The words of the Hyūga jōnin plunged Jaeger's family into an icy abyss. Even Doctor Nak, curled up in the corner, felt pity for them.
Such an ordinary family—
Yet dragged into the very center of a vortex.
Yakushi Nono showed no expression, but inside her heart a storm raged. She carefully calculated her retreat, gripping her kunai tightly in her right hand, preparing to save the child she had healed two nights ago.
Facing four Konoha jōnin and a ninja dog alone, she had no way to save this entire family.
"Director Nono, I advise you not to act rashly. Otherwise, we will deal with you the same way we deal with traitorous ninja!"
Asuma shot her a sideways glance, removed the cigarette from his mouth, flicked it away, then took another from his pocket and lit it.
"Fine, then I'll be honest. They are intelligence operatives planted by the Root organization along the border. If you touch them, you'd better consider how you'll answer to Lord Danzō!"
Seeing that her movements had been seen through, Nono tried a different approach to intimidate them.
The expressions of the four men changed noticeably.
Nono's heart lifted with joy—so it works after all. There were no Konoha ninja who didn't fear Danzō's ruthless reputation.
"Haha… Root? Lord Danzō? Don't make me laugh."
The Hyūga branch-family jōnin couldn't help chuckling as he shook his head.
Asuma exhaled a cloud of smoke, wearing the same disdainful smirk.
Nono frowned slightly, confused and unsettled by their reactions.
No one bothered responding to the bewildered Nono.
"Asuma—give me an explanation!"
A magnetic female voice rang out from outside, reaching everyone inside the cabin.
Asuma turned around.
Yūhi Kurenai stepped slowly into the wooden hut, her gaze sweeping across the room before settling coldly on Asuma.
According to the plan, she had separated from the team—
Searching alone on Kikyo Mountain for traces of the Uchiha squad. That was when she realized that Asuma's suggestion to split up had clearly been meant to shake her off.
By the time Kurenai reached this mountain settlement—
She was horrified to discover that Asuma's group had slaughtered an entire village of refugees.
"Kurenai, listen to me. They're just refugees from small countries. If they cause trouble, it'll seriously affect the Fire Country's border stability, so—"
Asuma hurriedly put on a placating smile.
"Release the woman and the child. They're innocent."
Kurenai's voice was ice-cold.
Her crimson eyes held no emotion whatsoever, leaving no room for negotiation.
Asuma thought for a moment, then looked toward the Hyūga jōnin. The latter clicked his tongue and reluctantly lowered his kunai.
"Heh…"
The Hyūga jōnin sneered softly but said nothing. He walked over to Jaeger and pressed the kunai against his throat.
Instead of panicking, Jaeger relaxed slightly. He looked at his wife, his gaze gentle yet filled with complicated emotions.
Kurenai shielded the mother and child behind her and glared at Asuma, rebuking him:
"Asuma… you always claim you don't agree with some of the Third Hokage's decisions. Yet what you and your father have done is exactly the same.
He sacrificed Hyūga Hizashi in humiliation for the so-called greater good.
And you—so your people will follow you without question—allow them to slaughter refugees and label them rogue ninja, just to exchange lives for merit."
Asuma's thoughts were completely laid bare.
His expression turned blank as he glanced at his companions watching him.
The Inuzuka jōnin waved his hand and laughed.
"Haha, Captain Asuma, don't worry. This is your family business. We didn't hear anything, and we won't say anything when we get back."
Kurenai insulted the Third Hokage?
Nono stared at the brave kunoichi. She felt relief that not all Konoha ninja trampled on life—and at the same time, she finally breathed easier for Jaeger's wife.
With his companions' assurances, Asuma sighed. He didn't take Kurenai's criticism to heart, still wearing a smile as he explained:
"Kurenai… it's not what you think. I'll explain everything properly once we get back."
Kurenai ignored him completely. What Asuma had done tonight crossed her bottom line.
"Stop wasting time. Get the intel, kill this man, and continue the pursuit."
Asuma's eyes looked unfocused, his irritation evident as he spoke to the group.
He naturally didn't take Kurenai's anger seriously. He knew her temperament well—afterward, a bit of coaxing would always smooth things over.
The Hyūga branch-family jōnin was about to strike Jaeger—
When suddenly, he froze.
He sensed an overwhelming danger.
This feeling—he had only experienced it once in his life—
During a mission when he had nearly been killed.
Then—
In his black-and-white Byakugan vision—
Behind him.
At the doorway.
A handsome young man dressed in white, a blade at his waist, stepped lightly into the cabin.
The young man's expression was cold and proud. His appearance didn't disrupt the tense atmosphere inside the hut—
Instead, he blended into it perfectly.
Everyone's attention was focused on the Hyūga jōnin, completely unaware that another person had appeared behind them.
The Hyūga jōnin pursed his lips, took a deep breath, and steadied his emotions. He withdrew his kunai, slowly turned around, and raised his head toward the door.
In that instant—
The atmosphere in the wooden cabin shattered like a stone thrown into a still lake.
The baby's crying stopped abruptly.
Everyone snapped their heads around—
And looked toward the entrance.
"Let him go—and I'll leave you with intact corpses."
Yinyue drew his ninja blade from his waist.
Clang—
His eyes were clear and sharp. The Eight-Thousand-Spear Mangekyō rotated silently. His handsome face was flawless as candlelight poured over him without restraint, casting a picture-perfect shadow upon the wall.
[Side Quest]: Heavenly Punishment
[Choices]:
Kill everyone present.
Kill Sarutobi Asuma, Hyūga Yū, Akimichi Tu, Inuzuka Akiyama, and Snowmaru.
[Reward]: Weapon — Dark Moon
Yinyue raised an eyebrow slightly, sighing inwardly. This quest really came a bit too casually.
A weapon.
Dark Moon.
A blade?
He suppressed his thoughts for now and tightened his grip on the ninja sword. Under the candlelight, the blade bloomed with a chilling gleam.
He swept his gaze across everyone present, silently counting—four men and one dog. When his eyes passed over Yūhi Kurenai, they paused briefly.
She wasn't on the mission list.
Was it because—
She bore him no hostility?
Yinyue immediately felt reassured.
As for Nono returning—this was entirely within his expectations. This return trip had been meant to lie in wait for her anyway. He simply hadn't expected Konoha to deliver such a generous gift along with her.
Asuma and the others' intentions—
Were written plainly on their faces.
Fine.
Let this Konoha squad remain here forever.
As the thought formed, the blade-shaped Mangekyō silently released Yin Release chakra, injecting it into the Hyūga jōnin who dared to gaze at him with the Byakugan.
He had already sealed away Kotoamatsukami and replaced it with a complete pair of Eight-Thousand-Spear eyes.
In an instant—
The Hyūga jōnin's eyes widened. His body trembled violently as his mind and internal chakra were completely seized by Yinyue.
The Hyūga clan had no ocular power capable of resisting Eight-Thousand-Spear.
The candlelight in the cabin flickered wildly.
Shadows swayed.
The air sank into deathly silence.
"Yingyue!!!"
Kurenai's pupils shook violently. Her red lips parted as she stared in disbelief at the young man at the door—at his cold, detached face—standing frozen in shock.
(End of Chapter 23)