He still tried to struggle to his feet.
Even if he knew he was outmatched, he would never surrender!
However, as soon as he made a move...
"Bang!"
Uchiha Tekka mercilessly kicked him hard in the chest.
The kick was powerful.
It precisely struck the spot where he had just been injured by Susanoo!
"Ugh!"
Asuma screamed, spitting out another mouthful of blood.
His body slammed heavily back to the ground.
The intense pain nearly made him pass out!
Uchiha Tekka looked down at him from above.
His three-tomoe Sharingan spun with chilling hatred and pleasure.
Although the main culprits behind the Uchiha Clan's extermination night were Danzo and the masked man,
the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi's indecisiveness, tacit approval, and subsequent cover-up of the truth,
in the eyes of the surviving Uchiha Clan members,
also made him an unforgivable accomplice!
Now, the son of his enemy was in his hands.
How could Tekka possibly show any mercy?
That he hadn't killed Asuma on the spot was already a strong display of his absolute obedience to Di Yan's command.
"Stay still! Useless trash!"
Tekka's voice was hoarse and full of malice.
The genjutsu power of the Sharingan was subtly released, coiling around Asuma's mind like icy chains,
making it extremely difficult for him to even focus his Chakra.
Di Yan watched all of this indifferently.
as if observing a farce unrelated to him.
He was no longer interested in personally wasting words on these prisoners.
His objective was clear, and his methods were direct.
"Tekka."
Di Yan spoke faintly.
"At your command!"
Tekka immediately ceased his torment of Asuma and bowed in response.
"Take them all away."
Di Yan waved his hand, his tone as if he were dealing with garbage, "Asuma… give him a good 'welcome.' I need to know all the detailed military deployments of Konoha from him."
"The number of Konoha Ninja Army, the distribution of border defense forces, the list of personnel currently on missions and their strength assessments… everything!"
"I only want results; I don't care about the process."
"Remember, just keep him alive; he is still useful."
This command was chillingly ruthless.
It meant Asuma would endure unimaginable torture and genjutsu torment.
until all information about Konoha in his mind was completely extracted!
"As for these two…"
Di Yan's gaze swept over Shikamaru and Choji, who were firmly restrained, without the slightest ripple in his eyes, "Handle them according to the old rules."
"Chop off three fingers from each person and put them in a box."
"Send someone to deliver them to the Nara, Yamanaka, and Akimichi Clan heads as quickly as possible."
Upon hearing this, Shikamaru and Choji's faces instantly turned ashen!
Although they had mentally prepared themselves,
hearing this cold command firsthand still filled them with bone-chilling dread and fear.
Especially when they thought about the reactions of their family elders upon seeing their fingers… However, Di Yan's next words were the truly insidious and heart-piercing scheme!
A cruel arc formed on his lips as he added:
"Tell the three clan heads of Ino–Shika–Chō… that their heirs are fine and won't die for now."
"But whether they continue to live depends on their next choice."
"And tell them," Di Yan's voice carried a seductive malice, "that in the upcoming Konoha coup, I support… Elder Danzo Shimura!"
"Only Elder Danzo is the legitimate successor to the Hokage, recognized by the Land of Fire!"
"Let them think carefully whether to continue pledging allegiance to the Fifth Generation Lady Tsunade, who will eventually fall, or… to stand on the side of the victor!"
The spearhead was pointed at Danzo! Forcing Ino–Shika–Chō to take sides!
This move was extremely vicious!
Not only did it threaten the three clans with Shikamaru and Choji's lives and safety,
but it also cleverly shifted the blame for the coup and Di Yan's own support towards Danzo!
This would make the already complex factional struggles within Konoha even more chaotic and bloody!
Whether the Ino–Shika–Chō clans believed it or not,
once this seed of suspicion and fear was planted,
it would be enough to shake Konoha's foundations at a crucial moment!
"Hahahaha! At your command, Your Majesty!"
Uchiha Tekka's face broke into an excited and ferocious grin upon hearing this plan!
To make Konoha Ninja fight among themselves.
To make those high-and-mighty clans suffer and struggle.
This was simply the most beautiful symphony of revenge for the Uchiha.
He almost saw Konoha engulfed in flames!
He no longer delayed.
He roughly dragged the heavily injured Asuma like a dead dog.
and waved a hand at the black-clad Ninja escorting Shikamaru and Choji:
"Take them away! Do as His Majesty commanded!"
The black-clad Ninja responded in unison.
They roughly escorted the despairing Shikamaru and Choji, following Tekka out of the side hall.
The hall doors slowly closed.
shutting out Asuma's painful gasps, Shikamaru's unwilling struggles, and Choji's fearful whimpers.
Silence returned to the side hall.
Only Di Yan and Uchiha Izumi remained, along with Yuhi, whose face was pale, body trembling, and who could barely stand.
Di Yan slowly sat back in his main seat.
as if he had just given a few perfectly ordinary commands.
He glanced at the distraught Yuhi and said faintly:
"What? Feeling pity?"
Yuhi trembled violently and lowered her head.
Tears silently streamed down, but she dared not utter a single word in response.
She knew that Asuma and her students' hell had just begun.
And all of this, she was powerless to change.
In fact… she was also an indirect accomplice.
Endless pain and despair completely consumed her.
Di Yan no longer paid attention to her, his gaze turning towards the window.
as if he could already see Konoha falling into internal strife because of his scheme.
His fingers lightly tapped the armrest, contemplating his next plan… 47 Dog-eat-dog? Reaping the benefits
A strange silence fell over the side hall for a moment.
Only Yuhi's barely suppressed, subtle sobs remained.
Di Yan's expression remained calm.
as if he wasn't the one who had just ordered torture and sent severed fingers.
He even carried a hint of composed control.
Uchiha Izumi silently approached, kneeling behind Di Yan like the most docile cat.
She extended her slender hands, gently massaging Di Yan's shoulders with appropriate force.
Izumi hesitated for a moment.
but still couldn't suppress the doubt in her heart and asked softly:
"Your Majesty, Izumi has something she doesn't understand."
Her voice was very soft, filled with absolute respect, "When we dealt with the Inuzuka Clan and the Aburame Clan, we directly forced them to pledge allegiance to you or remain neutral."
"Why, for the Ino–Shika–Chō three families… do we have to use Danzo's name?"
"Are we… really going to help that old man Danzo ascend to the Hokage position?"
In her opinion, Danzo was insidious and cunning.
He was not an ideal collaborator.
He might even be a future hidden danger.
Di Yan, upon hearing this, did not answer directly.
Instead, he comfortably enjoyed her massage.
After a while, Di Yan reached back and affectionately ruffled Izumi's hair.