Inside the Hokage's office in Konoha, after listening to the reports from the group, Tsunade propped her chin with both hands. Under the anxious gazes of Naruto and Sakura, she finally gave her orders: "Team 7 will go. Bring Sasuke back alive."
"Yatta! Thank you, Lady Tsunade!" Naruto exclaimed happily, and the three immediately set off from the office to find Sasuke.
In an instant, only Anya remained in the room.
He couldn't help asking curiously, "Aren't you assigning them a teacher? I know Kakashi is injured, but there are other Jonin in the village too."
Tsunade replied evenly, her expression unreadable: "According to your report, Hakuto alone defeated one of the Akatsuki members. Her strength is clearly no less than Orochimaru's. Furthermore, she possesses the Sharingan, which can effectively control the Nine-Tails within Naruto. Sakura has also trained under me for over two years and grown quite strong. This time, everything should go smoothly."
"Aren't you worried? Then how about I go with them," Anya offered a suggestion.
Tsunade shook her head, looking at Anya with an indescribable gaze: "The reason I kept you behind is because I have a theory I need to confirm."
"A theory?" Anya understood: "Something related to me?"
"Yes." Tsunade slammed her fist on the table and shot to her feet, furious. "What exactly is your relationship with Orochimaru?"
"There's no need to make such a scary face. If you want to know something, just ask directly," Anya realized Tsunade wanted to have a serious talk, so his expression also turned solemn.
"Me and Orochimaru have always been partners from the beginning," Anya didn't hide anything and straightforwardly told Tsunade.
"Partners, as I thought," her jaw clenched tightly. "Why do you say it so lightly? Don't you know what kind of person he is?"
"What difference does it make? What kind of person he is, your teacher knows best. Yet he still let him go."
"But in the end, he put his entire life on the line just to..."
Anya cut in sharply, "Put his life on the line to seal away a pair of hands, right? He deserved that. It was the latent danger he left behind anyway. Sigh, I don't want to argue with you here because of someone else's actions."
"Fine," Tsunade changed the topic. "What about the Akatsuki? You must know *something* about them."
Anya raised his eyebrows slightly, looked toward the spot behind Tsunade, and lowered his eyes: "The person outside the window, come in."
"Yo, Anya. Although I tried my best to hide, your senses are still sharp, hehe," Jiraiya came jumping in through the window with a smiling face.
Anya already understood why Tsunade had called him for this conversation, so he had no interest in bantering with Jiraiya and pressed on: "I don't know how much intelligence you've gathered during the time you've been traveling with Naruto, but don't act recklessly. Regarding the Akatsuki Organization, I do know a lot and have my own plans. I emphasize once again—anyone, and I mean *anyone*, who interferes with my plans won't live to regret it."
"I really thought you had changed," Tsunade said, her eyes filled with sorrow. "But I was wrong. Perhaps deep down, you and Orochimaru are two of a kind—that's why you were able to work together."
Hearing Anya's cutting words, Jiraiya's expression grew serious as he spoke, "I want to know your plan. Will it affect Konoha?"
Confronted by their relentless accusations, fury began to rise in Anya. Inside his Spiritual Space, Sasori became aware of the situation and shouted furiously, "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, just capture these two and take over Konoha entirely. That way, we won't have to act so hesitantly."
Anya remained expressionless as he replied to Jiraiya, "There is no need to inform you about my plans."
"Anya," Tsunade's disappointment transformed into fury. "Hand over all the Akatsuki Organization intelligence you possess. I don't care about your intentions—give it up! I've already lost trust in you. If you resist, we'll take you down..."
At this point, Tsunade finally held back, unable to bring herself to say the final words.
Anya's eyes flared with power as he activated his Sharingan. A powerful surge of Sage Chakra immediately enveloped his body like a tangible force. His appearance began transforming. His originally short black hair extended until reaching his waist, its hue shifting into a subtle shade of dark blue. Green-blue intricate markings appeared across his forehead while his entire body emitted a soft jade-like glow. The Blade of Indifference on him vibrated fiercely, radiating a silent killing intent toward the two opponents. With merely the pressure of his aura, they found themselves immobilized.
"Kill me or lock me away?" Anya exclaimed in frustration. "Nothing will stop me from achieving what I desire."
"What formidable Sage Art," Jiraiya couldn't help but exclaim in disbelief. This control over Sage Chakra far surpassed his own capabilities. More shockingly, this chakra far surpassed even that of Mount Myoboku—how had he mastered something like this?
Tsunade similarly responded in fury, "Fine then, I'll stop you today. Go ahead—try drawing your blade."
Shaking off her initial shock, Tsunade started channeling the Sage Chakra of Shikkotsu Forest within her body. Runes emerged on her face as she activated her Sage Art. Immediately afterward, she broke free from Anya's oppressive presence and assumed a combat stance. Meanwhile, Jiraiya joined his hands together and started gathering the Sage Art of Mount Myoboku.
The battle was about to erupt.
"Don't!" A figure suddenly appeared between the three locked in confrontation.
Recognizing who it was, Anya hurriedly withdrew his oppressive aura while Tsunade and Jiraiya simultaneously abandoned their fighting stances.
"Hakuto, why are you here?" Anya asked in astonishment. Just moments ago, he had sensed everything—he was certain Hakuto had departed with Naruto. How was she able to return instantly?
"Dad, please don't fight," Hakuto said directly facing Anya, tears faintly visible at the corners of her eyes. Obviously, she had witnessed everything that transpired here.
Looking at Hakuto, Anya's body stiffened, and for the rarest moment, panic flickered across his face. In an instant, he closed the distance using Shunshin, stepping forward to stand before Hakuto and grasping her shoulders tightly. "These eyes… How come you have them?"
"What?"
Tsunade and Jiraiya had never seen Anya lose their composure like this before, so they rushed over immediately. But once they saw what had happened, both of them were stunned too. Hakuto's eyes had turned purple, with several black lines swirling around, forming a pattern resembling the Rinnegan.
Jiraiya, who had witnessed this phenomenon once before, murmured in shock, "This... this can't be... the Rinnegan!"
Anya didn't waste another second on Tsunade and Jiraiya, barking coldly, "Back off!"
[Brand-New Sage Art] released its power for the first time—swirling clouds transformed into a massive azure dragon. In an instant, fierce winds blew violently, filling every corner with raw, unstoppable force like a storm breaking loose, accompanied by bone-piercing coldness. The raging winds tore through them, hurling both away in an instant.
By the time Tsunade and Jiraiya regained their footing, father and daughter had already vanished into thin air.
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