The Adventurous Gamer Ninja - Daichi Hekima [Vol. 02]

Chapter 316 - Interrogation: Ibiki's Mind Games

Leaf Village - Forest.

"This is very troubling news Jiraiya boy." A small green road with white hair, thick eyebrows and small goatee spoke. "To think that man would do something like this after all these years..."

"I know. It's the reason I summoned you, boss." Jiraiya was respectful as he spoke to the elder toad. "I've been able to dig up information on Orochimaru but it might be too late by the time we act on it. I was hoping you could make contact with Tsunade's summon Katsuyu."

"I'll see what I can do Jiraiya. In the meantime... How are you holding up?" The toad sage Fukasaku was concerned as he looked at his student.

Jiraiya looked down as he remembered the day he confronted Orochimaru. "I should have taken care of him that day when he escaped. I was merciful. And today that mercy has caused untold tragedies."

"You can't predict the future and you can't control what he does. This isn't on you Jiraiya."

The Toad sage clenched his fist. "Regardless, he is now my responsibility. No matter what, I'm going to find him and stop him once and for all."

Fukasaku nodded. "I'm heading back to the mountains. I'll try to make contact with Katsuyu as soon as possible."

Jiraiya nodded. Just before Fukasaku disappeared Jiraiya spoke. "In the next few days, please be ready. And please tell Ma' to be prepared. I might be in need of both of your assistance."

The small green toad nodded in understanding. "I got it. But one of these days you need to learn to go into sage mode by yourself."

The toad Sannin had a small smile as he listened to the old toad's lecture. "I'm nowhere near as proficient in it as either of you."

"And that's why you need to train." Fukasaku replied. The green toad made a ram seal and vanished in a puff of smoke the next instant.

—-

In the dimly lit, confines of a secured interrogation room deep within the bowels of the T (Torture and Interrogation) Department in Konoha, a tense atmosphere prevailed. The room, sparsely furnished with a stark metal table and chairs, was designed to disorient and apply psychological pressure on its occupants.

At one end of the table was Ibiki Morino, one of Konoha's most formidable interrogators. Across from him was Rinji. A high-value prisoner with direct ties to Orochimaru. The tied up prisoner displayed defiance on his face but Ibiki was slowly cutting through that mask.

It's only been a few hours but Ibiki was slowly starting to understand the mind of his prisoner. He started with subtle psychological tactics, carefully observing Rinji's reactions to gauge his mental state.

Ibiki's approach was methodical and he was able to create an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty inside his victim's mind. His goal was to exploit any cracks in Rinji's loyalty to Orochimaru, to sow doubt and fear.

The interrogator looked at the tied up man without any pity. 'He's ambitious and has above average intelligence. He's also the scheming type. On top of that he has an inferiority complex when it comes to Kabuto but he's trying his best to hide it.'

Ibiki didn't utter a word as he stared at Rinji. He even used silence as his weapon. 'Unlike that woman Guren this man isn't as devoted to Orochimaru as he wants us to believe. That may be my chance.'

Finally, Ibiki leaned forward slightly, breaking the silence with a voice that was calm but carried an underlying edge of menace. "Rinji, you're a smart man," he began, his tone deceptively conversational. "You should understand the situation you're in... And you know that your cooperation can... alleviate certain outcomes."