No, This Is Bad!

"Smack, smack, smack, smack, smack!"

Debris from the explosion was swept up by the gale unleashed by the shockwave, battering the rock wall again and again with a crackling rattle.

Inside the Rock Wall, Dodai and Saroi stared intently at Kuroi, who was forming hand seals as he sensed the area. The sight of his pale face made their expressions freeze at once.

No way! How could Teacher Maki have been defeated by some brat? That's absolutely impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

Even if that brat is exceptionally strong and could block Teacher Maki's punch with one hand, that doesn't mean he could defeat Teacher Maki. Ninja battles aren't just contests of strength. With all the tactical experience Teacher Maki has accumulated over the years, even if that kid is one of Konoha's strongest...

Konoha... brat...? Could it be...

After his expression stiffened, Dodai's heart slowly filled with refusal to accept it. Judging from Kuroi's appearance, his teacher had likely already been defeated. That refusal turned into intense rejection, but in the end, his eyes widened slightly. An indescribable terror surfaced in his gaze, becoming a look of fierce denial mixed with helpless belief.

A Konoha brat... with the tactical ability and strength to defeat Teacher Maki...

Isn't there... one such person?

Konoha's Little Monster, the one the Third Hokage called "the future"...

Taki Chiba! If it's Taki Chiba, if it's Taki Chiba...

Then it makes sense for him to be carrying out an important mission alone!

If it's that Little Monster... anything is possible. How many deeds utterly unfitting for his age has he already accomplished...?

That Little Monster... that Little Monster...

Damn it! Why did we have to run into him? Why...

At that thought, Dodai slowly clenched his teeth until they nearly creaked. Whenever the name Taki Chiba surfaced