What's wrong with having a large harem if you're the emperor of the ninja world?

The light from the oil lamp flickered.

The camera captured the changing expressions on Temari's face with crystal clarity.

On one hand, there's her younger brother's safety and the village's future; on the other, there's her own dignity and health...

"You...what do you want?"

Temari tried one last time to struggle.

Di Yan's lips curled into a playful smile as he reached out and naturally wrapped his arm around Temari's slender waist.

"Isn't it obvious what I want?"

"you..."

Temari gasped in surprise and instinctively raised her fist.

She's always been proud and arrogant since she was a child, and she's never been treated so disrespectfully before.

but...

The raised fist was easily grasped by the other party.

The arms binding her waist were strong and powerful, and she couldn't break free at all.

Temari gritted her teeth, and after trying to break free but failing, a faint blush rose to her cheeks. "Your Majesty, please have some self-respect!"

Emperor Yan smiled slightly: "I would prefer you to say, Your Majesty, please take the initiative!"

"you..."

Temari was filled with grief and indignation, but there was nothing she could do.

She never imagined that the legendary emperor of the Fire Empire would be such a lecherous man...

But it's obvious they want her... what should I do?

For a moment, Temari was in a state of utter confusion.

After a long silence.

Temari slowly closed her eyes.

Her long eyelashes trembled violently, and a tear silently slid down her cheek.

When she opened her eyes again.

All that remained in his eyes was a resigned despair and resolute determination.

"You..." Temari pushed open Teyan's chest with both hands, maintaining a safe distance: "You really will save me?"

Seeing Temari's expression, which was a mixture of shame, indignation, humiliation, and resentment, Di Yan made a move that Temari could never have imagined.

He reached out and pinched Temari's twin tails...

Temari was stunned and for a moment forgot to resist.

Di Yan seemed to be trying to find a more convenient way to hold it, and changed his hand gestures several times.

Ultimately, it was decided that holding the pigtails from behind would be more convenient and worry-free.

Finally, just as Temari was filled with resentment, Di Yan spoke:

"Temari, are you satisfied with the current state of your Sunagakure village?"

Di Yan's fingers were still wrapped around Temari's golden twin tails.

He fiddled with it intermittently.

It's as if this is just a pastime I randomly picked up when I was bored.

His seemingly casual question was like a sharp thorn.

It precisely struck the deepest, most bitter spot in Temari's heart.

Temari was taken aback at first, then suddenly realized what was happening.

Land of Fire...

No, it should be called the Empire of Fire now?

The dense forests, the abundant rivers, the plentiful produce...

What a cruel contrast this is to the land where she grew up, which has almost nothing but sand!

An indescribable bitterness and resentment welled up in my heart instantly.

She almost blurted out:

"The Land of Wind is covered in yellow sand, and they have to be careful even when they drink water. How can they compare to your Land of Fire..."

Her voice carried a jealousy and resentment that she herself was unaware of.

“Let me correct you,” Di Yan interrupted her slowly, gently tugging at her hair with his fingertips, “It’s the Empire of Fire.”

"What's the difference!"

Temari couldn't help but retort, her tone quite sharp.

But more than anything, it's a bitter feeling of helplessness.

The change of name cannot conceal the stark differences between the two countries.

Di Yan didn't seem to care about her rebuttal; on the contrary, he seemed to be in the mood for conversation.

He continued in that infuriating, almost boastful tone:

"The difference? The difference is that the water resources within the empire are outrageously abundant, with rivers and lakes crisscrossing the land, and the land is so fertile that anything can grow, and there are minerals, timber, medicinal herbs... whatever you want."

"To be honest, I've been quite troubled lately. The common people are wasting too much water. I need to find a way to establish some rules..."

With each additional word he spoke, Temari's heart sank a little deeper, and her face grew paler.

She could almost see the clear river water being squandered.

Crops are thriving on the fertile land.

This is precisely what the people of Sunagakure and the Land of Wind have longed for but could not obtain!

This stark contrast.

It cut into her heart like a knife.

Then, she heard Di Yan retort in an almost cruel, mocking tone:

"So... Temari, are you satisfied with the life in your Sunagakure village where even getting a sip of water is difficult?"

This sentence was like the last straw.

This completely overwhelmed Temari's rationality.

She suddenly raised her head, her emerald eyes blazing with fury.

All the composure and humiliation he had previously feigned were burned away completely.

His cheeks were flushed red with extreme anger.

She bit her lower lip tightly with her teeth.

It almost drew blood.

"You!" She trembled with rage, her voice trembling. "You knew perfectly well! You knew everything!"

"You're saying these things on purpose to humiliate me!"

"Are you pleased with yourself for making a fool of our Sunagakure village?"

She felt that Di Yan was trampling on her dignity, her hometown, and everything she cherished.

It needs to be ground a few more times.

I admire her pained and angry expression!

However, Di Yan did not get angry in the face of her outburst.

Instead, he chuckled softly.

It was as if I had witnessed something extremely interesting.

He released his hand from playing with her hair.

He then gently brushed his fingertips across her chest, which was heaving violently with anger.

I could feel her rapid heartbeat.

"Humiliation? No."

Di Yan's voice suddenly became deep and seductive, like a devil whispering in your ear, "I am giving you a choice."

"An opportunity to get rid of this barren desert and allow your people to also enjoy the troubles of 'wasting water resources'."

His hand rested on her heart.

He gazed intently into her eyes, which were burning with anger.

"It all depends on whether you... are willing to pay the price for it."

...

104 Temari's Service; Magnetism in Her Bloodline

Di Yan's words were like a thunderclap.

It exploded in Temari's heart.

It made her instantly forget all shame, and even ignore the clutches of his still lingering in her heart.

My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest!

Sunagakure...can also have oases, rivers, and fertile land?

How can we stop struggling for every drop of water and every grain of food?

This idea is like the most tempting poisoned apple.

It exudes an irresistible fragrance.

She almost held her breath, her voice trembling.

She cautiously asked the question she never dared to even dream of:

"The Hidden Sand Village... can really possess these things?"

She was afraid that this was just a joke on the other person's whim.

It is a mirage, fragile and easily shattered.

Di Yan smiled, a smile that carried absolute confidence and unquestionable authority:

"A ruler's word is law. If I say it can be done, then it definitely can be done."

His promise, like the most solid rock, struck Temari's turbulent heart.

She wanted to believe it; the overwhelming desire was almost overwhelming her reason.

But the despair and vigilance brought about by her long-term impoverished life prevented her from immediately throwing herself into this temptation.

Just as she was struggling with an internal conflict.

Di Yan's voice rang out again, like a devil's low murmur, pulling her back to the cruel reality:

"I can save Gaara, and I can free you and your people from this damned yellow sand and poverty."

"But, Temari..."

His fingertips traced circles on her heart, sending shivers down her spine. "What...should you pay for this?"

Temari understood what he meant.

I understood it completely.

Her cheeks instantly turned hot, a mixture of red and white.

Shame and a sense of humiliation, as if it had been put on a price tag, swept over me.