It was evening.
The rain that had fallen during the day had stopped.
In the air on the verge of nightfall, fine droplets drifted like rain and mist.
During working hours that day, Yanbai had the three children keep Madara Uchiha company so he would not be so bored.
Sasori had become much better behaved with Madara Uchiha around. Aside from mealtimes, he hardly ever left his workshop.
Even at mealtimes, Sasori came out to collect his food, then ate alone in his room. He no longer had any unnecessary exchanges with Yanbai.
In fact, Madara Uchiha had not said a thing before Sasori backed down of his own accord.
Madara Uchiha had not even asked who Sasori was or why he was there. He simply ignored him.
Madara Uchiha had at least that much magnanimity.
That evening, Muye and Silver Moon offered to take Junlin back to Konoha Shinobi Village.
Shikaku Nara sealed away all the documents and hurried back to the Hokage Office with a sizable escort of Konoha Anbu.
Meanwhile, within the sprawling Princess Mausoleum...
Sasori remained holed up in the private workshop Yanbai had given him.
Madara Uchiha and Yanbai drank on the narrow veranda that opened onto the outdoors.
Madara Uchiha leaned against a pillar, his bent left leg resting sideways on the wooden floor polished to a mirror sheen. His right elbow rested on his raised right knee, and his right hand propped up his cheek.
Madara Uchiha tilted his head, holding his wine cup in his left hand.
Madara stared at the cup, seemingly recalling something.
Yanbai sat at the edge of the narrow veranda, his bare feet extending beyond the eaves. He held his wine cup in both hands and gazed at the twilight in the courtyard, a smile on his lips.