"To capture bandits, first seize their leader. To strike someone, aim for the head."
Naruto's hand slammed onto Yūgao's face. Instinctively, she tried to react, but—
The thick, black chakra instantly seeped into her skin, paralyzing the muscles of her face.
And that was only the beginning.
At a terrifying speed, the dark energy surged through her bones... then reached her brain.
To chakra, the human body was nothing more than a sieve.
"Mmmh..."
Yūgao let out only a weak moan before collapsing.
THUD!
She crashed onto the wooden floor.
Fortunately, as a Special Jōnin-rank kunoichi, the fall hurt no more than a flick.
What pinned her down was the chakra corrupting her mind.
"Hng... hnnngh..."
Incoherent sounds escaped her lips.
Her gentle gaze had vanished, replaced by wandering, uncontrollable pupils.
Naruto, having landed silently, allowed the faintest smirk to surface.
His childlike expression masked calculated cruelty.
Last time, he had only used *Kurama's chakra.
The mix of negative emotions and corrosive energy had plunged Yūgao into a mental fog, erasing her memories.
But this time...
Naruto expected a far more potent effect.
Of course, before experimenting on Yūgao, he believed he had mastered this new power.
- Kurama's chakra was like a superficial burn—an assault on the mind.
- Yang Release, however, was akin to ink poured into the body's water...
A permanent physical alteration, far beyond temporary damage.
And their combination?
It would absolutely alter certain aspects of Yūgao.
Body and mind.
A dual curse, a composite attack.
A masterpiece.
"Haaah... hnng..."
The sight of her graceful body writhing helplessly was... *mesmerizing.
"Oh no! Sister Yūgao, are you okay?!"
Naruto instantly switched to worried nice boy mode before sharply closing the curtains.
The room plunged into darkness.
Then he turned off the light.
In the shadows, a reddish glow pierced through—Naruto's slit pupils now visible.
Even in this gloom, his vision remained flawless.
He turned slowly, approaching Yūgao.
She seemed poisoned... and in a way, she was.
So, what to do?
Detoxify her, of course.
"They say milk neutralizes poison..."
His earlier experiments had taught him that.
He knelt beside her, observing closely.
- Younger than Kakashi, yet already an elite kunoichi.
- Her slender figure accentuated by the ANBU's form-fitting uniform.
- Pale skin like porcelain, naturally rosy lips...
A fragile doll, too tempting.
A rustling sound echoed.
The beast sealed within him stirred, trembling, excited by the scene.
It provided him... the milk.
When the monster was fully unveiled, Naruto was ready.
"Milk purifies everything..."
He brought the *bottle* to Yūgao's cherry lips.
SSSSSS—!
"Ohhh..."** *A satisfied exhale.
With this remedy, Yūgao would surely recover...
Yūgao: "Ngh... sss..."
Naruto: "Sister Yūgao... Sister Yūgao..."
---
Far Away, In the Land of Demons...
The daimyo yawned inside his palanquin.
His nighttime visit was meant to be a surprise for his wife...
And a way to catch her off guard.
The palanquin settled before the palace.
The guards stood watch, impassive.
The priestess's hall was illuminated.
"Hmph."
The young daimyo smirked, striding toward the entrance.
No one stopped him.
Yet, something felt wrong.
He ignored the foreboding and stepped inside.
"My dear?"
No answer.
Even his daughter, Shion, was missing.
Frowning, he questioned the guards.
"The priestess has left," came the reply.
"Where?!"
His gaze turned dangerous.
The ninja at his side tensed.
The guards clenched their teeth.
None would speak.
Enraged, the daimyo raised his hand to slaughter them—
"Stop."
A hoarse voice resonated within him.
Mōryō.
Older than the tailed beasts, this demon had witnessed all of history.
"The priestess must have foreseen your arrival. She flees to alter the future."
But at what cost?
For generations, guards had willingly died to validate prophecies.
If even one refused to sacrifice themselves...
The priestess would die in their place.
The prophecies were nothing but a bloody charade.
"We cannot let her escape."
Mōryō commanded him to send pursuers.
The daimyo calmed.
"Fine."
Even with her powers, the priestess was only human.
She wouldn't get far.