Reincarnation into the dark world of Naruto

After that, I was taken to the hot springs. However, before leaving the house, I was unmistakably pointed toward a pair of small sandals. They had already prepared them. It felt like the household knew in advance that they would be hosting an unusual guest. After all, there were more than enough witnesses to the morning scene at the gates, and the clan surely had its own ways of obtaining information about what was happening in Konoha. I wonder, do they use crystal balls here, like Sarutobi Hiruzen?

Now, the springs. In reality, the spring was a stone-lined hot pool, arranged in a way that resembled an amphitheater, allowing people of all sizes, from the smallest children to the largest adults, to comfortably enjoy it. The spring was divided by a high partition into male and female sections. Its size was sufficient for a bit of swimming—provided there were no other bathers. Ah, this is nice. There were even air bubbles, kind of like a jacuzzi. Not exactly a hydromassage, of course, but amusing nonetheless. It felt so good... Warmed by the water, I dozed off.

"Wake up, sleepyhead," said Hizashi, gently shaking me by the shoulder while holding a towel. "The clan council will start soon. Dry off, they're already waiting for us."

I dressed quickly—fortunately, the local clothing made that easy—and we headed to the same complex of houses where the clan leader and his family resided. The moment we stepped inside, I received a light smack on the head with a firm instruction to remove my shoes. Oh, right, damn it, they take off their shoes at the entrance. Guess I'm still groggy from my nap, though overall, I feel fantastic. These springs are something else. Is it the water? Either way, no time to ponder—Hizashi moved quickly, almost dragging me through the corridors until we arrived at a large, circular hall.

"You're late, Hizashi-san," Hiashi stated disapprovingly.

"My apologies, Hiashi-dono," Hizashi responded with complete composure. "The boy was exhausted and fell asleep at the springs." At the clan council, they were no longer family members—they were the clan leader and his subordinate.

"Activate the security seals!" an elderly woman, her deeply wrinkled face framed by silver-white hair, ordered irritably. "We've wasted enough time as it is."

"Of course, Okini-sama," Hiashi nodded. "Before we begin, all necessary precautions will be taken. Ah, there you are." The clan head acknowledged Akinami, another young woman with a cascade of chestnut hair, and an older man whose black hair was streaked with gray. "Akinami, Hizashi, ensure security. Miori, you will handle the boy. Let's begin."

Begin, huh? It all started with Hizashi and Akinami circling the room in opposite directions, placing their hands on clan emblems hanging on the walls. After completing the circuit, they settled on thick cushions near the entrance. Miori smiled and handed me a cup of water. Oh... was it really just water? I gave her a questioning look, and she nodded approvingly. Well, no choice but to drink. The squirrel has found itself in the wheel... Just like that squirrel, all I can do is squeak and run forward. I took a sip—it tasted like normal water. Maybe they forgot to add whatever they were supposed to? Oh no, they definitely didn't forget. The room swayed noticeably. Was this an earthquake, I giggled to myself, or had it already hit me? Judging by how calmly Miori was leading me to the center of the room, it definitely wasn't an earthquake. No, I was just getting completely wrecked—like I had downed a shot of vodka in my past life.

After seating me in the center, Miori sat behind me, placing her hands on my head so that her fingertips touched my temples. Three meters ahead of me, Hiashi and the old man took their places on the left, while the elderly woman sat to the right. Their eyes turned into a softly glowing, gray mist. I hiccupped. Was I hallucinating? No, you drunken fool, this is the true Byakugan, if that entity's words were to be believed. Does it let them perceive lies? I don't recall anything like that being mentioned. I laughed—because, honestly, they looked hilarious with those bulging veins. The old man and Hiashi had veins practically leaping out of their temples, while the ones under their eyes and on their foreheads were much less pronounced. True 'Yang' monsters, huh? Meanwhile, the old woman was the opposite—her forehead and the area beneath her eyes were covered in twisting, snake-like veins, but her temples were barely affected. Oh, wait, are they moving? No, that's just me getting way too wasted.

I tried to stand and shake my head to clear my mind, but Miori, sitting behind me, gently yet firmly kept me in place.

I was lost. Darkness swirled before my eyes, my body felt distant, almost foreign. Was I being dragged back into that void filled with nothingness? Poisoned? No, my body was still there—I could feel it. And damn, it was comfortable. I was lying on something soft and warm. I sensed an emotion—embarrassment. Not mine. A disembodied voice whispered in my mind, hinting that this was no ordinary pillow. Oh… Miori, is that you? An unspoken confirmation. And… what exactly am I lying on? Her embarrassment washed over me like a wave. Oh. Well then. My head was pressed against her chest.

"You're really soft, Miori," I murmured internally.

She chuckled silently. "Do you like it? Then stay still."

Inside my mind, it felt as if delicate fingers were carefully exploring something deep within. A sudden, slight jolt of pain snapped me back to awareness.

"Shhh… Sorry, I'll be more gentle."

Of course, Miori. How could I refuse such a simple request from the owner of such a luxurious pillow?

A quiet, amused laugh echoed in my mind.