Yamanaka Inoichi?
The moment Hikaru saw the blond man enter, the name surfaced in his mind almost immediately.
As Ino's father in the future "Konoha 12," and the captain of Konoha's Intelligence Division, Hikaru had no way not to recognize him.
Konoha's intelligence system broadly had two branches.
One was the ANBU's own interrogation and torture-oriented unit—future famous names like Morino Ibiki were associated with that kind of work. The other was the Hokage直属 intelligence-gathering division led by Yamanaka Inoichi, a unit with broad authority that could even step into ANBU-adjacent territory when needed.
Hikaru had dealt with Intelligence Division people before, but never truly "worked with" Inoichi directly. Their positions weren't that far apart on paper, but politically Inoichi's weight was completely different—especially with the Yamanaka–Nara–Akimichi triad behind him.
So why would he come personally?
The obvious answer was simple: a captain died—and that demanded follow-up. It wasn't necessarily a sign of catastrophe, but it absolutely wasn't something the village would just wave away.
Still… Hikaru couldn't help thinking.
If Inoichi knows I'm a Senju, how will he handle this?
In five years of ANBU service, Hikaru had seen checks and debriefs, yes. But true memory-searching against one's own side? That was rare enough to be meaningful. Even Hiruzen wouldn't do that lightly—too risky politically, too corrosive to loyalty.
Unless they thought it was necessary.
Am I about to become the "first example"?
Hikaru kept his smile warm, harmless.
Out loud, he spoke politely.
"Didn't expect it would be you, Inoichi-san. Sorry—the doctor said I shouldn't get up much, so…"
"No need." Inoichi waved it off, mild and professional. "Rest. Think of this as routine. A captain died, after all."
"I understand." Hikaru nodded, compliant. "I'll cooperate."
"Good." Inoichi's voice remained gentle. "Then I have some questions, Captain Nightingale."
As he spoke, his chakra began to move.
It was subtle—nothing like the crude pressure of an interrogation room—yet it washed across Hikaru like a slow tide. In that moment Hikaru felt a strange heaviness, like drowsiness that couldn't become sleep.
And then came the real problem.
A pull.
Not on his body, but on something deeper—like his thoughts were being coaxed forward, like his secrets were being guided toward his own mouth.
For an instant, Hikaru's mind blurred.
Then—deep inside—his awareness snapped sharply awake.
So that's it.
Mind-reading.
Not a genjutsu. Not an interrogation device.
A Yamanaka-style technique—refined, specialized—built to draw out answers by manipulating the target's internal "flow" until confession felt like the natural outcome.
But Hikaru also knew the condition.
This kind of technique worked best when the target was trusting, or weak, or unable to resist.
So… they weren't going for the most brutal option.
Hiruzen is still being cautious. He's not choosing the simplest-and-cruelest route.
Hikaru let his expression soften further, deliberately cooperative, deliberately calm.
"Go ahead, Inoichi-san. Ask whatever you need."
Inoichi studied him closely, watching not only his face but the minute shifts in chakra response.
"My first question is…"
He paused just long enough for the words to hit like a blade.
"Did Captain Namuki's death have anything to do with you?"
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