"W-Wah!"
Kiriki Seiryuu retched and pushed himself upright. The blood at the corner of his mouth had spread.
"Lord Seiryuu?! What happened to you?"
"How could this happen? Who could have done this to you?"
Looking at the wretched man in the middle of the field, his mask shattered, Shikamaru's pupils contracted.
A terrible thought rose in his mind.
"What about Yukino? Didn't he go with you?"
At the sound of his name, Kiriki Seiryuu's expression changed drastically, fear mingling with his viciousness.
"You're awfully concerned about him, aren't you?"
"You even dare question me, your superior." Kiriki Seiryuu's voice was icy, with a clear note of warning.
"No, that's not it." Shikamaru hurriedly tried to explain.
Damn old bastard! Beaten into this sorry state and still putting on airs. You're nothing but a mangy old dog.
In the confusion, Kiriki Seiryuu glanced around and quickly realized something was wrong.
"?! What's wrong with you useless lot? You were up against a few brats."
"Taking this long to finish them would be bad enough, but you actually got wiped out instead?!"
Seeing his subordinates lying motionless in pools of blood, Kiriki Seiryuu was so furious he nearly blew his top. He cut off their explanations, shocked and enraged.
"Enough. I don't have time to listen right now. Get ready—the monster's coming!"
As soon as Kiriki Seiryuu finished speaking, a silhouette appeared beyond the dense fog, apparently carrying something in its hand.
At the same time, the boy, who had just been fretting over Kiriki Seiryuu's sudden arrival, suddenly froze.
A cold mechanical voice sounded in his ear.
[Mission: Surprise Attack complete]
[Reward: Physique ×0.2, Water Affinity (Beginner)]
[You survived.]
Information suddenly appeared on the panel, leaving Uchiha Kai confused.
The mission was complete? Did the panel consider him safe now?