Several days later, at an inn near a casino in the Land of Hot Water.
Night Owl stood in the shadow of the eaves in plain black clothes, her "Night Owl" mask hanging askew at her waist, revealing a cool, aloof face.
Her gaze remained fixed on the brightly lit casino entrance in the distance, her hand resting on the head of a giant white tiger beside her, gently stroking it.
Mountain Lord lay on the ground, his body shrunk to roughly two meters long, like a large cat. But whenever his blue-gold tiger eyes, which resembled Lin Ze's, opened, the ferocity they exuded was enough to make an ordinary ninja's legs go weak.
"Mountain Lord, do you think... she'll agree this time?"
Night Owl spoke softly.
The white tiger Mountain Lord lazily lifted his eyelids and gave a low rumble in his throat by way of a reply.
Night Owl smiled and reached out to rub Mountain Lord's large, fluffy head.
Just then, a dark figure landed soundlessly on the roof, knelt on one knee, and presented a scroll with both hands.
"Captain Night Owl, Lord Hokage ordered me to deliver this letter to you personally, for you to pass on to Lady Tsunade."
Night Owl took the scroll. It felt slightly heavy, and its opening bore the Hyuga Clan's exclusive sealing formula, still intact.
"Understood."
The ANBU saluted, turned, and vanished.
Holding the scroll, Night Owl fell silent for a moment before saying to Mountain Lord:
"Let's go. Time to get to work."
Mountain Lord stood, shook out his fur, and followed Night Owl out of the inn.
Inside the casino, voices roared and smoke hung thick in the air.
Tsunade slapped the gambling table, making the dice cup bounce:
"High! It's definitely high this time!"
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