.
"Kurenai, let me explain. They were just refugees from small countries. If they caused trouble, it would have severely impacted the Fire Country's border, so..."
Asuma hurriedly put on a flattering smile.
"Release this mother and child; they are innocent!" Kurenai said coldly.
Her red pupils bore no emotion, leaving no room for negotiation.
Asuma pondered for a moment, then looked at the Hyūga jōnin. The latter clicked his tongue and reluctantly lowered his kunai.
"Heh..."
The Hyūga jōnin sneered but said nothing. He approached Yega and pressed the kunai against his neck.
Yega, instead, breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze softening as he looked at his wife, his emotions complex.
Kurenai shielded the mother and child beside her, glaring angrily at Asuma, rebuking:
"Asuma... You keep saying you disagree with the Third Hokage's actions in certain matters, yet you and your father act in the same way.
He, for the sake of the greater good, could disgracefully abandon Hyūga Hizashi of the Hyūga clan.
You, to ensure these people follow you wholeheartedly, allowed them to slaughter refugees, posing as rogue ninjas, to gain merit."
Asuma realized his thoughts had been completely seen through.
He remained expressionless, looking at the companions beside him who were watching him.
The Inuzuka clan's jōnin waved his hand with a smile:
"Haha, Captain Asuma, don't worry. This is your family matter; we didn't hear anything and won't talk about it when we return."
Kurenai Yuhi insulted the Third Hokage?
Nono gazed at this brave kunoichi, feeling grateful that not all Konoha ninjas trampled on life, and breathed a sigh of relief for Yega's wife.
Seeing his companion's promise, Asuma sighed, indifferent to Kurenai's criticism, still wearing a placating smile, explaining: "Kurenai... it's not what you think. I'll explain everything properly when we get back."
Kurenai ignored Asuma; his actions tonight had crossed her bottom line.
"Don't waste time here. Extract the information, eliminate this man, and continue the pursuit!"
Asuma's eyes were dazed, somewhat irritable, as he spoke to everyone.
He naturally didn't care about Kurenai's tantrum, fully understanding her temperament. It was just a matter of coaxing her afterward, and she would come around.
The Hyuga branch family's jōnin was about to act against Yega when he suddenly stopped, sensing a strong sense of danger.
This feeling he had only experienced once in his life—during a mission when he was nearly killed.
Immediately after.
In his black-and-white vision.
Behind him.
At the doorway.
A handsome young man in white attire, with a sword at his waist, stepped lightly into the room.
The young man's face was stern, standing proudly. His appearance did not disrupt the heavy atmosphere in the wooden house but instead blended in perfectly.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the Hyuga clan's jōnin, completely unaware that someone had appeared behind them.
The Hyuga branch family's jōnin pursed his lips, took a deep breath to calm himself, put away the kunai in his hand, slowly turned around, and looked up at the doorway.
At that moment, the atmosphere in the wooden house was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, instantly shattered.
The baby's cries abruptly ceased.
Everyone turned their heads sharply.
All eyes were on the doorway.
"Let him go, and I'll spare your lives."
Uchiha Yu drew his ninja sword from his waist.
Clang—
His eyes were as clear and bright as autumn waters, with the Yasakani Mangekyō spinning within them. His handsome face was flawless, and the candlelight generously cast its glow upon him, projecting a picturesque shadow on the wall.
[Side Quest]: Divine Punishment
[Options]:
1. Kill everyone present.
2. Kill Sarutobi Asuma, Hyūga Yū, Akimichi Tō, Inuzuka Akiyama, and Yukimaru.
[Reward]: Weapon — Dark Moon.
Uchiha Yu raised an eyebrow slightly, sighing inwardly at the arbitrariness of the mission.
A weapon.
Dark Moon.
A blade?
Temporarily setting aside his thoughts, Yu grasped his ninja blade, its blade emitting a cold gleam under the candlelight.
He scanned the people present, silently counting: four individuals and one dog. His gaze paused briefly on Kurenai Yuhi.
She wasn't on the mission list.
Was it because she harbored no hostility towards him?
Yu felt reassured.
As for Nono's return, it was within Yu's expectations. He had led the team back specifically to wait for her, not anticipating the unexpected gift Konoha had delivered.
The intentions of Sarutobi Asuma and the others were written all over their faces.
Very well, let this Konoha squad remain here forever.
With that thought, Yu's blade emitted a silent gleam as he released Yin Release chakra, directing it towards the Hyūga clan's jōnin who dared to meet his gaze with the Byakugan.
He had long since stored away Kotoamatsukami, replacing it with a complete pair of Yasakani.
In an instant, the Hyūga jōnin's eyes widened, his body trembling as his mind and chakra were entirely under Yu's control.
The Hyūga clan lacked the ocular power to resist the Yasakani.
The candlelight in the wooden house flickered violently.
Shadows danced.
The air fell into a deathly silence.
"Yu!!"
Kurenai Yuhi's pupils trembled, her red lips slightly parted in disbelief as she looked at the young man at the door, staring blankly at his indifferent face.
°°°
A/N: Give some reviews everyone! And also don't forget stones
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