Chapter 23: The Night Was Long
A repeat of the night before.
Li Yao was once again strapped to that torture bed—this time, with an additional band across his neck to immobilize his head.
"Hokage-sama, I really don't know anything about the Spirit Transformation Technique. I don't know how it works. I came from another world, do you understand?"
"Right! I know how this world unfolds. I know you have three disciples. I even know that Uchiha Madara isn't really dead!"
"I know all the secrets of this world. Just let me go, and I'll tell you everything."
Desperate to survive and avoid further torture, Li Yao said it all, even if it sounded delusional.
He spoke of transmigration, the Naruto anime, the Sage of Six Paths, the Ōtsutsuki Clan—he spilled everything.
But the Third remained unmoved. Only when Li Yao mentioned that Uchiha Madara was still alive did his body pause for a brief moment.
But it was just a moment.
The Third knew Madara was dead. His body had been personally brought back by the Second Hokage, Tobirama. There was no doubt.
Seeing Li Yao continue to ramble, the Third smiled faintly, then asked one question that immediately shut him up.
"If you really know all the secrets of the ninja world, then tell me the secret of the Spirit Transformation Technique. That's all I want."
"…"
Li Yao froze. He couldn't answer. He couldn't even fabricate one.
Heh.
The Third Hokage sneered, opened the toolbox, and took out a long needle. Since he didn't finish the thumb yesterday—tonight, they'd continue.
"AHH!"
"Ah… ahhh…"
"Kill me! Just kill me!"
Li Yao couldn't handle the pain. He screamed wildly.
The Third didn't flinch. After the thumb, he moved on to the pinky, continuing until Li Yao passed out again.
In that moment of unconsciousness, a faint expression of relief crossed Li Yao's face.
Unconscious at last…
No more pain…
"Genjutsu – Bringer-of-Darkness Technique."
As always, the Third took advantage of his unconscious state to try again.
But, just like every other time—his genjutsu chakra was rejected outright. No success.
Unbothered, the Third formed hand seals and cast Water Style: Small Water Wave, spitting a stream directly onto Li Yao's head.
Huff— Ugh!
Li Yao woke up suddenly, only to find himself still staring at the same monster.
The Third Hokage.
His bloodshot eyes radiated fear. He writhed violently, trying to escape.
But it was pointless. The Third calmly picked up another needle, pressed Li Yao's middle finger down, and drove it in—slowly and forcefully.
That familiar agony returned.
He still couldn't bear it.
"Ahh… kill me!"
"Kill me!!"
"KILL—!"
"S-sa… ha… ha…"
That night... was endless.
To Li Yao, it lasted longer than a lifetime.
He couldn't even remember how many times he passed out.
By the end, he was only capable of faint, broken gasps.
The Third, like a tireless machine, remained methodical—relentless.
He tortured Li Yao into unconsciousness, then woke him up. Then repeated the process.
BANG!
Suddenly, Li Yao's body, which had been straining for hours, fell limp onto the table like a puppet with its strings cut.
The Third approached and saw that Li Yao, though unconscious, still had his eyes wide open—completely bloodshot.
The area around them was stained red, soaked with the blood that had poured from his tear ducts, painting half his face crimson.
Even his neck was wet from the blood that had streamed down.
The Third knew—Li Yao had reached his limit.
He put down the tools, called in his ANBU agent, Ran.
"Hokage-sama."
Ran entered and paused at the sight. Despite being a seasoned operative, he shuddered. His pupils trembled slightly, and he looked at the Third with a hint of fear.
The Third noticed it.
He sighed and explained, "The one possessing Kimura Yō's body is hiding secrets that gravely endanger Konoha. I had no choice."
"Yes, Hokage-sama. I understand."
Ran adjusted his mindset instantly.
Anyone who endangered Konoha was an enemy. No mercy, no hesitation.
Even the harshest torture was justified to protect the village.
It had to be said—the brainwashing effect of the Will of Fire was complete.
"Good."
The Third nodded in approval. This was why Ran's squad was his most trusted ANBU team. Loyal, obedient, and ruthless.
He handed the toolbox to Ran and looked down at Li Yao's broken body.
"Heal him. Don't leave any internal damage."
"Yes, Hokage-sama."
Ran's medical ninjutsu wasn't on Tsunade's level, but for injuries like this, he was more than capable.
"You've worked hard." The Third patted Ran's shoulder and left the room.
With Ran there, Li Yao's body would recover without lingering damage.
And tomorrow night, he'd feel every bit of pain just as clearly.
"Still… that guy's mental resilience is incredible."
On the way home, the Third sighed, recalling how even after dozens of attempts, his genjutsu still failed.
This wouldn't be easy.
He had no idea when he'd finally be able to break through Li Yao's chakra defenses.
…
The next day.
Li Yao awoke.
Just like before, he wasn't on the torture bed. His limbs were shackled to the wall. He lay on the cold stone floor.
This time, he didn't move.
He stared blankly at the ceiling, his bloodshot eyes hollow and lifeless.
Apart from some soreness around his eyes, his body didn't hurt.
Ran's medical ninjutsu was highly effective.
His physical wounds were nearly gone.
But mental wounds were a different matter.
Only when the ANBU brought him his first meal of the day did a flicker of life return to Li Yao's expression.
He sat up slowly, picked up the steaming bowl of noodles, and began to eat—quietly.
He ate slowly, but thoroughly.
The chopsticks and bowl gleamed under the candlelight, licked spotless.
When he finished, Li Yao clutched the bowl and sat in silence, his gaze fixed on that nightmare table in the corner.
He stared at it, motionless.
This time, he didn't tremble.
As if the table that once made him shrink away in terror... no longer existed.
But his eyes—his eyes never left it.
After a long while—
CLANG!
Still staring, Li Yao suddenly smashed the bowl, grabbed a shard that glinted coldly in the dim light, and drove it toward his own temple.
This time—there was no hesitation.
"Seal!"
In that instant, from the corner of the room, ANBU agent Ran revealed himself—dispelling his chameleon-like camouflage.
The glass shard halted just as it reached Li Yao's skin.
No matter how hard he pushed, a powerful force locked his body in place—completely immobile.
(END CHAPTER)
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