The walk into Ukai felt like stepping into a story someone else had been telling for a long time.
Their host moved ahead at an easy pace, hands folded behind his back. Two attendants followed a step behind, carrying their luggage with the smooth balance of people who had grown up on swaying branches.
The platform curved gently along the trunk, opening into a wider path that split and bent and rejoined like roots.
"Please, follow me" the host said. His voice was calm, with that practiced softness people used for visitors. "Your quarters are prepared."
Kenzo fell into step just behind him, like he had decided he was unofficially in charge of the Neoshima group. Saffi walked at Raizen's side, eyes everywhere at once. Professor Eiden came last, gaze flicking over details without really landing on any of them.
If the Underworks had ever decided to learn manners, it might have looked like this.
