At two in the morning, at the estate of Kusaka Masato, a favorite of the Daimyo of the Land of Water.
The outer courtyard blazed with light. Bright lanterns hung high throughout the grounds, leaving not a single corner in darkness. Fully armed guards patrolled the entire outer courtyard with such focus and diligence that it was clear Kusaka Masato knew how to keep his subordinates in line.
By contrast, the inner courtyard was utterly quiet. No guards patrolled, no lanterns hung overhead, and there were hardly any maids around to serve or clean.
In the silent surroundings, a thin mist appeared from an unknown source and slowly enveloped the entire inner courtyard. As the mist gathered, a shadow quietly materialized in Kusaka Masato's bedroom.
"This place... why is it so different from what I expected?"
Hozuki Shingetsu furrowed his brow as he looked at Kusaka Masato, lying peacefully in bed and sleeping alone. He surveyed the room, finding the whole scene rather unbelievable.
Since when did an important figure in the Shinobi World live so healthily? Shouldn't someone who was a favorite of the Daimyo have a few beauties by his side when he slept?
And... wasn't this bedroom a little too plain?
Hozuki Shingetsu looked around the room. There were none of the luxurious decorations he had imagined. No night pearls or golden furnishings; the only ornament was a woodblock print hanging beside the bed.
The bed Kusaka Masato slept in was made of the most ordinary wood, and the bedding was thin. The room's overall furnishings were completely at odds with his status.
Hozuki Shingetsu was certain that the man before him was the very same favorite of the Daimyo he had met. Unable to make sense of it, he could only conclude that everyone had their