The battle in Black Wind Valley ended quickly.
The dozens of rogue ninja Scarface had been so proud of never even touched the hem of Chikage's clothes.
Pale blue lightning release chakra danced across Chikage's skin.
Anyone who came close was hurled away by the savage current.
The smell of scorched flesh hung in the air.
Scarface lay in a pile of rubble, blackened all over, white foam spilling endlessly from his mouth.
The fine steel kunai in his hand had melted into a lump of scrap.
Chikage stood where he was, his breathing still steady.
He raised his hand and glanced at his wristwatch.
Four ten in the afternoon.
He had plenty of time left. He could easily make it back to clock out at five.
Chikage dusted off his hands, ready to tie up Scarface and take him away.
This man was an important witness for getting his business trip expenses reimbursed.
Just as he turned, several sharp whistles came from the rock face overhead.
These were nothing like the shoddy kunai thrown by rogue ninja.
They were specially made projectiles fitted with explosive tags.
Chikage's One-Tomoe Sharingan spun rapidly, tracking their trajectories.
He pushed off the ground and darted backward.
Several kunai embedded themselves where he had just been standing.
The explosive tags detonated with a roar, sending dirt and rubble flying.
Chikage raised an arm to block the incoming stones.
Once the dust cleared, four ninja wearing black bodysuits and animal masks appeared ahead.
They formed a semicircle, trapping Chikage in front of the mine entrance.
None of the four wore a forehead protector.
But Chikage had encountered that cold, emotionless killing intent at the Hokage Building before.
Root's elite assassins had finally shown themselves.
The man leading them, wearing a dog mask, stepped forward.
He