Anomaly

Searching memories, also known as reading thoughts, is a choice one would try to avoid during peaceful times. However, during wartime, it's commonplace. In such periods, for ninja to seize any usable intelligence, reading a target's mind is the most effective method. Yet, few have mastered this technique, and the Yamanaka clan of Konohagakure are considered top-tier practitioners.

Generally, ninja would first resort to torture for information. If that fails, they'd use genjutsu-based ninjutsu to make the target voluntarily reveal intelligence. If even genjutsu hypnosis couldn't break the target's will, then they'd directly invade the target's mind to read their thoughts and memories. The third method could lightly cause mental damage to the target, or severely lead to amnesia or idiocy. Therefore, it's not used lightly. However, during wartime, no one adheres to humanitarian principles. Even the slightest piece of information can have a significant impact. Thus, to obtain intelligence, ninja would go to any lengths.

Ye Zi is just a child without chakra. Even if Hiruzen's starting point is for the good of Konohagakure, he wouldn't resort to the final measure as the first step.

However, if genjutsu hypnosis is ineffective on Ye Zi, then whether Ye Zi is a spy from another village would indeed require careful consideration. After all, one of the conditions for a spy is absolute willpower, making it normal for them to be resistant to genjutsu hypnosis. Some extremely skilled spies can even spout false information while under hypnosis.

Ninja execution is always swift. It had only been three minutes since this matter was decided when two Anbu appeared in Ye Zi's assigned room using the Body Flicker Technique. At this moment, Ye Zi was diligently stuffing food into his mouth, completely unaware of the two silent, uninvited guests standing behind him.

"Ye... Zi?"

The Anbu on the left, wearing a gray fox mask, uttered Ye Zi's name with a slight awkwardness.

Ye Zi was startled by the sound and abruptly turned around, only to see two strangely dressed individuals.

They wore tight black clothing, a sword strapped to their backs, and masks that completely concealed their faces.

"You guys...?"

Before Ye Zi could ask who they were, he was directly interrupted by the first person who spoke, "Come with us."

Their bizarre attire and blunt, somewhat cold tone made Ye Zi tense up. Without hesitation, he casually grabbed a ceramic bowl and immediately ran towards the window. He had familiarized himself with the environment and planned two escape routes as soon as he was brought to this room.

The Konohagakure Anbu completely underestimated Ye Zi's extreme reaction. As they were momentarily stunned, Ye Zi had already placed one hand on the windowsill, preparing to jump out.

The Anbu's appearance and their piercing tone had triggered Ye Zi's sensitive nerves, so he fled directly. However, he hadn't factored in the Anbu's combat skills.

The moment his hand touched the windowsill, the Anbu, who had recovered, flashed behind Ye Zi and struck him unconscious with a palm strike without causing any harm. It was evident that this person had excellent control over their strength, especially since Ye Zi was just a child and his body was still fragile.

A pain in the back of his neck, his consciousness fading into darkness, he felt a chill in his heart. While eating, he felt safe because he thought this would be a place where he could safely understand the world. But after being knocked unconscious, this recently formed thought was completely shattered. Moreover, his impression of Konohagakure was now set, with both his first and second impressions being so poor. It would be difficult to change this in the future.

If there were any "what ifs" in this world, he might still regret this decision when he thought back to it later...

Ye Zi opened his eyes, the first sensation being the discomfort of his hands and feet being bound. He looked down and saw that he was tied to a chair. He didn't panic, nor did he curse. Ever since he met Orochimaru and Tsunade, he understood that he was now a helpless individual at their mercy, and it wouldn't be strange if they crushed him to death the next second.

He knew panicking was useless, so he began to observe his surroundings. The large room was quite dark, the only light source being two white candles on the armrests of the chair. The faint light couldn't even illuminate the walls of the place, only allowing him to vaguely see the floor about two meters away. Other than that, there was only darkness.

Retracting his gaze from observing the environment, Ye Zi exerted a little force, but his bound hands remained motionless.

I'm such an idiot...

Ye Zi thought to himself. However, he had no choice in the situation when he met Orochimaru. Now, it seemed like it was just a matter of dying sooner or later.

His experiences since childhood had instilled in Ye Zi a deep-seated wariness of outsiders, and he always considered the worst possible outcome for everything. This wasn't just about being prepared; it was about witnessing too much darkness...

Just like now, he imagined several grim endings, and the results of these endings were all death, despite the different processes.

But...

Ye Zi didn't want to die. His eyeballs rolled slightly, his expression calm, but his thoughts churned within his mind.

An unknown room, tightly bound hands and feet, an environment with insufficient light – too many unfavorable conditions.

"Don't worry, I won't hurt you."

Suddenly, a somewhat gentle voice echoed from the dark room, accompanied by faint footsteps. A figure emerged from the darkness and slowly walked to within a meter of Ye Zi.

Ye Zi's heart leaped, but his expression remained calm. He slightly raised his head and quietly observed the person approaching. His gaze swept over the familiar attire he had seen many times before, finally settling on the face.

Thin lips pursed into a straight line, a firm nose, and under straight, sword-like eyebrows were a pair of bright, piercing eyes. This was a man of excellent spirit and appearance.

Is this the child...

Yamanaka Genya paid no mind to Ye Zi's scrutiny. Following the pre-arranged plan, he would first try to break down the target's defenses with words, then use genjutsu to extract all their secrets, and try to avoid using the clan's secret techniques.

"Do you think I'd believe such a lie to a child?"

Ye Zi dismissed the person's words with disdain.

Yamanaka Genya was slightly taken aback. A hint of surprise flickered in his gaze as he looked at Ye Zi. He carefully examined Ye Zi's eyes, only to see indifference, fear of death... and unconcealed wariness. This child...

He extended his index finger and traced the forehead protector tied to his forehead, then gave a self-deprecating smile and said faintly, "Whether you believe it or not is irrelevant; facts will speak for themselves."

After speaking, he stared intently at Ye Zi's eyes, which were unbefitting of his age, and quickly formed hand seals.

Genjutsu: Dream Realm.

Ye Zi watched in astonishment as Yamanaka Genya changed his hand seals several times. He realized that those few hand seals were vividly imprinted in his mind. Before he could even wonder when his memory and eyesight had become so good, he saw Yamanaka Genya's eyes suddenly transform into spinning vortexes, which then instantly expanded, sucking everything, including himself, into them.

Endless darkness engulfed everything, but in an instant, light reappeared.

Ye Zi opened his eyes and the first thing he saw was Ye Rui sitting on the bed. His eyes couldn't help but blur.

"Brother, what's wrong?" Ye Rui's thin, pale face showed a hint of concern, her large eyes filled with inquiry.

"It's nothing..."

Ye Zi slowly shook his head. Sunlight streamed through the window, warming him. He reached out and held Ye Rui's small hand; it felt cool to the touch, incredibly real. This wasn't a dream, not...

"Brother, why are you crying?"

"Huh?"

Ye Zi reached up and touched his cheek, his fingertips brushing against a wetness. He turned to look at the blue sky outside the window and chuckled, "Got some sand in my eye."

Looking at Ye Zi's vacant eyes, Yamanaka Genya lowered his hands and asked softly, "Where are you from?"

"..."

Ye Zi didn't respond, remaining motionless like a puppet.

Yamanaka Genya frowned. The genjutsu had undoubtedly succeeded. He paused, then asked again, "What's your name?"

Still, there was no response...

Yamanaka Genya's brow furrowed even tighter. He asked several more questions, lowering his standards with each one, but still received no answer.

"Is it possible he's a spy..."

Yamanaka Genya muttered to himself. When he first saw Ye Zi, he hadn't believed it, because the wariness in Ye Zi's eyes was too strong—not the behavior expected of a spy. However, Ye Zi's reaction after falling under the genjutsu made him doubt his initial assessment.

After a full half-hour of effort, no information had been obtained.

"There's no other way."

Yamanaka Genya sighed softly. He really didn't want to use his clan's secret technique on a child unless absolutely necessary.