Back in his room, Uchiha Sōgetsu had just sat down when he sensed something unusual inside.
A cup of freshly brewed green tea sat on the table, steam rising from it.
"Long time no see. I thought something had happened to you. How have you been lately?" His tone was easy and calm, as if he were greeting an old friend, while his gaze shifted toward the shadows in the corner of the room.
The shadows in the corner wriggled, and a figure 'squeezed' out from within the walls.
The person wore a white Anbu Animal Mask and respectfully dropped to one knee. Lowering his head, he said in a hoarse voice, "Lord Sōgetsu, please forgive me. Danzo has been extremely vigilant lately. I only found an opportunity to see you today."
"Raise your head, Ryoma."
Uchiha Sōgetsu showed no trace of blame. His pitch-black eyes held a gentle, tranquil warmth. "There is no need to apologize. I was not blaming you."
Under the gaze of those eyes, Ryoma once again felt that long-missed warmth that left him enchanted. It was as though the young man before him possessed some indescribable, wondrous power in his gaze, soothing his restless heart and filling him with incomparable reassurance.
"Yes, Lord Sōgetsu."
Ryoma greatly enjoyed this feeling, this reassurance that no one else could give him.
"It tastes good. You put thought into it, Ryoma." Uchiha Sōgetsu lifted the teacup from the table and took a sip, smiling. "Given your character, you would not come to see me without reason. Let me guess. Does Danzo have some designs on me?"
"Not at all. My tea-making skills are still crude. It is enough that you like it."
Ryoma could not hide the excitement in his eyes. Sōgetsu had drunk the tea he brewed without