Something felt off.
The handwriting was right, as were the familiar turns of phrase and the grammar, all characteristic of Iwao Genyako. The writing was neat, and at the end of every letter, she had painted a tiny plum blossom with a brush.
It was Iwao Genyako's favorite flower.
She often wore plum blossoms as decorations on her kimonos, and even at the izakaya in Kirigakure, she used them as accents.
Everything looked perfectly normal, but...
A nagging unease welled up from deep within Lin Qing.
He closed the letter, took out his Polaroid, and used Hermit Purple's Spirit Photography on Iwao Genyako.
After a brief wait, a pitch-black photo slid out.
There was almost no light in the photo. Even Star Platinum could barely make out the silhouette of a woman at its center.
The clock in the Kazekage's Office showed the time.
10:47.
The Iwao Genyako Lin Qing knew wasn't the sort of woman who slept in.
Besides, what kind of normal bedroom had not a single source of light?
Lin Qing exchanged a glance with Rasa. They both thought of the same possibility:
A dungeon.
It could only be that dark in an underground cell.
Could it be... Iwao Genyako had been captured a long time ago?
By whom?
And for what purpose?
Lin Qing took a deep breath, stopped speculating blindly, and stood up.
"How far is Gelin City from Sunagakure?"
Rasa pointed in a direction.
"Head west for two hundred kilometers. You'll see two oases facing each other. That's Gelin City: one is North City, the other South City."
"I understand."
Lin Qing pushed open the door and left the Kazekage's Office.
Kakashi was still waiting outside. Seeing Lin Qing's grave expression, he realized something had happened. After a moment's thought, he leaned toward Sasuke