"New category," he said. "The Seventh Path.
"Item 1: I asked Kumokōgō how the Dragons' aura felt to her. She couldn't really describe it, aside from rambling on with words like 'disconcerting', 'painful', and 'dizzying'. Make a note that when the other Bosses get there I need to see if they'll give me their impressions as well."
"Noted, sir."
"Okay, that's all I had. I need to go see Cannai in about an hour and then I'll be at the seal research facility working with Kagome-sensei on the dimensional seals, so we'll need to move quickly through whatever you've got. What's going on with those supply reports we were looking at yesterday? Is that cloth dealer cheating us?"
"Unclear but probably, sir. I've got a summary here, as well as a list of potential replacement vendors. If you'll turn your attention to page six..."
o-o-o-o
"Good morning, sir. You look better."
"Thank you, Gaku. I feel better." Indeed, he had caught himself smiling. Yesterday had involved a few conversations and then the rest of the day was spent on actual seal research with Kagome-sensei. Not just seal research, but research on seals that would detect the rift to the afterlife through which perhaps they could eventually start retrieving people. Starting with Jiraiya, meaning that Hazō could eventually dump the Clan Head job back on him and focus on doing things that were actually fun.
"I take it you had a good day yesterday? Anything for the journal?"
"Indeed! This goes in the Seventh Path category." He pulled today's mug of tea out of the storage scroll Gaku had set out for him and sipped. His eyebrows rose at the smokiness and the faint tingle of mint.
"Weird mix," he said. "Weird but good."
"I'm glad you like it, sir. I acquired it from a peddler who came by to use the clinic yesterday. I have quite enjoyed it."
Hazō took another sip, then put his feet up on the desk. "Okay, let's see...let's have 'Cannai' as a subcategory from Seventh Path."
"I shall prep a new drawer, sir."
"I've been carefully avoiding asking how you keep all this stuff organized, you know."
"Drawers, sir. Many, many drawers. Also, lists of cross-references."
"You know it's easier to use—" He cut himself off as his brain caught up to the fact that Gaku could not use storage seals.
"I'm sure it is, sir. I, however, am quite happy with my drawers. Now, I believe you had some items related to Cannai?"
"Yes. Right. Item 1: Still no word on the Bear Scroll. Remind me to ask again next week."
