In the pitch-black underground passage, a ninja cloaked in black and wearing a mask moved swiftly through the darkness.
"Ryuma, what is it?"
A cold voice came from ahead in the darkness.
"Lord Danzo, intelligence has come back from the Shrine Maiden!"
Aburame Ryoma dropped to one knee and presented a small scroll.
A shadow silently emerged from behind Danzo, stepped before Aburame Ryoma, and took the scroll. Only after conducting an undisguised inspection did it hand the scroll to Danzo.
An aged hand unfurled the scroll.
"Three jonin, three genin. Karatachi Yagura, Hozuki Sengetsu."
Danzo softly read out several names, his fingers tapping the armrest of his chair one beat at a time.
Tap, tap.
After a long while, a hoarse voice spoke.
"Ryuma, lead the team personally. Go to the Bounty Station and find that famed bounty hunter, Kakuzu. Tell him that for fifty million ryo, I want the heads of Karatachi Yagura and Hozuki Sengetsu!"
"Yes!"
Kumogakure.
Yakushi Nonō was still disguised as an ordinary person, observing the Kirigakure group from a corner of the restaurant.
That was right. After their resounding victory over Kumogakure's genin, their cravings had gotten the better of them, and they had returned once again to this establishment that sold whole roasted cattle.
"Hah~ A hearty feast and plenty to drink after defeating a powerful enemy—that's what life is all about!"
Araki patted his slightly bulging stomach with one hand and let out a satisfied sigh.
"Exactly! Compared to this, none of the things I used to eat could even be called cuisine!"
Kaguya Black Bone eagerly agreed.
Though the others said nothing, their expressions were equally full of newfound preference and disdain for the old.
Even Karatachi Yagura, whose love for his village was strongest, racked his brains but could not