It was probably torn during the previous frenzy.
Hinata's cheeks flushed slightly when she saw Ino's actions.
She quickly lowered her head, handed over the kimono in her hand, and said in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum:
"Ino... you... you should put this on first..."
"Your clothes... can't be worn anymore..."
Ino took the clothes, her fingers trembling.
She stared intently at Hinata, a barrage of questions pouring out like rapid-fire:
"Hinata! What exactly is going on here?"
"Where is this place? Who is that man?"
"Where is Teacher Kurenai? Why did she make me drink that water?"
"Aren't we here to save you? Where is Asuma? Where are Shikamaru and Choji?"
Every question was like a heavy hammer striking Hinata's heart.
Her face grew paler and paler with Ino's questions.
Her eyes darted around, and her hands nervously clasped together.
Hinata's lips trembled.
She seemed to want to say something.
But she was filled with immense fear and hesitation.
"I... I..."
Hinata's voice was tearful.
She looked at Ino's anxious and distraught eyes.
Her heart was filled with the pain of shared suffering and a sense of powerlessness.
How should she answer?
Tell her this was the Emperor of the Land of Fire's bedchamber?
Tell her that man was the Emperor?
Tell her Teacher Kurenai was forced?
Tell her Asuma might have been captured, his fate unknown?
How could she utter these cruel truths?
Moreover, walls have ears.
Once she said something she shouldn't.
A more terrifying punishment might await them.
In the end, a thousand words transformed into silent tears.
They slid down Hinata's fair cheeks.
She could only shake her head vigorously, choking out:
"Ino... don't ask... please... just change your clothes first..."
"Some things... not knowing... might be better..."
Hinata's reaction undoubtedly confirmed Ino's worst suspicions.
This was definitely not a good place.
That man was absolutely extremely dangerous.
And Teacher Kurenai... perhaps she was also helpless!
A huge wave of despair once again enveloped Ino.
She looked at the crying Hinata, at this luxurious room that felt like a cage.
She finally clearly realized.
They were not hero Ninjas who came to save people.
They were lambs who walked into a trap, at the mercy of others.
Ino tightly clutched the brand new kimono.
The fabric was soft, but it was as cold as her heart.
Tears welled up again.
But she no longer pressed for answers, only silently, humiliatingly began to change her clothes.
Every movement pulled at her body's pain and her soul's trauma.
The air was filled with the silent weeping and heavy despair of the two girls.
Ino's trembling fingers tied the last sash of the kimono.
The soft fabric clung to her skin.
But it brought no warmth, instead feeling like a mark of humiliation.
Just as her mind was unsettled.
"Creak..."
The door was pushed open without warning.
That handsome and evil man, Di Yan, like a nightmare, stepped in first.
He wore a smile of almost gentle concern on his face.
His gaze immediately fell upon Ino, who had just finished dressing.
"Oh? You're awake?"
Di Yan's voice sounded very gentle, as if he was truly concerned about a guest, "How do you feel? Is there anywhere you're still uncomfortable?"
"Are you hungry? I'll have someone prepare something for you to eat?"
This gentle demeanor formed a huge contrast with the powerful, aggressive figure Ino remembered.
It left her momentarily stunned, at a loss for what to do.
Undeniably.
This man was extremely good-looking.
But what rose in Ino's heart was not admiration.
Instead, it was an inexplicable fear and panic stemming from biological instinct.
She subconsciously took half a step back, shrinking her shoulders.
However, what surprised her even more was the person who came in next.
Kurenai Yuhi, with her head bowed, also walked in behind Di Yan.
Her face was still pale, her eyes darting around.
But when she saw Ino's terrified eyes.
Kurenai Yuhi seemed to forcefully pull herself together.
She quickly walked to Ino's side and gently embraced her with her arm.
"Ino, don't be afraid..."
Kurenai Yuhi's voice was very soft, with a barely perceptible tremor.
But more than that, it was a kind of almost numb comfort.
"Teacher Kurenai! What exactly is going on here?"
"Who exactly is he? We..."
Ino clutched at her like a drowning person, urgently asking in a low voice.
She had too many questions and fears that needed to be vented.
But Kurenai Yuhi squeezed her arm hard, interrupting her words.
Yuhi looked up, gazing at Ino.
Her eyes were extremely complex.
There was pain, pleading, resignation... She almost gritted her teeth, speaking with difficulty in a whisper:
"Don't ask... Ino... please... don't ask anything..."
"From now on... whatever needs to be done, you just follow my lead..."
"Be obedient... this is all for our own good... for... to survive..."
Ino was completely bewildered!
What did Teacher Kurenai mean by that?
What did she mean by following her lead?
Do what?
Survive?
Would there be a threat to her life if she didn't obey?
She completely failed to comprehend the situation before her!
And the scene that followed.
It completely shattered her understanding and worldview of over a decade!
Di Yan seemed to completely ignore their whispered conversation.
He walked to the overly wide bed on his own, and very naturally lay down on it.
He even stretched lazily.
Ino, startled, immediately shrank into the farthest corner of the bed like a frightened rabbit, hugging her knees.
She watched him warily and fearfully.
Then, she saw Di Yan casually wave at Hyuga Hinata, who was standing to the side with her head bowed.
What made Ino even more dumbfounded was.
Hinata's body trembled slightly.
Her cheeks instantly turned crimson, even her fair neck was tinged with pink.
She seemed extremely shy, not even daring to look in Ino's direction.
But she... but she really obediently, step by step, moved to the bedside.
Then, like a small bird nestling against its owner.
She actively and docilely nestled into Di Yan's embrace.
She even proactively adjusted to a position that made it more comfortable for Di Yan to hold her!
Ino's eyes instantly widened.
Her mouth was open wide enough to fit an egg!