Ino asked softly, her voice filled with concern.
Her gaze anxiously scanned Kurenai Yuhi's pale face and slightly trembling body.
"Also, where are Kiba and Shino? Do you know where they are?"
"Asuma and we came together, and now there are enemies everywhere outside."
"He, Shikamaru, and Choji are being hunted!"
"We have to find a way to find them and break out together!"
Ino's words pierced Kurenai Yuhi's heart like knives.
Every question pointed to a cruel answer she couldn't face, let alone speak.
Just then.
Buzz... A low, continuous mechanical hum, as if from deep underground, faintly resonated from Kurenai Yuhi's body.
The moment this sound began.
Kurenai Yuhi trembled violently, as if struck by an electric current.
Her face instantly turned even paler.
Extreme fear and humiliation flashed in her eyes.
She even instinctively clamped her legs together, her body slightly curling up.
The sliver of courage that had risen upon seeing Ino.
Was instantly shattered by this invisible death knell!
She dared not utter another word.
She didn't even dare to look into Ino's eyes, which were full of trust and worry.
"Hm? What's that sound?"
Ino also heard the strange buzzing sound.
She tilted her head, listening in confusion, "Is it some machine in the palace? The sound seems a bit strange..."
Kurenai Yuhi bit her lower lip fiercely, almost drawing blood.
She couldn't answer, couldn't explain.
The buzzing sound was like the whisper of a demon.
Constantly reminding her of the humiliation she suffered and her helpless situation.
It was also a warning.
Warning her that she must obey orders.
Otherwise... she dared not imagine what awaited her and Ino.
The buzzing continued, as if with impatient urging.
Kurenai Yuhi's heart was engaged in a fierce internal struggle.
Looking at Ino, who was still oblivious to the danger, focused only on saving people and breaking out.
A terrifying yet "only" thought that could temporarily save Ino's life.
Emerged uncontrollably.
Compared to death, other things... didn't seem so important anymore... At least, survive first... This thought coiled around Kurenai Yuhi's heart like a poisonous vine.
Making her feel suffocated.
Yet it carried a desperate temptation.
Kurenai Yuhi took a deep breath.
As if using all her strength.
Her voice dry and ethereal, she spoke, interrupting Ino's confusion about the buzzing sound:
"Ino... running for so long... are you thirsty?"
"Do... do you want some water?"
Ino was fully focused on the sounds outside and the strange buzzing.
Hearing Kurenai Yuhi's words, she subconsciously touched her throat.
The high tension and running had indeed left her parched.
"Yes, I am a bit thirsty, thank you, Teacher Kurenai."
She didn't think much of it.
She just felt that Teacher Kurenai, though she seemed a bit strange?
Still cared for her as before.
Kurenai Yuhi's heart felt as if it was being squeezed by a cold hand, the pain making it impossible to breathe.
She stiffly turned around.
Leading Ino with faltering steps towards the inner room.
Every step she took was incredibly difficult.
As if the floor beneath her wasn't wood, but a red-hot branding iron.
The furnishings of the inner room were also exquisite, yet they carried a dull sense of oppression.
Kurenai Yuhi motioned for Ino to sit at a low table.
She herself, with trembling hands, picked up the teapot on the table.
And poured a cup of clear tea.
The gurgling of the water was exceptionally clear in the silent room.
Ino, suspecting nothing, took the teacup.
Because she was thirsty, she tilted her head back and drank it down without thinking, "Gulp, gulp."
The tea was slightly cool, with a hint of faint bitterness.
But it was very effective at quenching thirst.
Watching Ino's throat bob, completely unguarded as she drank down the entire cup of doctored tea.
Kurenai Yuhi's pupils sharply contracted.
She subconsciously reached out, seemingly wanting to stop her.
But the sound was stuck in her throat, not a single word could come out.
"Ha... I feel alive again..."
Ino put down the empty teacup, letting out a sigh of relief.
Only then did she notice Kurenai Yuhi's unusually pale face and her half-extended hand.
"Teacher Kurenai? What's wrong? What's bothering you?"
"You really... look so strange."
Kurenai Yuhi slowly withdrew her hand, clenching it into a fist.
Her fingernails dug deep into her palm.
She looked at Ino's still clear eyes, full of trust and confusion.
A massive wave of guilt drowned her.
Ino... don't blame me... staying alive... is more important than anything else... at least this way... you won't have to face the bloodshed and death outside... at least this way... you are temporarily safe... it's just that you need to pay some... price... She screamed wildly in her heart.
Trying to find a legitimate reason for her despicable actions.
But every reason seemed so pale and powerless.
Leaving only endless bitterness and self-loathing.
The drug in that cup of water.
It was given to her by Di Yan, something used to "tame" disobedient individuals.
It worked quickly, wasn't fatal.
But it was enough to make a person fall into their biological instincts.
Stimulating the body's hormones, making one burn with desire... She watched helplessly as the light in Ino's eyes slowly began to dissipate.
The expression of confusion gradually replaced by emptiness.
"Teacher Kurenai... I... why am I suddenly... so hot..."
Ino shook her head, trying to stay conscious.
But she only felt her body getting hotter and softer... Her crimson lips parted slightly, exhaling hot breaths... 42 Kurenai Yuhi: Ino is still young, please be gentle.
Kurenai Yuhi quickly stepped forward to support her.
Gently placing the girl's soft but losing strength body onto the carpeted floor.
Watching Ino's body begin to tremble, begin to grow hot.
Kurenai Yuhi's tears finally couldn't be held back.
Falling onto Ino's cheek.
Kurenai Yuhi was immersed in immense guilt and fear for Ino's future.
Tears blurred her vision.
Just then.
A ghostly voice, with a hint of pleased approval, quietly sounded behind her:
"Well done, Yuhi. Very obedient."
Kurenai Yuhi's body stiffened abruptly.
As if doused with ice water, her tears instantly stopped.
She didn't even dare to look back.