It was the familiar town. Anya had silently left Sunagakure Village and arrived here just in time. Yugao and Haku were already waiting for her.
Anya flipped through the intelligence reports the two had submitted, nodding repeatedly. Especially Yugao—she had truly surprised Anya. Not only had she collected a great deal of information, she had also filtered and refined it. Very well done.
"Yugao, you've done an excellent job on this mission."
Like Orochimaru, Anya never hesitated to praise excellence.
Yugao hesitated briefly, as if wanting to speak but holding back.
Anya noticed the shift in her expression and said directly, "Say whatever's on your mind."
"Yes. According to this intelligence, Sunagakure is indeed preparing for war. But considering how severe their losses were, why would they still start a war? I'm confused."
Anya's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly she was even more pleased. She was exactly the type Anya valued—someone who could think for herself and analyze intel deeply. So she quickly provided an explanation: "Because Sunagakure is merely a feint, meant to draw Konoha's attention. The real threat is coming from Iwagakure."
"What?" Yugao gasped in shock. "You mean Konoha will be attacked by three hidden villages at once?"
"Yes," Anya said gravely. "Yugao, the next mission is extremely important. You'll have to complete it alone."
Yugao's expression turned serious. She focused intently.
Once the reports were sorted, Anya drew out a scroll and passed it to Yugao. "I need you to personally deliver these two reports to the Hokage, as quickly as possible."
Yugao understood the importance of these reports. "It's just me?"
Anya encouraged her. "Believe in yourself. You're my student—I have full confidence in you."
Konan might've been Anya's student in name, but Anya had never actually taught her any ninjutsu. Konan's skills were entirely shaped by Orochimaru. In contrast, Yugao had truly been taught by Anya, step by step.
Yugao took a deep breath, determination flashing across her face as she accepted the scroll solemnly. "Understood."
Watching Yugao's retreating figure, Anya's eyes darkened. Within that scroll, she had detailed the full context of Hurricane Operation to the Third Hokage and requested permission to remain here. She wouldn't be returning to the village alongside Yugao. She had other business to attend to. Sunagakure's plans were already in place. It was time to head to the next location—also the most crucial point in her future plans.
"You've met with Konan already?" Anya asked Haku.
"Yes. I think she's been doing well in Sanshouo Hanzo's area," Haku replied, genuinely happy for her friend.
Anya gave a bitter smile. "And if I told you I was heading to Sanshouo Hanzo's area next, possibly disrupting the life she has now—what do you think would happen?"
Haku answered calmly, "Then Konan would hate you."
Anya pressed further. "And what about you?"
"I'll help you."
Anya chuckled. "Good. Then you'll be an accomplice."
After saying that, Anya strode toward the direction of Sanshouo Hanzo's area without looking back.
Haku followed quietly. She understood that Anya wasn't in a good place emotionally, which is why he'd just asked that question. With his personality, if he truly didn't care, he would've already acted.
It was still drizzling constantly in Sanshouo Hanzo's area. After entering, everything seemed just like before—desolate and gloomy. The two battles between Kumogakure and Sunagakure had both affected this place. At a glance, it was uninhabited and ruined.
It was probably normal for people who grew up in such an environment to become extreme in the future. Big nations always stomped on the small ones like it was nothing. In their eyes, small countries didn't even count. How many people died, how much damage was done—these were just numbers. Until the sword fell upon themselves, they wouldn't feel the pain.
Anya soon encountered the first group of Rain Village ninja as he moved forward.
As they stepped forward, preparing to ask questions, they simultaneously froze.
The light of Anya's Sharingan flashed briefly: "Take me to your leader."
"Yes."
The Rain Village ninja under Genjutsu quickly led Anya straight toward the stronghold.
Not having walked far, a familiar figure wearing a mask descended from the sky, his eyes revealing a sharp gaze. He coldly snorted: "What audacity to come here."
As this voice rang out, several Rain Ninja seemed to awaken from a dream, quickly regaining consciousness, then looked at Anya and Haku with terror.
"Demigod Hanzo, it's been many years. Your majesty's charisma remains as impressive as ever," Anya smiled and greeted the newcomer.
The visitor was none other than the instigator of the Second Battle, the renowned demigod of the Ninja World—Sanshouo Hanzo.
Right now, he stared at Anya with narrowed eyes. His mind held no memory of this person, but someone capable of controlling so many ninja at once must not be simple. Therefore, he did not immediately attack, speaking instead in a tone full of arrogance: "I don't recall who you are. Just state your name directly."
"My name is Anya. Of course, you're definitely not familiar with this name. After all, the last time we met was during the Second Battle. At that time, you had just been exposed by Grandma Chiyo from Sunagakure and needed to replenish your toxins."
After Anya reminded him, Hanzo's expression darkened as old memories surged back, and he blurted out: "You're that kid from all those years ago. You've grown up. I suppose you're not here to tell me you finally brought Kumogakure's treaty of alliance?"
Anya smirked: "Still haven't forgotten that, huh?"
"Hmph, daring to mock me." Hanzo revealed his chain scythe, a shocking killing intent surging directly toward Anya.
Anya had already made his plan before coming here. Since Hanzo had attacked first, he didn't waste words either. He drew the Blade of Indifference and charged straight forward.
"What audacity."
A mere child—Hanzo naturally didn't take him seriously. Years ago, this kid couldn't even withstand his pressure. Only a few years had passed, yet he couldn't believe that boy could now challenge him.
[Sword Technique – Chain Scythe, Second Strike]
Hanzo's weapon chain suddenly extended, spiraling around Anya's Blade of Indifference. The sickle at the chain's tip swept downward in a scything strike, like a *Shinigami* reaping souls.
Anya's *Sharingan* blazed to life. Fusing with her blade, pinpoint stars of light flickered along its surface. Even restrained by chains, the blazing sword aura maintained its destructive presence as it pierced forward.
"Break."
With a sharp shout, the binding chains shattered link by link. The gleaming blade erupted outward with shocking pressure. This single strike not only shattered Hanzo's sword technique, but made him taste the bitterness of impending death itself.
Unbelieving flickered across Hanzo's gaze. Without hesitation, he released his weapon, vanishing from the spot with a Shunshin.
As he disappeared, countless paper tags illuminated the ground—papers imbued with chakra—activating their strange black patterns under chakra guidance. Explosive Tags wrapped around Anya before detonating in thunderous blasts.
[Fire Release: Exploding Flame Formation.]
As the explosion swallowed the youth, Hanzo barely had time to relish his triumph before a voice froze him from behind.
"Your petty tricks cannot hide from these eyes."
The Blade of Indifference rested against Hanzo's throat. His mask had somehow been cleaved in two, revealing a blade-scarred face frozen in shock. At this moment, disbelief carved deep into every line of his features—he simply could not accept this defeat, so absolute and unconditional.
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