My Brother's a Jinchūriki!

Chapter Seventy-Two- Assault on the Abe Estate Part Four

**Warning: This chapter contains graphic violence and gore.**

Please still be alive.

Natsumi padded down the stairs quickly and quietly.

I don't remember the castle layout well from the briefing, but I think I remember how to get to the dungeon.

She moved quickly through the halls, passing rooms that had already been searched by her teammates, and slowed at the sight of the blood splatter and corpses. The bodies of servants and nobles alike had wounds from a blade stuck directly into their hearts, while others were missing their heads.

Jiro. This is definitely his work.

She dry heaved and supported herself with the wall, the scent of blood thick so in the air that she could taste it with each gasping breath.

They're all dead. Everyone...

She staggered down the hall, biting her lip as she coughed and covered her mask with the opposite hand in a failed attempt to ward away the stench.

Were they all the same as that little girl? All of them...?

Sounds of an intense fight came from the floor below on the other end of the castle. She shook her head slowly, turning to walk slowly in the opposite direction as she trembled.

Why...? Why would anyone do this? All these people... Why kill them and then do this to their bodies? They at least deserve to rest in peace...

She stopped as her foot crunched and she shook and looked down to see what she had stepped on:

A severed arm.

She let out a small, silent scream and dry heaved again, quickly moving away from it.

Why? Why? Why?

She gulped and stepped over a still-warm body, unable to look away from the crimson splatter dripping down the halls.

Why did this happen? Why did they all have to die? Why am I even here?

Natsumi stopped at the last door of the hall which stood distinctly different than the others.

That's right... I failed my mission before...

She swallowed and shakily reached out to touch the door's handle.

It's because of me that the Prince was captured. Lord Third gave me the special mission to rescue him. I can't be like this. I have to be strong.

She turned the handle and stared down at the darkened stone staircase that led below and sucked in a deep breath. She exhaled and clenched her fists.

I'm going to be strong. I'm not going to fail this time. I refuse to.

With each step, she fortified her courage.

I'm strong.

Lord Third chose me to be on this mission.

Kiri and Sena and even Hidemi-sensei recommended me for the ANBU.

I've been training and dedicating so much time for missions like this.

I'm strong.

I'm strong.

I have to be.