The discussion ended.
As a company executive, Afei hooked an arm around Jinjiang Jing's shoulders and happily took him to see the White Zetsu employees who would soon belong to him, thoughtfully reminding him to prepare matching work uniforms.
In the quiet room, now occupied by only two people, crisp rustling sounds echoed as sheets of paper tapped against the tabletop.
After organizing the records, Naori took small breaths of the soothing fragrance, her eyes curiously fixed on the incense on the distant table, where wisps of smoke curled upward.
She knew it was Natural Energy released into the air by the burning God Tree.
The exhaustion in her body and mind, built up over recent days of developing ninjutsu and handling clan affairs, finally eased after a long time.
Her mind had grown hazy with comfort when a stirring rose within her. She suddenly recalled the secret lesson Mother had given her some days ago.
An inexplicable dryness touched her lips, and the girl lightly extended her still-moist tongue, leaving a gleaming sheen across her pink lips.
Feeling drowsy, Naori followed the irregularly drifting smoke with her eyes. Fragmented scenes surfaced in her mind, as though her thoughts had been drawn back to that conversation with Mother.
It seemed...
Mother had been scolding her.
Scolding her for throwing herself entirely into ninjutsu and all sorts of clan matters, completely abandoning the flair she once had.
Mother's exasperated expression scattered the haze in Naori's little head, and she finally remembered their conversation clearly.
At Naori's age, Mother had effortlessly wrapped Father around her finger.
With Mao, that unstable rival, absent from the village, this was the best opportunity Heaven could grant her. Naori recalled Mother's advice.
This was the best opportunity.
Determination flashed in Naori's eyes. Her five fingers clenched