"Because now you understand this without my having to send you on a mission of this nature myself. I dread the day that Naruto or Hinata face this, and I fear it's likely to be on my hands when they do." He shook hs head slightly, sighing and reaching out to squeeze his shoulder.

"You three are my students, the people I have poured my heart into, to help them grow and learn and become the amazing shinobi that you are now." He shook hs head once, slowly. "No Sensei wishes to be the cause of the suffering that comes with the life of a shinobi in their students. I'm proud that you've handled this so well, even though you must hurt very deeply because of this, but I am relieved, even if that, at least, is nothing to take pride in itself."