Just as Jiraiya and Ueno Kei had left the underground facility, Kakashi ordered the search team to depart from Konoha and hunt down the two Akatsuki members who had killed Chiriku!
Asuma's face remained tightly drawn throughout the journey, completely devoid of his usual relaxed, humorous expression.
"Where's the nearest black market?" Asuma asked in a somber voice, yet his words brimmed with killing intent. Asuma was not someone who angered easily. Almost nothing could make him lose his temper or composure. The Third Hokage's death had been one such thing. No matter how much he and the Third Hokage had clashed or quarreled in the past, that man had still been Asuma's father—one of his few remaining relatives in Konoha!
The Third Hokage's death had dealt Asuma a tremendous blow. He had been an old man who should have been spending his final years in peace, yet he had still died on the battlefield. To Asuma, it was a silent agony, as though it were condemning his own weakness and incompetence for failing to protect his elderly father!
And now it was the same. His close friend had died just like that! There might have been this reason or that reason, but no matter how one put it, they were all pale excuses. Asuma felt that the only thing he could do now was avenge his friend! Find those two Akatsuki members! Kill them! And console Chiriku's spirit!
"It should be around here." Kotetsu took out a map and pointed to a marked location as he spoke to Asuma. Kotetsu and the others could all hear that something was off in Asuma's tone. They understood his feelings and expression as well. The ninja world was like this: kill your enemies, be hated by others, have your family and friends