"Division Commander Kusunoki was poisoned to death."
Natsuhiko spoke calmly. The chakra flowing through his body also appeared completely steady, without the slightest ripple.
Yamanaka Inoichi carefully observed and sensed everything. After a moment, he slowly nodded, as if letting out a breath of relief.
This answer did not surprise him much.
Before taking on this task, he had already reviewed Natsuhiko's entire record—
From his performance in the Academy before joining the ANBU, to his conduct and achievements after entering it. All evidence showed that he was an outstanding ninja who carried the Will of Fire in his heart.
"What exactly happened at the time?" Inoichi continued, not stopping just because he had received an answer. "I need you to recall everything."
"Yes, Mr. Inoichi." Natsuhiko replied in a slightly dazed tone. At that moment, subtle fluctuations appeared in his chakra.
Those fluctuations were deliberate.
The mind reading technique required careful observation of chakra flow and inner thoughts, allowing the caster to "see" what the target recalled.
So Natsuhiko simply used that mysterious ability of his—whether it was some cheat-like power or something innate from his transmigration—to speak while simultaneously allowing Inoichi to "see" what he wanted him to see.
Through the movement of chakra, the timely appearance of sorrow on Natsuhiko's face, and his narration, Inoichi seemed to witness the entire scene unfold.
Cough, cough, cough… Nightingale, you should put me down. He's already caught up. Escape on your own and deliver the intelligence back—that's what matters most.
"Division Commander, what are you saying? I'll take you back. I'll bring you home…"
During the rescue attempt, Natsuhiko supported Kusunoki's arm and spoke in a gentle voice, as soft as a spring breeze.
Though his face could not be seen, one could almost sense the warm smile beneath the mask—like sunlight itself.
But in that very moment, the enemy caught up.
Natsuhiko fought desperately to defend and retreat, yet in the end, Kusunoki succumbed to the outbreak of poison and died on the spot.
To protect secrets—and to avoid unnecessary further casualties—they ultimately decided to dissolve Kusunoki's body.
"So that's how it was…"
Inoichi let out a soft sigh.
He knew the casualty rate within the ANBU was high. And once a mission failed, death was often the only outcome.
But through this mental link, he felt the weight of that tragedy. No ninja had it easy, but Anbu operatives truly carried the heaviest burdens.
Silently picking up his pen, Inoichi quickly recorded everything. He now completely believed Natsuhiko's account.
Yet he did not withdraw his chakra or mental focus.
In truth, he already wanted to end this.
But unfortunately, beyond investigating this incident, he had another task he was required to carry out.
It was a task he did not like.
But it was one he could not refuse.
Because it had been assigned by the Third Hokage.
The secret techniques of the Yamanaka clan allowed them to uncover countless secrets.
Yet among those secrets were many they themselves did not wish to possess.
Because it was hard to say—some secrets, once known, could bring unimaginable retaliation, even devastating destruction upon them.
The Yamanaka clan had endured until now not only because of their considerable influence and their alliance with the Nara and Akimichi clans, but also because they understood how to conduct themselves.
Things they shouldn't touch, they absolutely would not touch. Even if they had to, it would only be under orders—when they had no choice but to carry them out.
Their style earned people's trust. At the same time, those in power would offer them protection. That was their way of survival.
To be honest, the Third Hokage's order was very strange.
He wanted Inoichi to find out the exact details about this young man.
That part he did not quite understand.
Weren't those who entered the ANBU already thoroughly investigated?
Why, then, did he still need to determine Captain Nightingale's specific situation? Could there be some hidden reason behind this?
Unable to figure it out, Yamanaka Inoichi knew he likely had no room to argue. If he wanted continued protection, he would have to do something in return.
Taking a deep breath, Inoichi increased the output of his chakra and mental power. His expression grew even more focused.
"Second question: who exactly are you? And one month ago, whom did you meet in the forest, and what did you do?
Third question: what exactly is the matter with that lizard of yours?"
"I…" Natsuhiko parted his lips slightly, but quickly stopped, appearing conflicted and hesitant.
He truly was momentarily stunned.
He hadn't expected such questions to be raised for investigation. But his mind worked quickly, and in an instant he grasped the key point.
These questions must have been instructed by the Third Hokage for Inoichi to ask. The first of them was especially dangerous—it could expose his identity!
Hiruzen Sarutobi knew who he was, but Inoichi did not.
Although Inoichi's position allowed him to learn many things, he could not possibly know everything. For example, he would not know Natsuhiko's true identity.
What Hiruzen truly cared about were the second and third questions.
One month ago in the forest—what had Natsuhiko been doing?
He had been studying and discussing sealing techniques with Minato Namikaze. And he had been expressing his intention to "side with" Minato.
Just as Natsuhiko had expected, his meeting with Minato had not been secret in itself. It was simply that no one dared to investigate so brazenly, so they did not know what had been discussed.
Naturally, Hiruzen wanted to know what had transpired between them.
As for that giant lizard—Hiruzen likely also wanted to understand it. After all, something so powerful had suddenly appeared. No one would pretend to be blind to that.
And once the Fourth Hokage was involved, Inoichi would surely be in an extremely awkward position. Although Minato Namikaze was Hokage, the true controller of Konoha was still Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Therefore, to bind Inoichi with a secret, the simplest and most readily available one was Natsuhiko's identity.
Having reached this conclusion, Natsuhiko already knew what he needed to do.
After what seemed like an internal struggle, the expression on his face gradually calmed. At the same time, his chakra began to surge.
While many things needed to be concealed, there were some matters Natsuhiko did not mind letting slip—through Inoichi's mouth.
For example, his ambition to become Hokage.
For example, that his relationship with Minato Namikaze was purely one of mentorship and instruction.
Sure enough, when Inoichi carefully observed and sensed Natsuhiko's chakra, his expression changed.