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

The serious, instructor-like expression on his face instantly switched to a gentle yet enigmatic smile.

"Oh? The little princesses of the Yamanaka and Hyuga families are back?"

Di Yan's gaze swept over Ino and Hinata.

His gaze lingered briefly, especially on Hinata.

"It seems your family isn't very patient."

Ino and Hinata were startled.

When they left Neji and the others and returned, they did indeed encounter people from their clan on the road who wanted them to go back.

But they refused, citing their own missions.

Ino was the first to react, pulling Hinata, who was still somewhat dazed, forward.

She tried to make her smile appear natural and sweet, changing the subject:

"Your Majesty is too kind; it's just routine family concern."

"We...we were just curious, was His Majesty teaching Hanabi a new martial art just now? That...Tai Chi?"

Seeing the two women forcing smiles, Di Yan didn't press the matter further.

Winning the hearts of two women is not so simple.

It takes time for feelings to develop.

He chatted idly with the girls, exchanging a few words here and there.

Hinata and Ino, along with Hanabi and Hikaru, were about to go wash up and rest.

The courtyard fell silent for a moment.

Only the lingering warmth of the darkness remained.

Di Yan stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze fixed on the direction Ino and Hinata had left.

The usual, enigmatic, gentle smile on his face gradually faded.

Instead, there was a deep, almost icy calm.

It was as if all pretense had been shed.

It reveals a hint of the true nature of the rulers.

The faint sound of footsteps almost blended into the wind, and Uchiha Izumi appeared silently half a step behind him like a ghost.

Izumi maintained an absolutely respectful distance.

She still maintained that icy demeanor.

However, when his eyes fell on Di Yan's back, a complex emotion that was hard to describe would be revealed.

It is a mixture of absolute loyalty and a deeper bond.

"His Majesty."

Izumi's voice was cold and emotionless, simply stating the facts: "Before Yamanaka Ino and Hyuga Hinata returned, they secretly met with Haruno Sakura, Hyuga Neji, Lee, Tenten, and a few others."

"They have initially formulated a plan to rescue Sarutobi Asuma, Nara Shikamaru, Akimichi Choji, and Inuzuka Kiba."

Di Yan did not turn around.

He simply gave a very soft "hmm" to indicate that he was listening.

Izumi continued his report, lowering his voice to make sure only the two of them could hear:

"When they returned to the inn, both the Hyuga and Yamanaka clans sent members to take them back to their main clans."

"But they all refused on the grounds that they had important missions to perform."

She made a point of repeating the words "important task".

It was impossible to tell whether his tone was sarcastic or something else.

Emperor Yan finally moved slightly.

The corners of his mouth seemed to curve upwards in an extremely slight arc.

But it was definitely not a happy laugh.

It's more like a detached understanding, as if everything is under control.

"Sure enough."

He spoke calmly, his voice revealing no surprise, "The new buds of Konoha are always filled with unnecessary courage and... a near-foolish sense of responsibility."

He slowly turned around, his gaze falling on Izumi's exquisite yet expressionless face:

"Did they think their actions were very discreet?"

"Do you still think that I, the emperor of the Land of Fire, am just blind in Konoha Village?"

Quan lowered her head slightly: "They were very cautious and avoided the usual surveillance points."

"But His Majesty is wise and has already laid a trap."

Her tone was filled with unquestionable reverence.

It turns out that Ino and Hinata's every move was being observed.

It has never left Di Yan's sight.

The so-called secret meeting, the so-called prevarication to appease the family.

All these careful actions.

In Di Yan's eyes.

It's probably like a poorly written play.

He himself was the only spectator sitting in the best seat.

Di Yan raised his hand and gently brushed past a night-blooming cereus swaying in the evening breeze beside him, his eyes deep and unfathomable.

"Alright."

he said softly.

It was as if she was talking to the spring, or as if she was talking to herself.

"Let's make the game... a little bit more fun."

"Let's see just how far these Konoha's young heroes can go."

“Quan,” he instructed, “keep watching them.”

"Also, the guards over there in the dungeon... should be 'appropriately' adjusted as originally planned."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Quan accepted the order without any hesitation.

She understood the meaning of "appropriate adjustment".

It must not be easily rescued, but it must also leave a seemingly exploitable opening.

His Majesty seems to enjoy the feeling of being in control of everything.

Quan's figure was just as it had been when he arrived.

It silently blended into the shadows, as if it had never existed.

Di Yan was left alone in the courtyard again.

The last rays of the setting sun fell on him, casting his shadow long and thin.

He appeared both exceptionally lonely and exceptionally powerful.

He watched the red sun sink completely into the mountains.

His eyes gleamed with calculation and amusement.

"To extract intelligence? To rescue our comrades?"

He chuckled softly, a hint of lazy mockery in his voice, "I hope you... won't disappoint me too much."

"Sakura Haruno and Tenten... I'd be happy to eat meat that's been delivered to my door..."

……

The Konoha hotel district was quiet late at night.

Only the occasional patrol lights flickered.

In the shadows of a corner in the backyard.

Ino and Hinata used their Byakugan abilities to observe the heavily guarded area from a distance.

It looked like just an ordinary warehouse.

However, in the Byakugan's view, the internal structure is complex, with visible and hidden sentry points intertwined, and the chakra reaction is dense and powerful.

There are almost no blind spots.

What's even more shocking is that.

The guards were completely shrouded in specially made black clothes, which could even interfere with the X-ray vision of the White Eyes to some extent.

Its true appearance and specific layout could not be fully seen.

"No... we can't get close at all."

Hinata withdrew her Byakugan, beads of sweat forming on her forehead, her voice tinged with weakness, "The guards are too tight."

"Moreover, their equipment seems to be able to counter some of the White Eye's abilities."

Ino bit her lower lip, her beautiful face filled with resentment and anxiety:

"Is there really no way at all? Asuma-sensei, Shikamaru, Choji, Kiba, and the others..."

The two fell silent; the urgency to save lives and the harsh reality made the atmosphere particularly oppressive.

After a while.

Ino seemed to have made up her mind. She suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with a resolute determination.

"There's no other way! It seems... we have no choice but to beg His Majesty the Emperor!"

Hinata trembled slightly upon hearing this.

Her fair cheeks instantly turned pale, and she instinctively hugged her arms tightly.

"But...but that person...he...he's too..."

She stammered, unable to find the right words.

But those pure white eyes clearly revealed fear and an unspeakable embarrassment.

Di Yan was too strong in that area; she really couldn't handle it on her own...

Ino grabbed Hinata's hand to encourage her, and also to bolster her own courage:

"Don't be afraid, Hinata! We'll be together!"

"This sacrifice is nothing compared to saving everyone! Besides... we're ninjas!"

"That's right. To save our comrades, this sacrifice is nothing."

Just then, a slightly hoarse yet still alluring voice rang out from the shadows behind them:

Ino and Hinata were startled and turned around abruptly.

At the same time, adopt a defensive stance.

Then, Kurenai slowly emerged from the shadows.

She also seemed to have just finished a reconnaissance mission, and her face showed signs of fatigue.

But those red eyes burned with a resolute light.

She looked at the two surprised students and gave them a bitter yet resolute smile.