**Chapter 236: Ancient, Root Organization Member, Die!**

Observing Reiki's expression, Hyuga didn't question him further.

He took the antidote Reiki handed him without hesitation.

"Hyuga-sama, you will lose consciousness in three hours," Reiki said seriously. "Remember, don't miscalculate the time."

"Reiki, what's going on?" Hyuga asked, concerned.

Reiki's sudden, cryptic warning after handing over the antidote had made Hyuga uneasy. Poisoning himself seemed drastic, and he suspected there was more to the situation than met the eye.

"I don't have all the facts yet, and I lack solid evidence," Reiki explained. "That's why I need your cooperation, Hyuga-sama. No unnecessary questions for now—the antidote should dissolve the toxin in your body, and soon, you may understand why."

After speaking, Reiki stepped back from Hyuga.

Hyuga, beginning to piece together the situation, realized that someone within their team was likely involved. Given Reiki's words and demeanor, he felt it wasn't Reiki who had caused the poisoning, nor would he have taken the poison himself.

This left two possibilities: Asuma, who was a bit mischievous, but only in the way of a young shinobi, and the ancient team member, Ji Gu. The answer was clear. Hyuga held his breath, considering what might have happened if Reiki hadn't intervened.

Two hours passed.

"Uh… Reiki, could you wait for me? My stomach doesn't feel right… I can't hold it," Asuma said, clutching his abdomen as he dashed into the nearby grass.

"Did Asuma have an upset stomach?" Hyuga asked, watching him go.

Ji Gu chuckled. "It's his first mission, so feeling a bit unwell is normal. Let's just wait for him."

Hyuga nodded, keeping his doubts to himself, and the team settled in to wait for Asuma's return.

About ten minutes later:

*Thud!*

Hyuga, who had been speaking with Ji Gu, suddenly collapsed to the ground.

"Hyuga-sama! What happened?" Ji Gu exclaimed. "Reiki, come quickly—Hyuga has fainted."

Reiki appeared instantly, laying his hand on Hyuga as he examined him. "What's going on?"

"I don't know; he just suddenly collapsed," Ji Gu replied, stepping aside to let Reiki check Hyuga's condition.

"No signs of an attack, and I didn't feel any chakra disturbances nearby. It seems something within his body caused this," Reiki concluded, brows furrowing. "Hyuga-sama appears to be poisoned, though I can't yet determine the exact toxin."

Just then, a faint *whoosh* echoed as Ji Gu's short sword sliced through the air, attempting to strike Reiki. However, Reiki's body vanished in a puff of white smoke.

"Shadow Clone!?" Ji Gu's expression froze in shock.

"Lord Ji Gu, was your intention to kill me?" Reiki's voice called from behind him. "Would you care to give me an explanation?"

Ji Gu whirled around, visibly unnerved. Reiki had been right by his side—he hadn't even noticed the clone's substitution. He had thought he had struck Reiki down.

"Are you... a member of the Root Organization?" Reiki asked, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

Ji Gu laughed. "You truly are a genius among medical ninjas, with insight sharper than most. Yes, I'm a Root operative. I also poisoned Asuma, so he'll be out for a while. As for Hyuga, it'll take him about five hours to regain consciousness. I hope you understand your predicament."

Raising his dagger, Ji Gu readied himself to strike.

"Lord Danzo, do you really see me as that much of a threat?" Reiki sighed. "All I wanted was to be a medical ninja, not to make enemies. Why must it come to this? Aren't we all shinobi from the same village?"

*Schlick!* Before Ji Gu could respond, Reiki's blade pierced his chest from behind.

"You…" Ji Gu gasped, staring at Reiki in disbelief before falling dead, struck down by the cursed blade, Murasame.

"Hyuga-sama, you can get up now. The ground's cold," Reiki said calmly.

Hyuga sat up, visibly impressed by Reiki's actions. Reiki's combat prowess had caught him off guard—his stealth skills, paired with the attention-diverting shadow clone, had created an incredibly effective ambush.

"Once I realized you were poisoned, I had my suspicions," Reiki explained. "I wasn't entirely certain it was him, but his attack confirmed it."

With that, he sheathed his Murasame and stepped aside.

"What should we do now?" Hyuga asked, realizing the gravity of their situation. Ji Gu was dead, and it had been Reiki who had killed him.

The mission was complete, but a Root member's death would have repercussions. If Hyuga hadn't witnessed it himself, he might not have believed a medical ninja like Reiki had taken down a combat-oriented jounin without a scratch.

"What will you report to the Hokage when we return, Hyuga-sama?" Reiki asked with a sigh. "After all, Ji Gu was Asuma's teacher..."

"I'll take care of it," a weak voice said as Asuma emerged from the bushes, looking drained and faintly embarrassed.

"Asuma, you…" Hyuga began.

"Let's get you cleaned up first, then I'll administer the antidote," Reiki offered, pulling back his hand in mild exasperation.

After freshening up and taking Reiki's antidote, Asuma returned to normal, though a storm of anger darkened his expression as he processed the events.

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