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

Following her words, Kurenai's eyes held just the right amount of sympathy and curiosity. "A pitch-black place? That must be terrifying, right? Did your brother... save you?"

She deliberately emphasized the word "rescue".

His gaze, however, subtly swept towards Di Yan, observing his reaction.

Di Yan simply sipped his soup slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

It felt like watching an entertaining performance.

It did not stop Guang's "innocent remarks".

"Mmm! It's super scary!"

She nodded vigorously, a hint of lingering fear showing on her little face.

"I was locked up for a very long time, I was cold and hungry, and I had nothing!"

"It was my brother who found me and brought me out! My brother is the best!"

Her admiration for Di Yan was evident.

Kurenai Yuhi sneered inwardly: She really has been brainwashed!

She continued to steer the conversation: "So... Hikari, are you happy here? What do you usually do?"

She tried to extract information about the palace guards and Emperor Yan's daily routine.

.......

15. Konoha has become a traitorous ninja; there's no escape.

“I’m happy!”

Guang answered without hesitation, but then pouted, "It's just that sometimes it's a little boring."

“My brother, Mikoto, and Izumi always have something to do.”

She tilted her head and thought for a moment, "I usually... um... train with Brother Tiehuo and the others!"

"They're amazing! There are so many people like me with red eyes!"

She pointed to her eyes, clearly referring to the Sharingan, and the Sharingan flashed briefly in her eyes.

But it just so happens that Kurenai Yuhi sees it.

A storm was brewing in Yuhi Kurenai's heart.

Another Uchiha?

Could it be that they are all Uchiha orphans?

Iron fire?

A person with red eyes?

train?

The setting sun trembled violently in her heart.

This confirmed their previous suspicions.

Although it is unclear how these Uchiha clans escaped the massacre, Di Yan did indeed possess a secret Uchiha force.

And they trained right inside the palace!

Hinata also perked up her ears.

He slightly opened his white eye, trying to sense the movements further away.

"Training? Do they need to train even at such a young age?"

Kurenai Yuhi looked surprised and distressed. "Is the training tough?"

"It's not hard work!"

Uchiha Hikaru puffed out her little chest, a hint of pride in her eyes, "Hikaru is amazing! My brother said I need to practice my powers well so I can help him fight bad guys in the future!"

As she spoke, she even waved her little fist.

"Bad guy? What bad guy?"

Kurenai Yuhi's heart leaped into her throat.

Guang blinked his big eyes, seemingly a little lost.

She subconsciously looked at Di Yan, as if seeking an answer.

Di Yan finally put down his spoon and elegantly wiped his mouth with a napkin.

He looked at Kurenai Yuhi, his voice carrying a hint of lazy mockery:

"Bad people... naturally refer to those who are out of touch with reality and attempt to hinder the unification of the Land of Fire... the traitorous ninja of Konoha Village."

He deliberately emphasized the words "Konoha traitors".

His gaze pierced the evening sun with an almost tangible intensity.

Kurenai Yuhi's heart sank to the bottom in an instant.

what?

Have I become a rogue ninja of Konoha?

Moreover, Di Yan not only knew her intentions, but also directly pointed them out.

They were even defined as "traitorous ninjas"!

Uchiha Hikaru seemed to have been awakened by Di Yan's words.

She nodded vigorously, a cruel excitement that clashed sharply with her innocent appearance.

"Yes! Fight the bad guys! My brother said he'll take me to fight in a place called 'Konoha' someday!"

"There are so many bad people there! I'm going to take them all..."

She grabbed the air with her little hand and made a "crushing" motion.

A flash of crimson light appeared in his eyes and disappeared in an instant!

Although that light was fleeting.

But both Kurenai and Hinata clearly noticed it.

A bone-chilling cold instantly rose from the soles of their feet and shot straight to the top of their heads!

This seemingly harmless little girl... she's been brainwashed to this extent.

Kurenai's previous escape plan seemed so insignificant and laughable in the face of the information casually revealed by Hikaru Uchiha.

She looked at Di Yan's all-encompassing smile.

Looking at Guangtian's innocent and tender little face.

Looking at Mikoto's gentleness and Izumi's coldness.

And then there's that lingering aroma of "dog meat" in the air...

Despair, like a cold tide.

It completely overwhelmed her.

The intelligence was there, a heavy burden that could crush a person.

But...do they still have a chance to take it out?

Di Yan watched them as if he were watching prey struggle, his eyes seeming to say:

So what if you know?

You have no way to escape.

……

Dinner ended in an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.

Kurenai Yuhi suppressed the churning in her stomach and the grief and indignation in her heart.

He tried to ask Teiyan again about the whereabouts of Inuyagi and Shino Aburame.

"Your Majesty, may I ask about my subordinates, Inuyagi and Shino Aburame..."

She hasn't finished speaking yet.

Di Yan seemed not to hear, and elegantly wiped the corner of his mouth with a handkerchief.

He then stood up.

He naturally wrapped one arm around Mikoto's slender waist.

With his other hand, he took the small hand of Uchiha Hikaru, who was yawning.

He didn't even glance at Kurenai Yuhi.

She seemed to be nothing more than a wisp of air, embracing the two of them directly.

They walked toward the brightly lit, more private hall next to the sleeping quarters.

Uchiha Izumi followed silently behind like the most loyal shadow.

As they passed by Kurenai and Hinata.

Uchiha Izumi paused slightly in her steps.

Her icy gaze, like two poisoned daggers, swept across the faces of Kurenai and Hinata.

Her voice was extremely low, carrying an undisguised threat:

"Behave yourselves. Only if His Majesty is in a good mood will you live."

"If you're trying to pull any tricks..."

Her fingers lightly brushed against the handle of the kunai at her waist, making a faint metallic scraping sound. "Don't blame me for being impolite."

After saying that, she didn't linger.

He quickly caught up with Di Yan and his party.

They disappeared behind the brightly lit gates of the grand hall.

The heavy palace doors slowly closed, shutting out the view inside.

It also severed the last glimmer of hope for Kurenai and Hinata.

Living under someone else's roof, now imprisoned.

They couldn't even find out if their companions were alive or dead.

This feeling of powerlessness, like an icy tide, overwhelmed the two of them.

.......

16 Hinata: What are they doing next door? Hikaru is still a child.

The night is getting darker.

The cool moonlight shone through the delicate window frames and onto the floor.

It was as if a layer of frost had been laid on it.

Inside the room, Kurenai Yuhi did not give up.

She lowered her voice and said to Hinata, "Hinata, use your Byakugan to take a good look around!"

"Find the weak points in the defenses, or any possible secret passages!"

This is their only advantage.

Hinata nodded and took a deep breath.

His pure white eyes instantly opened, and veins bulged around his temples.