"Anna..."
As the cracking sounds grew denser, Hada Ichiba watched the girl in the arena who had drawn everyone's shocked gaze. His brows slowly furrowed, then tightened as he looked at Hada Ryuhiko beside him.
"Mm, it happened once before."
At this moment, Hada Ryuhiko's expression was not much better. He even unconsciously gulped and swallowed.
They both knew exactly what Anna's current condition meant.
And what kind of chain reaction that state could trigger.
It could even be said that the situation had already exceeded their expectations. In fact, it had already caused an unfavorable development.
That was, the strength Anna had displayed had likely exceeded the limits permitted for Kusagakure's participants in these Chunin Exams.
The very thing Hada Ichiba had repeatedly stressed must not happen was likely about to happen.
Things were spiraling out of control!
After seeing Anna's strength, Konoha's aid would probably fall through.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
At this, Hada Ichiba no longer wore his usual relaxed or composed expression. Instead, he frowned sternly.
He looked extremely serious.
"Hmph!"
However, faced with his serious questioning, Hada Ryuhiko did not change his disdainful attitude toward him. He said unhappily, "Would telling you have done any good? You would only have made Anna give up the match! Do you know how much Anna sacrificed for these Chunin Exams?"
His words were openly barbed.
Ryuhiko...
This round of barbed remarks left Hada Ichiba stunned.
"Anna... just wanted too badly to do something for everyone in the village."
Yet this time, Hada Ichiba said nothing. Hyuga Long Yan did not continue with cold mockery or outright abuse either. He merely looked at the little girl in the arena and spoke gently.
"I understand..."
Hearing this, Hada Ichiba—whose expression had rarely changed so drastically—did not pursue the matter