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The moment Sawara Kiri arrived on the sixth underground floor, his Six Eyes immediately perceived Shimura Danzo's true form.
In reality, it was impossible not to see through it.
Anyone with Six Eyes, who saw Shimura Danzo's large soul form clinging to another unfamiliar Ninja like a monkey, would probably be unable to resist taking a second look.
Coupled with Shimura Danzo's aged face, it instantly created a visually jarring effect.
However, upon discovering this, his strategy of 'cutting the grass and eradicating the Roots,' which he had formulated before entering the prison, became a dead end.
Originally, Sawara Kiri had planned to have these Root Ninja commit suicide by piercing their own brains, and then he would leave as quickly as possible.
Fortunately, also in a cell on this sixth underground floor, he sensed the 'Brain Multiplier Detonation Seal Technique' he had placed on someone not long ago.
He expanded his Six Eyes' vision once more.
Oh!
Hiruko, when did he arrive?
At the same time, almost the instant he saw Hiruko, a thought immediately sparked in Sawara Kiri's mind.
He had a brilliant idea.
Why did he have to kill Danzo?
Wasn't it because that old man, with nothing to do in the Village, just kept causing trouble for him?
If that was the case, why not give him something to do?
Indeed, Hiruko currently held no significant power; he was merely a malevolent inventor who dabbled in evil fusion Ninjutsu.
However, if Shimura Danzo were to gradually discover, through deeper investigation, that Hiruko was actually a direct conspirer, collaborating with other Villages, specifically ambushing him, constantly extracting information, embezzling laboratory funds, providing false intelligence, influencing his crucial strategies at critical moments, constantly plotting his demise, and ultimately leading to his current predicament...
Then Danzo, that old man, would probably temporarily shift his target, wouldn't he?
Sawara Kiri felt like he was truly wicked to concoct so many charges for someone.
Evidently, he was unaware why Hiruko, after Sarutobi Hiruzen's men had left, was still subjected to such inhumane torture in this sixth underground floor, guarded only by Shimura Danzo's own people.
Of all the martial arts, this is the Art of Transferring the Blame!
And so, that led to the performance in the hallway just now.
After leading the still-hypnotized Aburame Ryoma away, Sawara Kiri peeked around a corner, confirmed that Shimura Danzo's spirit had left that body, and then nodded in satisfaction.
He walked directly towards the cell where Hiruko was imprisoned.
However, as soon as he opened the cell door, a strong, rusty, metallic smell, shocking to the senses, wafted from the spacious cell, and the foul, heavy air made it almost impossible to breathe, causing one to instinctively recoil.
Looking inside, he saw Hiruko hanging in mid-air, suspended by his hands.
On either side of his body were two small whipping pillars, with three types of whips—light, medium, and heavy—spinning like fans, lashing against his body with crackling sounds;
In front and behind him were two branding iron extension machines; whenever the whipping stopped for a while, and he was about to faint, a glowing red branding iron would press against his body, emitting a series of burnt odors;
The self-spinning bucket suspended from the ceiling, once half-full, would tip over under gravity, splashing bone-chilling ice-salt water on his head, disinfecting him and keeping him awake.
The torture was entirely automated, with nutrient solutions and stimulants injected every twenty-four hours to ensure the prisoner's survival.
Sawara Kiri was truly astonished and asked Aburame Ryoma, who was beside him:
"What serious crime did he commit?"
"Why is his treatment worse than Danzo's?"
Although Aburame Ryoma was hypnotized, he appeared quite lucid: "According to the people inside, he confessed about seventy percent of the things Lord Danzo has done."
"So he hasn't confessed everything yet?" Sawara Kiri was somewhat surprised.
"No, it's likely he confessed too thoroughly when Lord Third interrogated him."
Aburame Ryoma thought for a moment and continued: "Also, we have our people in the interrogation department. These machines were custom-made by Hiruko for the interrogation department and the Root Ninja. He even tested them on quite a few Root Ninja who made mistakes—they might have forgotten to turn them off before leaving?"
Intentionally careless, right?
Sawara Kiri immediately felt that the old man deserved it.
However, the Art of Transferring the Blame had to continue.
Sawara Kiri walked over and turned off the still-running torture machines; all the chaotic devices around them immediately stopped, falling silent.
"Splash—"
The ice-salt water from the ceiling just happened to pour down.
The bone-chilling cold and the salt water on his wounds immediately made him shudder, twitching like he was electrocuted for several seconds, and he instantly woke up.
"I didn't say anything! Lord Danzo!"
His first words were these, indicating a practiced familiarity.
However, after waiting for a long time and realizing no more whips were falling, Hiruko finally lifted his head, half-asleep, and looked at the two people standing before him, his voice hoarse:
"You... who are you?"
Sawara Kiri raised a hand, and a bone-white blade of bone pushed aside the long hair obstructing Hiruko's vision, allowing his unfocused eyes to see their appearance. His tone was gentle:
"Good evening, Mister Hiruko."
"As you can see, we are just two bad guys who happened to pass by and were curious."
"May I ask, are you interested in leaving here with us?"
Almost the instant he heard the word 'leave,' Hiruko's originally unfocused pupils suddenly converged into a single point, as if a terrifying surge of survival instinct erupted in that moment, making even his hoarse voice become high-pitched and sharp:
"I will!"
"Whatever it takes, no matter the cost, I want to leave this place!"
Sawara Kiri looked at him: "Even if it means becoming my slave, subject to my command?"
"Yes!"
Hiruko dared not hesitate for a moment; he wanted to seize any hope that appeared before him.
If not for his Jonin-level physical endurance, he would have died during the three days of torture.
However, even if he didn't die, his mind was on the verge of breaking from the continuous pain.
Moreover, even if he survived Danzo's clutches, wouldn't he still be controlled?
Just thinking about this, Hiruko dared not let go of any opportunity, appearing like a miracle, here.
However, his resolute answer made Sawara Kiri pause—what startled him was not Hiruko's answer, but the system interface that popped up as a result.
"Sawara's Book of Friends: Character 'Hiruko' acquired."
"Bond Level increased ."
"Hiruko Bond Level: Zero → One."
At the same time, Hiruko's intensely distorted white aura also appeared before his eyes.
"Hiruko's Deep-seated Regret (Shallow)"
"Details: Save me, save me, save me, save me, save me, save me—!!!"
Sawara Kiri examined the panel before him, then looked at the ferocious-looking Hiruko, and suddenly revealed a subtle smile.
Oh, this can increase the bond too?
Thinking about it carefully, it seemed plausible.
A slave contract is practically the strongest friendship in the world, isn't it?
Tsk, what a heavy bond.
"I see."
"Since you have requested so sincerely, I shall graciously grant your wish."
"Please relax a little."
"I'm going in."
Sawara Kiri said, extending his hand and placing it on top of Hiruko's head.
Almost in the blink of an eye, patterns resembling black earthworms already covered his entire head.
The seal was formed.
That dark seal, like a boundless black pot, was firmly clamped onto his head.
Tonight, and every night thereafter.
"By the way, Mister Hiruko."
After walking out of Konoha Prison, with his back to the raging fire that had burned through the walls, Sawara Kiri turned his head and looked at the limping white-haired man beside him, asking gently:
"I remember, you should still be researching a secret technique called Chimera Technique, right?"
Upon hearing this, Hiruko trembled all over.
The name of this technique, he should not have left it on any scroll yet.
Where on earth did this guy get it...
However, he still feigned obedience and responded:
"Yes, Lord."
"Don't be so formal, just call me 'Ren.'" Sawara Kiri's smile became even more benevolent. "The Anbu should be arriving soon."
"While we have some time, why don't we sweep through the remaining Root strongholds as well?"
"The expenses required for research are not a small sum either."
"This, Lord Ren?"
Hiruko's voice paused, but his eyes seemed to light up.
"However, Mister Hiruko..."
Sawara Kiri's voice paused: "Have you ever considered a proposal to merge the summoning beasts from the Sage of the Three Great Sage Lands who can use Sage Mode with humans?"
"..."
"Huh?"
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