Seeing the four figures standing motionless, yet still breathing, Yamanaka Hui and the others immediately concluded they were victims of an Illusionary Technique.
As the Third Hokage's eldest son, it was only natural that Sarutobi Ryo possessed skill in Yin Release.
After all, Illusionary Techniques were fundamentally linked to the Yin attribute.
Of course, Yin Release had many other applications. The Yamanaka Clan's Shadow Secret Technique, which Yamanaka Hui had mastered, was one such example.
However, Sarutobi Ryo's approach seemed far more complex.
He was combining Ice Release Chakra with the Sword of Kusanagi.
The Sword of Kusanagi was a weapon, but ultimately, it was inseparable from Chakra's properties. Perhaps it even contained Yin Release within it.
So, this strange effect was likely created by the interaction of Yin Release and Ice Release.
"Hui, try to use your Secret Technique to extract some information," Sarutobi Ryo suggested. He wanted to prioritize protecting the little girl's mind, finding the adult ninja less of a concern.
"Young Master Ryo is truly merciful," the Umino couple murmured, looking at the child and involuntarily thinking of their own son... Iruka.
It was true that you rarely saw children on Sunagakure's front lines.
Only the supply lines in the rear would have child Ninja performing missions.
This was a stark contrast to Konoha, which sent children into deadly combat.
Kakashi had already been promoted to Chunin.
Nohara Rin and Obito had also joined Namikaze Minato's squad.
Namikaze Minato led Kakashi and the others into battle every day, following the same path as in the canonical storyline.
Soon, Yamanaka Hui delved into the minds of the three individuals, but she found no useful information.
Actually, there was some information.
"Young Master, this little girl has an interesting background~."
As Yamanaka Hui explained, the others learned that Maki was a disciple of Pakura of the Scorch Style.
But that was all.
With the last person falling to the ground, Yamanaka Hui turned her attention to Maki.
She placed her right hand on the top of her head and began her technique.
But almost immediately, Yamanaka Hui withdrew her hand. "It's no good. A Sealing Technique has been placed in her head… that Pakura is ruthless…"
As Pakura's disciple, she naturally possessed valuable information.
Many Ninja had seals placed in their minds.
Whether it was an Illusionary Technique type or a small barrier-like technique, the purpose was to prevent information from leaking.
"I don't think Pakura did it," Sarutobi Ryo said, shaking his head. He couldn't believe Pakura would do such a thing.
Before her betrayal, Pakura loved her people like they were her own children. As Sunagakure's hero, she wouldn't do anything that wasn't noble and righteous. At least, she would have someone else do it.
Considering Maki's "Sealing Technique talent," it was likely... that she had set up the head barrier herself.
Whether in the official manga or official novels, the difficulty of setting up barriers in the head had been demonstrated.
Even Yamanaka Inoichi needed a great deal of effort and the assistance of many people to break the Sealing Technique that Pain had casually left in the brain of a nameless Amegakure Ninja.
Yamanaka Hui was Yamanaka Inoichi's cousin, so her abilities were naturally beyond doubt.
But without dedicated machinery or help from others, it was impossible to undo the technique in Maki's head in a short amount of time.
So, what should they do? Everyone was stumped.
"Torturing for information isn't just about digging into the brain..."
Just then, Sarutobi Ryo flicked his finger, dissolving the Ice Release Chakra, and Maki's eyes cleared.
"!"
The first thing she did upon waking was to counterattack, but she noticed her three companions lying on the ground, their condition unknown.
This made her hesitate.
Sarutobi Ryo spoke, "If you want to protect the lives of your three companions, then obediently tell me what I want to know."
"..."
Maki's eyes widened, clearly filled with surprise, as if to say... you're despicable!
Then, she adopted an expression of being ready to die.
"Sunagakure Ninja do not fear death."
In order to protect her village, even sacrifice was something she wouldn't hesitate to do.
"Young Master Ryo, Sunagakure Ninja grow up in harsh environments from a young age; their willpower is generally astonishing..."
The Umino couple reminded him that hardship bred tough Ninja.
These people… weren't easy to deal with.
"Mm."
Sarutobi Ryo naturally knew this. In fact, he understood Sunagakure better than most Konoha Ninja.
As a Naruto scholar, was there anything Sarutobi Ryo didn't know?
Jiraiya believed that a Ninja was someone who could endure.
Orochimaru believed that a Ninja was someone who learned all Ninjutsu.
And the teachings of the successive Kazekage, the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generations, were all about "concealment and endurance."
This kind of endurance was different from Jiraiya's.
The three Kazekage taught that because Sunagakure's environment was harsh, one had to endure…
To survive in that kind of harsh environment, one had to endure, constantly endure…
It was precisely because of this teaching and the tempering of reality that Sunagakure Ninja were all fierce and tenacious.
For example, in the original story…
When Gekko Hayate used a knife to cut Baki, Baki didn't even frown.
"A Ninja is one who restrains oneself. Even in injustice, one can endure. This is the Ninja way."
As Sarutobi Ryo said this, Maki's eyes slowly widened.
Because this sentence... was the Honorable Kazekage's teaching.
How could a Konoha Ninja...
"I know you better than you think."
Sarutobi Ryo reached out and directly grabbed Maki's collar.
"Now… I'll give you a choice. If you want your three companions to live, then obediently listen to my instructions..."
Sarutobi Ryo chose to change course.
He didn't continue to demand that Maki reveal Sunagakure's secrets.
Instead, he planned to disguise himself as a Suna Ninja and infiltrate Sunagakure Village with Maki.
In this way, he would go deep behind enemy lines.
"But that's too dangerous, Young Master Ryo," the Umino couple exclaimed involuntarily.
Even they couldn't think of such a bold way to take risks.
"Sometimes, you have to take a gamble."
Sarutobi Ryo looked at the others.
"Everyone, I'll leave things here to you for now."
"Hmph!"
Maki's expression changed from astonishment to determination.
She snorted coldly, her expression becoming resolute.
Clearly, she had agreed to Sarutobi Ryo's conditions.
But she decided that as soon as she returned to the village, she would send a warning to all her comrades. She was willing to sacrifice her own life to do so.
After all, if they could kill the Son of the Hokage, that would definitely have a huge impact on the war situation.
"Let's go."
Using the Transformation Technique to disguise himself as a Suna Ninja, Sarutobi Ryo disappeared into the vast night with Maki.
"..."
Yamanaka Hui turned his head, looked at the Byakugan girl whose eyes showed some changes, and asked gently.
"Ruri, are you worried about Young Master?"
"..."
The Byakugan girl was silent.
After a moment, she nodded.
Her two teammates were a rare source of warmth in her life.
Therefore...
"Don't worry, Young Master now possesses three Kekkei Genkai; he's a rare powerhouse..."
Yamanaka Hui comforted her.
*
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[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 224 (Vol 2 Ch 166)
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 95 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]