The tearoom door closed softly.
Only Izuna remained in the corridor, along with Aoki, the clansman who had just presented the scroll and was about to leave.
"Aoki," Izuna called, stopping him.
Aoki stopped and turned around, his head lowered. "Lord Izuna, is there anything else?"
Izuna did not speak immediately. He walked over and slowly circled Aoki, looking him up and down.
The scrutiny unnerved Aoki a little, and he lowered his head further.
"Lift your head," Izuna said.
Aoki slowly raised his head, wearing the slightly awed expression common among ordinary Uchiha ninja.
"You said you happened to find this scroll while clearing away dust in the innermost section of the ancient archives?" Izuna asked evenly.
"Y-yes, Lord Izuna."
"The seal had deteriorated over the years and fell off when you touched it?"
"Yes, exactly."
"Who usually goes into the innermost section?" Izuna asked again.
"Very few people. All that's kept there are old records that aren't much use. They were covered in thick dust."
"So," Izuna stopped directly in front of Aoki and looked into his eyes, "why would a Chunin responsible for organizing the storeroom suddenly decide to clean that section? And why today, of all days?"
"I... I just thought it was too messy and wanted to organize it so things would be easier to find later." Aoki's voice was a little strained.
"Oh." Izuna nodded. "Quite diligent of you."
He suddenly reached out and patted Aoki's shoulder.
It was a very light touch.
But at that instant, Aoki's body stiffened almost imperceptibly.
It was not nervousness, but a sort of... unnatural reaction.
Izuna withdrew his hand, his face expressionless.
"All right, you may go. Remember, you must not mention what happened today to anyone."
"Yes! Understood!" Aoki bowed and quickly left the corridor.
Izuna