"This... is Toru Kujyo's home?" Omoi's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Pointing at the landscaped courtyard with its open-air hot spring and waterfall, he stammered, "Is... is this guy a ninja or a daimyo?"
A proud smile appeared on Karin's face. "Our Toru-kun has exceptional taste, of course."
She walked up to the ornate iron gate and rang the doorbell with practiced ease.
Samui straightened her clothes and told the two subordinates behind her, "Wait here."
"Captain Samui..."
"This is a negotiation between us and him. More people would only get in the way." Samui's tone was firm. She knew that the success or failure of this commission depended entirely on how she handled what came next.
The gate slowly opened. Samui took a deep breath and stepped inside alone.
After crossing the elegant courtyard, Karin led Samui into the mansion's reception room. Toru Kujyo lounged on a soft leather sofa, a steaming cup of black tea on the low table before him. He held a scroll that looked rather old, his expression relaxed, as though their visit meant nothing to him.
He did not even look up, merely asking indifferently, "What do you want?"
His almost rude attitude made Samui's brow crease ever so slightly, but she suppressed her displeasure and remained polite, adopting a deferential manner.
"Toru Kujyo, I am Samui, a Jonin of Kumogakure." She bowed slightly and got straight to the point. "I have come on behalf of Lord Raikage and all of Kumogakure to offer you a formal commission."
Toru Kujyo finally lifted his eyes from the scroll. His gaze swept over her, from her wheat-colored skin to the proud curves even her ninja uniform could not conceal, before settling on her calm, beautiful face.
"Speak." He gave her a single, curt word.