Chapter 279: Kui

"Longma?"

After leaving the Hokage building, You Nv Longma followed behind his boss, steps light, trying not to make any sound, so as not to attract Zhicun Tuan zang's attention.

Even so, he still heard his boss's call.

"Here! What are your orders?"

As soon as he heard his boss's voice, Longma's heart went thump-thump.

However he still immediately responded to his boss, who was angry, and he dared not be negligent in the slightest.

"'Protecting' the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, is it that secret forces team?"

Saying it's protection, but with Jiuxinna's strength, what need is there for any secret forces protection? If there really is danger, it's still unknown who protects whom.

It's just another way of saying surveillance.

Upon hearing Zhicun Tuan zang's question, You Nv Longma's body tensed instantly; he understood the other's methods.

At this time, asking about those secret forces clearly means they want to know the recent situation of Xuanwa Jiuxinna.

As for what they want to do…

"Hmm… what are you hesitating about?"

Seeing that there was no response for a long time, Zhicun Tuan zang stared at You Nv Longma with his one eye, his tone calm, giving no hint of abnormality.

However You Nv Longma knew this was a sign before his boss's outbreak. Each time he spoke to his subordinates like this, if the subordinate's response couldn't satisfy him, the outcome would be quite miserable.

But… as a Leaf Village ninja, he really didn't know how to respond to his boss's question.

He knew the answer to the question, but Xuanwa Jiuxinna's identity made him hesitate. However, compared to that, his boss's increasingly grim expression left him unable to stay silent any longer.

"Yes… Squad 11."

Seeing his boss's expression not improving at all, You Nv Longma then said: "Kui… is in this squad."

At this point he couldn't care less; if he kept stammering, he guessed his boss would write him down in the little notebook.

"Remember! Root cannot have emotions; regarding my orders, there cannot be any hesitation."

His ability is not bad and still has utilitarian value, so Zhicun Tuan zang merely gave a mild warning.

Otherwise, given his recent performance, there are plenty of dangerous missions in Root waiting for someone to carry out.

"Have Kui focus a bit on that little girl called Yeyuan Lin."

After throwing out that sentence, Zhicun Tuan zang continued toward his lair, the location of Root.

And upon hearing Zhicun Tuan zang's order, You Nv Longma relaxed his tense nerves and let out a big sigh.

His boss wasn't targeting Xuanwa Jiuxinna; as for Yeyuan Lin, in his view it was irrelevant.

But… has his boss changed his temperament this time? Losing so much face, just letting it go lightly?

……

"Jiuxinna, you're really too impulsive this time—how could you treat those elders like that? Not to mention Zhicun Tuan zang, elders like Zhuanqin Xiaochun and Minato Yan are still worthy of our respect!"

Just after returning home, Bofeng Minato began to earnestly advise Jiuxinna.

"Hey! Hey!!"

"Next time I'll pay attention!"

Regarding her boyfriend's words, although she somewhat disagreed, she still listened seriously, though her tone was somewhat perfunctory.

These old fogeys really annoyed her to no end.

All day they restricted her movements, and even sent some half‑ass ninjas to monitor her; she had long wanted to give those people a "lesson".

But she had never found a suitable opportunity.

"It's also that old fogey Zhicun Tuan zang who came up with some terrible idea. He actually wants to…… I couldn't possibly hold back my anger."

As soon as she brought this up, she got angry; if they followed his method, wouldn't Lin have no hope of survival at all?

Those elders, one or two, still had an attitude of wanting to give it a try; they truly didn't treat the lives of those jinchuriki as anything.

"Don't worry, the Third Hokage won't let this happen!"

As for this, Bofeng Minato still had some confidence. At this point, the Third Hokage's main concern was how to completely end this war.

"Rather than getting tangled up in this, why don't we talk about how you plan to handle Lin's situation?"

Compared to these things, Jiuxinna was obviously more concerned about Lin's situation.

If he could stay in Leaf Village, she would also have a kindred spirit. Although Bofeng Minato is great, he's really too busy—either on missions or being summoned by the old‑geezer Third Hokage to discuss matters.

Staying home alone, she also felt doubly lonely.

If she had Lin as a kindred spirit, that would be perfect.

"Lin's matter…"

As soon as he brought this up, he got a headache; this matter still depends on the attitude of the Mist Ninja, and it's not something he or Leaf Village can decide unilaterally.

"Teacher Minato, Sister Jiuxinna, thank you for everything you've done for me, but I've already made my preparations."

"If this can end the war early, then I can……"

What she could do, she didn't say outright, but the meaning was already clear.

Having experienced what happened in the conference room today, the clever she had already realized that her fate probably wouldn't be good.

But for the village and her comrades, she was willing to become that sacrifice, to exchange for more companions' safety. Even earlier, she had already had this resolve; it was only the arrival of Senior Dong Shilang that delayed the time.

While saying this, Yeyuan Lin also gave the two of them a tranquil smile, as if she didn't care at all what her words meant.

"Lin!!"

Seeing Yeyuan Lin so well‑behaved, Jiuxinna could no longer hold back her emotions, she swept her into an embrace and held her tightly.

At the same time, a feeling of sorrow also welled up in her heart.

The so‑called jinchuriki also has another explanation.

It is to place a living person in a pit, gradually pouring in sand from the bare feet up to the calves, then to the torso and neck.

Finally, the whole person was buried in the soil, causing suffocation and death.

For a living person, this method is how cruel. Being inside it, watching the sand and stone gradually cover one's mouth and nose, then over the head.

That gradual feeling of sensing death's approach, the pressure it bears, is something an ordinary person could never understand.

And Yeyuan Lin, just like her, also, at a young age, involuntarily took on this pressure that originally should not have been borne by them.