Uchiha Tekka lifted his foot and kicked, unleashing a flurry of kicks and stomps... a good release of pent-up aggression. He only stopped when Inuzuka Kiba was nearly silent.
"If His Majesty hadn't ordered you to live, I'd kill you right now."
Uchiha Tekka spoke coldly.
"Live well."
Tekka's voice remained icy, "His Majesty said you are still useful. Don't go and kill yourselves."
He no longer looked at the two men on the ground, who were like mud, and turned away.
Just as he had arrived, he left the dungeon silently.
The heavy iron door closed once more.
In the dungeon, only Kiba's heartbreaking cries and retching remained, along with Shino Aburame's extremely suppressed, heavy breathing, like a wounded lone wolf... At the same time, Hyuga Hinata's consciousness slowly floated up from the dark abyss, like a sunken ship.
She suddenly opened her pure Byakugan.
A fierce sense of alarm instantly swept through her body!
The last scene before she fainted was clearly imprinted in her mind... the eerie crimson glow in the young emperor's eyes, which swallowed her consciousness like an abyss.
She instinctively tried to sit up and channel her Chakra, but she felt weak and powerless.
Looking around, she found herself lying on a soft, wide brocade bed.
The room was decorated with astonishing luxury, adorned with gold and jade, and filled with a lingering incense.
It was a world away from the cold prison.
And by the bed sat a familiar figure... Teacher Kurenai Yuhi.
Kurenai Yuhi's face was unusually haggard.
Her red eyes, which always held mature confidence, were now dull and lifeless.
The dark circles under her eyes were clearly visible.
Seeing Hinata wake up, a flicker of surprise appeared in her eyes.
Then she quickly suppressed the bitterness, exhaustion, and unspeakable pain on her face, forcing a strained smile.
"Hinata? You're awake? How are you feeling?"
Kurenai Yuhi's voice was a little hoarse, carrying deliberately softened concern.
She suppressed the tearing pain deep within her body, not daring to show any vulnerability in front of Hinata.
As a teacher, the instinct to protect her student now outweighed her own suffering.
Hinata felt a little relieved seeing her teacher safe, but immediately thought of her companions:
"Teacher Kurenai! It's so good that you're alright!"
"Where are Kiba and Shino? Where are they?"
She struggled to sit up.
Kurenai Yuhi quickly held her down, a shadow of gloom and helplessness flashing in her eyes:
"I... I don't know either. I woke up here and haven't seen them."
This answer made Hinata's heart sink.
The two exchanged glances, both seeing the worry in each other's eyes.
In enemy territory, prisoners, yet unaware of their companions' fates.
They also did not know how the erratic and ruthless emperor would deal with them next.
Unknown fear, like cold vines, coiled around their hearts.
Kurenai Yuhi took a deep breath, suppressing the humiliation and fear in her heart.
A trace of the determination of a Konoha Jonin rekindled in her red eyes:
"Hinata, listen, we cannot just sit here and wait."
"That Di Yan, he has ulterior motives; he's not just targeting us, he wants to overthrow all of Konoha!"
"We must get the message back and inform Hokage-sama."
She lowered her voice, her tone resolute, "I will find a way, create an opportunity for you to escape!"
"You must return to Konoha and tell Hokage-sama everything that happened here, exactly as it is!"
"Only Hokage-sama can stop this devil!"
"But... Teacher Kurenai! How can I leave you behind..."
Hinata shook her head anxiously, her Byakugan filled with worry and reluctance.
Abandoning her companions to escape alone went against her inner principles.
"This isn't abandonment!"
Kurenai Yuhi gripped Hinata's hand tightly, with a strength that made Hinata feel a slight pain, "This is a mission! Hinata!"
"You are the Hyuga clan's young lady, and your Byakugan has an irreplaceable advantage in reconnaissance and escape!"
"This is the most likely plan to succeed! For Kiba, for Shino, for Konoha, you must survive."
"You must bring the intelligence back! Understand?"
Her gaze was incredibly firm, carrying an unquestionable command.
Hinata looked at the resolve and trust in her teacher's eyes, tears welling up.
She finally bit her lip and nodded vigorously:
"I... I understand, Teacher Kurenai!"
Just as the two were discussing the details of a possible escape plan in hushed tones, an extremely enticing, rich aroma of meat, like an invisible hook, penetrated the gap in the door and wafted into the room... 13. Let's have some dog meat hotpot together.
"Grrr..."
Almost simultaneously, both their stomachs let out loud protests.
Only then did they realize that they hadn't eaten in a long time since they were captured.
The intense hunger instantly diluted the tense atmosphere.
Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata exchanged glances, both seeing helplessness and longing in each other's eyes.
"Shall we go out and see?"
Kurenai Yuhi suggested, her voice a little weak, "At least... figure out the situation outside, and find something to eat to replenish our strength."
Running away also required energy.
Hinata nodded.
The two tidied their somewhat disheveled clothes.
Kurenai Yuhi was especially careful to conceal any possible marks on her neck.
With utmost vigilance, the two women gently pushed open the door.
Outside the door was an exquisite and elegant courtyard.
Rockeries, flowing water, and exotic flowers and plants presented a unique scene in the twilight.
However, the sight in the center of the courtyard instantly froze Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata, who had just stepped out of the room, as if struck by lightning!
Only in the center of the courtyard, around a magnificent stone table, sat four people enjoying dinner.
At the head of the table was Di Yan, whom Kurenai Yuhi hated so much that her teeth ached!
He had changed into comfortable casual clothes, his posture relaxed and at ease.
And surrounding him were three women, each with a distinct temperament yet equally breathtakingly beautiful!
One had a mature and gentle demeanor, like a lily under the moonlight.
It was Mikoto, whom Di Yan had held in his arms earlier.
She was carefully serving Di Yan, her movements gentle.
There was a faint sorrow in her eyes, yet also a strange kind of obedience.
One wore dark combat attire, her figure agile and upright, her face clear and beautiful, but her eyes sharp as knives.
It was Uchiha Izumi, who had been on the mission earlier.
She sat upright, silently eating.
Occasionally, she would glance around, with her characteristic vigilance.
And most striking was the petite figure sitting right next to Di Yan... Uchiha Hikari!
She was like a real little girl, holding a tender, fragrant stewed meat bone, nibbling at it in small bites.
A little grease stained her rosy cheeks.
Her big eyes narrowed in satisfaction, looking utterly innocent.
Di Yan's hand was still dotingly placed on her small shoulder.
The warm yellow light of the lanterns spilled over, and the steaming dishes on the stone table emitted an enticing aroma.
Di Yan whispered something to Mikoto, occasionally teasing Hikari, which made the little loli giggle.
Izumi quietly guarded by his side.
This scene, against the backdrop of the luxurious courtyard, appeared incredibly harmonious and warm, like a happy family dinner!
However, this warm scene, in the eyes of Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata, who had just experienced the disappearance of their companions, their own humiliation, and fear for the future, was like the sharpest irony and the coldest chill!
Wait, this is... The moment Kurenai Yuhi saw Uchiha Mikoto, her pupils contracted slightly.
She recognized her; wasn't this the Uchiha clan leader's wife? Hadn't she died on the night of the clan's annihilation? How could she be here?