"I know, and I agree." He opened his eyes, looking at Tenzou instead of the tea, the small frown lingering for a moment more before clearing away.

Maybe this was why he'd discounted his other options. Kakashi would have internalized it... and Gai simply didn't understand it. Much as he loved the man, Gai had a kind of innocence he'd never understood fully, and he knew he wouldn't have been able to speak freely about this to him.

"Yesterday, I'm sure you're aware I was off ANBU sight for a while?" He pulled his hands from under his chin, reaching to reel in the tea and sipping it. He wanted to see if that line of communication was intact before he went further.