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

Only one thought remained in my mind: Something terrible has happened!

She moved quickly through the streets while her mind raced.

Lady Tsunade won so much money but wasn't happy; instead, she urgently summoned all the high-ranking officials...

There is only one explanation for this unusual phenomenon.

That victory in the bet was by no means a matter of luck.

Lady Tsunade sensed a huge, imminent crisis from this "victory".

Silently tightened her grip on the money, her fingertips growing slightly cold.

She finally understood.

Lady Tsunade may not have entered the casino for gambling purposes at all.

But...

To verify a terrifying hypothesis.

The verification results confirmed the existence of this legendary Sannin and Fifth Hokage.

They also felt an unprecedented sense of severity.

Konoha Village is likely to face another storm.

...

In front of a training field on the other side.

Several genin who were once known as the Konoha Twelve have reunited.

Neji Hyuga, Lee, Tenten, Sakura Haruno, Ino, and Hinata.

Sasuke Uchiha defected, and Naruto Uzumaki followed Jiraiya away.

As for Kiba Inuzuka, Shino Aburame, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akimichi...

He was imprisoned by the Emperor of the Land of Fire because of the Asuma assassination incident.

At this moment, only the six of them are gathered here.

Seeing Ino and Hinata arrive late, Sakura Haruno spoke first:

"Ino, Hinata, how are you? And what happened to Shikamaru and Kiba?"

"Yes, how are they now? Are they in danger?" Xiao Li pressed.

Tian Tian added, "And what about Teacher Hong? How is she?"

Neji crossed his arms, his eyes serious. "What exactly happened with Asuma's assassination attempt? Why would he want to assassinate the Emperor for no reason?"

Thanks to the Land of Fire's extensive promotion.

The fact that Asma attempted to assassinate her was already common knowledge.

Faced with a series of problems.

Hinata and Ino, who were already feeling guilty, wanted to say something, but couldn't bring themselves to say it.

After a long silence, the two women slowly uttered two words, "...Fine!"

The air on the training field seemed to freeze.

The setting sun cast long, thin shadows of the six people, which intertwined.

Yet it exudes an indescribable sense of alienation.

Ino and Hinata remained silent.

And that vague "It's alright".

Like a thorn, it stuck in the hearts of the other four people.

Neji's Byakugan cannot see through people's hearts.

Yet, it can keenly perceive subtle fluctuations in chakra.

He clearly sensed it.

When the emperor and Kurenai Yuhi are mentioned.

A strange, gentle, and even... affectionate ripple appeared in the chakra within Ino and Hinata's bodies.

This was quite different from the worry they deliberately maintained on their faces.

This is far more than just a matter of "nothing happening".

Sakura clenched her fists.

His turquoise eyes were filled with confusion and a hint of barely perceptible wariness.

She is a medical ninja, and also has a keen eye for observation.

Ino's brief silence and Hinata's instinctive averted gaze.

All of this amplified the unease in her heart.

"Ino, Hinata," Sakura's voice was lower than usual, "Are you really alright?"

"If anything happens, be sure to tell us. We're comrades."

Tian Tian also suppressed her usual liveliness and nodded solemnly:

"Yes, the current situation is very strange."

“How could Master Asuma possibly attempt an assassination? There must be something fishy going on here.”

"If you know anything, tell us and we'll figure it out together."

Xiao Li looked at this, then at that.

Although I don't quite understand why the atmosphere has become so subtle.

But he nodded vigorously and agreed, "Sakura and Tenten are right!"

"These are the challenges we face on the path of youth! We must face them together!"

He faced the concerned yet questioning gazes of his companions.

Ino felt a sudden wave of panic.

What could she say?

Does this mean that Teacher Hong is doing incredibly well now?

Are they immersed in an unprecedented "happiness"?

Could it be that the man possesses an irresistible magic?

How can he make women who get close to him irresistibly attracted, even to the point of submitting?

She simply couldn't bring herself to say those words.

That was not only a betrayal of Teacher Hong.

It's more like he betrayed his past self and the Konoha he had always upheld.

Hinata was so embarrassed that she almost buried her head in her chest.

Her inner struggle was even greater than Ino's.

The eldest daughter of the main branch of the Hyuga clan.

He received a rigorous education from a young age.

At this moment, however, he was in turmoil because of an enemy who had invaded the village.

A fierce battle raged within her between a strong sense of transgression and an irresistible attraction.

It caused her immense pain.

“We…” Ino took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, “We don’t know much.”

"His Majesty the Emperor... his methods are... very special."

"Shikamaru and the others are safe for now. Asuma-sensei is just being watched over and is not injured."

"As for Teacher Hong..."

She paused, choosing her words with difficulty, "She was indeed not abused, and her condition... could even be described as... good."

"But we don't know the specifics either."

This explanation is weak and unconvincing, and even seems like an attempt to cover up the truth.

Neji Hyuga frowned even more deeply.

"You're in good shape?"

He repeated the sentence, his tone clearly skeptical.

A Jonin controlled by the enemy, in good condition?

This is a huge contradiction in itself.

Tian Tian couldn't help but ask, "What kind of person was that emperor?"

"Why did he lock Shikamaru and the others up? The assassination attempt must be an excuse, right?"

Hinata gently shook her head, her voice weak:

"He...he is very powerful, and also...mysterious."

"We...we dare not inquire too much."

She was telling the truth.

But the most important part was concealed.

They are not entirely "afraid".

More often than not, it's a kind of unspeakable "unwillingness" or "indulgence".

Sakura felt a heavy weight in her heart as she watched her two friends clearly unwilling to talk more.

She suddenly had a terrible feeling.

Ino and Hinata seem to be being pulled away from each other by some invisible force.

They pulled them toward the side of that unknown and dangerous emperor.

This sense of distance.

It makes you feel more powerless than a direct enemy.

"Two days later..." Sakura murmured, recalling Ino's words earlier, "The Hokage and the higher-ups will be having a meeting... Will there really be a result by then?"

She was referring to what Konoha had announced a day earlier... about the meeting with the Emperor of the Land of Fire scheduled for two days later.

At this moment, Sakura expressed deep doubts about this.

Everyone fell silent; they couldn't get involved in such matters between high-ranking officials.

"Damn it, it's all because we're too weak!" Xiao Li gritted his teeth.

Neji was silent for a moment, then spoke:

"In any case, there's only so much we can do right now."

"Ino, Hinata, if you can still get some information, especially about the specific circumstances of Shikamaru and the others' imprisonment and the guards."

"Please be sure to pay attention. But the premise is to ensure your own safety."

His words remained calm.

But it contains concerns and a subtle sense of alienation.

Ino and Hinata both clearly sensed it.