The spotless Japanese-style room had been laid with soft, new floor cushions. Food soon filled the low table.
And it was nothing like the plain fare Boruto had imagined. There was sushi made with fresh fish, warm miso soup, white rice, and even some seasonal vegetables.
To Boruto and the others, who had spent days living on dry rations and wild fruit and had endured sour prison food, it was a feast.
Then steaming bath barrels were carried into separate rooms. The moment warm water enveloped his exhausted body, even the usually composed Shinki let out a sigh so faint it was barely audible.
Days of fear, pain, and taut nerves eased considerably in that brief spell of safety and comfort.
Boruto had changed into a clean yukata and was sitting cross-legged on a cushion, rubbing his damp blond hair dry and relaxing for once, when Hyuga Ken appeared again.
Behind him came two Hyuga girls who looked about Boruto's age. They wore plain clan robes and kept their eyes lowered, their manner so deferential it bordered on servile.
"Master Boruto, thank you for your efforts on the journey. These two attendants were carefully selected by the clan to see to your daily needs. Please give them whatever orders you wish."
Hyuga Ken bowed as he spoke, as though the arrangement were only natural.
The ease on Boruto's face vanished.
He looked at the two girls. Their heads dipped lower, their bodies slightly tense. They looked like objects awaiting their owner's judgment, not living people.
An indescribable anger flared inside him.
This was nothing like the Konoha he knew, where everyone was free to choose their own path and treated one another with respect.
It was all too similar to the Uchiha he had condemned in the dungeon for treating