After crossing the desert, the group entered a rocky area. Suddenly, a clearly exhausted Tenten remembered something and loudly asked, "By the way, don't we have a flying puppet? Why are we walking all the way to Konoha?"
Anyaka gave Sasori a meaningful glance.
Sasori understood immediately. He stepped forward, gently patted Tenten's head, and said, "Tired, aren't you? Then take a nap first. When you wake up, we'll already be in Konoha."
Hearing this, Tenten softly replied, "Okay."
Soon, Tenten fell asleep in Sasori's arms, her expression peaceful. Looks like over the years, they'd started to get closer—neither of them had realized it yet.
Sasori pulled out a mechanical puppet, gently placed Tenten inside, and the three continued forward. The mood grew heavy as the sky darkened above. Dark clouds rolled in with the wind, thick and unbroken, completely blotting out the once bright sky until it felt like pitch-black night.
A chill crept into their hearts, as if something hidden lurked within the sudden gloom.
Sasori stepped forward and said, "Since you're here, come out already."
As his voice fell, Orochimaru and his group appeared before them. At the same time, the dark clouds in the sky scattered.
Anyaka's gaze locked onto the two people beside Orochimaru—one was Kimimaro, the other was Kabuto Yakushi wearing glasses. She never expected that this person would ultimately end up with Orochimaru.
"Hehehe, Kazekage, your guard sure is sharp," Orochimaru grinned as he stepped forward to greet them.
Mabui, wrapped tightly from head to toe, remained silent, instantly chilling the atmosphere.
After a moment of surprise, Orochimaru's expression darkened slightly and his smile faded. "Since you've arrived at the agreed location, that means you've accepted my plan. But..."
Anyaka had already sensed the faint killing intent from the opposing trio. Sasori was already prepared for battle—the situation was on the verge of exploding.
Anyaka shook his head slightly at Sasori, removed his straw hat, and smiled lightly. "Lord, long time no see."
This address immediately drew all three gazes toward him.
"It's you? You're back?" Orochimaru's pupils constricted sharply, his eyes now completely fixed on the figure, as if meeting a long-lost lover.
This was the first time Kabuto had seen Orochimaru show such clear concern for someone. Quietly, he whispered to Kimimaro beside him, "Who's this blind guy?"
Kimimaro clearly recognized him and replied, "Even though his appearance has changed, I believe it's him—Anyaka, former Head of Konoha's ANBU. He was always working closely with Lord Orochimaru."
"Head of ANBU, huh? No wonder," Kabuto thought to himself, a sense of caution rising instinctively—he had a feeling this person was no ordinary foe.
Orochimaru calmed himself from his initial shock, sorting through the possibilities at lightning speed. After a long pause, he spoke again. "So Sunagakure has already been under your influence. Who is this Kazekage?"
"He's my man. I came here specifically to help you," Anyaka said naturally. "Lord has helped me many times. Of course, I must give something back in return."
"Give back, huh? Interesting..."
"Orochimaru regained his eerie smile and asked cautiously, 'Exactly how do you plan to help me?'
'No one will interrupt your confrontation with Hiruzen Sarutobi.'
'That's still not enough.'
'The One-Tail Jinchuriki will unleash power inside the Hidden Leaf Village.'
Orochimaru stated expressionlessly, 'A single Tailed Beast alone cannot destroy Konoha.'
'Haha, Uncle, your true objective isn't really about destroying Konoha either, right?' Anya wasn't at all offended and said smilingly, 'Why don't you just be straightforward? Tell me what you need me to do. Anything goes.'
Looking at the transformed Anya before him, Orochimaru suddenly felt an intense craving. His gaze locked onto Anya's neck as he extended his tongue to lick his lips.
Sasori sensed this immediately. He stepped forward two paces to block Orochimaru's view and coldly said, 'Remove that disgusting gaze, or else...'
Anya pulled Sasori back gently, saying, 'It's alright.'
Orochimaru looked at Anya meaningfully. Suddenly turning around, he said, 'Since you're my partner in this, there's nothing more to discuss. With your intelligence, you naturally know how to cooperate with me. After this incident concludes, I'd like to have a private conversation with you, just the two of us.'
Without waiting for Anya's response, the three transformed into a burst of flames and vanished from the spot.
Sasori, his eyes brimming with killing intent, said, 'Big Brother Kurotsuchi, he had ill intentions toward you. With your current body condition, meeting him alone would be extremely dangerous. Let me eliminate him.'
Mabui, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke up, 'That person's gaze made me very uncomfortable. This terrorist attempting to incite chaos deserves death. I agree with Sasori.'
Anya said lightly, 'Don't be too quick to kill. Every life has something worth keeping. Sasori, restrain your bloodlust. Nothing will happen.'
As soon as these words were spoken, both were utterly stunned. Is this really the same Anya who once wiped out over twenty thousand Allied Forces without batting an eyelash? Now he was actually advising Sasori against killing. If they truly reckoned up the numbers, the people Sasori had killed didn't even amount to a fraction of those eliminated by Anya.
Sasori's tone turned suspicious, 'Big Brother Kurotsuchi, you aren't seriously considering Orochimaru as your actual uncle now, are you?'
Anya chuckled, 'He's merely strayed down the wrong path. Once he awakens and realizes the truth, he'll become a valuable ally. Besides, Sasori, although your strength surpasses his, whether you can kill him is really hard to say.'
Mabui muttered under her breath, 'I truly can't guess what you're thinking now.'
After finishing their meeting with Orochimaru, the three ceased walking and instead summoned a Flying Puppet, flying swiftly toward Konoha.
When Tenten woke up, she found herself already inside her family's Ninja Tool Shop. Anya and the others were playing mahjong with her elderly father, completely ignoring her presence.
Feeling ignored, Tenten stormed over with a frown.
Upon seeing Tenten, one sentence from Sasori instantly cheered her up, 'Oh, you're awake. Perfect, after this round ends, we'll play Five Nations Kill.'
Tenten happily agreed, 'Okay.'
At nearly the same time, the Jonin squad leaders throughout Konoha village received notifications. Everyone gathered in the Hokage's chamber.
Hiruzen Sarutobi said solemnly, "I have called you here for one reason alone. Seeing the people gathered here, you should understand by now."
Kakashi was the first to catch on. "It's that time again already."
Asuma nodded in understanding. "The reports have already been sent to other countries. After all, we occasionally see foreign ninjas within our village."
Kurenai asked, "Then when exactly will it be?"
Hiruzen replied, "One week from now. Then I shall officially announce it—starting seven days from today, the Chunin Exams selection process will begin."
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