[Yeah... he hadn't thought that would work. Damn it. Still, he was impressed that Kakashi wasn't making contact with him either, kind of giddy that he'd gotten so much better in the last year. Not enough to make contact, but that didn't stop him from trying to nail Kakashi right back, though not in a punch. Instead he flicked out his chain, fully intending to try to tangle Kakashi up and trip him so he could try to talk to him without, you know, dodging.]

Yeah, I was. I thought I was dead.

When I got here I went around telling people with a whole lot of pride even because I did it for you.

But.

But I can't do that anymore okay. Not after what I've learned.