Bang!
The wooden shoji slammed heavily into the wall, and the tremendous crash finally startled the six people sprawled limply on the floor awake.
After they crawled to their feet, they discovered that their clothes had all been soaked through with sweat.
"Teacher Araki was so scary just now..."
Doll-like Hua Bing gently tugged on Mei Terumi's sleeve and muttered quietly.
Kaguya Black Bone scratched his head, looking thoroughly shaken. "It's the first time I've seen the boss this angry... It's all Zabuza's fault!"
"Hm?"
The browless, masked youth turned his head, his eyes filled with confusion.
What did this have to do with him?
Clearly, Mei Terumi and the others had overlooked something while gathering intelligence, which was why Araki had flown into such a rage!
"Showing off in front of Sunagakure ninja is one thing, but why did you have to say, 'Mere sand and gravel, not worth mentioning,' in front of Boss Araki?"
Kaguya Black Bone pointed at him in bitter accusation.
"As subordinates, showing off in front of others makes the boss look good. But showing off in front of the boss himself? Aren't you just asking for a beating?"
"Huh?"
Zabuza's mouth gradually fell open, nearly tearing the bandages wrapped around his face apart.
At the same time, seeing Black Bone's utterly convinced expression, he could not help doubting himself.
Could this really be my fault?
"All right, all right, stop arguing!"
At that moment, Mei Terumi waved a hand and impatiently interrupted the two.
"It's too late to talk about that now. Let's look at the assignment Teacher Araki left us first!"
She bent down and picked up the bagged documents from the floor.
"Hmm..."
The moment she touched the bag, she seemed to catch a faint fragrance. It was unfamiliar, yet she felt