"Wow! There's a white horse! I want to ride this one!"
Musashi's eyes lit up.
Sakumura looked like he wanted to say something, but stopped himself.
That was actually a rather old gray horse.
Forget it. This wasn't the time to mention something like that.
After casually picking a horse to ride, Sakumura stroked its neck.
For now, I'm just trying to get close to it. The saddle hasn't been put on yet, but it should be fine for you to ride it.
"Ah, Lady Danzō, so you were here."
Kotarou found Katō Danzō, who had hidden herself in a corner of the forge.
There was an expression on Katō Danzō's face that Kotarou could not understand. She seemed to be hesitating.
"Ah, Lord Kotarou."
Danzō greeted him instinctively, though her eyes were still clouded with confusion.
"We'll be leaving soon. What do you intend to do, Lady Danzō?"
Kotarou seemed to sense that something was wrong.
"I..."
Danzō lowered her head, seemingly gathering her thoughts.
"I am merely still thinking about what I should do."
"Is that so?"
Kotarou thought for a moment, and in the end—
He sighed, his expression finally turning serious.
"Lady Danzō, I'm going to ask you a few questions. No one else will hear them, so they are—rather personal questions."
"If I offend you, I will apologize."
After saying that, Kotarou did not give Danzō time to react before continuing directly.
"Does your distress stem from your identity as an official spy? Or from your identity as the ninja known as [Katō Danzō]?"
"Or is it—for some other reason?"
"Lady Danzō, please answer me. Lady Katō Danzō."
"I—"
Danzō's words caught in her throat once more.
She did not know what she should say.
"Personally, I would rather you stayed here. The anomaly within