Free Answers! [Second Update, Please Subscribe]

"Uh..."

Namikaze Minato froze. He had expected to be reprimanded, but he was completely bewildered. Hikaru's earlier order had been to kill them all, yet one enemy had escaped. Still, Hikaru acted utterly unconcerned—he did not question him further or blame him. That left Minato feeling rather unaccustomed to it.

Seeing that his disciple was stunned and had not understood his intentions, Hikaru shrugged and continued eating the venison. He was going to explain it anyway; whether he did so sooner or later made little difference. Before that, he needed to fill his stomach.

What should have been a group enjoying delicious venison together had turned into Hikaru eating alone with great relish. Everyone else had their eyes fixed on him. The tempting venison did not even register in their eyes; what they desperately wanted now was answers, not to sit here and eat meat.

Though the venison did smell quite delicious.

"Ask whatever questions you have. Consider this a free answer session. Remember, there won't be a next time."

Hikaru tossed away the kunai in his hand. It was covered in grease, and he could not be bothered to wipe it clean, so throwing it away was simpler.

"Teacher." Namikaze Minato, who had already been unable to wait any longer, was the first to speak. "You did not seem surprised at all that the enemy escaped. May I know why?"

Hikaru wiped his mouth, considered Minato's earnest expression for a moment, then asked, "Then answer me this: is there any point in continuing to pursue that escaped enemy?"

"This..."

Namikaze Minato paused, unsure how to answer. Was it worth it? He was confused. If he said it was not worth it, it had still been an order, had it not? Besides, it would not reflect well on Konoha if