After practicing the First Gate Before Fire, Zhen Shu's gaze changed.
He was not in Che's group, yet he stood nearby after class. When Takuya called Che "too much like a diagram" and said Keisuke "let his shoulders speak first," Zhen Shu heard it all. It was not mere eavesdropping. It was as though he were picking up other people's weaknesses one by one and tucking them into his sleeve, waiting to take them out when the chance came.
Che saw it, of course.
If this had been earlier, he would probably have immediately written in his mind: Zhen Shu would use this to needle Keisuke, perhaps him as well. It would be best to prepare two or three responses in advance. But now, he did not rush to write it all out. He only acknowledged the facts: Zhen Shu had seen it, his gaze was changing, and he was an Outside Hand. As for where that hand would push next, reality would have to speak for itself.
Sure enough, after school, Zhen Shu waited for them by the side path of the clan grounds.
A row of low walls ran alongside that path. Behind them were other people's courtyards, with bamboo blinds hanging down and making a faint dry rustle whenever the wind passed through. Zhen Shu leaned against a wall, with two other Uchiha children beside him. They did not stand too close together, but it was enough to make clear this was no chance encounter.
The moment Kiyo saw the scene, he muttered, "Here we go again."
Morita Yu's eyes darkened. "Looks like he found another door this time."
Keisuke did not stop too far away. His pace slowed, but his shoulders did not lock up at once. Che did not step to the front either. He