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

"It could very well involve the Daimyo's residence... no, it could be a deeper conflict between the Imperial Palace and Konoha."

"We must be extremely careful, as mishandling this could trigger a serious political crisis, or even war."

His analysis silenced Ino and Choji.

They realized the seriousness of the situation.

"So what do we do now?" Ino asked.

"First, we need to find a way to infiltrate the palace and locate the exact location where Kurenai, Hinata, Kiba, and Shino are being held."

Asma made the decision, "Ensuring their safety is the top priority."

"We'll see what happens next; it would be best if we could rescue them quietly."

"If that doesn't work, we must gather evidence and report to the Hokage so that the village can negotiate on our behalf."

"Infiltrating the palace...that's incredibly troublesome..."

Shikamaru finally spoke, letting out a sigh:

"The defenses are tight, and there must be many barriers, making it extremely difficult."

"Therefore, we need perfect cooperation between the pig, deer, and butterfly."

Asma looked at his three disciples with trust in his eyes:

"Shikamaru, formulate the plan; Ino, senses and intelligence; Choji, strength and breakthrough."

"The operation must be conducted covertly and swiftly!"

"Yes!"

The three responded in hushed tones.

Just as they were preparing to discuss the specific infiltration route...

Shikamaru suddenly raised his head, squinted at the sky, and muttered to himself:

Are there really this many sparrows in the capital?

Upon hearing this, everyone instinctively looked up.

All that could be seen in the sky near the palace was...

Indeed, quite a few sparrows were circling around.

Their flight paths seemed to be too concentrated over the palace.

Unlike ordinary birds, they don't scatter.

"Maybe there's something to eat nearby? Or is it just a coincidence?"

Ino glanced at it but didn't pay much attention.

Who would pay special attention to birds in the sky?

Asma also focused his attention for a moment, then shook his head:

"It's not a summoning beast; it doesn't have any chakra fluctuations. It's just an ordinary sparrow."

As an experienced Jonin.

He has a keen sense of chakra.

Since the teacher has already said so.

Everyone then put aside this trivial doubt.

All attention was refocused on the plan to break through the palace's defenses.

They carefully surveyed the height of the city walls, the shift changes of the guards, and potential blind spots...

However, they didn't know.

High above them, among those seemingly ordinary sparrows.

In the depths of some eyes, a strange, almost human-like light flickered.

Asma's squad clung to the cold palace walls like shadows in the night.

They are preparing to find an opportunity to cross over and enter the market.

Among the flock of sparrows hovering in the sky, a few quietly broke away from the main group.

As if drawn by an invisible thread, it flapped its wings and flew deep into the palace.

They nimbly traversed the empty, silent, and heavily guarded palace corridors.

Finally, it flew into an exceptionally warm and luxurious courtyard.

The atmosphere here is completely different from the bleakness outside.

Warm jade carpets the ground, and incense smoke curls gently.

In the center was an enormous, extravagantly luxurious bed covered with soft animal hides.

On the bed, the scene was even more erotic and decadent.

Yet it also exudes a suffocatingly eerie "harmony".

Di Yan leaned back lazily.

Behind her was Kurenai Yuhi, her face slightly flushed, her eyes filled with complex emotions, yet her movements were gentle.

She was massaging his shoulders with just the right amount of pressure, acting as a human cushion.

Below, Inuzuka Hana pursed her lips, her face filled with humiliation and resentment.

But she had no choice but to raise her fist and massage his legs repeatedly.

On the left, Hinata Hyuga lowered her eyes.

Her fair cheeks were flushed, and she held a plate of crystal-clear grapes in her hand.

Whenever Di Yan's gaze swept over.

She carefully picked up a piece and fed it to his mouth.

And the most "active" ones.

It was Uchiha Hikaru who was nestled in Di Yan's arms.

This little girl seems to have completely adapted to life here.

She left her terrible past and power behind, like a truly carefree kitten.

She fluttered around in Di Yan's arms.

Every now and then, she would reach out her little hand to snatch the grapes that Di Yan was about to eat.

Then he smugly stuffed it into his mouth and chuckled.

Uchiha Izumi stood silently in the shadows by the window, like the most loyal guardian.

His sharp eyes scanned the view outside the window, maintaining a state of high alert at all times.

Unlike Mikoto's melancholic and poignant style.

Quan's loyalty is cold and absolute.

Surprisingly.

Uchiha Hikaru, this "little monster," seems to possess a peculiar talent.

Her carefree and lively nature allowed her to quickly become "familiar" with Kurenai Yuhi, Hinata, and even the stubborn Hana Inuzuka.

In this distorted environment of imprisonment.

Light became a strange glue between them.

They can even play around together for a while occasionally.

For a brief moment, forget the harshness of reality.

at this time.

The sparrows that had flown back from outside fluttered their wings and landed on the exquisitely carved railing beside the bed.

It kept chattering at Di Yan.

The little head nods little by little.

Di Yan, who was fighting with Guang for grapes, paused slightly.

He listened intently, as if he could truly understand the birds' language.

A knowing and amused look flashed in his eyes.

...

38. The Unconventional Approach of Sunset Red; Closing the Door to Beat the Dog

"Oh? We're already outside the wall?"

"More cautious than expected... They chose the side entrance on the west side... Interesting."

Di Yan muttered to himself, a cold smile playing on his lips, as if he had everything under control.

have to say.

The ability to communicate with animals, which he received from Hana Inuzuka.

It's surprisingly easy to use.

He casually grabbed a small handful of raisins from the plate Hinata was holding and spread them in his palm.

The sparrows immediately flew down happily.

They began to peck at the food in his palm.

After finishing her meal, she affectionately rubbed her fingers against his.

Then, satisfied, it flapped its wings and flew away.

Throughout the entire process, Kurenai Yuhi, Hinata, and Hana Inuzuka unconsciously stopped moving.

Although they couldn't understand bird language.

But Di Yan's mutterings and knowing smile made them understand instantly.

A "guest" has arrived!

And it's very likely someone from Konoha!

Kurenai's heart leaped into her throat, and her fingers trembled slightly as she massaged.

Is it Asuma?

he came?

Don't come! This is a trap!

Hinata's plate wobbled slightly, her eyes filled with worry.

Inuzuka Hana clenched her fists as she pounded her legs, her emotions a complex mix.

They both hoped someone would come to their rescue and feared that the person who came would also fall into this hellhole.

Di Yan reveled in their sudden tension and fear, as if it were the perfect entertainment.

He opened his mouth, and Hinata immediately and instinctively fed him another grape.

He chewed slowly, his gaze sweeping over the three women's uneasy faces, before finally instructing Quan by the window:

"Quan, go tell Tiehuo. The 'guests' are 'visiting' through the west side gate. Let them in first... so we can trap them later."

"Yes, Your Majesty."