"Did they go in?"
"It's been so long. They should have started talking business by now."
"Can we talk now?"
"We should be able to talk now, right?"
Meanwhile, elsewhere, just as Hada Kazune and Hada Ichiba clasped hands, the Kusagakure group on the other side, who had already grown impatient—or simply could no longer remain quiet and seated properly—began whispering among themselves. Unease appeared on every face.
"Mmph! Mmph!"
Then, from above their heads, came two nearly hysterical roars. However, perhaps because his mouth had been gagged, those near-hysterical roars were nothing more than louder muffled cries.
They attracted little attention.
They only drew a burst of clear, silver-bell-like laughter from atop the beam.
Somehow, an adorable little girl was sitting on the beam, her tiny feet swinging back and forth. Her smiling face was full of a child's innocent, carefree charm.
At that moment, reflected in the little girl's eyes was a boy bound in Kikkō-jime, struggling weakly. His eyes were wide with fury as he glared at the people below, his entire expression screaming, "Let me down!"
"They should be talking business by now. They've been inside for quite a while."
At that moment, ignoring the furious boy above him, the Bearded Man pondered for a moment before speaking in a very serious tone.
"Mm."
Then, a female ninja also spoke with equally solemn seriousness.
"So, can we talk now?"
Someone else among the group spoke up.
"Mm, we can."
The female ninja nodded and answered with utmost gravity.
By rough estimate, it had been nearly twenty minutes since He Yin had left. And she had said, "Something happened." Judging by the situation, He Yin and that idiot Kazuha probably would not be coming out anytime soon.
By convention, whenever He Yin and that idiot Kazuha discussed