"I did not expect you to be so understanding."
Once they had left Norihiro and Sakura alone in the candlelit room, Hanzo spoke at last.
The door had closed behind them, leaving father and daughter with the fragile peace they had managed to find. The corridor outside was quiet. Two shinobi guards stood farther along the hall, pretending not to listen as Nathan and Hanzo walked toward the stairs leading above ground.
Hanzo glanced toward him.
Nathan's expression was unreadable.
"I did not expect it either," he replied.
Hanzo raised an eyebrow.
"Why?"
Nathan did not answer immediately.
They climbed the stairs in silence, the sound of their footsteps echoing off the wooden walls. The air became warmer as they moved away from the underground prison. When they finally reached the upper level, the door ahead opened onto the forest path surrounding the Shinobi Village.
Morning light passed through the branches.
The village was busy beyond the trees.
