Clean Them Up!

The three captured Genin were only fifteen or sixteen. Black shadows pinned their bodies to the ground, leaving their limbs immobile. 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 too. Their expressions made that clear.

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

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

Kurenai stepped in front of the Genin on the left, her usual gentleness gone. Her hands flashed through Hand Seals before her chest, and an invisible mental force invaded 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 at her current level.

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 mood gradually gave way to excitement, and a foolish 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?

A midnight ambush, a Death Soldier who had taken his own life, a dangerous fight...

One thing after another! It was thrilling—far more interesting than the Ninja Academy. This mission would surely make him famous. Obito would be green with envy when they got back to the village.

Heh heh heh!

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

Fortunately, these three were not Death Soldiers, nor were they particularly strong. Otherwise, she might not have been able to penetrate his mind.

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

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

"Huh? What's wrong with Asuma?"

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

"Never mind him. He's having one of his episodes."

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

"You don't believe me? 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 flushed bright red.

"Tsukimi, you bastard!"

That got to him!

Tsukimi waved him off in disgust, then turned back to Kurenai.

"Forget this idiot, Kurenai. Go on."

You'll be crying later!

Kurenai composed herself and continued. "According to this Genin's memories, all three of them were orphans. That Chunin took them in when they were young, and they underwent 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 sole superior, and every order came from him."

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

"He only received one order," Kurenai said, shaking her head before recounting what she had found. "Kill Mr. Kawata and take the small wooden box he hid."

"Beyond that, the three of them know nothing."

When she finished, a deathly silence fell over the mountain 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 planned. With him dead, the trail had gone cold.

"I'm sorry. With my current abilities, I can't invade an enemy's mind directly, so I couldn't get anything from that Chunin."

Kurenai's apologetic 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, aren't there? Why not check their memories too?"

Asuma came over and offered the suggestion, his face still dark.

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 corpse and took a Scroll from his Ninja Tool Pouch. It was a blank Sealing Scroll he had brought before setting out, with a Sealing Jutsu formula already inscribed on it. All he needed to do was feed it Chakra to complete the seal. It was convenient for carrying supplies or intelligence.

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

"A routine escort mission drew a Chunin-level Death Soldier. The answer is obvious."

The problem had been their escort target from the very beginning.

Kawata Genji trembled even harder, cold sweat streaming down his forehead. He buried his head between his knees, unable to meet any of their eyes.

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

"And not one of the ordinary Small Shinobi Villages, either. It was most likely one of the other Four Great Ninja Villages. A Small Shinobi Village wouldn't sacrifice a Chunin as a Death Soldier," Asuma added.

Huh. Asuma has a brain after all?

Tsukimi shot him a surprised glance. "Right. 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 shortly."

Tsukimi's casual words reached Kawata Genji, making him shake like a leaf. He was terrified beyond measure.

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

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

Tsukimi gazed at the three captives. "These Genin are of no use to us now."

He turned to Kurenai and Asuma. The usual laziness and warmth had vanished from his eyes. His voice was calm, yet carried a chilling edge.

"Clean them up!"

Just three simple words, but Asuma and Kurenai both stiffened. Their grips tightened around their weapons.