Only then,
did Shi Haoguan and his two teammates realize who was the hunter and who was the prey.
They had misjudged their opponents.
The moment they noticed someone approaching, they should have alerted the shinobi in the other areas. After all, the three of them were only genin.
Now, facing opponents at the elite jonin level, death was probably their only remaining option.
"I'll hold them off! Run!"
At that moment, Shi Haoguan instead burst forth with fearless resolve.
However,
neither of his teammates intended to retreat.
"If we die, we die together. We've been partners for so long. We aren't abandoning a teammate!"
Both turned their eyes toward Shi Haoguan almost simultaneously.
Shi Haoguan's expression darkened.
"As shinobi, we should put the mission first! Don't let your emotions take over!"
"The mission? What fucking mission? We won't necessarily lose! Three against three! Why should we be scared of them?"
The tall, lean Shangjing spat, making it clear he refused to back down.
The shorter, stockier Benmu echoed him. "Right! Same here!"
Shi Haoguan froze.
Why play the hero at a time like this, you idiots!
"Heh heh heh. Good. It's best if you don't run. At least you've accepted your fate."
The shinobi in the lead walked toward them with a vicious grin.
Shi Haoguan instinctively tightened his grip on his kunai.
Shangjing and Benmu also held their kunai out in front of them.
The black-clad shinobi drew closer.
Then he suddenly accelerated,
moving so fast he left afterimages.
For an instant, all three stared blankly.
A special jōnin?!
So this was a special jōnin's strength!
He was completely beyond what genin like them could handle. They could barely even track his shadow, let alone fight him.
How were they supposed to fight this?
Just as Shi Haoguan's