Lifting his head from reading Sai’s letter, Shikamaru let out one small exhale
Kakashi was seated at his desk in front of him, his elbows leaning against the surface. He was wearing the hat that all Hokage’s must wear during official business or otherwise. It weighed down on his hair that had grown out in the last few years. Every part of his face that lay below his nose was hidden behind a mask as always.
Cradling his jaw with both hands, he was quietly watching Shikamaru’s reaction.
“What are you thinking?” He asked, with a very clear voice.
There was no one other than them inside the Hokage’s Office.
“I’m thinking…why would Sai send back a Beast Imitation, instead of returning himself?”
“That is indeed a thing to wonder.”
Letting go of his chin, Kakashi leaned back thoughtfully. Tilting his jaw to look up at the ceiling, he let out a louder and bigger sigh than Shikamaru had.
“And I’m thinking that, looking at the letter, it seems that all except Sai have fallen into the enemy’s hands and been killed, doesn’t it?”
“It does look like that.”