"What's there to discuss?"
Yami drew his Kusanagi sword, his voice cold and murderous.
"The best stealth is to leave no witnesses. Killing them all solves everything. Let me handle it."
"Yami, calm down! This method is too extreme!"
Hizashi had just recovered from the shock of Yami's overwhelming chakra when he heard this terrifying statement. He quickly grabbed him, his expression tense.
"We are shinobi, not butchers.
Aside from the target, there are ordinary people in this house.
They're innocent."
Yami sneered.
"Innocent? Anyone who aids criminals is no better than the criminals themselves.
In Root, there are no such rules.
Anyone who interferes with a mission is disposable."
"That's too extreme—even for Root!"
Cold sweat trickled down Hizashi's forehead.
"Yami, we're a standard shinobi team, not an underground assassination unit.
If you really do this, you might be fine, but Yugao, Kurenai, and I will all be punished.
You can't drag your teammates down with you."
At that moment, Hizashi finally saw Danzō's shadow within Yami.
Until now, Yami had always seemed like a playful, slightly arrogant but generally good-hearted child.
Sure enough—Byakugan could see through bodies, but not hearts.
A "kind" child who casually suggests slaughtering an entire household? Impossible.
Yugao and Kurenai were even more numb.
Why did it feel like they were the ones being punished when it was Yami doing the killing?
This darkness... was too deep.
Fortunately, Yami hesitated, his expression loosening slightly.
"Alright. Then what's Hizashi-sensei's plan?"
Seeing that he had convinced him, Hizashi let out a quiet sigh of relief and quickly explained.
"The civilians are easy to handle, Kurenai's Genjutsu will take care of them.
Yami, you will handle the Chunin.
Yugao will complete the assassination.
I'll stay outside in case anything unexpected happens."
It was a well-thought-out plan, making full use of the team's strengths.
Hizashi had chosen not to participate in the combat directly, allowing the younger shinobi to gain experience.
Neither Yami nor Yugao had any objections.
Only Kurenai looked troubled.
"Hizashi-Sensei, most of the Genjutsu I've mastered are single-target techniques.
I know the Narakumi no Jutsu, but I'm not proficient yet...
The people in the basement might not be affected."
"I see..."
Hizashi frowned, realizing he had overlooked this point.
"Then I'll—"
Before he could adjust the plan, Yami interrupted.
"I'll handle it."
"Yami, you can use large-scale Genjutsu?"
Kurenai was surprised.
Although her Genjutsu had been ineffective against him before, Yami had explained that it was due to the vast difference in their mental strength.
"I can't.
But my Summoning Beast can."
Yami pulled out a small vial of blood from his ninja pouch, smeared it onto his palm, and formed a series of seals before slamming his hand onto the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"
A puff of white smoke exploded.
A small, pink piglet appeared before them.
But unlike a regular piglet, this one had an elongated nose, resembling an elephant's trunk.
"Tapir! Tapir!"
The little piglet immediately leaped into Yami's arms, rubbing against him affectionately, as if complaining about not being summoned sooner.
"Alright, alright. I've been busy with missions lately.
I'll take you to eat your favorite octopus balls once I'm on break."
Yami lifted the piglet slightly.
"...You got even fatter."
"Tapir~!"
"So cute!"
Kurenai's eyes sparkled as she stepped closer, looking like she wanted to snatch the piglet away.
Yugao didn't move, but her gaze was locked onto the creature, unable to look away.
"Is this... the Dream-Eating Beast? Baku?"
The Hyūga Clan had a long history.
Alongside their powerful jutsu, they also maintained extensive records on Summoning Beasts.
Hizashi quickly recalled the information.
"That's right.
Baku, which he calls Tapir from the sound it makes, is a dream-eater.
Yami patted the little creature and noticed Hizashi's lingering confusion.
He continued explaining.
"Most dream-eaters specialize in Wind Release, but Tapir is different.
Its specialty is Genjutsu, specifically putting people into deep sleep instantly."
"Though it's still young, it's more than enough for regular people."
"Tapir~!"
The Dream Tapir lifted its head proudly, waving its small trunk.
Both Kurenai and Yugao smiled at its adorable display.
"Alright, let's give the Dream Tapir a try," Hizashi decided quickly.
"Kurenai, follow up and check for any stragglers to make sure everyone is unconscious."
"Yes!"
Although it was a bit embarrassing to be outperformed by a Summoning Beast, Kurenai was still eager to contribute.
Otherwise, she felt she would have zero presence in this team.
"Tapir, it's time to start."
Yami placed the little Tapir onto the ground before leaping over the mansion's high wall, alongside Kurenai and Yugao.
"Tapir~!"
A strange sound resonated from the Tapir's mouth, vibrating through the air.
The sound waves penetrated the mansion's walls, accurately targeting its inhabitants.
Through Byakugan, Hizashi could see the results clearly.
The two guards at the master bedroom's door collapsed instantly, slipping into a deep sleep.
Aside from the Chunin, everyone else had also succumbed to the Genjutsu.
However, the Dream Tapir was still too young.
While its sound waves worked on ordinary people, the Chunin quickly detected something was off.
He stood up, instantly alert.
But Hizashi wasn't worried.
Because Yami had already entered his room.
Silent Execution
BANG—!
The door burst open, sending dust into the air.
The Chunin immediately reacted, throwing several shuriken toward the entrance.
A series of metallic clangs echoed as the shuriken were deflected.
And then—Yami walked in, blade in hand.
"Hello.
My name is Shimura Yami.
What's yours?"
"My name is Nakamura—"
The Chunin responded instinctively, but his expression froze the next second.
Realizing his mistake, he rushed to form a hand seal.
"Nice to meet you, Nakamura.
But I'm afraid we won't be seeing each other again."
This is why reducing seal count and increasing speed is critical.
Just as Nakamura formed his fourth seal, a blade pierced through his back, straight into his heart.
His eyes widened.
"You..."
"It's just a simple combination of Shadow Clone and Body Flicker Technique."
Yami's voice was indifferent.
Nakamura's body collapsed to the floor, lifeless.
[Host has established a Life-and-Death Bond with Nakamura. Reward: Standard Chunin Chakra Unit +1]
(To be continued.)