"Tsk, tsk! Look how scared you are. How come you became such a coward after returning to Konoha? What, afraid the people of Konoha will discover that you joined an organization in the dark world?"
Just as Chiba's gaze snapped back, a rather cutting remark rang out from within the room.
"So it's you."
At that moment, Chiba's gaze finally settled on them. The surprise on his face instantly turned into something subtle, and he spoke with a touch of helplessness.
At that very moment, two Silver Moon Black Robes stood in the shadows behind him.
"I'm impressed you managed to find this place."
Then Chiba added another remark.
"No. I'm impressed that Number 14 managed to bring Number 15 into Konoha safely and unnoticed."
After thinking for a moment, he glanced at the Silver Moon Black Robe on the right—the one who had just made that cutting remark—and said so.
"Hmph! Idiot."
The Silver Moon Black Robe called Number 15 snorted and cursed, though he was not particularly irritable.
"What? Does the leader have some new orders?"
Chiba did not say much in response. He merely turned to the other Silver Moon Black Robe, Number 14, the woman whose calm and gentle voice seemed to bring reassurance simply by speaking.
"The leader was a little worried about you, so he sent us to assist you."
Number 14's voice remained calm and gentle, soothing to hear. Even if Konoha had been struck by a meteor at that moment, the listener probably would not have been frightened.
"Assist me? You mean monitor me, right?"
Chiba, however, felt none of that soothing reassurance. All he felt was vigilance. There was no gratitude toward the leader in his words, only coldness and considerable dissatisfaction.
"Oh, listen to that tone. Going back to Konoha