Not only could he not sense any Chakra, but more than half of his physical strength had also been drained.
He was like a beast with its claws and fangs removed.
Shino Aburame's condition was even worse.
His eyes behind his sunglasses were vacant, and his body was covered in a powerful insect repellent powder specifically targeting parasitic insects.
The pungent smell not only severed his connection with his insect companions.
It also constantly eroded his will like a poison.
Even more jarring was the bandaging on their left hands.
Beneath the thick bandages, three fingers were missing from each.
The pain of the severed fingers not only tormented their bodies but also utterly crushed their pride as Konoha Ninja.
The cold reality was like heavy shackles:
They were no longer Ninja on a mission, but prisoners at the mercy of others.
"That bastard Emperor..."
Inuzuka Kiba's voice was hoarse and dry with hatred, "Konoha's intelligence... is all garbage!"
He used to be like everyone else.
He thought the Land of Fire's Daimyo was just a revered mascot.
Hokage-sama was the true power holder.
The Daimyo appointing the Hokage?
That was just a formality; anyone who took it seriously was a fool!
But now, trapped in captivity.
Experiencing firsthand the ruthlessness, cunning, and unfathomable power of this "Emperor."
They suddenly realized.
How fatal Konoha Higher-Ups' contempt for the Land of Fire's Daimyo and their delayed intelligence truly were!
The conflict between Konoha and the Daimyo's Residence.
It was no longer an undercurrent but had reached the brink of armed confrontation!
"Teacher Kurenai... Hinata..."
Shino Aburame pushed up his cracked sunglasses.
His voice was so low it was almost inaudible.
They didn't know the whereabouts of Kurenai Yuhi and Hyuga Hinata.
Had they also suffered similar torture?
Had they also lost something important?
Fear, like a cold viper, coiled around their hearts.
"Hokage-sama will definitely come to save us!"
Inuzuka Kiba suddenly looked up, "That damned Emperor, he's no match for Hokage-sama!"
"Our Konoha is the strongest..."
He seemed to be convincing Shino, but even more so, he was convincing himself.
"Akamaru..."
Inuzuka Kiba's voice dropped again, filled with worry.
His partner, his Ninja dog, how was Akamaru now?
Would that Emperor also... Just then.
The heavy iron door of the dungeon let out a grating "creak" as it slowly pushed open.
A figure in black combat attire, with a cold, knife-like aura, walked in.
It was Uchiha Tekka.
He held a steaming earthenware pot.
A peculiar aroma of meat instantly permeated the foul dungeon.
Tekka expressionlessly placed the earthenware pot on the ground in front of the two.
Inside the pot were tenderly stewed meat chunks, with bones clearly visible.
The broth was rich, emitting an enticing fragrance.
"Eat something."
Tekka's voice was as cold as his expression, devoid of any emotion, "His Majesty the Emperor is merciful; this is his reward to you."
"Only by living can you have the strength to think of other things."
He deliberately emphasized the word "living."
Carrying a cruel implication.
Intense hunger had tormented Inuzuka Kiba and Shino for a long time.
The aroma of the food, like a devil's temptation, instantly overwhelmed their vigilance and dignity.
The instinct to survive drove them.
The two exchanged glances, seeing the helplessness and struggle in each other's eyes.
But ultimately, the craving for food triumphed over everything.
They practically pounced on it.
Ignoring the heat, they grabbed the meat chunks and bones with their hands, devouring them ravenously.
Hunger made their taste buds exceptionally sensitive.
The meat was extremely flavorful and tender.
The marrow in the bones was even more exceptionally delicious.
"Mmm... delicious!"
Inuzuka Kiba mumbled indistinctly while gnawing on a bone with meat, "This... what kind of meat is this? I've never tasted anything this fragrant!"
Shino Aburame also chewed in silence.
His eyes behind his sunglasses flickered slightly, seemingly analyzing the source of the meat.
Uchiha Tekka had been observing coldly.
Hearing Inuzuka Kiba's question.
On his stern face, the corner of his mouth very slowly curved upwards into a subtle arc.
It wasn't a smile.
It was more like a knife-edged, malicious sneer.
He harbored hatred for all Konoha Ninja... He stubbornly believed.
All Konoha Ninja were accomplices in the Uchiha clan massacre.
Watching Inuzuka Kiba greedily sucking the marrow from a bone.
Uchiha Tekka, in a chillingly calm tone, clearly stated:
"Oh, you mean this?"
He paused, enjoying Inuzuka Kiba and Shino Aburame simultaneously freezing, then he uttered the answer, word for word:
"This is... dog meat... specially bestowed by His Majesty."
Boom!
It was as if a thunderbolt exploded in Inuzuka Kiba's mind!
The piece of meat in his mouth, which he hadn't had time to swallow, instantly turned into a red-hot branding iron.
His throat felt as if an invisible hand was tightly gripping it.
Everything he had just eaten in his stomach churned violently!
"Dog... dog meat?"
Inuzuka Kiba's voice was distorted, filled with unbelievable fear and despair.
He lowered his head, staring intently at the bone in his hand, still with strands of meat and marrow.
That familiar structure... those characteristics belonging to a canid... 12 Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata's Self-Rescue
Akamaru?
A name, like the most vicious curse, heavily smashed into his soul!
"Ugh..."
Uncontrollable, heart-wrenching retching suddenly erupted.
Inuzuka Kiba felt as if all his bones had been removed.
He curled up on the ground, frantically clawing at his throat.
Vomiting everything he had just eaten, along with bile and streaks of blood, all at once... His body convulsed violently.
Tears, snot, and vomit smeared his face.
He let out a wail like a dying beast!
"Akamaru... my Akamaru... Bastard!"
"Di Yan! You beast, ahhh..."
Extreme pain and anger made him completely collapse.
He frantically banged his head against the cold ground, making dull thuds.
His forehead instantly became a bloody mess!
Beside him, Shino Aburame's body also stiffened as if petrified.
The bone in his hand dropped to the ground with a "clatter."
His eyes behind his sunglasses were wide open.
Deep within his vacant gaze was an overwhelming fury capable of incinerating everything and a bone-deep chill.
He bit his lip tightly until blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.
His body trembled violently from extreme anger.
The insect repellent powder on him seemed unable to suppress the primal rage from his bloodline anymore.
A few tiny, seemingly mutated black insects uncontrollably crawled out from his sleeve.
They frantically gnawed at the ground, emitting a faint but teeth-grating "rustling" sound.
"Dare to insult His Majesty the Emperor, you seek death..."