Clues to the Talismans

To be honest, Hinata had developed an instinctive fear of Moriyue. She had not even realized it herself. It was like Zhuge Liang capturing Meng Huo seven times; although Moriyue had never truly let her go, everything afterward had been arranged by that bastard down to the smallest detail.

Compared to physical torment, this mental defeat made her feel even worse. As the saying went, the greatest strategy was to attack the enemy's plans. Killing a person by crushing their spirit was probably something like this.

Moriyue set Hinata aside without worrying in the slightest that she might run. Glancing at Kiba, who was still unconscious, he felt there was nothing on him that interested him.

What could he possibly get from Kiba? A guide to getting rich by raising dogs? Precautions for becoming one with a dog? How to resist the urge to eat shit after turning into a dog?

He simply stopped bothering with the guy and let him remain unconscious. With that noisy personality of his, Kiba would surely start yelling the moment he woke up. Better for him to stay unconscious.

"Then let's have a chat, Shino. You don't want your companions to become two cold corpses either, do you?"

Moriyue crouched before Shino, who had been tied up like a twisted rope, and spoke with a somewhat arrogant air. The chill in his voice was completely at odds with the friendly smile on his face.

"I won't..."

Shino was about to refuse without a second thought. What a joke. He, Aburame Shino, was a member of the Aburame Clan. As one of Konoha's old-established clans, how could he possibly betray Konoha and sell out information about the village?

He, Aburame Shino, would rather die today—die out here, jump down from this muddy ground—than reveal a single piece of intelligence!

"Don't be so quick to refuse. Let me tell you a story. One of our members—mm, that woman over there—is a murderous maniac who never blinked while killing. The kind who needed two eyeballs with every meal."

Moriyue pointed at Kazeki, who was keeping watch around them. She looked utterly bewildered upon hearing him say that, but after freezing for a moment, she cooperatively put on a fierce expression. It was not particularly convincing, though; the effect was about the same as an excited criminal throwing punches.

"...See that? She's terrifying. It would be bad if she accidentally did something dangerous."

Even Moriyue nearly lost his composure at Kazeki's terrible acting. He forcibly suppressed his laughter. That was not the important part.

"Mm... my choice is still the same. I refu—"

Shino expressionlessly glanced at Kazeki, who was trying her best to look ferocious and hungry, and remained steadfast.

"Let me interrupt. That isn't important. What I want to say is, among your members is the future head of the Hyuga Clan's main family. The Hyuga Clan is a major Konoha clan too, right? Come to think of it, the Hyuga Clan is even more influential than the Aburame Clan. So tell me, is there perhaps a possibility that..."

"A member of the Aburame Clan attacks the young heir of the Hyuga Clan during the Chunin Exams. International friends from Kumogakure step in to help, but unfortunately arrive too late. Kumogakure cannot stand such bullying by the powerful and insists on punishing the Aburame Clan, demanding that they give the ninja world an explanation..."

Naturally, Moriyue's words could not become reality. Relations between ninja villages were ever-changing, and every decision concerned a village's survival. Those in power could not act on impulse. What he described would basically never happen, but that was not important.

What mattered was breaking through Shino's psychological defenses.

Sure enough, Shino showed hesitation upon hearing this. He knew that Moriyue was most likely talking nonsense, but if his teammates really died before his eyes, could he truly remain so resolute?

"Shino, I'm not asking you to betray Konoha. I just want to know Konoha's current situation. You know, my relatives used to live in Konoha. I only want to know how Konoha has changed. You wouldn't refuse such a tiny request, would you?"

Moriyue could spin lies like these without even thinking, without blushing in the slightest. Shino's expression became somewhat pained as he fell into a struggle.

Seeing that Shino had yet to make up his mind, Moriyue decided to give him a push. What he said next was truly a heavy blow to Shino.

"Do you remember the Written Exam? Are your companions worth less than cold information? Since you passed that test, your answer on the paper must have been that you would never abandon your companions. Looks like it was all just talk after all..."

"...Let Hinata and Kiba go. Let them leave... Whatever you want to know... I'll tell you."

After a bout of inner turmoil, Shino let out a sigh. He finally compromised, and the tension in his nerves instantly drained away as he lay weakly on the ground.

Upon hearing that Shino had finally agreed, Kazeki no longer had to pretend to be fierce. The blade in her hand also moved away from Hinata's smooth neck.

"Let them both go? That won't do. What if you decide to be stubborn and refuse to talk later? How about this? We let Kiba go, and Hinata stays. What do you say?"

Moriyue wanted to bargain further with Shino, but Shino was no fool. He would only talk if both Hinata and Kiba were released. Moriyue did not force the issue and simply untied the two of them.

"Alright, I've done what you asked. Now talk. What did Konoha send you here to do this time? Tell me everything you know."

When Shino saw that the two had truly been untied, he felt relieved. However, Hinata had no intention of leaving. The instant her restraints came off, she attacked Moriyue. Her Byakugan and Gentle Fist were activated as she tried to buy Shino an opportunity.

"Shino! Take Kiba and run!"

Hinata bought Shino a precious... little bit of time. It took Moriyue some effort, and after gaining several bruises on his body, he once again successfully subdued Hinata.

Skillfully tying her up again, he sat directly on her back.

"You saw it too. She isn't very obedient. Go on."

"..." Seeing Hinata captured again, Shino fell into despair. He simply stopped resisting. It was only some insignificant intelligence; if used well, it might even guide Moriyue down a path favorable to Konoha.

"There isn't really any specific objective. We only came to participate in the Chunin Exams. Our biggest goal, of course, was to pass and become Chunin."

"However, we were indeed told some information. Supposedly, someone discovered a strange... creature? Or perhaps a power? Near some waterfall. The details are unclear; we only know that whatever it is seems very powerful."

Shino's words were vague enough that even Ando could not take it anymore.

"Why don't you take another look at the nonsense you just said?"

Yet Moriyue suddenly connected it to something—the Talismans.

"It isn't certain yet. Remember it for now. A waterfall..." Moriyue was shocked inside, but his expression revealed no flaw. This was the first time he had learned information that might be related to the Talismans, and it excited him.