"Lord Asai, Jonin Mei Terumi, Jonin Ao, and Lord Fujiwara request an audience," the guard's voice rang out again.
'Takao Asai' straightened his robes, his face taking on just the right measure of authority and weariness. "Let them in."
Footsteps drew nearer, and Mei Terumi's slender figure appeared in the doorway. She wore a dark green kimono today, her reddish-brown hair loosely pinned behind her head, with several strands falling beside her cheeks and adding a touch of softness to her appearance. But her emerald eyes were sharp as blades, openly displaying their vigilance and scrutiny.
Ao followed close behind. His black eyepatch stood out even in the dim room. His gaze never left 'Takao Asai,' and the veins around his Byakugan bulged faintly as he clearly searched with all his might.
Outside the window, Shinichi secretly circulated the Qi within his body, perfectly concealing the fluctuations of his chakra. Though Ao's Byakugan belonged to the Main House, it was still far from enough before Shinichi, a "Byakugan grandmaster."
Fujiwara Shinsuke came last, his expression impossible to read. The green jade prayer beads in his hand kept turning, producing faint clicking sounds.
"What a rare guest." Shinichi controlled 'Takao Asai' as he gave a cold laugh, his gaze stabbing straight at Fujiwara Shinsuke. "Fifth Elder, did you sleep well last night?"
Fujiwara Shinsuke's fingers stiffened, and the prayer beads let out a grating scrape.
Mei Terumi stepped forward, skillfully placing herself between the two. "Third Elder, forgive our intrusion. We have an important matter to discuss."
"Oh?" 'Takao Asai' put on a mocking expression. "Did the First Elder send you here to see whether I was dead? Sorry to disappoint you, but Hidden Mist still needs this old man to hold it up for a few more years!"
Mei Terumi