Following Yura, the faint screams became clearer, as if some kind of torture was taking place inside.
Yura turned the handle, opened the iron door, and stepped onto the stairs, ascending the narrow stairwell. The hard stone steps spiraled downward, cracked and worn with deep depressions.
When they reached the room at the bottom, they discovered that no one was currently being tortured. Instead, a few ninjas were tied up, their bodies covered in fresh and old wounds.
Thick iron chains bound their limbs, and scattered around were leather whips and an assortment of candles.
Tatsumi almost thought he had walked into the wrong place.
Looking again, he saw the prisoners' bodies covered in whip marks, a mix of blue and red. Though no one was hitting them now, they were still screaming—reflexive cries of agony ingrained in their minds.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, the captives trembled violently, their chains rattling.
This had completely become a conditioned response.
It was clear how much they had suffered.
"See? This is our mission," Yura said flatly, as if these prisoners were nothing more than discarded trash.
Nawaki, who had been full of confidence earlier, immediately changed his expression. His previous boldness faded, replaced by an unsettled unease.
Yura, noticing his reaction, smirked slightly before continuing. "We are dealing with these Iwa ninjas. Not long ago, one of our squads was ambushed while on a scouting mission. Three Chunin died, along with my brother."
She pointed at one of the prisoners. "And this guy was one of the ambushers."
The captive ninja trembled even harder at her words, but despite his fear, he glared at Yura with dark, hate-filled eyes.
Hate breeds hate.
Yura sneered. "We captured two of them alive. One is here, and the other is locked in the deeper cells—he hasn't been touched yet."
"Do you know why?"
Tatsumi and Mikoto shook their heads.
"The essence of torture isn't just physical pain. Compared to that, psychological torment is far more effective," Yura explained, a knowing smile playing on her lips.
"When you capture multiple enemies, interrogation becomes simple. This guy has been whipped alone for three days. His screams have echoed down the corridors, constantly reaching the ears of his companion."
"'Nothing is more terrifying than hearing your own kind suffer.'"
"You must remember this. I never expected this one to talk… but the other one? He won't last."
Yura turned to Nawaki with an unsettling smile. "Little kid, go bring the other prisoner from the cell on the left."
Nawaki hesitated for a moment, then, reluctantly releasing the grip he had on Tatsumi's sleeve, he walked deeper into the prison.
After Nawaki left, Yura glanced at Tatsumi and Mikoto. "Do you think this guy is pitiful?"
Tatsumi and Mikoto instantly shook their heads.
Of course not. This was war. Orochimaru had drilled it into them—pity was the most useless thing for a ninja.
Yura nodded approvingly. "Whether it's war or peace, if we ever fall into enemy hands, our fate won't be any different from his. So don't pity others, and don't pity yourselves. Compassion is a weakness only cowards have."
"We are shinobi. We are ghosts. Here, hesitation and doubt must be abandoned."
Just then, Nawaki returned, leading a second prisoner. The Iwa ninja was in an even worse state—his body trembled non-stop, and his face was pale and bloodless.
He had spent three days listening to his companion's agonized screams. His mind had already shattered.
"Enough… Just kill me quickly," the man whispered hoarsely. "I'll tell you everything… just give me a quick death."
Fear had completely taken hold.
"You see? It's that simple," Yura said, smirking.
"Take him back. Give him paper and ink," she ordered.
Nawaki hesitated. "…Huh?"
Yura ignored his confusion. "Next, it's your turn. I need you to interrogate the other one," she said, pointing to the remaining prisoner.
Tatsumi nodded and stepped forward. "Sharingan."
His double tomoe spun into view.
Yura raised an eyebrow in surprise.
Damn, he's an Uchiha? He should've said so earlier—I wouldn't have wasted so much time talking.
"How old are you?" Yura asked curiously.
"Ten," Tatsumi replied.
Yura stifled her surprise and grinned. "Then there's no need for you to interrogate him. You pass the test."
Tatsumi blinked in confusion.
"Interrogation isn't just about physical and psychological torture. The Yamanaka clan can extract memories, and the Sharingan has hypnotic capabilities. A qualified reconnaissance ninja should master at least one of these techniques."
She smirked. "Since you've awakened the Sharingan, you don't need to waste time learning anything else."
"Our squad doesn't accept weaklings. You've proven you aren't one."
Yura then turned to Mikoto, noticing the same crimson glow in her eyes. She nodded. "You pass as well. You two can go."
Just as Nawaki turned to follow them out, Yura's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"Wait. The little brat with brownish-yellow hair—you stay."
"…"
Nawaki froze.
Tatsumi sighed and gave him a regretful look.
"Seize the opportunity, Nawaki," he thought to himself.
Then the iron door creaked shut once again.
————————————————————
Don't forget to review & vote if you're enjoying the story.
If you spot any errors or mistakes, feel free to tag or comment so they can be fixed.
Stay tuned for more!