"What's wrong with your eyes?" Orochimaru noticed something was off from the start. Now that he'd stabilized Minato's body, he finally voiced his question.
"Blind." Anya replied, sounding somewhat lost yet subtly relieved, as if something long overdue had finally happened. The Mangekyo Sharingan had been useful, but it wasn't what he truly relied upon.
Orochimaru's eyes narrowed sharply as he crouched down for a closer look. After confirming Anya hadn't lied, he took a deep breath and said, "So this was all about your eyes then. You studied Hashirama's Essence specifically for them because they have flaws."
"Not entirely." Anya informed Orochimaru about what he had seen on the Uchiha Clan's stone tablet.
"Myriad Phenomena?" Orochimaru muttered to himself before falling into deep thought. After a long pause, his gaze sharpened as he pulled out a bottle without ceremony and said to Anya, "Give me some blood. Fill this up."
"Come on, Uncle. Look at me like this and you still want my blood?" Anya's voice carried a hint of grievance.
Orochimaru chuckled, "I want to study the cause of your blindness. Don't you want to know?"
"Amazing! No wonder you're the legendary Orochimaru." Complimenting, Anya lightly cut his finger. Blood flowed along the bottle's opening until it quickly filled up.
As usual, Orochimaru extended his tongue to taste Anya's blood. This time, he immediately noticed something different. His brows knitted tightly together. The sweet sensation once present in the blood was completely gone, replaced instead by a spreading aura of death.
Looking meaningfully at the now-blind Anya, Orochimaru remarked, "I'm afraid your condition isn't much better than Minato's."
Anya was startled but hadn't even had time to ask before Orochimaru had grabbed the bottle of blood and disappeared into the laboratory.
Minato's spirit communicated with Anya through their shared soul, asking, "My body really survived?"
"To be precise, it's lingering between life and death," Anya explained. "Even if your soul returned to your own body, you still wouldn't be able to move. Two opposing forces within your body are locked in a fragile balance. To fully recover, that balance needs to be broken—but right now, you're not capable of doing that."
"Then is there another way? I need to return to Konoha," Minato, with clear eyes full of anxiety, pleaded.
"You're in this condition and still want to go back?" Anya casually asked, then suddenly understood. "To see your son?"
"Yes," Minato somberly replied. "This was Kushina's final wish—that I become a good father who walks by Naruto's side as he grows up."
"But your choice contradicts hers. Don't tell me that aside from the Dead Demon Consuming Seal [Shiki Fujin], you had no other way to control the Nine-Tails," Anya became agitated mentioning this point. After all, Minato had mastered all the Sealing Techniques of the Uzumaki clan. Controlling the Nine-Tails shouldn't have been so difficult.
Minato spoke seriously, "Master Jiraiya once mentioned a prophecy—that changes would come to the world, followed by disasters. Konoha was attacked when a mysterious figure released the Nine-Tails. I'm certain that guy will bring great calamity in the future. I hope Naruto, bearing the Nine-Tails' chakra, will be able to stop him. As a jinchuriki, I believe he can create a new future."
"You sure have a lot of faith in your kid," Anya sighed. According to the original plot, Minato's decision at this moment wasn't wrong per se—it just came with a heavy price.
"You're right," Minato replied. "She never wanted Naruto to carry such a heavy burden. She wanted me to protect our child and raise him properly. But for the country, the village, and the future, I have no choice. Having grown up as a war orphan, I know better than anyone how cruel life can be for a refugee." His gaze remained firm as he continued, "Anya, you once asked me a pointed question. I never thought I'd actually be facing this. Believing in my child and willingly sacrificing myself for my son is the duty I can fulfill as a father—and this is the answer to your question."
"I see," Anya sighed. "Now I finally see where Naruto got his way with words."
"Way with words? What kind of jutsu is that?"
Before Minato could finish expressing his confusion, Anya continued, "There is a way for you to stay by Naruto's side—but you have to be discreet. If people find out you're still alive and secretly protecting a child, it'll only make him more vulnerable. Don't forget, Little Pepper was nearly captured by enemy nations before. And as for your enemies—nearly the entire ninja world."
The Yellow Flash earned his name in blood, after all. During the Third War, Minato had roamed countless battlefields. His accomplishments were formidable, his presence unmatched.
"Truly, there's a way?" Minato had already subconsciously ignored the latter half of Anya's warning.
"It depends on how much pain you can endure," Anya said. [Division Technique]. She planned to use it on Minato, but whether he could endure the excruciating pain remained uncertain.
Minato confidently replied, "I'll be fine."
"Not yet," she responded. "First, I'll teach you the Spirit Transformation Technique. Once you learn it, the process will be much easier."
"Alright."
As Anya began teaching Minato the Spirit Transformation Technique, Orochimaru, inside the laboratory, observed Anya's blood slowly turning black inside a container. A look of realization formed in his eyes.
Moments later, Orochimaru exited the lab and approached Anya, saying with a serious expression, "Anya, I think... you're about to die."
In Konoha, Kurenai Yuhi still struggled to believe the sight of her father's corpse. After their intense argument, they hadn't spoken or even seen each other. Even when he insisted on prioritizing security by placing young ninjas inside barriers, Kurenai didn't understand and often argued with Kurenai. But now, even if she wanted to argue, her father would never return.
Similar scenes unfolded across Konoha. A young Iruka looked upon the corpses of his parents, and countless villagers stared at the destroyed houses, their fury building with no outlet.
Even though Hiruzen Sarutobi had announced the end of the Nine-Tails' rampage, many ninjas couldn't shake their grief. After this defensive battle, Konoha had suffered a devastating loss—far worse than during the invasion by Sunagakure.
Most ninja who had witnessed the battle already suspected how the Nine-Tails had been dealt with. Although Hiruzen Sarutobi had imposed a media blackout, those who knew the truth remained silent yet instinctively resisted and eyed Naruto with hostility. After all, the Nine-Tails was the monster that had brought disaster upon Konoha. Nobody wanted to get close to him, fearing the seal might suddenly destabilize and unleash destruction once again.
Holding Naruto in his arms, Hiruzen gazed at the child with deep pity and murmured softly, "From now on, your name will be Naruto Uzumaki. Minato placed great hopes in you, and I believe you can inherit his will."
"Uncle, come on, don't joke like that. It's just blindness—can someone actually die from that?" Anya felt a sense of foreboding after hearing Orochimaru's words.
"Have you heard of blood poisoning?" Orochimaru showed no trace of humor. "Your condition is similar, even worse in fact. Blood poisoning occurs when a virus enters the bloodstream, multiplies rapidly, and releases toxins that destroy blood throughout the body, leading to death. At least there's still hope for treatment in such cases. But what's inside your blood isn't a virus—it's a seal, or more precisely, an invisible chain that's consuming your vitality."
Anya knew Orochimaru had no reason to lie to her. She quickly calmed down and asked, "Uncle, how long do you think I have left?"
"Based on my recent lab results," Orochimaru replied regretfully, "your entire blood system will completely decay within three months at most—and it's irreversible."
"Three months… I see."
Anya would never give up hope before her last breath. Time was short; she had to start making plans and brace herself for the worst-case scenario.
"I need to settle a few things first. I'll return during the last month."
"Now?" Orochimaru said. "You still have a slim chance if you stay here with me. Leaving means certain death."
This wasn't a disease—no matter where she went, even Tsunade couldn't help her. Only one person in this world could possibly unlock the chains in her bloodline: herself. That was Orochimaru's unique confidence.
"There are some things I need to take care of first. I'll return during the final month."
With those words, Anya walked away without looking back. For the very first time, time itself felt unbearably urgent.
Several days later, covered in dust and fatigue, Anya crossed the desert and finally arrived at Sunagakure Village.
By then, members of the Zero Organization had already gathered at the village entrance, waiting for her arrival.
When Sasori saw Anya, he rushed forward immediately, his eyes gleaming with emotion. The two hadn't met since their last parting at Konoha.
After a brief embrace, Sasori quickly noticed something unusual: "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, what happened to your eyes?"
A terrifying killing intent surged from within Sasori, his teeth clenched tightly as he growled, "Who did this? I'll kill them."
Alongside Sasori's rage, the entire Sunagakure Village quaked under the pressure. A massive pressure wave erupted, lifting sand into the air and creating roaring winds that howled violently.
It seems Sasori has completely mastered [Ryumyaku Chakra Control]. His current strength is unquestionably genuine Kage-level.
"Enough, Sasori. Pull in your aura before you destroy the village," Anya said calmly. "You know my strength better than anyone. Very few in today's Ninja World can defeat me. This burden is mine to bear."
Kakuzu stepped forward and asked, "Kid, is there a way to reverse this? I remember you're a Medical Ninja yourself."
"No need to rush. I came here because I have something to discuss with all of you," Anya replied with a smile toward Mabui, who was watching him with concern. "You should join us too, Mabui."
After the group settled into a secret chamber, Anya revealed all his future plans to the three of them. Except for Sasori, who had already guessed most of it and remained indifferent, Kakuzu and Mabui both gasped in shock.
Kakuzu remarked in amazement, "Kid, you've got some guts. Aren't you afraid you're biting off more than you can chew?"
Mabui also added, "Your plan involves too many uncertainties. Even if you want to change the world, there's no need to use such extreme methods. Have you considered what would happen if you fail to defeat that ancestor of the Ninja World? Wouldn't the entire world be destroyed?"
"So what if it's destroyed? What's the point of this Ninja World anyway..." Sasori still seemed filled with anger, thinking about Anya losing his eyesight.
Anya shook his head at him, cutting Sasori off before he could speak.
"I know this plan carries great risks. Originally, I planned to seize the Rinnegan and gradually complete my plan by collecting the Tailed Beasts from the Five Great Countries. But now things are different. In the future, I won't be able to appear for a long time. Sasori, if I truly leave this world, I intend to entrust this plan to you."
Sasori immediately understood the implications of Anya's words. "Big Brother Kurotsuchi, what happened to you?"
"The aftereffects of the Mangekyo Sharingan have flared. My blood is slowly decaying inside me. I probably only have less than three months left."
As soon as Anya spoke these words, the three people present were all stunned.
"This... how is this possible?" Sasori abruptly stood up, his face full of disbelief. "There must be a way. Let's go find Tsunade. Isn't she the greatest Medical Ninja? If she can't help, then we can..."
"Don't get worked up, Sasori," Anya said, pulling Sasori back into his seat. "Hear me out first. This is only the worst-case scenario. I haven't given up yet. The boy in Rain Country who possesses the Rinnegan has changed his name to Pain. In the future, his Akatsuki Organization will grow stronger. Sasori, you need to infiltrate his organization and use it to gather the Tailed Beasts. Besides the Rinnegan, the key to our future plan is the Ten-Tails."
"I understand," Sasori said with a gloomy expression. He clearly understood that Anya entrusting him with this plan meant he had already mentally prepared for the worst.
After speaking to Sasori, Anya turned to Kakuzu with a smile. "Uncle, are you satisfied with the new puppet? I didn't break my promise to you."
Rasa, who had studied Shukaku, made the same decision as Minato, sealing Shukaku into the newborn child. With no use left, Rasa was swiftly eliminated by Sasori without a sound, then presented to Kakuzu. Currently, Sunagakure has returned to the control of Third Kazekage, nearly falling entirely into Sasori's grasp.
Kakuzu rarely showed even a flicker of warmth in his eyes as he spoke, "Brat, someone like you—a menace—won't die easily."
"Thanks, Kakuzu-san. You're truly a good person."
"Me...?" Kakuzu nearly choked, finding the words awkward no matter how he looked at them.
Anya had already turned to Mabui and said, "Sorry, I couldn't keep my promise to take you to Kumogakure."
"Never mind. I'm not even sure I'd dare ask you to go," Mabui pouted slightly before continuing, "Just stay alive. Since your ambitions are so great, I'd like to see if you can truly achieve them."
"I will," said Anya with a carefree smile. "Oh, by the way, there's another matter. The Third Battle is over, and all the nations are recovering economically. I've decided to give you both a raise. Ask for however much you want—after all, Uncle's managing the funds anyway."
As soon as she said that, both Kakuzu and Mabui's eyes lit up.
Anya then casually took hold of Sasori and left the room.
"Sasori, I need you to make a small puppet—one that can contain a soul, like the ones used by the Third Kazekage."
Sasori asked curiously, "Who's going to use it?"
"Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage of Konoha."
"Konoha, huh? Hmph, they're the enemy," Sasori thought for a moment before replying, "Then I'll make a hornet for him."
"Mm, that'll work."
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