No one in the sealed stone chamber answered Muzan's question. There was only the reassurance of being home.
Zongyan headed toward the exit first, then said, "Come on. Let's go outside and have a look."
Uchiha Itachi and the other two clansmen followed closely behind, still keeping Muzan and Nakime surrounded at an unhurried pace.
The two silently followed at the rear, filled with unease and bewilderment as they slowly climbed the stone steps out of the secret chamber.
The moment they left the underground chamber, passed through the hidden passage, and set foot aboveground, the nighttime scenery of the Uchiha Clan Compound spread before their eyes in full.
A bright moon hung high overhead, its clear light spilling across the forested hills, while a unique energy flowed through the air.
Neat rows of Japanese-style wooden houses stretched throughout the area, and streetlights cast a dim yellow glow, quietly illuminating the Clan Grounds late at night.
The group walked slowly along the stone-paved path, heading straight for a secluded, heavily guarded courtyard.
At the courtyard entrance, Zongyan stopped and raised his hand, passing Murasame back to Uchiha Itachi beside him.
"Big brother, I'm going in to talk to Shisui. I'll leave these two to you."
Itachi nodded slightly and reached out to take Murasame.
Seeing this, the two Uchiha clansmen standing guard immediately stepped forward and pushed open the closed courtyard gates.
The courtyard was quiet, looking even more peaceful beneath the night sky.
Uchiha Shisui had not yet gone to bed. Dressed in casual clothes, he lay languidly on his back on the wooden veranda.
It had been a long time since he had spent his days so idly. From the moment he was taken into custody, he had set aside the difficult choice between the village and his