It was like stroking a pet.
He did it with such natural ease.
Izumi also obediently lowered her head slightly.
"Silly girl," Di Yan chuckled, his tone carrying an all-knowing playfulness, "Of course I did it on purpose."
He paused, his gaze deepening, and slowly explained:
"The Ino–Shika–Chō families, like Sarutobi and other Ninja Clans, are the oldest pillar Ninja Clans of Konoha."
"Their interests are deeply tied to the successive Hokage, especially that old man, the Third Hokage."
"Their loyalty is built upon decades of shared interests and bonds."
"Far more solid than the relatively peripheral Ninja Clans like Inuzuka and Aburame."
"You think a few fingers from their heirs would make them betray Konoha, which they've managed for decades, and turn to me, an 'outsider'?"
Di Yan scoffed, shaking his head, "That's simply unrealistic."
"Pushing too hard will only make them completely side with Tsunade, uniting against a common enemy, which would increase our future resistance."
Uchiha Izumi nodded, as if understanding yet not fully:
"Then, what does Your Majesty mean?"
A cold calculation flashed in Di Yan's eyes:
"Therefore, I'll simply do the opposite."
"I don't want their loyalty; I want them to... 'be informed'."
"I deliberately told them that I support Danzo's coup."
"Let them believe that all the conspiracies are orchestrated by Danzo behind the scenes."
"And that I am merely Danzo's collaborator or an object he is using."
"This way, the Ino–Shika–Chō families, and even the entire Konoha Higher-Ups, will direct their greatest vigilance and hatred towards Danzo and his 'Root' Anbu."
"Just think,"
Di Yan's smile became cruel and pleased, "When Danzo thinks he has victory in his grasp and begins to launch his coup..."
"He'll discover that Konoha is already fully prepared, and all his plans have been exposed to the light..."
"At that time, a brutal civil war is bound to erupt within Konoha first! Dog eat dog, a complete mess!"
"And I," Di Yan's voice carried absolute confidence, "only need to sit on my high throne, quietly watching them exhaust each other, shedding their last drop of blood."
"When they are both severely wounded and utterly exhausted, I will then, in the name of quelling the rebellion and maintaining the stability of the Land of Fire..."
"Lead my army to 'respond to the invitation' and enter Konoha... At that time, who can stop me?"
"What remains is merely to clean up the aftermath, and naturally bring Konoha's military power completely under state control!"
Uchiha Izumi's eyes suddenly lit up when she heard this.
A look of sudden realization and immense admiration appeared on her face:
"So that's it! Your Majesty is brilliant!"
"By letting Konoha fall into internal strife, we can achieve the greatest victory with the least cost!"
"That old fox Danzo will probably think Your Majesty was helping him until his dying breath."
"In reality, he is merely the sharpest, and ultimately, the broken sword in Your Majesty's hand!"
"Indeed."
Di Yan nodded in satisfaction, praising Izumi's comprehension.
However, this utterly ruthless scheme...
To Kurenai Yuhi, who was standing nearby, it was like a series of thunderbolts.
It utterly shattered her spirit.
Her blood felt like it was freezing!
She had originally thought Di Yan's goal was merely to retaliate against the Konoha Higher-Ups.
Or to seize a portion of power... But she never expected.
This man's ambition was so vast!
His goal, from beginning to end.
Was not about supporting anyone or retaliating against anyone!
His goal was the entire Hidden Leaf Village!
It was to completely destroy Konoha's existing system.
To completely devour the power of the entire Ninja Village and integrate it into his empire!
Framing Danzo, instigating civil war, and reaping the benefits... This strategy was extremely vicious.
And it precisely seized upon the greatest internal conflict within Konoha!
Once successful.
Konoha's decades of foundation could very likely be destroyed in an instant.
Countless Ninja would die in the civil war.
Asuma, Kakashi, Might Guy... even those children like Naruto, might... Thinking of that terrifying future.
Kurenai Yuhi felt a bone-chilling coldness rush from the soles of her feet to the top of her head.
It made all the hairs on her body stand on end, and she even forgot how to cry.
Only boundless fear and despair remained!
She realized for the first time, so clearly.
They were facing not just a lecherous tyrant.
But also a ruthless, immensely ambitious, and deeply cunning... Demon King!
Di Yan seemed to sense Kurenai Yuhi's violently fluctuating emotions.
He turned his head to look at her, a meaningful smile playing on his lips:
"Now, Yuhi should understand why I said... Konoha is about to become history, right?"
"Just watch closely. All of this... has only just begun."
Kurenai Yuhi slumped to the ground, her face devoid of color.
She seemed to already see Konoha burning and collapsing amidst fire and conspiracy... 48 Izumi's Threat; The Disturbed Kurenai Yuhi
At this moment, Di Yan cast a cold glance at Kurenai Yuhi, who was slumped on the ground, her spirit almost broken.
As if she were merely an insignificant ornament.
He casually adjusted his sleeve, his tone as bland as if discussing the weather:
"That girl Ino... the effects of the medicine should be wearing off soon."
"She'll probably be terrified when she wakes up and finds herself like that."
"I should go and 'comfort' her properly."
With that, Di Yan no longer spared Kurenai Yuhi another glance.
He turned and headed towards the direction of the bedchamber.
As if the ruthless scheme he had just discussed, which could determine Konoha's fate, was merely a casual chat after dinner.
Uchiha Izumi immediately followed like a shadow.
But as she passed by the distraught Kurenai Yuhi.
Izumi's footsteps paused slightly.
She lowered her head, her cold gaze sweeping over Kurenai Yuhi's pale, tear-stained face like a surgical knife.
Her voice was very low, yet it carried an undeniable warning and... a certain twisted 'admonition':
"Kurenai Yuhi, recognize your own identity."
There was no warmth in Uchiha Izumi's voice:
"In the past, you were a Konoha Jonin, the leader of Team 8, but that's all in the past."
"From now on, you have only one identity... His Majesty's woman, His Majesty's possession."
Her eyes were sharp as knives, carrying a hint of veiled killing intent:
"If you still don't recognize your place, if you still cling to those unrealistic fantasies and cause trouble for His Majesty..."
"I don't mind... cleaning up disobedient toys for His Majesty."
This naked death threat made Kurenai Yuhi's body tremble.
She subconsciously looked up.
Meeting Izumi's cold, emotionless Sharingan.
However, Izumi's tone suddenly shifted.
Her voice became somewhat complex.
Even carrying a hint of... an unspeakable 'sense of identification'?
"But, if you are a little smarter..."
Izumi's voice softened slightly, yet it carried an even more seductive quality:
"If you truly care about Konoha, as you say, and want to do something for Konoha..."
"Then you should serve His Majesty well, obey His Majesty, and please His Majesty."
"You see," Izumi's gaze swept in the direction Di Yan had left, she said in a low voice, "His Majesty possesses power and wisdom capable of overturning everything."
"Konoha's destruction, in his eyes, is perhaps only a matter of time."
"But if you can make him happy, if you can satisfy him..."
"Perhaps, at a critical moment, you could beg for a shred of mercy for Konoha?"
"Perhaps fewer people would die? For example..."
"That Asuma? Or your other students?"
"This is what you... can uniquely do for yourself and for Konoha now."
After saying these ambiguous words, which twisted responsibility and hope together.
Uchiha Izumi no longer lingered.
She quickly followed Di Yan's retreating figure.
In the side hall, Kurenai Yuhi was once again left alone.
She sat blankly on the ground.
Uchiha Izumi's words echoed like a demonic chant.
Reverberating repeatedly in her chaotic mind.