“Oh! Tell me, why do you think surrendering will save your lives? You and this woman are one thing; for me, there’s no necessity to kill or not kill, it’s merely a thought.
On the contrary, that blonde boy named Naruto has the Nine-Tailed inside him. Aren’t you afraid of my refusal? Or is this just a casual declaration of loyalty, a choice made under duress?!”
Uchiha Tenxiu looked at him. Although he had stopped his hand, the pressure he exuded still made Sai break out in a cold sweat.
He was indeed gambling on Uchiha Tenxiu’s thoughts, but he couldn't say it so directly. Otherwise, the potential path to survival would become a dead end in the face of the truth.
Just then.
“For you, sir, the power of a Tailed Beast isn’t really that important, is it?!”
Sai looked up and said respectfully.
From the results of the previous battles, the opponent easily subdued two “Kage.” This display… even the Third Hokage, Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi, known as the “God of Shinobi” in legend, couldn't achieve such a level!
Not to mention, even the Fourth Hokage, Lord Minato Namikaze, who sealed the Nine-Tailed Fox, has already fallen.
Such power.
Why would he need the Nine-Tailed!
Therefore, in Sai's estimation.
With Uchiha Tenxiu's own strength, he wouldn't care for the Nine-Tailed.
The Nine-Tailed's power was merely something he happened to encounter by chance, and he coincidentally felt that the Nine-Tailed was a treasure of the Ninja World that absolutely couldn't be let go.
In this way.
There was now some chance to protect Naruto's life.
At least, the Nine-Tailed was not a necessity for this lord.
Otherwise, with this lord's strength, he would have already moved against other Tailed Beasts before he even arrived.
Relying on the opponent's strength.
The chances were quite high.
Sai articulated these conjectures.
“What is all this nonsense?!” Uchiha Tenxiu looked bewildered and speechless. “When did this dog, Hiruzen Sarutobi, become the God of Shinobi! What timeline of Konoha are you from? Is Hiruzen Sarutobi really that arrogant?!”
“However!” Uchiha Tenxiu glanced at Sai, tightened his hold on Sakura, and continued to ask, “You're right about one thing: Hiruzen, that Third Hokage’s self-proclaimed Ninjutsu Professor title, is indeed far inferior to mine!”
Facing Sai’s deference, Uchiha Tenxiu took it in, and continued to ask, “However, how can you few be useful to me? If you’re not useful, I won’t show mercy. As a captive, you should understand that!”
“Yes! Thank you, sir, for forgiving my conjectures about you!” Seeing Uchiha Tenxiu’s stance and realizing that they had a chance to survive, the stone hanging in Sai’s heart finally fell. He nodded repeatedly, as if greatly pardoned, his attitude becoming even more respectful, while he said, “Sir, I come from Danzo Shimura’s Root. I am intimately familiar with Root’s internal affairs and possess a large amount of confidential information. I am not only proficient in infiltration and tracking techniques, but also skilled in information decryption and assassination. With me, all those minor troubles that don’t require your personal intervention can be entrusted to me. This way, you won’t have to worry about such trivial matters and can have more time and energy to deal with more important things. As an Elite Jonin, with such strength, I am capable of handling ninety percent of the minor issues in the entire Ninja World!”
Uchiha Tenxiu was noncommittal.
After all, the so-called Elite Jonin still held considerable prestige before the overall combat power of the Ninja World completely collapsed.
Early-stage minor bosses like Zabuza were considered Elite Jonin level.
They could even live quite comfortably while being pursued by Kirigakure.
Sai paused, then continued, “As for Sakura, her identity is quite extraordinary. She is the direct disciple of Tsunade, one of the Konoha’s Sannin, and possesses extremely high talent in medical Ninjutsu; her medical skills are first-rate. Moreover, Sakura’s strength should not be underestimated; she has Kage-level potential and will surely become a powerful Ninja in the future. More importantly, she is also a summoner contractee of Shikkotsu Forest, one of the Three Great Sage Regions. Such an identity and background are absolutely sufficient for her to pledge loyalty to you, sir!”
Sai also specifically mentioned, “Furthermore, Sakura possesses outstanding strength and extraordinary beauty. Such a female Ninja would be best suited to be by your side, sir! A powerful Ninja like you cannot be without beauty to accompany you! And until now, Sakura is still a pure female Ninja! You can rest assured and keep Sakura by your side!” At this point, his intentions were already quite clear.
It was nothing more than using Sakura's various identities and her own beauty to increase their bargaining chips, so that Uchiha Tenxiu would completely abandon his intention to kill them.
The price paid in the process.
Aside from the original loyalty.
Was also the sacrifice of Sakura Haruno's beauty.
I'm sorry, Sakura.
But, this is your chance to live.
Forgive my private decision as your comrade!
Sai's heart was filled with deep apology.
He knew that what he was doing was hurtful to Sakura, but in order to let his comrades live, he had no choice but to bear this darkness himself.
Even if he was considered a traitor by his comrades.
Even if they blamed and cursed him, he wouldn't care.
This was the darkness he carried as a Root Ninja.
“A person who bears darkness? To uphold the will in one's heart, even if it means bearing infamy, one doesn't care.”
Uchiha Tenxiu immediately saw through his intentions. As someone who also carried darkness within, Sai, a person who struggled out of darkness, could not hide his thoughts from his eyes.
However.
Uchiha Tenxiu said nothing.
He simply allowed his recommendation.
Then, Uchiha Tenxiu turned Sakura Haruno, who was restrained in his arms, so that her face was directly facing him.
He carefully scrutinized the female lead, Sakura Haruno, whom netizens in his previous life referred to as “Sakura Bitch.”
“You, what are you going to do?!” Sakura Haruno’s heart was filled with panic, her body frozen in fear. She couldn't make any move.
Her shoulder-length cherry blossom-colored hair, clear green eyes, and what appeared to be a somewhat broad forehead, actually gave off a very grand and charming impression. Her face was beautiful and captivating.
It must be said that, setting aside her emotional expressions of calling for Naruto when in trouble and chasing Sasuke when not, Sakura herself possessed her own charm, whether it was her early second personality trait, her academic talent, or her top-tier Chakra control ability.
In terms of progress in strength, at an extremely young age, she had already caught up to her teacher Tsunade’s strength.
Punching away a group of Ten-Tails' infant clones.
Setting aside those prejudices.
She was indeed a woman of both strength and beauty.
Even those issues concerning Sakura's emotions were, in reality, only from the audience's perspective. From Sakura's standpoint, her approach to relationships was steadfast.
From initially liking Sasuke to the very end, she still liked Sasuke, never once changing her mind.
In contrast, her good friend Ino was more realistic, directly falling for someone else later on.
Here, Uchiha Tenxiu specifically glanced at Sai; his future marriage was now completely gone.
Furthermore.
Regardless of whether Sasuke was a rogue Ninja or not.
When it came to matters of the heart.
This Sakura was truly loyal.
Moreover, even if one disregarded her character and such.
Sakura Haruno, right before the Fourth Great Ninja War was about to begin, actually possessed quite a few valuable things.
For example, the Yin Seal, Creation Rebirth, and other Ninjutsu, as well as her future medical Ninja knowledge, were all excellent assets.
Hmm.
To be honest, even without these things.
Just based on her status as the primary female lead.
In Uchiha Tenxiu's hands, there was still no chance for him to let her go.
Such an owner of great fortune, subduing her would bring him a considerable amount of good fortune!
On the other hand, Sakura, who was being constantly scrutinized by Uchiha Tenxiu, trembled all over, her expression full of fear. She only wanted to turn her head away, not daring to face any of this. With her right hand gripped by Uchiha Tenxiu, she had no chance to resist whatsoever.