Chapter 122: Next
Tonight, there was no moon and no lights.
Inside the Black Iron Giant Eagle's belly, it was pitch dark—but that did not affect Li Yao's perception.
The Black Iron Giant Eagle was woven entirely from chakra chains. Ayase's body was very clean; her form within his chakra perception was her true physical form.
That alluring, incomparable full moon was unmistakable.
By now, Ayase had woken up—more accurately, she hadn't slept long at all.
Although the eagle flew relatively steadily, there were still bumps, triggering the innate alertness of a trained ninja.
If not for extreme fatigue earlier, she wouldn't have been able to sleep at all.
Sarutobi Tenchu had already woken early, and the couple remained silent. The Vajra Chains and Black Iron Chains restraining them were powerful, tightly binding their generated chakra, and neither seemed to struggle to escape.
"Tell me, what is Spirit Transformation?"
Li Yao lifted Ayase and sat down with her, roughly adjusting her position before turning to ask Tenchu about Spirit Transformation.
He was very curious what kind of ninjutsu it was, and why the Third Hokage had gone so mad over it.
From the name alone, it was easy to guess it had something to do with the soul.
Otherwise, the Third wouldn't be so certain that the soul wasn't Kimura Yao's, but someone else's.
However, Li Yao was unclear on its exact effects and was very curious.
He hoped Tenchu would cooperate and not make things difficult.
"Li Yao… you damned bastard!!"
In the darkness, Tenchu couldn't see his wife's condition, but from her voice and blurry outline, she was certainly bound again by Li Yao and unable to move.
"But... Li Yao doesn't know Spirit Transformation???"
A big question mark formed in Tenchu's mind.
That was impossible!
Li Yao had already possessed other bodies—there was no way he didn't know what Spirit Transformation was.
But... Li Yao's tone didn't sound fake.
Tenchu grew confused and decided not to answer Li Yao's question. Whether Li Yao truly didn't know or was pretending, he would say nothing.
Seeing Tenchu remain silent, Li Yao applauded mockingly.
And then the music played, and the dance continued.
Having lived six years tormented and experimented upon, Li Yao finally escaped—wasn't he allowed some joy?
Wasn't the fun of transmigration to act without bounds?
Huff… huff… Tenchu's breathing grew heavy again unconsciously.
But he wanted to feign death; Li Yao wouldn't allow it.
"What is Spirit Transformation? Tell me, or I'll cut off your third leg."
Li Yao placed his hands on Ayase's shoulders, leaned close to her ear, and whispered chilling words.
Bound and suspended by Black Iron Chains, Ayase was startled—but before she could respond, Tenchu spoke first: "Do you really not know Spirit Transformation?"
Li Yao doesn't know Spirit Transformation?
Ayase immediately reacted, her heart shuddered, then she fell silent.
If that was true, it was critical information. He must not learn the technique's effects.
"What a tacit understanding!"
"No wonder you two are a couple!"
Li Yao sighed and smiled, then deliberately said, "Spirit Transformation must not only be a powerful soul ninjutsu, but have some special abilities."
What special abilities?
Li Yao did not know. But clearly, this couple didn't want him to know anything about it and remained silent.
"Whatever. Doesn't matter."
Li Yao's mind shifted, and fine Black Iron Chains instantly flowed into Tenchu's lower leg.
He meant what he said.
Ssss!
A faint tearing sound was heard.
Then a strong smell of blood filled the air. Ayase's expression suddenly changed, and she turned toward Li Yao, trying to bite him to death.
But it was all in vain.
Since Li Yao had loosened control over her body, he naturally had countermeasures.
Bound at hands, feet, and waist by Black Iron Chains, Ayase could only turn her head but do nothing else.
"What a real man!"
"Too bad that won't last!"
Li Yao admired Tenchu's endurance—pain that would last forever he could endure silently. Truly an ANBU and a real man.
But what good was that?
Li Yao didn't plan to kill him, but also wouldn't let him return to Konoha unscathed.
"So... what is Spirit Transformation?"
Li Yao's gentle voice sounded again. Ayase shuddered, realizing if she didn't answer, her husband might lose a leg again.
She chose to bite off her tongue again.
Li Yao watched. This time, he didn't help stop the bleeding. She wouldn't die.
Tenchu remained silent, furious but willing to risk more injury if it meant giving his wife a chance to survive.
Seeing their silence, Li Yao realized the true spirit of a shinobi's duty—these were truly hardened, twisted souls.
Even Ayase, faced with the greatest humiliation, quickly adapted, suppressed her anger, and calmly endured without revealing any secrets Li Yao sought.
Death, to them, was relief.
For people unafraid of death, such physical and mental torture was not enough.
Unfortunately, Li Yao lacked time and tools for more perverse plans.
"Fine, it'll do."
"When they return to Konoha, they'll have plenty of time for my twisted games."
One day.
Two days.
High above the sea, 5,000 meters up, Li Yao focused on only one thing.
Sarutobi Tenchu and his wife had accepted their fate.
On the third day.
Morning.
The Third Hokage sat in his office, smoking a pipe, his brows furrowed with worry and a faint trace of deep unease in his eyes.
Bang! The door opened.
Hokage's secretary, Emiko Chiba, wearing a short skirt, swayed her long legs as she entered.
Before she could close the door, the Third hurriedly asked, "Emiko, any news from Tenchu?"
"Not yet," Emiko shook her head, closed the door behind her, approached the Third, and comforted him gently as she cradled his head in her bosom, "Don't worry. Tenchu and Ayase are both strong elite jōnin. They won't come to harm."
(END CHAPTER)
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