The sun sank out of sight, and dusk gradually deepened into night at Iwashimizu Hachimangu.
"Here, please have some tea, Saito."
In the simply furnished reception room, the chief priest of Hachiman-gu meticulously brewed tea using a set of understated yet expensive artisan teaware. Only after quite some time did he push a steaming cup toward Ninth-Dan Saitō.
"You're too kind. Please, after you."
"Please."
Ninth-Dan Saitō, who had performed the ceremonial archery ritual at Hachiman-gu earlier, wore a black kimono. After exchanging courtesies, he finally took the cup, sipped, and praised it.
"Thank you very much. Excellent tea."
Ninth-Dan Saitō was an elegant kyudo master with the refined bearing of a distinguished gentleman, while his companion was an elderly Shinto priest accustomed to a comfortable life. Their combined ages totaled 150 years, and these elaborate formalities were deeply ingrained in them.
"Saito, I heard something recently."
The elderly priest set down his cup and asked curiously:
"You wanted to take a university student as your pupil, but he politely refused?"
"That's true," Ninth-Dan Saitō said with a nod.
"How is that possible? You're a kyudo master!" Astonishment filled the elderly priest's face.
Japan's kyudo masters could be counted on one hand, and every one of them was a national treasure.
Becoming his old friend's pupil would not only allow someone to learn the archery he had honed over decades, but also open a path into high society through Saito's connections. The benefits were endless.
That anyone would refuse was simply unbelievable.
"Ah, what a shame."
Whenever he thought of it, Ninth-Dan Saitō sighed in regret.
Uchiha Naruto, who had taken first place in the Tokyo Metropolis Kyudo Federation's qualifying tournament, was the most gifted prodigy he had seen in his long life. No, it was not merely his talent-even