Hiruzen Sarutobi felt a warmth in his heart.
"I understand."
He stood up. "Once I return tomorrow, I'll begin making preparations."
Kumoi stood as well and patted him on the shoulder.
"You've worked hard tonight. Go get some rest."
Hiruzen Sarutobi nodded and turned to the door.
As he pulled it open, he suddenly stopped and looked back.
"Lord Hokage."
"Hmm?"
"Those children..."
There was a trace of complicated emotion in Hiruzen Sarutobi's voice.
"Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru.
They were involved too deeply in what happened tonight.
Should we..."
Kumoi understood what he meant.
"Not for now." He shook his head.
"They're still young. Knowing too much would only put them in danger.
Wait until they've grown a little more, then tell them gradually."
Hiruzen Sarutobi fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
"I understand."
The door closed softly.
Kumoi returned to the low table and sat down again.
The moonlight outside remained cold and clear, spilling over him and casting a long shadow across the floor.
He lifted the cup of tea, now completely cold, and drained it in one gulp.
Ray's voice sounded in his subconscious.
"Kumoi, do you think that altar... was really the only one?"
Kumoi was silent for a moment before replying inwardly.
"I don't know.
But no matter how many there are, we have to investigate them thoroughly."
Gaia snorted.
"Who cares how many there are? Take down one if one comes, take down a pair if two come!"
The corners of Kumoi's lips lifted slightly.
"You're right.
No matter what it is, as long as it dares threaten Konoha, threaten this world—"
He set down his teacup and gazed through the window into the deep night.
"We'll beat it back."
The night wind swept through, carrying away the last trace of tea fragrance.