Hearing Longya's voice outside, Uzumaki Misaki, who a second ago had been glaring furiously and looked ready to fight Sou, instantly underwent a god-tier change of expression.
She swiftly sat back down beside Sou, held her face until it turned red, lowered her head, and once again became a demure young lady.
Sou glanced sidelong at her. What an actress. Then he looked toward the door and called out loudly:
"Uncle Longya, come in."
Creak.
The wooden sliding door was pulled open forcefully by two Uzumaki Ninja.
The person at the very front was not Longya, but a man wearing a dark crimson robe embroidered with the Uzumaki Crest Pattern. He appeared to be about the same age as Longya, yet he had maintained himself remarkably well. Among his signature Uzumaki red hair, only a few silver strands showed at his temples.
Sou's gaze sharpened slightly.
The man's features actually bore a sixty-to-seventy-percent resemblance to Konoha's gentle Uzumaki Mito. But Mito's beauty was reserved and profound, whereas this man's brows carried the arrogance and gloom of someone long accustomed to power.
"So this must be Lord Mito's biological younger brother, the Uzumaki Clan's village chief, Uzumaki Suigen."
After all, he was on someone else's territory. Sou still rose to his feet and gave him a slight bow.
Yet this Uzumaki Clan Head merely lifted his chin slightly and let out a faint "Mm" through his nose. Without even giving Sou a proper look, he lifted the hem of his robe and strode to the seat of honor, where he sat down with an air of authority.
Sou's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.
This attitude... was completely different from what Uncle Longya had said.
Hadn't he said the Uzumaki Clan greatly valued Konoha's support?
He turned to look at Longya, who was