A biting draft crept up their trouser legs from the muddy ground.
Sen crouched beside the pool of blood, the sole of his leather shoe planted on a charred, crumbling rock.
"Sen Senju... kill me right now if you've got the guts..."
Sasuke shook all over with pain, yet still forced himself to spit out threats.
"Quit fucking standing there laughing at me."
"Even if I'm down to my last breath, I won't take this shit from you."
Sen laughed in sheer exasperation and gave Sasuke's face two moderately firm slaps.
The two crisp smacks rang out clearly through the empty valley.
"Sure, sure. I've seen plenty of stubborn bastards who won't admit defeat."
"But one who still wants to jump up and bite people after losing an arm? Now that's a rare specimen."
Sen shook the flecks of mud off his hand, then wiped it dry against the edge of his pocket in disgust.
"Kill you? Where's the fun in that? I don't do business at a loss."
"That rogue ninja head of yours is still worth a few bucks on the Black Market."
"Once we're back, I'll hang you on that crooked tree at the village entrance and let you dry out for three days and nights."
"I'll have the village aunties line up to spit on you. I've already figured out what to charge for admission."
Naruto lay in a mud pit nearby, what remained of his severed arm soaking in the yellow water.
At that, Naruto forced out two rasping coughs, filling his mouth with bloody foam.
"Sen... stop winding him up. This stubborn mule doesn't know how to bend."
"Hehe, Sasuke, this ought to have finally knocked some sense into you."
Naruto grinned like an idiot, a strand of green moss still stuck to his