The first day after the Nine-Tails Incident.
Shuo was woken by the sound of hammers.
It wasn't just a tap or two. The whole village rang with it-people repairing roofs, nailing down boards, tearing down unstable walls. All the sounds mingled and drilled into his head, too loud for him to pretend to sleep.
He lay still, staring at the ceiling.
There was a new crack overhead, running diagonally from the corner toward the middle, left by the Nine-Tails yesterday.
He looked at it for three seconds, then turned his head.
The bedding on the opposite bed was neatly folded, and the spot by the window was empty.
Shuo sat up, got out of bed, and washed up, moving slowly.
Just as he came out, Sai pushed the door open, carrying two paper bags.
"The cafeteria's open?"
"Yeah. I queued for half an hour."
Shuo took one and opened it. It was a plum rice ball.
He took a bite, squinting at the sourness, and chewed slowly.
Sai sat opposite him, eating a salmon one.
The two ate quietly like that, neither saying a word.
After eating, they went downstairs.
The streets were full of people, not the usual idle strollers, but people clutching tools-carrying timber, holding hammers, pushing carts to clear rubble. Busy figures bustled everywhere.
Shuo stood outside the building and watched for a while.
Lightspeed Thinking ran automatically: fifty-three people passed each minute, thirty-one carrying hammers, twelve carrying saws, ten pushing carts. Their chakra was all very weak, but their hearts beat fast-not from fear, but from rushing to get the work done.
He casually tossed the information aside.
"Where to?" Sai asked.
Shuo thought for a moment. "Let's check the shop first."
The two headed toward the Shopping District.
The road was a mess. Half the