When cryptic people spoke in half-truths, how could bystanders who didn't understand possibly resist asking more?
Shikamaru nodded and shot Sasuke a look.
The moment the Sharingan activated, Sakura's expression shifted from confusion to blank bewilderment.
Fortunately, there weren't many people present. In particular, the two little rookies from the Hyuga clan, who came with a built-in illusion-breaking passive, weren't here. Only Sakura needed her memories muddled with the Sharingan.
As for the Great Clans, Shikamaru was there to vouch for them and take the lead. After explaining what could and couldn't be said, Choji and Ino saw how serious Shikamaru looked and naturally understood the situation.
Sasuke looked at Naruto. "You're not to ask anything either, understand?"
Shikamaru was unsure about Sasuke's approach. "Will this work?"
"Naruto won't go blurting things out, right?" Sasuke wanted to, but he didn't really dare use genjutsu on Naruto.
Naruto seemed to swallow something in his mouth and said miserably, "I don't want to know anything anyway, all right?"
Shikamaru was somewhat surprised by Naruto's cooperation.
"Yota seems to need quite a lot of food, right? If you gather food for him like this every day, no matter how well you hide it, it'll still leave clues."
The atmosphere suddenly turned somewhat solemn. Even Yota, who had been babbling noisily, fell silent, as if frightened. The weather darkened as well.
Sasuke looked at him and proposed a deal.
"Yota, I'll be responsible for your food, but can I have some of your hair for research?"
"Yota doesn't know. Yota is scared... ugh..."
The frail child became unusually tense, then suddenly froze in place as though his system had crashed.
Seeing that something was wrong with Yota, Ino hurried forward in concern.
"What's wrong, Yota? Where do you feel unwell?"
The others didn't notice,