For Me?

What... was this for?

With a tap, Kushina landed to the left of the three of them. Their surprised gazes followed her down and settled on their teacher.

When Chiba and the other two got a clear look at Kushina, the red Tailed Beast Mode around her body dissipating, all three narrowed their eyes slightly, their faces full of confusion.

At that moment, Kushina stood there looking entirely at ease. In her left hand, she carried a square object covered with black cloth, making it impossible to see what it was. In her right, she held a gaunt, hunched old man with a full head of white hair. The old man dangled curled up in midair, his face blue, black lines streaking across his forehead as he trembled in terror.

"C-c-c..."

A rapid chattering of teeth came from the old man's clenched jaw. Hearing it, the three half-squinted figures could not help showing a little sympathy.

Kushina had practically leaped up from behind Hirohiko and Yukina—from outside the Hokage Rock Faces. That meant she had climbed all the way up the Hokage Rock Faces plateau. Just imagine it: how could an ordinary elderly man, who looked like he already had one foot in the grave, not be frightened out of his wits while being hauled rapidly up through the air?

Yet, judging by Kushina's expression, she did not seem to care at all whether the old man had been scared. Instead, she wore a smile as she looked at her students with an unprecedented expression of "satisfaction."

Honestly, that expression made all three of them shudder.

What is this ominous feeling...?

The same uneasy thought rose in all their hearts.

"Hm?"

Just then, Kushina, who had been surveying them with satisfaction, turned her gaze to Chiba and suddenly frowned.

*This