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The Finance Minister and his wife stood frozen in pure terror as they gazed into the eyes of the unknown intruder. They had never felt such powerlessness before in their lives.
Dragon looked at the two with an impassive gaze for nearly a minute. Unknown to the two in front of him, Dragon was using his 'Observe' Skill and his observational skills to gather as much data as possible on the two before moving forward with his interrogation.
Dragon scrutinized the minister first.
Kuroda Michinori was a man in his early fifties, standing at about 5 feet 11 inches tall with a lean build. His hair was a deep ebony black, streaked with strands of silver that add a distinguished touch to his appearance. He kept it neatly slicked back, revealing a high forehead and sharp widow's peak. His face was angular in shape with pronounced cheekbones, a straight nose, and a strong jawline with a meticulously trimmed goatee.
He wore a finely tailored dark purple kimono embroidered with intricate gold patterns. A silk sash cinched his waist, and his fingers were adorned with several ornate rings set with precious gemstones.
'An opulent attire befitting his status.' Dragon thought as he looked at the man.
[LV. 16] [Kuroda Michinori]
Age: 53
HP: 1964CP: 1609
Affiliation: Land of Earth - Minister of Finance.
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[Kuroda Michinori was born to a very wealthy family in the Land of Earth. He joined the Daimyo court at a young age and after years of hard work, influential deals and eliminating his opposition, he became the Finance Minister of the Land of Earth. Ambitious and cunning, he has amassed great wealth and power afterwards through shrewd deals and alliances, some of which are shrouded in secrecy, even from the Daimyo. He is known to associate with questionable figures to further his ambitions. He possesses little combat abilities but is skilled in political maneuvering. He met Orochimaru several months ago unexpectedly and made a deal with him afterwards. Currently feeling fear, anger and hate.]
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[STR: 24]
[AGI: 20]
[INT: 91]
'Based on the memories I got and the information I gathered he always carries himself with an air of authority and confidence. A man worthy of the position of Minister of Finance of a great nation.'
When Dragon read the last part of what his system had shown him, an expression finally appeared on his face.
Anger. The other two in the room could clearly read that emotion. The minister had no idea what made the man angry or when he had made such an enemy.
The minister's eyes flickered to his door every few seconds but nothing happened. No one came and he heard no sounds coming from the outside. 'Damn it. Did he really kill everyone here?'
As if reading his thoughts Dragon spoke. "Like I said before, your guards are incapacitated and your security has been bypassed. It's just the three of us now."
Kuroda glared at him with a mix of fear and anger. "You come into my home, kill my guards, and threaten my family. This is an act of war! The Land of Earth will not tolerate such a brazen attack on me. We will find out who you are and then destroy you and everything you care about."
The disguised Daichi's voice remained steady even after hearing the threat from such a high official. "Maybe. But the odds of you being alive to witness that are slim to none."
Kuroda widened his eyes in shock. "Do you have any idea what you're saying? You're threatening a member of the Earth Royal court. If you do anything to me or my wife, there's no place on earth where you'll be safe."
Dragon scoffed hearing such a predictable lame threat. "You overestimate your value and the resources of this country."
The minister clenched his fists in anger. "You won't get away with this."
Dragon tilted his head. "I will. You just don't know it."
The minister backed away slowly. "What do you want?"
"Information," Dragon replied. He took the direct approach. "Orochimaru came to see you several months ago. You made some sort of a deal with him. Now he operates here in the Land of Earth under your protection."
Kuroda's eyes flickered with recognition before he masked it. "I don't know what you're talking about."
Dragon sighed. "Let's not waste time with lies. I'm a patient man. But I have my limits and events of the last few days have been wearing that thin. Don't make me resort to less pleasant methods, minister."
"How dare you," Tomomi spat in fury as she heard that blatant threat. Her voice was trembling in fear yet she was defiant. "Invading our home, threatening us like this!"
Dragon met her gaze, his own eyes cold and unreadable. "Your husband has made choices that have consequences."
Kuroda's eyes narrowed as realization dawned on him. 'Coming here to ask about Orochimaru? Especially at this time? There could only be one reason. He must be from the Hidden Leaf Village, here to save Tsunade. So that's it huh.'
He immediately straightened his posture, attempting to project authority. "If you think you can intimidate me, you're gravely mistaken. You're from the Hidden Leaf village aren't you? Any harm that comes to me will spark an all out war between our nations. Can you handle the consequences of putting not just your village but your entire nation at war?"
Dragon had a small smile as he heard that. "The fact that you think I'm from the Hidden Leaf village. It means you know about the recent events don't you? About the abduction of Tsunade Senju?!"
The minister and his wife were taken aback and the man suddenly realized his mistake. Under normal circumstances he would have never made such an amateur error.
Dragon remained unfazed and kept his gaze steady. "Simple threats like that won't deter me. You underestimate how little I care for that village or your political posturing."
The minister was taken back by that dismissive attitude. 'What? Isn't he here to save Tsunade? Am I wrong? Is he with the Leaf… Or is he with another faction looking to take advantage of this situation?... Or he could be trying to distance himself from the village trying to protect them…'
At that moment the minister's wife, Tomomi, stepped forward and spoke. "You're meddling in affairs beyond your understanding. Leave now, and perhaps we can forget this ever happened."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Dragon's mouth. "Did you know," he began softly, "in the Three Wolves Mountain Range to the north, there's a species of bird that sings only at night?"
Kuroda exchanged a puzzled glance with Tomomi, uncertainty flickering in their eyes. "What does that have to do with anything?" he demanded.
"They say its song is the most hauntingly beautiful melody ever heard," Dragon continued, his gaze distant as if recalling a distant memory. "Travelers have ventured into those treacherous peaks just to hear it. Many don't return. Those who do, speak of a tune so enchanting it lures even the stars to listen."
He paused, letting the silence stretch uncomfortably. The minister shifted uneasily. "Why are you telling us this?"
"There's something peculiar about that bird," Dragon said, his eyes snapping back to them. "It feeds on the very creatures drawn to its song. Mice, insects, even other birds. They come, entranced, and it devours them whole. The reality is… that its beautiful melody is a deadly trap."
Tomomi's grip tightened on her husband's arm. The color drained from Kuroda's face as he began to grasp the undertone.
"Legend says the bird wasn't always this way," Dragon continued, his voice barely above a whisper. "Once, it sang to bring joy. But harsh winters and scarce food taught it that survival sometimes requires... adaptation. It became a predator cloaked in allure. Soon after, even when it was no longer winter, the bird used its otherworld melody to lure in prey."
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He leaned forward, his eyes piercing into the minister's. "It's fascinating how necessity changes us. How survival blurs the lines between innocence and monstrosity. And what we become after."
Kuroda swallowed hard. "What are you implying?"
"Perhaps you're like that bird," Dragon suggested. "To survive the threat of Orochimaru, perhaps you agreed to help him… Or maybe you were seduced by the power he offered and became willing to sacrifice others for your own gain."
Tomomi's voice quivered. "You don't know anything about us."
"Oh, but I do," Dragon replied calmly. "You've aided Orochimaru, allowed him to operate within your lands, all for your own benefit. What do you think will happen when the Minister of Intelligence or the Daimyo finds out what you've done? Do you think they'll be merciful with you?"
Kuroda's fists clenched at his sides and he sneered at Dragon. "You think you can intimidate me with that? I am the Finance Minister of the Land of Earth. You're a nobody in this nation. So whatever you believe you can gain here, you're gravely mistaken."
"Hahaha…" Dragon chuckled softly, his laughter devoid of humor. "Minister Kuroda, as I've said before, your titles mean very little to me. What matters are your actions. Specifically, your collaboration with Orochimaru."
The minister's composure finally cracked. "He forced me! I had no choice!"
'Lie.' Dragon noted, feeling the subtle vibrations through his invisible chakra strings attached to Kuroda's body. His heart rate was steady, not the spike that would accompany genuine fear.
From the moment Dragon sat down, he had his chakra strings attached to both the minister and his wife. He was reading their micro expressions and their body vitals. Nothing missed Dragon's senses. When he sensed the lie he decided not to confront the minister for the time being. He wanted to know how much the man was willing to give him before he exposed him.
"But you did have a choice," Dragon countered. "You chose to help him smuggle shipments from the Land of Snow, didn't you?"
Kuroda's eyes widened slightly. 'He knows about the shipments? But I was so careful…' "I... I helped because he threatened my family."
'Another lie.' He also sensed a spike in vitals in a certain pattern in the minister's wife when he said that Orochimaru threatened his family. 'She knows he's lying. That means she's in on it too.'
Dragon decided to let it pass for now. "What is Orochimaru planning with Tsunade Senju?"
At the mention of her name, both Kuroda and Tomomi's vitals spiked. It was a clear sign of panic and fear.
'There it goes again. Their vitals are going all over the place just like before.' Dragon had sensed increased heartbeat, blood pressure and other anomalies in their bodies when he said Tsunade's name before.
Tomomi averted her gaze, while Kuroda struggled to maintain eye contact.
"I don't know what he's planning," the minister insisted.
Dragon's patience was wearing thin. "Your lies are becoming tiresome."
Tomomi stepped forward, desperation evident in her eyes. "Please, we truly don't know. Orochimaru keeps his intentions hidden."
Dragon stood up slowly from his seat, the chair scraping lightly against the floor. "Fine. We'll do it the hard way."
Kuroda took a step back, his voice trembling. "What... what are you going to do?"
Dragon's gaze hardened. "I'm going to extract the truth, one way or another." Killing intent slowly filling the air. Not enough to knock out the minister or his wife but enough to petrify them.
Tomomi clutched her husband's arm for support as she looked at Dragon in fear. "Wait! There must be another way!"
Dragon began forming hand seals.
"Wait!" the minister suddenly blurted out. "I'll tell you!"
Tomomi looked at him in alarm. "Kuroda, no!"
He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "We have no choice."
Dragon paused his movements. He lowered his hands and looked at the two with narrowed eyes. "I'm listening."
Kuroda took a shaky breath. "Orochimaru has a hidden facility in the mountains a few 100km north of here. He's been conducting experiments there, using the resources I've helped him acquire."
"What kind of experiments?" Dragon kept an impassive face and asked.
"Genetic modifications, cloning, forbidden jutsu—you name it," the minister confessed. "He's obsessed with gaining new abilities."
"And Tsunade?" Dragon's eyes narrowed. "What does he want with her?"
"Her medical expertise," Kuroda replied. "He believes she can perfect his experiments, help him achieve his goals. He wants her as his assistant."
Dragon stayed silent as he looked at the two. "It would have been better for you if you hadn't cooked up such a lie."
"I'm telling you the truth." Fear, anxiety and desperation was evident on the faces of the two.
Dragon felt the increased heartbeat through the chakra strings. "You're a very good liar. Mixing truths with lies. I know a bit about that. I've used such methods before. So unfortunately for you, it won't work on me, minister."
Tomomi interjected, tears welling in her eyes. "Please, we've told you all we can. Spare us."
Dragon regarded her for a moment. He was getting irritated with the lies. He turned his attention back to Kuroda and spoke with crossed arms. "You're protecting him even now? Even under the threat of death? Even with an enemy right in front of you willing to kill you two, you're still lying to protect him?... That means whatever secrets you hold are much greater than I thought."
Dragon's chakra strings became much stronger and completely immobilized the two. "I'm going to learn everything you're keeping hidden in that skull of yours… Even if I have to literally cut it open to do it."
Kuroda's expression hardened. "You don't understand the influence he holds. Crossing him is a death sentence."
"Yet here I am, willing to take that risk," Dragon retorted. "What does that say about me?"
"That you're a fool," the minister snapped.
"Perhaps," Dragon conceded. "But a determined fool can be quite dangerous."
Sweat formed on Kuroda's brow. "Please. He'll kill me if I betray him."
Dragon's gaze hardened and he asked in a mocking tone. "And what do you think I'll do to you if you don't cooperate?"
Tomomi interjected, her voice pleading. "Please, you don't understand. Orochimaru is not a man to cross."
Dragon glanced at her. "I am well aware of who he is. And I have no intention of leaving without the information I came here for."
At that moment Tomomi was truly afraid for her life. She struggled against invisible chakra strings to escape but it was futile.
'She's the weaker one. And she knows far more than I originally thought. I can have a good start with her.' Dragon looked at the minister's wife and finally made a decision.
"I'll begin with you."
Author's Note:
I wanted to complete the interrogation in this chapter but since it became long I decided to split it.
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