The passage was filled with a damp, moldy smell, along with a faint reek of blood.
"Looks like this is where they keep important prisoners, or... exactly where the One-Tail is being held?" Lan's heartbeat quickened slightly.
He drew in every trace of his aura, even erasing the sound of his footsteps, and followed behind the two chunin like a ghost.
The passage was long, twisting and turning again and again.
The two chunin seemed very familiar with the place, and they went along without any obstruction.
After walking for about ten minutes, a faint light appeared ahead.
The two stopped at a fork in the path.
"I'll go hand in the mission report. You go to the infirmary and get that wound treated," one of them said.
"Fine. Be careful." The other nodded, then turned and walked into the passage on the left.
Lan did not hesitate. He immediately followed the chunin who was going to hand in the mission report.
He guessed that the mission report would have to be submitted somewhere deeper in, and there he might be able to find the map or intelligence he wanted.
The chunin stopped before an even heavier iron door and showed his token again.
The iron door opened, and he walked inside.
Lan did not rush in rashly. He hid in the shadow behind the door and listened closely.
Inside seemed to be an office, with someone speaking.
"...The mission failed?" a low voice sounded, carrying a trace of impatience.
"Yes, my lord. The Hidden Leaf Village's Anbu reacted too quickly. We weren't able to..." The chunin's voice trembled slightly.
"Trash!" the low voice roared. "You couldn't even handle such a small matter! If Lord Third Kazekage finds out, all of you can just wait to be punished!"
"Spare me,