Rong Lin caught the three layers of meaning in those words. Before he even spoke, a hint of a smile touched his lips. "You told me all this—have you already formed a plan?"
"This subordinate would not dare." Though the interrogator who had made the suggestion verbally begged forgiveness, he neither bowed nor lowered his head. He continued to look into the eyes of Rong Lin, the "Great Buddha." Those fearless young eyes made Rong Lin think of his own youth when he had first entered the Hokage World. Back then, he had possessed the same pair of eyes, fearing neither heaven nor earth, caring only for the realization of his ambitions, his gaze practically shining—
This man was no ordinary fish in a pond.
In truth, Rong Lin had overestimated the interrogator. The Ye clan had long kept him buried in the shadows, lying in wait and taking root there for use whenever the Ye family head required it. Deathsworn men like them had naturally suffered much in those shadows. The world had long ground them smooth; where could such wild, unyielding youthful spirit have come from? He had merely sensed, from Rong Lin's few words, that this exalted "Great Buddha" might favor such people, so he had forcibly put on this air of integrity. He had watched the "Great Buddha" speak to his younger brother without arrogance, even treating him with the courtesy due to worthy talent. And after he himself had said something that might have angered Rong Lin, the "Great Buddha" had not become furious. There had even been a trace of amusement in his voice.
It was obvious approval.
How could worthless bones like his compare to someone like the "Great Buddha" Rong Lin? Was it not like the glow of a firefly in rotting