Minato stayed for a while before leaving. After all, he was the current commander and had many follow-up matters to handle after the battle. It was clear that after Orochimaru and Jiraiya left one after another, the Third placed high hopes on Minato. With this battle, Minato proved that the Third's judgment had been spot-on.
Anya addressed the other five team members: "Shisui Uchiha, your blade work was too hesitant. In the next battle, reduce unnecessary movements. On the battlefield, be ruthless—aim for one fatal strike. Don't give your enemy any chance to counterattack. In this aspect, you should take Yugao as your example."
"As for Yugao, your issue is also obvious—you're far too reckless in combat, not thinking about the consequences, lacking effective defensive techniques. Had it not been for your teammates' protection today, you'd be dead by now."
"And finally, Haku, you delivered the poorest performance on the battlefield. How dare you get distracted? If this happens again, you'll return directly to Konoha."
As soon as she finished speaking, a heavy silence fell over the room. After a long pause, Inoichi pointed to himself and asked, "Captain, what about me?"
Anya replied, "You delivered the strongest performance. Keep it up."
"Understood."
A warmth spread through Inoichi from the praise—like sweet honey melting inside him. During today's battle, Anya had single-handedly withstood the enemy's strongest fighter, firmly establishing her authority as their leader.
The others clearly hadn't expected that Anya could observe their performance even during intense combat. Each of them drifted into deep thought over Anya's words.
Naturally, Anya's ability to do so relied entirely on the Division Technique. Before entering the battlefield, she had split her soul and attached fragments onto each of them. After the battle, she reclaimed those fragments, allowing her to analyze everyone's performance.
The most unexpected revelation came from Shisui Uchiha. Despite being the youngest, his strength outmatched all others, and his learning speed was incredibly fast. Except for initially struggling with adapting to the brutality of the battlefield, his subsequent performance had been quite impressive. His mastery of the Sharingan was unparalleled. Without him, both Haku and Yugao would've sustained serious injuries. It seemed there was good reason Mikoto recommended him—he was without a doubt a true genius of the Uchiha Clan.
Seeing that everyone had fallen into thought, Anya continued, "We've just come out of a battle. Go back first and rest well. Recover fully before processing the results. For now, I won't be able to fight alongside you. Inoichi Yamanaka, starting now, you will serve as the temporary commander."
All of them responded together, "Roger!"
Just as the others exited, Anya was about to tend to her own wounds when someone slipped into the room.
From the body shape, Anya immediately recognized who it was. With a stern face, she said, "Haku, didn't I tell you to go rest?"
Silently, Haku pulled out a medical kit from under his clothes and took out some bandages.
Aha, so he came here to treat my wounds. Curious, Anya asked, "I remember you don't know how to do this, right?"
Years ago, when she was severely injured in Kiri Village, it had been this girl who had bandaged her up, nearly choking her to death in the process.
Haku remained silent, moving forward to start removing Anya's clothing—as if preparing to proceed without warning.
Anya felt somewhat uneasy. The last time had been when she was unconscious; this time, she was wide awake.
"Let me do it myself."
Haku ignored the plea and had already pulled off Anya's shirt, revealing the purplish bruises all over their body.
Gently stroking those bruises, Haku finally asked, "Does it hurt?"
"Not too bad. On the battlefield, everyone gets a few bruises now and then."
Uncharacteristically angry, Haku spoke with a slightly raised voice: "You're being reckless."
Anya, who had already reflected upon this, replied with a faint smile: "Okay, I understand. It won't happen again."
Just after saying these words, Anya noticed a drop of water on their hand. Puzzled, they lifted Haku's mask.
Before them was Haku's delicate face, now streaked with tears.
Anya's heart tightened as they softly asked, "Why are you crying?"
Looking straight into Anya's eyes, Haku said, "If you died, I'd join you in death."
They say nothing weighs heavier than a beauty's affection. Every time Haku spoke like that, they stirred something deep inside Anya, who couldn't bring themselves to meet their gaze.
Turning their head away, Anya said, "Don't talk nonsense. Neither of us is going anywhere."
Haku fell silent again before suddenly reaching for Anya's pants.
Anya startled and instinctively tightened their grip on their pants, anxiously exclaiming, "What are you doing? Ow, stop fooling around!"
Haku didn't give up but casually replied, "What's wrong? I've seen your body before anyway, years ago."
Saying this, Haku formed sharp blades of ice with their fingers, slicing effortlessly through Anya's clothes like paper cutters. Now completely naked, there was nothing left to the imagination.
At this moment, Anya wished desperately for a crack in the ground to hide in. Their face burned red as they pointed at Haku. Usually quick-witted, they couldn't utter a single word.
Without caring about Anya's expression, Haku unwound the bandages and started treating Anya's injuries.
It turned out that Haku's technique was surprisingly good. The bandage was refreshingly cool against the skin as it wrapped gently around the bruises, significantly easing the pain. However, soon Anya was entirely swaddled like a mummy and practically immobile. Finally, Haku tied off the wrapping with a decorative bow—an artistic finish to the treatment process.
Naturally, Anya—thicker-skinned by nature—had recovered somewhat by now and curiously asked, "Wow, your skills aren't bad. When did you learn this?"
"After seeing you injured last time in Kiri, I decided to learn. Over the past three years, I've practiced on dummies plenty of times."
Though spoken matter-of-factly, Anya could sense the hidden warmth behind Haku's words and muttered, "Thanks."
"That's unnecessary," Haku replied naturally. "There's no need for thanks between us. You were the one who said you needed me, so I must be able to help you."
Before Anya could reply, Haku sat cross-legged and carefully laid Anya down, letting their head rest on Haku's lap.
Anya felt just like a baby in Haku's arms, completely dominated and helpless, without the slightest ability to fight back.
"Go to sleep," Haku said softly while stroking Anya's forehead, really no different from comforting a baby.
What else could Anya do?
After sighing, they closed their eyes.
The scene before them looked so warm and cozy.
Meanwhile, Tsunade was leading the well-trained Medical Team on their way to the battlefield. Along the journey, she refined each Medical Ninja's capabilities individually. Once they arrived, they would be reassigned into new teams.
Each squad would be led by an experienced Jonin working alongside existing members for coordinated strikes.
The systemic reform initiated shortly after the Second Battle had finally been completed. At this moment, Tsunade was filled with confidence. She believed that with this new wave of Medical Ninjas joining the fight, the tide of battle would shift, and Konoha's rise would be unstoppable.
Every time she thought about this, her mind would turn to one person—Anya. Without him, this system could never have become so complete.
A surge of longing rose in Tsunade's heart—she really wanted to see him soon—and her steps unconsciously quickened.
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