The moonlight was intoxicating. It had a special flavor in the valley; under the night breeze, the bamboo grove rustled, accompanied by the hollow sound of bamboo, like an instrument played by nature itself.
Inside the bamboo house beside the grove, two figures sat on bamboo mats. Before them lay a chessboard crisscrossed with black and white pieces, while the lamplight flickered softly.
Beside the board, a small stove kept fragrant tea warm. Its aroma drifted on the breeze—unlike wine, yet even more intoxicating.
Shin studied the complicated board, lifted a tiny teacup for a sip, and quietly waited for his opponent to make her move.
Across from him sat a woman in white. Her long black hair fell loosely around her, and her beauty was utterly exquisite. Beneath the moonlight, her pure white eyes shone with a hazy, dreamlike glow. They resembled the Byakugan, yet differed from them in subtle ways.
Hyuga Tamamo.
Clack!
A piece landed lightly, blocking Shin's relentless assault. Though she did not counterattack, she firmly secured her own position.
"I heard you took on a disciple in Konoha some time ago. That doesn't seem like your style. Is there something special about him?" Hyuga Tamamo asked softly after placing her piece. The bamboo house had already been cool and quiet, but her words seemed to make it even colder.
Shin did not answer. He held a white piece between his fingers and lightly tapped it against the board. Tamamo's moves were strange; though she appeared to be defending, she concealed murderous intent beneath the surface. He needed to consider every possibility lest she turn the game around.
"You mean Naruto? Your information network is well-connected. Still, I'm more curious how you found out. You couldn't possibly have sent someone to follow me—there's no one in