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Impossible, impossible, this was absolutely impossible!

Trees flashed past as the middle-aged ninja sped through the forest. One hand pressed against his shoulder, streams of blood spraying through his fingers, yet his speed was astonishingly fast.

His resolute face was grim, tinged with exhaustion. From his tightly furrowed brow and the look in his eyes, it was clear that he was anything but calm. He could scarcely believe it.

I had been patient enough, and I had thought it through enough. With that Little Monster, Taki Chiba, in Konoha, there had to be some kind of scheme, so I had remained cautious. These past days, I had already done everything within my power.

But why? Why had it still turned out like this? The middle-aged ninja gritted his teeth. A distinct slash mark ran across the Kumogakure forehead protector atop his head, extending diagonally down from its upper edge. Part of it had cut into his forehead as well, leaving two wounds there.

That brat wielding the white Chakra blade... what was he to the Konoha White Fang?

I am a Jonin of Kumogakure, yet I was cut down in a single exchange. If I had been any slower, that strike would have taken off half my head! Konoha...

Why? Why could they never break through Konoha! Lord Yagura Bi had clearly given them so much vital intelligence. This time, they had even used the final secret passage Lord Yagura Bi had left behind during the invasion...

Why? Why?!

Why had they been exposed after only one day, then surrounded and attacked by Konoha's Anbu? From the way they acted, they had clearly been prepared for a long time. They showed no hesitation when they attacked, and their formation had been designed to encircle them, completely cutting off their retreat.