To live is to endure endless humiliation.
To die would bring even more terrible consequences and eternal guilt!
Immense sorrow and despair, like a tidal wave, completely engulfed Inuzuka Hana.
Inuzuka Hana lay in the warm water.
Her shoulders trembled violently, and scalding tears streamed out.
Mixing with the pool water, they silently fell.
All her pride, all her persistence.
Completely collapsed at this moment.
Finally, her trembling shoulders slowly stopped twitching.
She raised her head, her face devoid of anger.
Only a deathly numb and hollow expression remained.
The light in her eyes was completely extinguished.
Slowly, extremely slowly.
Under Di Yan's cold and expectant gaze.
She bent her knees and knelt in the warm pool.
Then, like the most submissive of canines.
She supported her body with her hands and knees.
Little by little, she crawled towards Di Yan.
The ripples in the warm pool undulated with her movements.
Every inch of progress was like trampling on her already shattered soul.
She crawled to Di Yan's feet.
Paused for a moment.
Finally, she closed her eyes.
And, like a true pet, pressed her burning cheek against Di Yan's calf.
The movement was stiff and humiliating.
Then, with a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, filled with violent trembling and a sob, she squeezed out those two words:
"Ma... Master..."
Her voice was weak, yet it echoed like thunder in her own mind.
After the first sound.
All subsequent resistance seemed to vanish.
Di Yan chuckled, his fingers twirling her wet short hair, as if stroking a pet:
"Too soft, I didn't hear it clearly. Say it again."
Inuzuka Hana's body trembled.
Tears of humiliation fell once more.
She took a deep breath, as if using all her strength, her voice slightly louder but even more hollow:
"Master..."
Again and again.
Each "Master."
Was like a piece of flesh being gouged from her heart.
Her will, her dignity.
In these repeated cries of submission.
Were completely crushed and sank into the warm water.
Di Yan looked at the obedient little dog before him and nodded in satisfaction.
He no longer hesitated.
He began to pull at the little dog's tail... As the pool water rippled.
A blush spread in the warm water... [Ding! Communication with Inuzuka Hana completed, gaining "Constitution that is close to natural energy" (able to communicate with animals).]
... 36 Kurenai Yuhi, Hinata, Inuzuka Hana; Three-Person Kill
"Close to natural energy?"
"Able to communicate with animals?"
Di Yan's gaze swept over Inuzuka Hana, who lay motionless by the pool, and he pondered silently.
It was not surprising to be able to replicate the ability to be close to animals from Inuzuka Hana.
The source of the Inuzuka Clan's Ninjutsu relied on taming Ninja Dogs.
Therefore, their clan must be naturally close to animals.
In other words, being close to animals and plants.
To a certain extent, it could be seen as being close to nature.
There was nothing wrong with that.
However, this ability to communicate with animals reminded Di Yan of one person.
That was Jugo, under Orochimaru's command.
Jugo was born with the ability to be close to natural energy.
He could communicate with animals.
He even mastered Sage Mode... Thinking this, Di Yan looked at Inuzuka Hana's firm and smooth buttocks.
He couldn't help but pat her, "I didn't expect you to be such a treasure!"
Slap, slap, slap... Inuzuka Hana instinctively twitched, but she didn't dodge.
She just resignedly buried her head, offering no response.
Di Yan's face showed delight.
He truly hadn't expected such a pleasant surprise.
In that case.
As long as he communicated with Inuzuka Hana multiple times, as long as quantitative change led to qualitative change.
He would eventually be able to initially access Sage Mode.
It was indeed a huge profit!
A moment later, Di Yan clapped his hands.
"Come in!"
Creak... As soon as he finished speaking, the door outside the warm pool was pushed open.
The physically and mentally exhausted Inuzuka Hana came to her senses and looked up.
The misty hot air in the warm pool seemed to solidify.
"Ah..."
Seeing the newcomers, Inuzuka Hana gasped.
She buried herself deep in the water.
Only a pair of eyes, wide with horror and shame, were exposed.
Staring intently at the two figures that appeared at the doorway.
It was... Kurenai Yuhi and Hyuga Hinata!
Why were they here?
And at such a time?
Inuzuka Hana's mind went blank.
Followed by overwhelming shame and indignation.
She was completely naked at this moment.
To appear before her fellow villagers in such a disheveled and humiliated state.
This was even more unbearable than killing her.
She suddenly submerged her body completely underwater.
Leaving only her mouth and nose exposed, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
Meanwhile, Kurenai Yuhi and Hinata at the doorway.
Were equally stunned by the sight before them.
They had been brought by Uchiha Izumi.
They had thought it was another "audience" with Di Yan or new "instructions."
But they never expected to see such a scene.
The once spirited and fiery Inuzuka Hana.
Was now... now in the warm pool with His Majesty?
And seeing the clothes scattered by the pool and Inuzuka Hana's panicked dive underwater...
The two women instantly understood what had happened.
A wave of sorrow and chill, feeling for the suffering of their kind, instantly swept over them.
Kurenai Yuhi's face grew even paler, her nails digging deeply into her palms.
Hinata instinctively covered her mouth.
Her Byakugan filled with terror and sympathy, as if she saw her own past reflection.
They looked at each other.
And saw the same despair in each other's eyes...