Yushiro frowned. "I can do it."
"How long?"
"Not long!"
Tetsu no Sosuke nodded. "Good. Pack everything immediately. We have to leave before dark. You and Tamayo will have to put up with sheltering in large crates for now."
"Understood." Tamayo nodded. After a moment's hesitation, she couldn't help asking, "Do you have any solid evidence?"
"No." Tetsu no Sosuke shook his head. "It's all just a guess."
Tamayo studied Tetsu no Sosuke in silence for a while, then nodded gently. "I trust you."
Tetsu no Sosuke said no more and went straight outside.
Only Upper Moon Six and the two members of the Hidden were down in the deep pit, so there was little need to notify them.
Once outside, Tetsu no Sosuke had Shinobu Kocho, the Serpent Pillar, and the Love Pillar summoned to him and explained his decision.
The Serpent Pillar and the Love Pillar struggled to keep up. When had this guy come back?
And what had prompted this sudden decision?
Their thoughts were a jumble, but they trusted Tetsu no Sosuke, so they nodded.
Even Shinobu Kocho, who was at odds with Tetsu no Sosuke, barely hesitated. She immediately contacted the Hidden stationed around the perimeter and gave the order to withdraw.
For two full hours, everyone worked at a frantic pace. Tetsu no Sosuke glanced at the sun overhead. They would definitely be able to leave before dark.
Once preparations outside were complete, he returned to the mine. Yushiro and Tamayo had packed as well. Yushiro handed Tetsu no Sosuke a paper talisman covered in symbols he couldn't decipher.
"Stick this to his forehead. It'll block mental probing."
"Will this work?" Tetsu no Sosuke eyed the talisman in his hand, doubtful.
"We're not fighting the other side for control of his mind. If all