The people who had infiltrated Konoha with Night Owl were battle-hardened ninjas. Without the slightest hesitation, they abandoned their fight with Haku and retreated swiftly and decisively with Night Owl.
Haku, who had been wondering how to avoid revealing his strength, let out a sigh of relief and came over to Shinji. "Shinji, who were they...?"
"Who knows? Something about them felt off!" Shinji shrugged, then added, "I'll go after them and take a look!"
Whoosh!
With that, Shinji flashed away in pursuit.
Haku pulled the gag from Sasuke's mouth and asked, "Sasuke, are you all right?"
Karin came over too. "Do you need treatment?"
As soon as he was freed, Sasuke got to his feet without a moment's thought. "Hurry, go help Shinji! Those four bastards weren't the interception team—they were impostors! They're strong. Shinji's in danger!"
Haku wasn't surprised. "Sasuke, rest here for a while. I'll go support Shinji!"
Sasuke shouted, "What good would you be? I'm the only one who can help!"
He was frantic!
It wasn't just that he knew how strong Night Owl and the others were, and that Shinji would be in serious danger pursuing them alone. He was also furious that he'd been humiliated!
Not only had he been beaten this badly, but plenty of his classmates had seen him being dragged away by Night Owl. He'd lost face completely.
Shinji, on the other hand, had defeated one of them with ease—and so skillfully that even now, recalling it left Sasuke astonished!
So he had to win back his dignity with his own hands!
But just as Sasuke was about to set off in pursuit, whoosh! Shinji, who had just raced after them, suddenly came back.
Sasuke was startled. "Why are you back?"
Shinji replied casually, "Oh, they were too fast. I couldn't