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

He revealed a genuine interest in the expression.

“Omoi, Karui... Ha, they were actually Samui’s former squad members.”

Di Yan chuckled softly to himself.

The perpetually worried Omoi, and the impatient, dark-skinned girl Karui.

They were all "acquaintances".

His gaze lingered on the name "Karui" for a moment.

The image that comes to mind is completely different from Samui's style.

Yet, her dark skin and athletic figure are equally alluring.

If fair-skinned kids are tired of playing with these, dark-skinned kids should definitely give them a try...

“Samui’s scale is indeed rare,”

Di Yan stroked his chin, his eyes filled with amusement. "However, this black pearl-like texture must have a unique charm."

After a moment's thought, he had an idea.

He looked up and instructed Uchiha Izumi, who was waiting quietly to the side:

"Go and call Samui here."

Not long after.

Samui, dressed smartly and sporting striking blonde hair, entered the hall and bowed respectfully.

"His Majesty."

Di Yan gently pushed the list in front of her.

The finger is pointed at the list of envoys from the Land of Lightning.

"Look who's here."

Samui looked down.

When I saw the names Omoi and Karui.

A barely perceptible ripple crossed his calm face.

She immediately understood Di Yan's intention.

“Your former subordinates,” Di Yan said casually, but with an undeniable air of authority, “especially this Karui… You should be the one to make contact with him first.”

"Let's find out their background, and also... catch up with old friends."

His words carried a profound meaning.

His gaze shifted between Samui's voluptuous figure and the names on the list.

Samui understood immediately and bowed slightly.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I understand what to do."

She was well aware of the so-called "contact" and "reminiscing".

It was far more than just diplomatic pleasantries.

Di Yan is trying to take advantage of her old relationship.

As a pawn in the process of infiltrating the Land of Lightning's delegation.

The focus, however, was clearly on her companion, Karui.

"Go on!"

Di Yan waved his hand and lazily leaned back on the couch.

"Look at your companion, how much he's grown up now."

"I will personally meet them at the banquet tonight."

Samui accepted the order and withdrew, his eyes filled with complex emotions.

She knew that an undercurrent, more than just a diplomatic game, had begun to stir.

She herself, as well as her former companion Karui, are now caught in this vortex.

"Karui, don't blame me, I'm doing this for your own good!"

With a murmur, Samui headed straight for the hotel.

……

dong dong dong...

Sami knocked on the door.

"Come in."

A slightly lazy voice came from inside the room.

Samui didn't hesitate and pushed open the door to enter.

After a brief silence, the room suddenly erupted in chaos.

"You are...you are Samui?"

"What a joke! Samui has been using it for a long time, how could it be in the Land of Fire?"

"Samui, is that you? What are you doing here?"

"There's no mistake, that bust size can only belong to her!"

"..."

Samyi looked around.

Besides Omoi and Karui, two close friends, there were several Chunin inside the house.

Samui's face showed a complicated expression. "Everyone, it's been a long time!"

"Where have you been all this time, you rascal?!"

Karui stormed over and grabbed Samui by the collar.

Samui ignored her and instead spoke:

"Everyone except Karui and Omoi, please leave first."

Upon hearing this, everyone was taken aback.

Then they all turned to look at Omoi.

After all, he's the captain this time.

"What a nuisance!" Omoi scoffed. "Let's get out of here!"

Samui was his former captain, after all.

He also wanted to hear her explanation for her disappearance.

Inside the hotel room, as the other Chunin left...

The atmosphere suddenly became somewhat awkward.

My shoulders are killing me!

Samui walked to the table and sat down on his own.

His movements carried a languid ease and composure that was completely different from the ninjas of the Land of Lightning in the past, a kind of tamed languor.

She rubbed her shoulders, as if to show a relaxed state that she didn't need to hide in front of old friends.

"Hey, hey, hey... that's because of your big breasts, isn't it?"

Omoi couldn't help but complain.

Karui looked down and saw his toes. "You bastard, you did this on purpose!"

Omoi's rant and Karui's outburst.

It was indeed the interaction pattern that their team was familiar with before.

But at this moment, this brief period of "normality" only makes the contrast with reality even more acute.

The three exchanged a smile, but their smiles quickly faded.

Samui didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point, his gaze sweeping between Omoi and Karui:

"Speak, what is your true purpose in coming to the Empire this time?"

"They're not just here to question the Land of Wind, are they?"

Omoi sighed habitually, his brow furrowed with deep worry:

"Captain Samui...sigh, it seems you're doing quite well here?"

He probed first before getting to the point, "The destruction of the Land of Wind has shaken the entire ninja world."

"The three kingdoms of Earth, Water, and Thunder cannot sit idly by."

"The reason we were sent here is, of course, to demand an explanation from the Empire and to clarify its stance."

"To prevent similar incidents from happening again and to maintain the balance of the ninja world."

He paused, carefully observing Samui's expression, and lowered his voice:

"But Lord Raikage's true intention is to help us understand the Empire's true strength."

"This suddenly rising empire, especially His Majesty Emperor Yan."

"...Just how powerful is he, how ambitious...?"

"but now……"

Omoi hesitated for a moment, his gaze towards Samui filled with complex emotions:

"It's also important for me to confirm your whereabouts and stance."

“The village has never been sure whether you went missing, defected, or… met with some misfortune.”

"Now that I see you..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but the meaning was clear...

Looking at Samui's appearance, he doesn't seem like a prisoner.

Karui couldn't hold back any longer and impatiently interjected:

"Samui! What's wrong with you? Why are you here?"

"Still acting like... like the master!"

"Did you betray Kumogakure?"

Her tone was filled with anger and confusion.

There was also a hint of resentment at being "abandoned" by his former captain.

Samui remained calm in the face of his old friend's questioning.

She is no longer the pure Cloud Village ninja she once was.

She gently swirled the teacup in her hand...

That was the one the Chunin fell over before he left, with an elegant movement.

"betray?"

Samui raised his eyes and looked at Karui, "Kalui, Omoi, what do you think..."

"In the face of absolute power, what meaning do loyalty and stance truly hold?"

Instead of answering directly, she posed a more profound question.

She looked at her two former teammates with a hint of pity in her eyes.

It also carries a hint of the aloofness that belongs to the empire's superiors.

"His Majesty's power far exceeds your imagination."

"The Land of Wind is just the beginning."