The battle ended with neither side satisfied. Akatsuki had lost both fights, while Konoha came out victorious but gained nothing.
Seeing this outcome, Anya wasted no time and walked straight into the cave. Seeing the visible signs of combat and Kakashi's near-death condition, he quickly pieced together what had happened.
With his own sword techniques, the Mangekyō Sharingan, full-element chakra, and a medic ally by his side, Kakashi should have been able to somewhat counter Sasori's puppets. Anya couldn't figure out how he still lost.
Judging from the situation, though, it was at best a pyrrhic victory. Sasori must have used his full power—otherwise, Kakashi wouldn't be in such a state.
Anya stepped forward toward Sakura, who was in the middle of healing. "Leave Kakashi to me for treatment. Go contact the remaining members and bring them here. The other battle has ended too."
Sakura, originally worried, let out a sigh of relief. "Okay."
After Sakura left, Anya took out an antidote pill, removed Kakashi's ever-present mask, and administered the pill. He then channeled Shikkotsu Forest Sage Chakra directly into Kakashi's body, gradually reviving his drained form. Walking among the scattered puppet fragments, he reached out with a gesture through the air, pulling a scroll into his hand.
This was the true core body of Sasori's puppet form—the very origin where his split soul resided.
Using Spirit Control Technique, Anya pulled Sasori's spirit into his own spiritual space.
Face to face, Sasori remained calm. Now that he knew the truth behind his parents' deaths, he felt oddly at peace. Smiling slightly, he asked Anya, "How is Deidara? Did he manage to escape?"
Thinking back on Hakuto's stunning arrow, Anya replied with satisfaction, "He won't die, but he'll need time to recover."
"Hehe, that guy rarely meets defeat like this; I bet he's really shaken up." Sasori clearly understood Deidara well.
With pride, Anya replied, "Losing to Hakuto isn't shameful at all. To be honest, at the same age, I don't think anyone could've beaten her."
Once she got the first shot off, Hakuto's arrows were instantly deadly. Her weakness in close combat was only relative to her overwhelmingly strong long-range capabilities. In reality, she possessed Tsunade's monstrous strength and healing factor, along with Lightning Release, a Sharingan, and various Poisons Anya had specially prepared for her. At the same age—even Anya himself didn't believe he would've stood much of a chance against her.
Sasori asked, "Since you unexpectedly showed up this time, does that mean the person behind everything is finally coming out?"
"Yeah, it's him," Anya replied confidently. "Everything is going exactly as planned. You can just come along with me. We'll pay Konoha a visit together—and keep Tenten company too."
A flicker of joy passed across Sasori's face as he thought, Big Brother Kurotsuchi truly understands me!
"Uhh…"
As the medicine began taking effect, Kakashi groaned slightly and struggled to open his eyes.
"You're awake," Anya crouched down and helped him sit upright. "You aren't seriously injured, although most of your chakra has been depleted, leaving your body extremely exhausted. Combined with the poison in your system, you'll feel weak for a while."
Kakashi touched his mask, pulling it back over his face before saying, "Looks like you've already given me the antidote pill."
Anya teased, "You've got such a handsome face, but you always keep it hidden."
Kakashi shot Anya a sidelong glance and snapped, "Talk about yourself. Weren't you always running around with an Anbu mask on when you were younger? I never once saw you take it off."
"Oh right, now that you mention it," Anya joked. "I wonder, if I'd kept my face uncovered all along, I'd have landed a dozen kids by now just from my looks."
Kakashi let out a sigh and said, "I really can't believe you're standing right in front of me, Anya. You've changed so much. Your personality is completely different from what I remember."
After rescuing Haku in the Land of Snow and unexpectedly mastering Sage Art, Anya reached a new level of spiritual understanding, which naturally changed his character. Compared to how impatient he used to be—always rushing to finish everything—he now seemed very composed.
"You haven't changed either," Anya replied cheerfully, clearly in a good mood. "Back then during our youth, you acted like a block of ice, not talking to anyone. Only someone as passionate and fiery as Guy could melt that frozen heart of yours."
"Yeah!" Thinking about Guy, Kakashi's heart warmed slightly.
At that moment, several others returned led by Sakura, though Naruto was hanging his head, frustrated, asking both of them, "Uncle, Kakashi-sensei, there's no sign of Gaara whatsoever?"
Anya thought for a moment and answered, "Actually, I do have news on another person. Want to hear it?"
"Another person? Who?" Naruto asked curiously.
Then Anya slowly uttered one name: "Sasuke."
On a cliff somewhere, Obito sat idly with his legs dangling over the edge, appearing quite relaxed.
Suddenly, White Zetsu and Black Zetsu emerged from the ground, reporting, "Deidara has been located, and he's still alive."
Obito wasn't surprised by this news. He knew that although Hakuto's arrow had been powerful, it hadn't hit a vital spot. That girl must have a kind heart—rarely taking lives, perhaps she'd never even killed anyone before.
Obito turned to Zetsu and said, "You witnessed today's battle too, didn't you?"
"That's true," Zetsu responded solemnly. "Both Anya and his daughter Hakuto are formidable. Given enough time, they might become serious threats."
"No, you're mistaken." Obito's gaze sharpened. "I underestimated the existence of that girl, Hakuto. Actually, she is the key. With her in my grasp, the entire Konoha will hesitate to act rashly—even if Anya possesses tremendous strength, he won't dare make any reckless moves until he rescues Hakuto."
Zetsu caught on to Obito's intentions and warned, "Don't underestimate Anya. This man is crazy—he single-handedly wiped out the Four-Nation Coalition during the Third Battle. If you truly decide to take action, he definitely will strike against Akatsuki. Once he decides to act, that happens."
"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid," Obito grinned sinisterly. "Timing is crucial here. There will inevitably be a battle between us and Anya. Go gather every piece of information you can find about Hakuto. She will become my trump card against this troublesome opponent."
For no clear reason, Obito suddenly remembered a card Anya had given him earlier. He absentmindedly pulled it out and looked at it for a moment. [Oracle]… Tsk, intriguing.
"Huh? Who?" Naruto was momentarily stunned. Sakura, however, quickly recovered and eagerly asked, "Really? Do you have news about Sasuke? Where is he?"
Anya countered, "What's wrong? Are you planning to go find him now?"
Sakura became anxious and said, "Yes! Orochimaru wants to use Sasuke as his new vessel, and the three-year deadline is almost up. Sasuke is in great danger; I must find him as soon as possible!"
Naruto also chimed in, "That's right, Sir. Please tell us where he is."
Anya turned serious and replied, "If you're going, there's no need to rush these few days. First, return with me to Konoha and report this mission to the Hokage. Second, Kakashi's body is very weak and needs medical treatment at the hospital. Even if you want to search for Sasuke, we must assign a new master to accompany you. You're not allowed to go off on your own again."
Naruto and Sakura exchanged a glance, then sighed in unison. "Understood."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>