The last glow of sunset was slowly sinking.
Frontline Camp,
In Orochimaru's tent.
"This morning, I received word that the Fourth Mizukage, Karatachi Yagura, had appeared not far from camp. So I hurried out with some men, prepared to fight him, only to discover it was a false report. Ryoma, you were behind it, weren't you?"
Orochimaru had only recently returned. Sitting in his chair, he leafed through the many documents on his desk and spoke to Aburame Ryoma, who stood before it, without looking up.
"Orochimaru, I don't know what you're talking about."
Aburame Ryoma answered expressionlessly.
"I already told you I wouldn't interfere with you dealing with Hyuga Ritsu, but you still don't trust me. You even used a false report to lure me away from camp... Oh, here it is."
Orochimaru stopped flipping through the documents and pulled out two orders. He skimmed them at a glance, the corners of his mouth lifting as he said, "You've assigned Team Kakashi to transport supplies to Mount Kinglight, and ordered Hyuga Ritsu to set out from Mount Kinglight to meet them. So tonight is the night Hyuga Ritsu dies, then!"
Aburame Ryoma lowered his eyes and said woodenly, "Orochimaru, did you call me here just to say something so pointless?"
"What? Are you already getting impatient?"
"You're wasting time."
"So what? Is your time that valuable? Or do you have something urgent to do?"
Aburame Ryoma's poker face crumpled for an instant, revealing deep annoyance and loathing. But he still managed to rein in his agitation and said stiffly, "Orochimaru, get to the point. If you have nothing to say, I'll take my leave."
"You've always been like this. You look calm and collected, and no matter what happens, you never change your expression. But in truth, you have