After leaving Konoha, Anya didn't rush into action blindly. Although this mission felt more like training, she still intended to carry it out perfectly. Besides Kirigakure, she planned to visit other places—or at least learn something about them.
After making this decision, her first step was to find some help. Soon, she found the markings she had previously agreed upon with Genzo carved on a tree trunk.
Following these markings, Anya sped off in one direction without hesitation.
The Village Hidden in the Hot Spring Mist was a small village tucked deep within the mountains. Its ninja were largely cut off from the outside world, so when they challenged a massive power like Konoha head-on, the outcome was obvious—their three-month standoff ended in defeat and a forced ceasefire agreement.
To be honest, Anya was genuinely surprised when he learned Taki had attacked the Village Hidden in the Hot Spring Mist. After all, there wasn't much interaction between these two nations. But upon reflection, it made sense—war was ruthless; striking while the iron was hot was only normal. Anya just hoped Genzo wouldn't act recklessly.
Anya dashed nonstop through the forest, taking Military Rations Pills to keep her energy up when tired. After several days of travel, she finally reached the location of the Village Hidden in the Hot Spring Mist, only to find it already reduced to ruins.
Looks like I arrived too late, Anya sighed. The place was now nothing but ruins—charred, devastated, and filled with a faint scent of blood in the air. Clearly, fierce battle and fire had consumed the entire village.
I wonder how Genzo is holding up. Can he bear such a heavy blow?
The markings stopped here abruptly. Obviously, Genzo must have seen the devastation of his village. Who knew what kind of mood he was in now? He probably thought there was no point following me anymore, since their village no longer existed.
Anya felt a little regretful. Just as she turned to leave, something caught her attention—a Shunshin technique moved her away from her position.
It turned out to be a little girl looking at her cautiously from behind a rock. Gently patting the child's back, Anya spoke to the little girl gently.
"Aaaaah!" The girl screamed loudly in fear.
Anya covered her ears and patiently waited for the screaming to stop.
Once the scream faded, the girl suddenly pulled out a kunai knife aimed at Anya and said, "You're not one of our village's survivors. Who are you?"
Upon hearing that, joy rose inside Anya. She quickly replied, "I'm a friend of Genzo's. Did he return to the village? Where is he now?"
"No way. You're a stranger. I won't take you there." The little girl didn't relax her guard despite Anya's words.
Seeing that words wouldn't work, Anya wasted no time. She formed hand seals and cast a genjutsu directly on the young girl.
[Genjutsu] Instantly, the girl's eyes became vacant. Step by step, she began walking forward, leading Anya toward a certain direction. Eventually, she stopped near a small hill.
Seeing the girl stop moving, Anya carefully examined this hillside until she noticed something suspicious. The earth around the hill had clearly been freshly disturbed. Could there be something underneath...?
Before Anya could take action, several sharp whistles sliced through the air.
Anya drew her tanto and deflected the incoming kunai in midair. Then she called out, "Genzo, come out. I don't want to hurt anyone."
Several figures suddenly appeared on the small hill—some old, some young—all raggedly dressed, holding weapons, and staring at Anya with fear and wariness.
As soon as Anya finished speaking, Genzo appeared as well. He gave her a complicated look and said, "The village's gone. Our deal's off. You should go."
Anya smiled lightly and replied, "Don't forget what I told you—if the village is destroyed, then I will help you rebuild it."
"Rebuild?" Genzo shook his head in despair. "It's not that simple. Besides, we're all that's left of our village. I plan to take them somewhere secluded to live quietly."
He was truly discouraged, but this wouldn't do. Anya had finally found such a suitable subordinate and wasn't ready to give up so easily. She stepped forward and earnestly persuaded him, "All villages begin from ruins. The Village Hidden in the Hot Spring Mist was built like this, and so was Konoha. Even if you choose seclusion, from now on these people will be homeless."
Undoubtedly, Anya's words struck a chord with everyone. The previously wary individuals began showing sadness, clearly reminiscing about their destroyed hometown.
Genzo naturally understood perfectly well, but he also knew just how difficult rebuilding a village could be, especially during such turbulent times.
"What, just you?" Genzo asked, shaking his head. "Where are you getting this confidence from?"
Anya smiled confidently. "Of course not—it'll be you and me together, two people."
Genzo took a deep breath and said, "I'd like to hear your plan."
"Then let's go; we can sit down and talk properly."
Anya released the little girl from her genjutsu and followed this group of elderly and frail survivors down the slope.
As expected, this place had been transformed into a massive underground hideout by Genzo, connected to an underground river, providing sufficient water and supplies for long-term survival—it was indeed a good location.
After welcoming Anya into the room, Genzo immediately asked, "Please tell me, how exactly should we rebuild our village—and where?"
Anya pulled out her map prepared for intelligence gathering and pointed to one corner with a slight smile: "Naturally, right here. A win-win situation, don't you think?"
Genzo's eyes narrowed sharply because the spot Anya pointed to was none other than Takigakure—the village that had attacked them.
"This is impossible," Genzo blurted out. "Do you even understand how powerful Takigakure is? Besides, they're the only village outside the Five Great Nations that possesses a Tailed Beast."
Anya listened, surprised. "Their village actually has a Tailed Beast? Which tail?"
Truthfully, Anya was only familiar with the One-Tail, the Eight-Tailed Beast, and the Nine-Tailed Beast. She didn't know much about the others because there was quite a gap in power among the Tailed Beasts, with the strongest being the Nine-Tailed Beast, without question.
"You're planning to challenge Takigakure without even knowing this piece of information?" Genzo was almost amused by Anya's boldness before sighing tiredly, "Based on my intel, it should be Seven-Tails, Chomei."
"Oh? Seven-Tails. That shouldn't be too big of an issue."
Anya seemed less confident than before. From what he remembered, Seven-Tails was the only Tailed Beast capable of flight, and since it had shown no real combat achievements in the anime's depiction, its fighting power couldn't be that high.
Genzo was tired of his cryptic talk and asked directly, "What exactly is your plan?"
Anya didn't answer right away. Instead, he shot back, "Have you heard of the Kinto Exchange (a marketplace for bounties and contracts)?"
"I know what that is. It's like a marketplace where wealthy clients post bounties, and anyone can participate."
It suddenly hit Genzo what he meant. "You don't mean..."
Anya nodded firmly in confirmation.
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