"So, this Di Yan is from the Uchiha Clan?"
At the same time, Kurenai Yuhi felt an indescribable pang of bitterness and a strong sense of self-abasement surge through her heart.
She watched the three women surrounding Di Yan.
Some were gentle, some cold, some innocent... yet all carried a strange sense of belonging, while she?
Disheveled, body and mind ravaged.
Like a dirty beggar who had intruded into someone else's world of happiness!
Di Yan's "gentleness" towards them, contrasted with the atrocities she had suffered, formed the cruelest comparison!
That warm atmosphere felt more like a complete trampling of her dignity!
Hinata's Byakugan also widened slightly.
Her pure eyes were filled with shock and bewilderment.
She couldn't understand.
Why would such a terrifying demon have such a "tender" side?
Those three women... were they truly happy?
Or... were they merely birds caged in a gilded cage?
Di Yan seemed to notice the movement at the door.
He unhurriedly put down his wine glass and slowly turned his head.
When his gaze fell upon Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata, who stood at the door with pale faces and complex expressions.
A meaningful, cat-and-mouse-like smile curved his lips.
"Oh? You're awake?"
He spoke lazily.
His voice was exceptionally clear and jarring in the warm courtyard.
"Good. You must be hungry, right? Come over, let's eat together."
He pointed to the empty seat beside the stone table.
His tone was as casual as if greeting two late guests.
As if all the bloodshed and brutality that had occurred earlier in the dungeon and bedchamber had never existed.
"Tonight's dog meat hotpot,"
Di Yan's gaze swept, almost imperceptibly, over Kurenai Yuhi's instantly pale face and Hinata's confused eyes.
With a hint of cruel mockery on his lips, he added:
"The taste... is quite good."
He deliberately emphasized the words "dog meat," instantly shattering the false warmth in the courtyard.
Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata stood frozen at the door.
Unable to advance, unable to retreat.
The enticing aroma of meat now seemed to transform into the scent of sulfur from hell... 14 Hikari, who had been buried for so long; trying to get information
Dog meat?
Di Yan's understated yet deliberately emphasized words.
Pierced Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata's emotional defenses like a dagger.
Both women stiffened simultaneously, their faces instantly drained of color!
Akamaru?
The lively, loyal white puppy that always followed Kiba... It... It really... was... Connecting this to the disappearance of Kiba and Shino, and Di Yan's ruthless conduct.
Kurenai Yuhi could almost certainly identify the source of the alluringly fragrant meat in the basin.
A strong wave of nausea and indignation instantly surged into her throat.
Hinata, even more so, covered her mouth, her Byakugan wide.
Her body trembled slightly.
She was on the verge of vomiting on the spot.
Di Yan took in the two women's pale faces and suppressed physical reactions.
The mocking smile on his lips deepened.
He slowly cut a piece of meat and chewed it meticulously.
As if savoring a supreme delicacy.
His voice carried a hint of condescending "tolerance":
"What? Can't bear it?"
"It's fine. If you don't eat, you'll starve. Tonight... there's nothing else."
He lightly announced their options.
Either swallow this "food" symbolizing the brutal murder of a companion.
Or endure the torment of hunger.
Kurenai Yuhi bit her lower lip hard, a metallic taste of blood spreading in her mouth.
As an elite Jonin who had experienced brutal wars and witnessed countless deaths.
Her psychological fortitude was far greater than Hinata's.
Fear, disgust, anger... these emotions assailed her like a raging tide.
But she forcibly suppressed them!
Survive!
Get the information out!
This belief was like a lighthouse in the darkness, supporting her crumbling will.
"Hinata... sit down."
Kurenai Yuhi's voice was hoarse but exceptionally firm.
She squeezed Hinata's cold hand tightly, conveying an undeniable strength.
She pulled the almost unsteady Hinata, putting on a brave face.
And sat down at a position slightly further from Di Yan's "warm" dining table.
This distance allowed them to smell the nauseating aroma of meat, and also clearly see the expressions and actions of the others.
Di Yan seemed very satisfied with their "obedience."
He clapped his hands lightly.
Immediately, maids in elegant palace attire appeared silently.
They deftly set out exquisite bowls and chopsticks for Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata.
Then, like ghosts, they quickly retreated, never once glancing sideways throughout the process.
"Don't be shy, eat."
Di Yan tapped the steaming "hotpot" with his chopsticks.
His tone was as if entertaining guests.
Beside him, Uchiha Mikoto lowered her head, silently serving Di Yan, her eyes sweeping over Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata with a complex expression.
There was a hint of pity, as one woman to another.
But more than that, there was a numb resignation.
Uchiha Izumi, on the other hand, was like a cold sculpture, focused on the food in front of her.
Her sharp gaze occasionally swept over Kurenai Yuhi, carrying assessment and vigilance.
As if scrutinizing a potentially dangerous item.
Only the little loli, Uchiha Hikari, sitting beside Di Yan.
She blinked her big eyes innocently, curiously observing the two new "sisters."
She gnawed on a meat bone, her small mouth glistening with oil, and suddenly spoke with childish innocence:
"Wow! Red-eyed big sister, and white-eyed big sister, you're both so pretty!"
Hikari's voice was clear and melodious, full of childlike, sincere praise, "Even a little prettier than Mikoto-jie and Izumi-jie!"
This sudden "compliment" stunned both Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata.
Especially Kurenai Yuhi.
Looking at Hikari's pure, unadulterated eyes.
Listening to her heartfelt praise, and then comparing it to the "dog meat" she was currently gnawing on.
A tremendous sense of absurdity and intense pity instantly surged into her heart!
Such an innocent child... she must have been coerced by this devil in human skin!
Kurenai Yuhi was convinced.
Di Yan could even obtain the Uchiha Clan leader's wife through despicable means.
Controlling an immature little girl would be even easier.
This thought deepened her hatred for Di Yan.
At the same time, it also created a strong protective urge for Hikari.
"Tha... thank you."
Kurenai Yuhi forced out an extremely stiff smile.
Attempting to reciprocate Hikari's "kindness."
She needed a breakthrough.
And this seemingly innocent girl, who was deeply favored by Di Yan, might be her chance!
"Little sister, what's your name?"
Kurenai Yuhi softened her voice.
Trying to appear gentle and harmless, she began her cautious probing.
"My name is Hikari! Uchiha Hikari!"
Hikari answered happily, her big eyes curving into crescents, "Brother saved me from a dark, dark place!"
As she spoke, she affectionately rubbed against Di Yan's arm, full of reliance.
"Hikari... that's a beautiful name."