The path up the slope had been swept clear, leaving a bright strip down the middle, cleaner than either side.
People stood along the path, their hems smoothed flat, each holding a lantern.
The lanterns would not be lit until the signal came from the front.
Sandayu stood at the very front, a board tucked under his arm with a sheet of paper attached to it.
The rankings were written on the paper in fine strokes, line after line, from top to bottom, without a single omission.
Kiyoshi kept walking as he passed that sheet of paper.
He headed toward the breach in the wall, with Sakura following just behind him to one side.
The breach was at the eastern end of the slope, where a section of brickwork had collapsed, leaving a gap lower than a person's height.
The path below hugged the foot of the wall. He had walked it again during the day and knew exactly which bricks to step on.
The things on the cart had been handed out during the day, one item each. Who carried what was all written on the paper.
The cleared snow lay piled at the foot of the slope in one long, dazzling white ridge. No one had touched it.
They counted heads first.
The numbers matched.
He called all three of them beneath the breach, spread the paper across his knees, and spoke in an even voice.
"The ceremonial procession goes through the main gate."
"Break through the front."
"I'll lead along the ice."
Naruto answered first, already darting to the head of the group. "Then I'll take point."
Sasuke's eyes were already on the main gate at the bottom of the slope. "You don't need to tell me."
As he turned, he glanced at Sakura.
"Stay close."
"...Got