The expected knock arrived reliably early. Sakura always had been one of the earliest ones at the bridge in the morning -- Sasuke shook the memory out of mind and walked to the door, opening it with the same flash of Sharingan that had worked last night to identify Aidou, recognising Sakura's familiar cool chakra in an instant.

The chakra control needed to activate it for a mere moment was becoming more finely-tuned. Strange to notice.

"We'll talk inside," he said, decisive. "Map's on the bed."