Tian Yu lay on the bed, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
He was still uncertain.
To be honest, he really wanted to choose the third option.
Their mission on this trip was to investigate why the Konoha spies stationed in the Land of Hot Water had stopped reporting.
Now… that part was done.
As for rescuing the spy—
Tian Yu's instincts told him not to get entangled in unnecessary trouble.
As a transmigrator, he clearly understood the fate of White Fang.
If he didn't handle things properly, he could end up just like White Fang—misunderstood, scapegoated, and driven to the edge.
Aside from those special ninja tools, he, Tian Yu, had already reached the level of an elite jonin at just twelve years old and had been appointed as an Anbu captain…
Once word of his strength spread, certain people in Konoha would fix their eyes on his every move. If he made even the slightest mistake, they'd tear him apart.
This wasn't paranoia—Konoha really had people like that.
For instance—Shimura Danzo!
Tian Yu genuinely wanted to choose the third option. Reason told him not to meddle, that keeping a low profile was safer in the long run.
But…
He was born here and raised here.
And right now, the one imprisoned was a loyal Konoha shinobi—a comrade who had given everything for the village and had never been involved in its political power struggles. Now, that ninja was being controlled by a shady casino syndicate.
Tian Yu…
Was still conflicted.
He truly didn't know what to choose.
——
"Island! Island!"
Under the bright moonlight,
A masked Konoha Anbu, code-named Qing, crept outside a nearby room and called out softly.
"Qing?" a voice responded. "Why are you here at this hour?"
"Island, pack your gear. Let's go rescue him from the casino!"
"Qing… Are you disobeying Captain Tian Yu's direct orders? That's a violation of Anbu protocol! Have you gone mad?!"
Island's face in the doorway was filled with alarm.
As Anbu, they were fully aware of the consequences for disobedience.
At best—peeling missions and internal punishment.
At worst—death.
"Qing, drop it. Head back now. I'll pretend this never happened."
Thud.
With that, Island moved to close the door.
"Wait!"
Qing stepped forward, blocking the doorway with his foot.
"Island, just listen for a moment—"
"Have you lost your mind?!"
"Shh… Keep it down! You'll wake the others!"
Island peeked through the cracked door. After ensuring no one else was nearby, he lowered his voice. "Qing, go back. I won't violate Anbu rules. Don't drag me into this."
"Island… Just hear me out."
"No, Qing. Don't jeopardize the mission. I won't get involved. I'm warning you—if you act recklessly, our entire team's evaluation could plummet!"
"You think leaving a Konoha comrade behind won't lower our evaluation?"
"Island, you're from a branch family—you know better than anyone what it's like to climb with no clan backing."
"For us to reach Anbu—it's all on our own blood and sweat!"
"Think about it."
"If we pull this off—not only will the mission be completed, but we'll be heroes for saving a fellow Konoha ninja."
"We'll return with more than just results—we'll return with honor."
Island stood there, silent.
The cold wind swept through the night, lifting the edges of Qing's hair. The caged bird seal on his forehead glowed faintly under the moonlight, casting a mysterious shadow over his determined expression.
"…Fine. I'll go with you."
In the end, Island clenched his fists and made a choice.
——
Knock knock knock!
"Captain! Captain Tian Yu!"
Urgent knocking jolted Tian Yu awake from the momentary sleep he had finally fallen into.
"…Sunflower?"
"What is it?"
Tian Yu opened the door to find Sunflower looking frantic.
"Captain Tian Yu! Qing and Island… they're gone!"
Boom!
Tian Yu, still groggy from sleep, was instantly alert.
"Gone?!"
"They… they're not heading to the casino, are they?!"
"I think so too!" Sunflower said, face tense with worry.
"Wait. Don't panic—we haven't confirmed it yet. Let's head to the informant first. They might still be at the contact point."
Without wasting time,
Tian Yu and Sunflower rushed to the tavern at the corner of Yunokuni Hot Spring Street, where they had previously made contact.
When they found the same tavern owner from the day before,
Tian Yu's expression darkened.
Qing and Island—two of his Anbu subordinates—had ignored his command and infiltrated the casino on their own!
And it didn't stop there.
Before making their move, they even tried to recruit the tavern owner to help them breach the place!
Fortunately, the tavern owner declined.
He had tried to dissuade them too, but they wouldn't listen. The two charged straight into the enemy's lair.
"Captain, I… what do we do now?"
"We're going in after them."
Tian Yu's voice was heavy.
The mission… was technically complete.
But if his team members were captured or killed because of disobedience, it wouldn't be just a failure—it would become ammunition for political opponents back in Konoha.
He had no choice now.
He had to enter the casino to bring them back alive.
Ironically, Tian Yu felt a sense of relief. He no longer had to struggle with that difficult choice.
"…Alright, Captain. I'll go grab our gear—"
"No need. We're going in as guests."
"Eh?!" Sunflower blinked in shock.
Tian Yu explained calmly.
"Qing and Island probably didn't lay low. They knew we might come after them, so they must've rushed in without assessing the enemy's strength."
"If I had to guess, best case—they're captured. Worst case—they're dead, along with the spy."
"The casino would be on high alert now."
"We'll have to use another method."
——
"Another method? What do you mean?"
Sunflower tilted his head in confusion.
"You'll see."
"Change into civilian clothes. Don't attract attention. Let's go."
A short while later,
Tian Yu and Sunflower, dressed in ordinary travelers' clothes, arrived at the casino entrance per the tavern owner's directions.
Located in the heart of Yunokuni's hot spring district, the casino was extravagant and bustling.
People streamed in and out. The place looked like it was making a fortune.
Excited guests walked in with anticipation, while others trudged out with their heads lowered.
"You rigged it! I lost everything because of you cheating scumbags!"
Even before stepping inside, Tian Yu heard shouting.
"Get lost!"
"If you can't afford to lose, don't gamble! You weren't crying foul when you were winning two days ago!"
"You think we'd let you win on purpose just because you're losing now?"
"Get out! Our casino doesn't welcome whiners!"
With those words, two towering guards kicked the shouting man out.
Thud!
The man hit the pavement, coughing blood.