What's wrong with having a large harem if you're the emperor of the ninja world?

"What's wrong with that? It's very comfortable to wear and it also shows off a woman's charm very well."

As he spoke, Karui stared in astonishment.

Samui, completely unconcerned, began to undress.

The movements were natural and fluid, as if they were just doing something very ordinary.

Soon, her stunning figure was on full display.

She then deftly put on the cheongsam that resembled the "660" logo.

Carefully fasten the Chinese knot buttons.

She even twirled slightly, the hem of her cheongsam drawing a graceful arc.

Her fair, long legs were faintly visible through the slit.

"Look, isn't it beautiful?"

Samui looked at Karui, his eyes calm.

It's as if they're showcasing a perfectly normal everyday outfit.

Karui stared in disbelief, his cheeks burning.

She had never seen Samui display her body so... so openly.

Moreover, this is the context.

Samui before my eyes remains as beautiful as ever.

Yet it carried a sense of unfamiliarity.

This sense of unfamiliarity made Karui feel flustered and helpless.

Looking at Samui's calm yet unquestionable gaze, and then thinking of Omoi and the others in the side hall whose fates were unknown, he realized that Samui was the one who had been killed.

Karui bit her lower lip hard, going through a fierce internal struggle.

Ultimately, humiliation and helplessness overwhelmed everything.

She picked up the cheongsam she had thrown away with almost simultaneous, extremely stiff movements.

He had his back to Samui and the maids.

With utmost speed, I endured the immense shame.

She changed into the clothes that made her feel uncomfortable all over.

The silky fabric clung to her skin, outlining her figure—though not as voluptuous as Samui's, it was nonetheless as vigorous and youthful.

The high slit design made her feel chilly with every step she took, giving her an extreme sense of insecurity.

She tugged at the hem of her dress, trying to cover more, but it was all in vain.

"Let's go."

Samui looked at Karui, who was uncomfortable and blushing after changing into a cheongsam, and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

But things quickly calmed down.

He turned and led her deeper into the palace.

Karui lowered his head, stepping on the soft carpet.

I felt like a lamb that had been carefully dressed up and sent to the altar.

With each step she took closer to the magnificent palace gate, her heart beat faster.

The unknown fear and intense shame intertwined, almost suffocating her.

The road leading to Emperor Yan's palace seemed incredibly long at this moment.

The atmosphere inside the palace was luxurious yet ambiguous.

Di Yan leaned against the large bed, toying with a scroll in his hand.

They didn't seem to notice the two people who came in immediately.

Until Samyi knelt down and reported.

Karui stood stiffly at the door, feeling as uncomfortable as if she were naked in her purple cheongsam.

She forced herself to speak, her voice trembling almost imperceptibly:

"Your Majesty...what is it that you summoned me for?"

Di Yan then slowly raised his gaze, his eyes landing on Karui as if they were tangible.

His scrutinizing gaze swept unabashedly over her slender waist, which was tightly wrapped in a cheongsam.

His gaze swept over the dark, long legs that were faintly visible through the slit in her dress.

Finally, her gaze rested on her chest, which was not particularly ample, rising and falling slightly with tension and shame.

A playful smile appeared on his lips.

“It’s nothing serious,” Di Yan’s voice was languid, carrying an air of nonchalant control. “I just wanted to…have a heart-to-heart talk with you.”

As he spoke, he casually waved.

This gesture was clearly directed at Samui.

Samui immediately got up and, without the slightest hesitation, obediently walked to the bedside.

She naturally nestled into Di Yan's arms.

They even adjusted themselves to a comfortable position.

Looking up at Di Yan, her eyes were filled with undisguised admiration and obedience.

This scene exploded in Karui's mind like a thunderbolt!

She had suspected it before.

But seeing in person the once calm, composed, and powerful captain Samui.

She nestled willingly, even with a hint of ingratiation, in the arms of this dangerous man.

The immense impact left her momentarily stunned.

The last shred of hope that Samui was coerced or controlled was shattered.

This is clearly... complete surrender and betrayal!

Has Samyi betrayed the village?

After the initial shock, what welled up in my heart was anger at being deceived and an indescribable bitterness.

Karui's fingers gripped the slits on both sides of the cheongsam tightly, her knuckles turning white.

Looking at the intimate couple on the couch, she felt as if something was blocking her throat.

He wanted to question Samyi sternly.

I wanted to turn around and escape from this suffocating place immediately.

While casually stroking Samui's blond hair, Di Yan leisurely watched Karui's ever-changing expressions.

He seemed to be enjoying her shock and struggle at that moment.

“It seems,” Di Yan said slowly, breaking the suffocating silence, “that Samui has shown you through his actions what kind of choice is wise here.”

“Then, Karui…”

His gaze refocused on her, carrying an irresistible pressure:

"Are you ready to have a 'heart-to-heart' with me?"

Karui stood there, caught in a dilemma.

The scene before her and Di Yan's words clearly told her this.

This was far more than just a simple "conversation".

She felt like she was standing on the edge of an abyss.

Samui, her former companion and captain, had already jumped first.

He was even smiling and waving at her from below.

Karui's voice trembled as she tried to appear calm, attempting to use the Hidden Cloud Village and the threat of war as her last shield:

"Your Majesty, I am a Jonin from Kumogakure, and a confidant of the Raikage."

"so what?"

Di Yan didn't take it to heart.

"If I can't go back, or if we're in danger in the Land of Fire."

Karui said with absolute certainty, "Lord Raikage will definitely not let this go."

"He will stop at nothing to start a war!"

However, Di Yan's reaction shattered her illusions completely.

"war?"

Di Yan seemed to have heard something extremely interesting and chuckled softly.

The laughter echoed in the empty palace.

It carries a chilling connotation.

"Wouldn't that be even better? I've been worried about not having a suitable reason to expand the empire's territory further."

Karui froze completely, his pupils contracting in shock.

She had initially thought the other party would at least have some reservations.

I never expected that this man in front of me was a madman who craved war!

She looked at Di Yan's nonchalant yet absolutely confident demeanor.

A chill ran from the soles of my feet to the top of my head.

The immense humiliation and helplessness nearly drove her to a breakdown.

She bit her lower lip hard until she tasted a hint of blood, only then managing to calm herself.

"So... His Majesty summoned me here just for... for such a sordid matter?"

Her voice was filled with suppressed anger and despair.

Di Yan raised an eyebrow, as if her question was utterly ridiculous:

"Otherwise what? Do you think I have time to play ninja games with you?"

His bluntness and contempt were like a knife, piercing Karui's last shred of self-respect.

"I'm sorry, but I obey!"

Karui practically roared those words.

She glared fiercely at Samui, who was still nestled in Di Yan's arms, her eyes filled with the pain of betrayal and contempt.

Then, she turned away resolutely.

She wanted to escape this suffocating place.

Her dignity and anger made it impossible for her to stay any longer, even if the consequences were unpredictable.

Just as her foot was about to step across the threshold.

Samui's calm, unwavering voice rang out again, like a cold chain binding her steps:

"Karui, if you just leave like this..."

Samui's tone was not threatening; he was simply stating an inevitable fact: "Omoi will die. None of the Cloud Village ninjas who came to the Empire this time will survive."

Karui's figure froze instantly at the doorway.

Her shoulders trembled violently as she looked at everything inside the palace.

That raised foot seemed to weigh a ton.

They could no longer take even half a step forward.