The Darkened Mask and the Enlightened Swordsman

A shadow darts through one of the many forests of the Land of Fire, with a white flash quickly following suit. As soon as the flash gains advantage a sudden jerk from his arm shows that speed is futile, as Koji connects a firm punch on the fugitive's jaw making him plummet down to the ground below. "I swear, these guys start running at the first sight of trouble. If he stayed put, he wouldn't need to be eating through a straw for the next few months.", states the mercenary as he throws the, now fainted, man over his shoulder."I'll leave him at the nearest collection post. No need to go all the way to the village to claim this bounty.", thinks Koji, while reminiscing about his days at Konoha, missing his village greatly; and starts to make way across the forest.