Tobirama froze in an instant, as though struck by a paralysis technique.
He turned sideways, pressing his back tightly against the cold wall, his right hand instinctively settling on the short blade at his waist.
A servant in coarse cloth clothes emerged, rubbing his bleary eyes. He yawned and muttered, "I'm about to burst," as he shuffled toward the latrine in the corner of the courtyard.
The servant passed barely two steps from Tobirama, swaying with sleepiness, never even glancing toward the wall.
Tobirama held his breath, every muscle drawn taut. Even his hair lay flat against his temples; he dared not move an inch.
A faint stench of urine drifted over, making Tobirama's expression grow a little colder.
Time seemed to stand still, every second stretching unbearably long.
Only after the servant entered the latrine and shut the door did Tobirama move again.
While the servant relieved himself, Tobirama swiftly crossed the second courtyard and reached the moon gate leading into the main courtyard.
Two guards stood beside the moon gate. Though less vigilant than the patrols, their eyes remained sharp, fixed intently on the approach.
Tobirama hid behind an ornamental rock formation and studied the guards' routine.
Every incense stick's worth of time, both guards turned to look toward the courtyard. That was the only opening in their watch.
Tobirama waited patiently, tapping his fingers lightly against the ground as he counted the time.
The instant both guards turned, Tobirama shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, skimming along the moon gate's frame so quickly that he left only an afterimage.
As soon as he passed through the moon gate, he slipped into the flowers in the main courtyard without pausing.
The main courtyard was more spacious, with Madara Uchiha's bedchamber at its center. The lights