Bone-Binding Princess had eaten her fill and was so sleepy she kept yawning, yet she still chattered on without stopping.
As Byakuya spent time with her, he continually analyzed her personality.
His tentative conclusion was that Bone-Binding Princess was simple-minded, greedy, and clear about whom she liked and disliked.
By simple-minded, he didn't mean she was stupid. She just didn't want to think about things too deeply. On the contrary, Bone-Binding Princess was quite clever and understood the implications behind some of Byakuya's words.
The two of them gradually let their guard down.
"I can't take you to Ryūchi Cave just yet. I haven't spent enough time training in the Shinobi World. If you want to learn Ryūchi Cave Sage Art, we'll go meet the sage together after I finish my training."
Night had fallen. The dense branches and leaves blocked out the light, leaving the primeval forest so dark that he couldn't see his own hand in front of him.
Byakuya pitched a tent.
A campfire burned in front of it.
They sat around the fire and talked.
Bone-Binding Princess's eyelids seemed to weigh a thousand pounds. Every time she spoke, her upper and lower lids fought to close.
"Yaaawn~ I'm so sleepy."
"How much longer until you finish your training?" Byakuya tossed two dry logs onto the fire.
"Half a year. Uh, to be exact, 187 days."
Bone-Binding Princess yawned. "I can't stay awake any longer. I'm really glad I met you and made a friend, but I have to sleep now. By the way, what's your name?"
"Senkaku Byakuya."
"Is Senkaku your surname?"
"Mm."
"That's an unusual surname."
Bone-Binding Princess flopped down and fell asleep, not caring in the slightest whether there was a tent or not.
Watching her sleep on her side, Byakuya murmured, "You're really