The Ninjutsu Professor's Lifelong Work

But he remembered the promise made before they set out.

Without Fugaku's permission, he could not act on his own.

Asuma could only force down all his emotions.

First, complete the negotiations.

First, bring Kurenai back to Konoha.

As for everything else, they could discuss it after leaving this place.

He did not notice how the gentleness vanished from Kurenai Yuhi's face the moment she turned away.

It was not as though she had no feelings for Asuma.

It was simply that too much disappointment had mixed into those feelings.

Asuma had not been there when she was taken away.

He had not been there during her most terrified and helpless moments either.

Now that she had adapted to everything here, Konoha had finally sent a negotiation team.

One reunion after so long could not erase those days.

Lie Yang walked down from upstairs.

The faint murmurs of conversation immediately fell silent.

All seven Konoha ninja tensed at once.

Even though Lie Yang had restrained his chakra, the pressure born from the difference in their very levels of life still remained.

The swarm of insects within the Aburame jōnin fell into deathly silence once more.

The Hyūga jōnin did not dare activate his Byakugan.

The Akimichi Clan jōnin held his teacup, yet did not dare exert any force with his fingers.

The Nara Clan and Yamanaka Clan ninja exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity in the other's eyes.

They finally understood why Konoha had chosen negotiation.

An enemy like this was not someone ordinary ninja could contend with.

Lie Yang took his seat at the head of the table.

"Fugaku."

"State Konoha's terms directly."

Fugaku took out the revised list.

He did not hand it over immediately.

Before coming here, he had intended to follow the Konoha higher-ups' arrangements: