Chapter 97: Not Recognized by the World — I'm Doing This All for Your Own Good!
After interrogating Yugito in the next room for several hours.
Oborotsuki saw that she was already exhausted, collapsed on the ground unable to move, yet still stubbornly refusing to say a single word. Finally, he couldn't help but give her a thumbs-up.
"Impressive. I'm in awe."
"But I won't let it end like this."
"I'll come back later to deal with you."
Now very experienced in these kinds of interrogations, Oborotsuki did not immediately leave the underground prison after exiting Yugito's isolated interrogation room.
Instead, he went to the adjacent cell holding Uzuki Yūgure, planning to take advantage of tonight's dark and windy conditions to release her.
It was already deep into the night. Yūgure had fallen asleep.
She had no idea that Oborotsuki was currently standing beside her, silently observing.
After watching her for a while, Yūgure suddenly woke up faintly. Still drowsy, she rolled over, saw that it was Oborotsuki, and looked a little surprised.
"You… why are you here?"
She immediately sat up, a hint of delight appearing on her face, and a trace of expectation quickly flashed through her eyes.
"Don't you like me coming?"
Oborotsuki folded his arms and asked coldly.
"Of course not… I'm just surprised you came to see me so late."
"Is it because… you missed me…?"
Yūgure smiled as she walked toward Oborotsuki and gently reached out to stroke his firm, muscular chest.
This dramatically different level of enthusiasm still made Oborotsuki feel somewhat uncomfortable.
He gently pushed her hand away and said indifferently:
"I'm sorry. The way I treated you before… I didn't think it through properly…"
"W-what are you saying?"
Yūgure was stunned when she heard Oborotsuki's cold words.
She looked up at him in confusion, almost unable to believe this was the same man who came every day to interrogate her at least once.
In the past, Oborotsuki had never been like this.
Every time he came, he was fierce and filled with an unchallengeable sense of authority.
This was a man who could force any opponent—no matter how arrogant, stubborn, or strong-willed they thought themselves—to eventually submit!
Yet now, the handsome man before her seemed completely disinterested in her, acting cold and distant.
What… exactly was going on?
"Did I do something wrong?"
Yūgure started to panic.
A thin layer of mist had already gathered in her eyes.
"No, you did very well."
Oborotsuki shook his head seriously.
"Then… then why…"
"You suddenly… stopped interrogating me?"
Yūgure lowered her head hesitantly and asked in a soft, cautious voice.
Seeing her like this, Oborotsuki knew his guess was almost certainly correct.
Uzuki Yūgure had indeed developed Stockholm syndrome as a result of his previous cruel interrogations.
Now, she not only harbored no hostility toward him—she even considered things from his perspective, thinking about him at every turn.
She understood his goals, was willing to obey him, and was even prepared to sacrifice herself to help him achieve his ideal.
All of this was vividly expressed through Yūgure's current body language, laid bare before Oborotsuki.
"You did very well. I'm very grateful for your kindness. But… I feel guilty about it myself…"
Oborotsuki shook his head with apparent self-blame.
If the Naruto world had Oscars, Oborotsuki felt he would definitely be nominated—even win one.
"Why do you feel guilty?"
Yūgure had no idea what Oborotsuki was really thinking. Right now, she only wanted to help him.
As long as she could assist the Hōzuki clan in reviving their family line,
She didn't care what she had to do.
"I've thought it over carefully. Because of my own selfish desires, I brought you here and made you do those things. It really isn't right."
"After all, we're not husband and wife. It doesn't sit well morally."
"And you've done so much for me, sacrificed so much, yet I have nothing with which to repay you."
"So I think… it's better not to waste any more of your youth. I've decided to set you free. A young woman in the prime of her life like you… never mind. I'll find a way to send you back to Konoha."
As he spoke, Oborotsuki stepped forward to remove the shackles from Yūgure's body.
But Yūgure suddenly stepped back sharply, as if shocked by electricity, avoiding his reach.
"What's wrong?"
Oborotsuki paused, looking at her in surprise.
"I'll take your previous words as sincere."
"Since you're worried that we're not married yet and it wouldn't be proper legally… then just marry me!"
"Hōzuki Oborotsuki, as long as you take me as your wife, won't we be legally married?"
"Then I can bear children for you and help you fulfill the revival plan of the Hōzuki clan!"
"You said it so many times during those interrogations, didn't you? Why are you scared now?"
Yūgure lifted her head, tears welling in her eyes as she looked at Oborotsuki with utmost sincerity—every word came straight from the heart.
Hearing her words, even though Oborotsuki was acting, he felt genuinely moved for a moment.
"You're a Konoha ANBU. I'm the second-in-command of Kirigakure. Do you really think the two of us can openly marry and be together?"
"Society will never allow it. Even if I can handle everything on my side, what do you think the Third Hokage of Konoha would say? How would the people in your village look at you?"
After Oborotsuki finished speaking, he saw Yūgure's face darken. Her body trembled slightly as she fell silent.
Clearly, his words had struck her deeply.
The relationship between Konoha and Kirigakure was far from friendly.
How long had it been since the Third Great Ninja War ended? Both sides were still locked in a state of mutual hostility—they had only verbally agreed to a ceasefire.
Under such circumstances, with their respective identities, how could they possibly be together openly?
"Listen to me. Go back to Konoha quietly. Pretend none of this ever happened…"
Oborotsuki stepped forward and gently pulled Yūgure into his arms.
This small gesture instantly shattered the last of Yūgure's inner defenses. Tears poured down her face as she cried:
"But… I'm carrying your child!"
"How can I possibly pretend none of this happened?"
Yūgure asked through sobs.
Oborotsuki had already prepared a countermeasure, but he didn't explain immediately.
Right now, Yūgure was in a highly emotional state. No matter what he said, she probably wouldn't be able to take it in.
Only after she had fully vented her emotions and completely calmed down would he slowly reveal his plan.
If he could get Yūgure to follow his plan,
Then returning her to Konoha would present no problems.
She wouldn't face interrogation from the village, nor would she arouse suspicion from the higher-ups.
She could even smoothly find a willing stepfather, allowing the baby in her womb to be born safely…
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