The soft voice, chilly to the point of indifference, echoed by Mao's ear, and her thoughts froze layer by layer as the words fell.
The curve of the crimson lips sipping from the teacup clearly imprinted itself upon her optic nerves as the pupils widened.
Mao easily read the meaning behind those upturned lips.
A battle of words was far more terrifying than a clash of blades.
The pain left behind by fierce struggles of ninja tools and flesh was nowhere near as dangerous as words that assailed one's mental defenses.
Words could play a decisive role in destroying or twisting a person's beliefs.
Secrets.
She did not care in the slightest.
Having steadied herself, Mao's calm eyes flashed with sharpness. Her words drifted through the smoke toward the other side. "As members of the Uchiha Clan, you should know better than I do that it is difficult for such exceptional blood as Rikusei's not to draw covetous eyes."
The girl seated opposite her was as tranquil and composed as her cascading purple hair, without the slightest visible ripple of emotion.
Yet after years of knowing each other so thoroughly, Mao keenly caught the small movement that represented a fluctuation in her emotions: the fingertips curling slightly inward.
"Even if he is your exclusive possession and you will not allow anyone else to lay a hand on him, that cannot rewrite the desires hidden in everyone's minds."
Mao lightly tapped her forehead, the crisp sound of her fingertips touching the metal plate of her forehead protector serving as her final strike.
"Guard against fire, guard against thieves, guard against Mao."
The mirror-like forehead protector reflected the rippling waves rising in her clear eyes. Naori lowered her gaze and curved her lips into a meaningful smile.
What a pity.
As Teacher