The sea breeze blew gently, and a thin mist hung in the air.
Araki dragged his slightly weary steps as he made his way back from the training grounds.
Recently, his life had become exceptionally routine.
Every morning, after getting up and eating, he went to the training grounds on schedule to refine his swordsmanship, then returned home punctually before nightfall. Before bed, he would get cozy with Sister Hana, then climb into bed with a tired mind and immediately fall asleep, sleeping straight through until dawn. He never carried exhaustion or stress into the next day. After eight full hours of sleep, he got up and repeated everything from the day before.
Every now and then, he took the time to exchange information with his clones, keeping broadly informed about the situation in the Shinobi World.
Simple and dull, yet fulfilling.
Especially that feeling of gradually growing stronger through hard work—it was truly addictive.
Until just now...
"Lord Araki, Lord Mizukage requests your presence."
A faint sound of rushing wind arose. Amid the shifting mist, a Mist Village Anbu suddenly appeared behind Araki, dropped to one knee, and spoke respectfully.
Araki glanced back at him. After finishing the final movement of his training, he stopped and took a towel from a nearby branch to wipe the sweat from his forehead.
"Let's go."
Though he was somewhat puzzled, Kirigakure had been as steady and orderly as his own life lately. Everything was proceeding in perfect order. What could have happened that required summoning him so suddenly?
But this Anbu was not particularly familiar with him, so Araki did not try to pry any information out of him.
Both of them moved quickly, and before long, they arrived outside the Mizukage's office.
Knock, knock~
After two knocks, Araki pushed open the