Clear Them Out!

The three captured Genin were only fifteen or sixteen. Black shadows pinned their bodies to the ground, leaving their limbs unable to move. Shadows even coiled around their necks, forcing their heads up as they stared at Tsukimi in terror.

The Chunin had indeed been a Death Soldier, but that did not mean these three Genin were. Their expressions made that clear.

Otherwise, Tsukimi would not have considered interrogating them. He would have killed them outright.

"I'll start with the one on the left. Genjutsu: Phantom Dream!"

Kurenai stepped up to the Genin on the left, her usual gentleness gone. Her hands formed seals rapidly before her chest, and an invisible mental force slipped into his mind.

Her father, Shinku Yūhi, had taught her this Genjutsu. Unlike conventional Genjutsu, it incorporated visual hypnosis. Though only C-rank, it was a deep mental Genjutsu designed specifically for interrogation, and it suited her better than any other technique she could use right now.

Silently, the Genin's consciousness seemed to be dragged into a cage. Kurenai Yuhi broke through his mental defenses and barriers of memory, layer by layer.

Asuma stood nearby, watching the three captives pinned in place. His grim thoughts gradually gave way to excitement, and a goofy grin spread across his face.

He had grown up in Konoha as the Third Hokage's son. When had he ever experienced anything like this?

An ambush in the dead of night, a Death Soldier who killed himself, and a harrowing fight...

Each thing was more thrilling than the last. This was far more interesting than the Ninja Academy. This mission was sure to make him famous. When he returned to the village, Obito would be green with envy.

Heh, heh, heh!

Time ticked by. Five minutes later, Kurenai slowly opened her eyes, sweat beading on her forehead. Using this kind of deep Genjutsu for real for the first time had taken a lot out of her.

Fortunately, the three were not Death Soldiers, nor were they particularly strong. Otherwise, she might not have managed to break into his mind.

"Here, wipe your forehead." Tsukimi offered her a handkerchief. Kurenai let out a soft breath and took it, giving him a helpless look.

"Thanks. I found out what I could, but there aren't many leads."

"Huh? What's with Asuma?"

As she spoke, Kurenai noticed Asuma grinning foolishly beside them and looked puzzled.

"Never mind him. He's having an episode."

"You're the one having an episode!" Asuma snapped back as soon as he came to his senses and heard Tsukimi.

"You sure? You're drooling."

Asuma instinctively wiped the corner of his mouth, but his hand came away dry. Realizing he had been tricked, he looked up to find Tsukimi staring at him like an idiot. Even Kurenai's mouth twitched as she took two steps back. Asuma's face turned bright red.

"Tsukimi, you bastard!"

That got to him!

Tsukimi waved him away in disgust, then turned to Kurenai.

"Forget this idiot. Go on, Kurenai."

You'll be the one crying later!

Kurenai composed herself and continued. "According to this Genin's memories, all three of them were orphans. The Chunin took them in when they were young, and they received secret training in the Land of Rivers."

"There were other orphans at first, but after the selection process, these three were the only ones with the talent to become Ninja. As far as they knew, that Chunin was their only superior, and every order came from him."

"What was their mission? Why did they try to kill Kawata Genji?"

"He only remembered receiving one order," Kurenai said, shaking her head before recounting what she had uncovered. "Kill Mr. Kawata and seize the small wooden box he hid."

"Beyond that, none of the three knew anything."

After they heard the report, dead silence settled over the hollow.

It seemed the Chunin had been the only one who knew anything. Only he had known where the order came from and what was being plotted behind the scenes. With him dead, the trail had gone cold.

"I'm sorry. With my current abilities, I can't break directly into an enemy's mind, and I can't examine that Chunin's memories."

Kurenai's guilty voice interrupted Tsukimi's thoughts. He patted her head and reassured her softly.

"It's all right. You did well."

"There are still two more over there. Why not check their memories too?"

Asuma came over as well, his face dark as he offered the suggestion.

Tsukimi gave him a speechless look and shook his head. "You really are the Hokage's idiot son."

Asuma's expression darkened further, but before he could lash out, Kurenai cut in.

"In the memories I examined, the three of them were always together. They trained together and went on missions together, so their memories won't differ much."

Tsukimi walked over to the Chunin's body and took a scroll from his Ninja Tool Pouch. It was a blank Sealing Scroll he had brought before setting out, with a sealing formula already inscribed on it. All he needed to do was channel Chakra into it to complete the seal. It was convenient for carrying supplies or intelligence.

He crouched to seal the Chunin's body away, then stood and looked at Kawata Genji.

"This was supposed to be an ordinary escort mission, yet a Chunin-level Death Soldier came after us. The answer is obvious."

From beginning to end, the problem had been the man they were escorting.

Kawata Genji trembled harder, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. He buried his head between his knees, not daring to meet their eyes.

"Only a Ninja village could train a Chunin to be a Death Soldier. That little wooden box of Mr. Kawata's must be something special," Kurenai said after a moment's thought.

"And not some minor village, either. It's most likely one of the other four great Ninja villages. A small village couldn't afford to throw away a Chunin as a Death Soldier," Asuma added.

Huh. Asuma has a brain after all?

Tsukimi shot him a surprised glance. "Not bad. Only the other four great Ninja villages could train a Chunin to be a Death Soldier."

"As for what's inside Kawata Genji's little wooden box, we'll take a look in a moment."

Tsukimi's offhand words made Kawata Genji shake like a leaf. Terror overwhelmed him.

"What do we do with these three Genin? Take them back to Konoha?"

Asuma and Kurenai looked to Tsukimi, waiting for his orders.

Tsukimi regarded the three captives. "These Genin are no longer of any use."

He turned to Kurenai and Asuma. His usual languor and warmth had vanished from his eyes. His voice was calm, but there was a different kind of coldness beneath it.

"Get rid of them!"

Just three simple words, yet Asuma and Kurenai went stiff. Both tightened their grips on their weapons.