Chapter 7: Dreams and Regret

Darkness. Terrifying darkness...

Genya was completely unprepared for this situation. He was suspended in the void, surrounded by impenetrable blackness, unable to see anything but his own body. This kind of darkness was not unfamiliar to him, but he couldn't find any familiar entrance or exit like doors or windows. Typically, when intruding into someone's mind, there should be some sort of entrance, but for Ye Zi, there was only an endless abyss of darkness.

Genya realized that he was no ordinary child. The situation demanded more extreme measures, though it was something he was reluctant to use.

"Please don't blame me…"

His hands moved quickly to form seals, his expression growing serious. The human mind was fragile, especially a child's, and a misstep could result in permanent damage.

A burst of flames erupted from the darkness, quickly growing into a towering inferno. Low houses appeared in the flames, struggling helplessly.

Genya observed the scene with a detached demeanor. This was a painful memory for the subject, something they would most want to forget.

Tear…

A sharp sound pierced through the darkness. Genya's eyes widened as a bright white light began to tear through the blackness.

"They're coming…"

...

In the hospital room, Ye Zi sat silently, holding his sister's cold hand. He stared at her face, motionless.

The young nurse behind him sighed softly, her eyes filled with pity. Such scenes were all too common in a hospital.

"Mr. Ye Zi, please accept my condolences…"

He gripped his sister's hand a bit tighter before releasing it, as if afraid of hurting her.

"Why did this happen?" Ye Zi's voice was flat, but beneath his calm exterior, a volcano of emotions was brewing.

The nurse was momentarily at a loss for words. Despite Ye Zi's calm demeanor, she felt a chill.

"Why…"

He slowly closed his eyes.

"What did we do wrong?"

Crack!

A sudden, sharp sound.

Ye Zi's eyes shot open, tears streaming down his face. The scene before him seemed like it was imprinted on a broken glass pane, with a crack cutting through the serene image of his sister.

"No!"

Ye Zi screamed, the world going dark as if the lights had been turned off.

...

"Release!"

Genya stepped back, sweat pouring down his face. His eyes were filled with shock and disbelief.

"What happened?" A masked Anbu member appeared, placing a hand on Genya's shoulder to steady him.

Genya wiped his sweat, struggling to find words. "It's complicated."

The Anbu member fell silent, his face hidden behind the mask, and after a moment, asked coldly, "Did you achieve the desired result?"

He wasn't concerned about what had happened; he was only interested in whether Ye Zi had been dealt with.

Genya hesitated, glancing at Ye Zi, who was still crying despite being unconscious. He was about to speak, but the sight made it difficult for him to continue.

It was supposed to be...

Genya had intended to say that the task was completed, but after seeing the final scene, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"No." he said after a moment, his voice wavering.

"Are you sure?" The Anbu member's gaze hardened, sensing Genya's hesitation.

Genya, no longer uncertain, replied firmly, "Yes."

The Anbu member nodded and said, "I will report this to the Hokage. Someone will come to take him back later. Be ready for further instructions."

The Anbu vanished in an instant.

After the Anbu left, Genya looked at Ye Zi's tear-streaked face with a mix of emotions. "Who are you really…"

He noticed signs that Ye Zi might be waking up and was astonished.

"How is this possible…"

Seeing Ye Zi slowly coming to, Genya was filled with questions. How had the illusion's power weakened so much? The target was just a child without chakra.

As he pondered, Ye Zi spoke, a look of fear in his eyes.

"So it wasn't real…"

Waking from the illusion, Ye Zi looked around, still feeling the heartache of the dream. He wasn't sure why the dream had felt so real, but he was certain that the cause was the man before him.

"Should I thank you… or resent you?"

Ye Zi, looking terrified, tried to wipe his tears but remembered that his hands were still bound.

Genya fell silent, unsure of how to respond. He hadn't anticipated Ye Zi waking up and remembering everything so clearly.

"I want to explain, but it seems it might be futile. Perhaps you will understand why we did this in time. For now, at least you will be in a relatively safe environment. So, I hope you can put aside your hostility. However, before you leave…"

Ye Zi, sensing the danger had passed, began to relax. But he noticed a hint of regret in Genya's eyes.

"Before that, you need to remain unconscious. It's for your own good."

Ye Zi's expression shifted to surprise as Genya moved swiftly behind him and struck the back of his neck, sending him back into unconsciousness.

"I…"

Ye Zi's attempt at a curse was cut off as he lost consciousness.

Genya withdrew his hand and looked at the now unconscious Ye Zi, murmuring, "I hope I didn't make a mistake…"

...

In the Hokage's office, Genya stood respectfully before the desk.

Hiruzen reviewed the detailed report on his desk, considering the information carefully. After a moment, he looked up, his gaze intense and heavy.

"I can see that you've omitted some details, Genya."

Genya's heart skipped a beat, but he quickly regained his composure, prepared for possible reprimand.

Hiruzen studied him, sighing. "You've proven your abilities, but you lack the heart of a true ninja. Even I am unsure whether to advise you to change this aspect of yourself. It's a pity that despite your outstanding skills, you're relegated to interrogation rather than field missions."

"Lord Hokage…" Genya looked up, touched.

Hiruzen shook his head slightly. "This child has exceptional talent in genjutsu, but as you mentioned, he seems to harbor hostility towards Konoha, which is problematic."

"If possible, I would like to request custody of this child." Genya said earnestly.

Hiruzen looked intrigued but shook his head. "I'm afraid that's not possible. This child will be placed under Orochimaru's care."

"Is that so…" Genya nodded in understanding.

"I won't pursue the matter further, but make sure this doesn't happen again. You're dismissed."

"Yes."

Genya left the office, sighing deeply as he walked away from the Hokage Tower.

Hiruzen watched the door thoughtfully. Genya was a talented shinobi, but his lack of ruthlessness and decisiveness made him less suitable for high-risk missions. He had hopes and concerns about Ye Zi, the talented child, and wondered what impact his growth would have on Konoha.

Sighing, Hiruzen thought about Orochimaru, the only alternative he had for Ye Zi's care.

"Ah…"