Despite his efforts, the frown surfaced: protective was one thing, uncertain of Sasuke's work was another. Obito had been one of those things much more often than the other, but in this circumstance ... in this circumstance, it seemed more of the former. Sasuke hoped, at least, that remaining concerns with what had happened would have been an in-person discussion with a dozen security seals on the walls.

This public check-in, with a young relative not far off -- he was being given an out.

A strange tactic, if it was meant to gather information. And the identification he'd been given just now spoke to some high-level work. had He gave the man a long look, brow still furrowed, before responding:

"I'm always grateful for experienced insight. But right now is --" And as if on cue, Fumiko pushed open the door of the bakery, breath puffing out in the cold -- "Not ideal. Perhaps we can meet another time?"