"I'm truly sorry, Lord Hokage. Please forgive my rudeness, but I cannot tell you where my family lives."
Otsutsuki Toneri shook his head, then chuckled. How could he possibly tell Hiruzen Sarutobi the location of the Ōtsutsuki Clan?
Even if he told him, Hiruzen would have no way to get up there. Besides, was he supposed to tell him-
My home is on the moon?
Hiruzen Sarutobi would definitely think he was an idiot!
"It's quite all right. I understand." Hiruzen Sarutobi regained his kindly smile and spoke warmly.
He had never held out much hope for that question anyway. It was perfectly normal for Toneri to refuse to answer.
After that, Hiruzen Sarutobi spent a long time talking with Otsutsuki Toneri, probing indirectly, before excusing himself on the grounds that it was getting late.
An old fox. Facing Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma's retreating backs, Otsutsuki Toneri couldn't help sneering inwardly.
But so what if he's an old fox? I'm no genuine seven-year-old, and I wasn't afraid of Konoha to begin with.
There are plenty of things I don't need to worry about or care about at all. Hiruzen Sarutobi is dreaming if he thinks he can get information out of me.
If I don't want to tell him, there's absolutely nothing he can do.
"Father?" Meanwhile, after leaving Kurenai Yuhi's House, Hiruzen Sarutobi and Asuma stood at an intersection, looking back at her home.
"Let's go. We'll head back first. This Toneri really doesn't leave a single opening." Hiruzen Sarutobi shook his head helplessly.
Seven? Seven years old!
Only seven, yet he already has such intelligence and cunning. This Otsutsuki Toneri really is like a monster!
What should I do?
Hiruzen Sarutobi couldn't help wondering. He couldn't judge whether Toneri was a friend or an enemy, although, judging by Otsutsuki Toneri's current attitude-
Otsutsuki Toneri was friendly toward them, but there was far too much information he refused to reveal.
That left Hiruzen Sarutobi unable to feel at ease at all.
Inside Kurenai Yuhi's House.
"By the way, is it really all right to turn Lord Hokage down on everything like that?" Kurenai Yuhi handed Otsutsuki Toneri a glass of juice, then looked at the boy with amusement and asked with a smile.
She had been present for the entire conversation between Hiruzen Sarutobi and Otsutsuki Toneri.
And throughout it, Otsutsuki Toneri had dealt with almost all of Hiruzen Sarutobi's probing and inquiries with a simple "I'm truly sorry."
That answer really was a little too blunt...
Even making up some random excuse would be better than just saying you can't tell him, wouldn't it?
"Concealment and deception are the greatest causes of rifts between people. Unless it's necessary, I don't much like deceiving others."
Otsutsuki Toneri shook his head with a smile. He actually disliked lies, but to survive, lying was also a basic survival skill everyone needed.
But just as he himself had said, unless it was necessary, he wouldn't lie to others.
Just as with Hiruzen Sarutobi earlier, Otsutsuki Toneri could easily have woven an elaborate lie to draw him in.
Using his knowledge of the Naruto world, Otsutsuki Toneri was eighty percent confident he could leave Hiruzen Sarutobi completely bewildered.
After all, there were far too many things he could use. There was no need to worry that Hiruzen Sarutobi wouldn't believe him, so long as he investigated the information Otsutsuki Toneri gave him.
But there was no need. The existence of Otsutsuki Toneri and Otsutsuki Quxian alone was already enough to make Hiruzen Sarutobi both wary and tempted.
The more he refused Hiruzen Sarutobi's attempts to probe for information, the more conflicted Hiruzen would feel, because he was refusing to tell him rather than deceiving him.
Hiruzen Sarutobi would sense his goodwill!
In fact, this in itself was a kind of lie laid out in the open.
"You certainly make it sound nice. I've prepared rooms for you and Quxian. Go get some rest." Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help pausing at his words. A ripple stirred in her ruby-like red eyes before she spoke with a smile.
She suddenly found this refined, mature boy a little cute, although he had been cute-looking to begin with.
"Sorry for the trouble, Kurenai." Otsutsuki Toneri rose with a smile, then prepared to go rest.
He doesn't want to deceive others?
Kurenai Yuhi quietly watched Otsutsuki Toneri turn and leave, unable to help chuckling. It really was a naive idea.
But wasn't that the sort of idea that suited his age?
Early the next morning, Otsutsuki Toneri woke and poked his head out from the soft body beside him.
"Young master, won't you rest a little longer?" Sensing the movement, the white-haired girl opened her pure, flawless Byakugan and softly asked Otsutsuki Toneri, whom she was holding in her arms.
Indeed, the two of them had slept together last night. Otsutsuki Quxian also had the job of warming Otsutsuki Toneri's bed.
"No. We have quite a few things to do today." Otsutsuki Toneri shook his head. He always slept well, so there was no need to sleep longer.
Besides, he didn't intend to stay in Konoha too long. Finishing his business early and setting out to travel the continent was what he wanted.
The two then got up, washed, and ate breakfast with Kurenai Yuhi, who had already prepared the meal.
"By the way, Quxian, could you give me some guidance in my training? With my strength being what it is..." Halfway through the meal, Kurenai Yuhi seemed to remember something and spoke softly to Otsutsuki Quxian, her face slightly flushed.
After all, she was already in her early twenties, while Otsutsuki Quxian was only a little over ten...
Asking a girl nearly half her age for something like this made even her feel a little embarrassed.
(Please support me with everything you've got~)
Chapter 28: Attacking Without a Word! Third Update!
Although it was somewhat difficult to say, strength reigned supreme in the ninja world, and Kurenai Yuhi still hoped Otsutsuki Quxian could guide her training.
After all, Otsutsuki Quxian's strength surpassed hers by far. Age had nothing to do with it, which was why she had asked Otsutsuki Quxian.
Kurenai Yuhi's talent wasn't exceptional, leaving her still a Chunin in her early twenties, but she very much wanted to improve her strength.
She very much wanted to become a Jonin. It was a wish of sorts to avoid disappointing her late father.
"Guide your training?" Otsutsuki Quxian paused at her words, then considered it briefly and turned her gaze toward Otsutsuki Toneri, seeking his opinion.
After all, Kurenai Yuhi had treated them well, even providing them with lodging and meals.
By rights, she really shouldn't refuse such a small request, but she still had to accompany Otsutsuki Toneri on his errands.
Where would she find the time to guide Kurenai Yuhi?
"In that case, Quxian, guide Kurenai's training this morning. We'll set out in the afternoon." Otsutsuki Toneri thought for a moment, then smiled at Otsutsuki Quxian as he spoke.
They weren't so stingy that they couldn't spare a single morning. If someone treated him kindly, he would repay her with kindness.
That was all there was to dealing with other people.
Kurenai Yuhi had indeed treated them very well, and she truly had no ulterior designs. Having Quxian guide her training for a few hours was no great matter.
"But I'm only good at Taijutsu and Ninjutsu. You're a Genjutsu ninja, aren't you? Then how about I teach you some Hand-to-Hand Combat?" Otsutsuki Quxian nodded, then thought for a moment before speaking softly to Kurenai Yuhi.
Her greatest strength was Taijutsu, followed by Ninjutsu. She actually wasn't particularly knowledgeable about Genjutsu.
But she wasn't afraid of Genjutsu. Otsutsuki Toneri possessed powerful Genjutsu abilities, and during their sparring, they had specifically trained her in dealing with it.
"Then sorry for the trouble, Quxian. And thank you too, Toneri." Delighted at her words, Kurenai Yuhi thanked them both.
Although it wasn't the Genjutsu she was most proficient in, close-range Taijutsu was indeed something she needed. After all, she also needed some ability to defend herself.
"No need for that. Rest a little after breakfast, then go do your special training. It'll give me a chance to take another walk outside too." Otsutsuki Toneri shook his head with a smile. If the two went to train, he could stroll around on his own.
After finishing breakfast, the three headed out together toward the village's training ground, but halfway there, Otsutsuki Toneri suddenly stopped.
"You two go on ahead. I'll take a walk on my own." Otsutsuki Toneri offered the two a brief explanation, then headed in another direction.
Otsutsuki Quxian's eyes flickered before she continued away with Kurenai Yuhi. Hmph, a bunch of troublemakers.
Meanwhile, Otsutsuki Toneri walked into a rarely frequented alley, then abruptly vanished.
Not long after he disappeared, a figure suddenly appeared where he had been standing.
The figure wore an animal mask and silver, shoulder-baring clothing, with a long sword on his back.
"Tsk, tsk~ You really are cautious. But I wonder, are you an ANBU from Root, or one of the Hokage's ANBU?" Otsutsuki Toneri suddenly appeared behind the figure, looking up at him with a smile.
Indeed, Otsutsuki Toneri had left midway precisely because he had once again sensed an ANBU spying on him.
He didn't quite understand. Logically, after learning how strong the two of them were, Hiruzen Sarutobi shouldn't do something so foolish as send ANBU to monitor them again.
After all, that would accomplish nothing except making the two of them resent Konoha.
Then it could only be a Root ANBU, an assassin trained by Danzo!
Seeing that he had been exposed, the ANBU unhesitatingly drew the long sword from his back and slashed at Otsutsuki Toneri.
Squelch!
The sound of a sharp weapon piercing flesh rang out, but the one injured wasn't Otsutsuki Toneri.
The ANBU's sword-bearing right hand trembled slightly. His right shoulder had been pierced by a slender Black Rod that had appeared in Otsutsuki Toneri's hand at some unknown point.
"Attacking without a word like that really is ill-mannered. But it's all right. I won't mind." A trace of menace slowly crept into Otsutsuki Toneri's smile.
The boy's tightly closed eyes sent a chill rising from the bottom of the ANBU's heart.
He desperately wanted to move, but...
"Does your body feel weak? Can't circulate your chakra?" Otsutsuki Toneri's still-gentle voice sounded beside the ANBU's ear, making the face hidden beneath his mask turn deathly pale.
He did indeed feel utterly drained, and he couldn't even mobilize the chakra inside his body.
"This is something formed from Yin-Yang Release. As long as it stays inside you, you'll remain in this state." Otsutsuki Toneri chuckled, kindly explaining it to the ANBU. He was never stingy with the dead.
"Now then, shall I take a look?" Then, regardless of the ANBU's reaction, Otsutsuki Toneri slowly reached out with his left hand.
His scarlet Rinnegan shimmered with an eerie red light, its black concentric rings looking profoundly mysterious and intricate.
Rinnegan: Memory Reading!
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