[HE'S SURELY LESS PSYCHOTIC THAN SOME... maybe...... Somewhere down the line, there has to have been at least one true raging nutball of a caliber even higher than Kaoru's, okay.

But he focuses instead on her congratulations and on the apology, and it basically makes a part of him want to compete for the gold in the crazy Nagumo clan head olympics, if he hasn't already won it. It's satisfying to hear, on one hand, but it's not like satisfaction (or any positive emotion) is something that Kaoru feels strongly or for long periods of time. The larger part of him feels strangely bitter about it in a way that he doesn't particularly want to think through.

One hand is raised in a delicate gesture, a quiet "it's fine", even though his expression remains sharp.]

The Princess of Yase is surely busy at all times, so the delay is only to be expected. I thank you for your kind words now, though. [Every day is a good day to celebrate a mass murder!!] I hope that I will be able to lead the clan well for many years to come.

[All like, what. ??? zero of the rest of them?? WHATEVER MAN HE'S A CLAN OF ONE and maybe some scattered branch families, he does what he wants.]

I heard rumors that your health had ailed for a while as well, though it seems such rumors were unfounded. You look to be in prime shape.