Kakuzu replied in an unfriendly tone, "Kid, I don't have the mood for jokes."
"C'mon, we're saying goodbye after all. A little humor helps ease the sadness of parting," Anya said, pulling out a scroll and handing it over.
Kakuzu didn't take it immediately but asked, "What is this?"
"I guess I'll be staying here for a while. This is the information I've gathered from various countries recently, along with some of my own guesses. Please help me deliver it to the Legend of the White Fang. Naturally, this isn't part of our employment agreement—I'll pay extra for this."
In times of war, apart from the native shinobi, hired shinobi also exist. With Kakuzu's abilities, there was no doubt he could deliver the information. It all came down to whether he was willing.
Kakuzu silently looked at Anya for a moment before finally taking the scroll. "If I deliver your message, the bounty will be high."
Seeing that he had agreed, Anya smiled happily. "Any problem money can solve isn't really a problem. Just name the price, Uncle."
In the end, Kakuzu quoted a surprisingly modest figure before slowly walking toward the outskirts of Sunagakure Village. Anya followed closely behind to see him off.
"Kid, once we part ways this time, we probably won't meet again," Kakuzu muttered inwardly, strangely feeling reluctant. It had been many years since anyone had stayed with him this long and still lived—maybe this kid was the first one he never really wanted to kill.
Anya smiled brightly. "Uncle, we'll meet again. I hope next time, you'll seriously consider my previous offer."
"Offer?" Kakuzu paused momentarily, recalling the boy's earlier flippant remark about forming an organization. This time, instead of brushing it off with words as before, he simply turned and walked away.
Not long after Kakuzu left, Ebizō appeared beside Anya. "Little one, it seems you've already made your decision."
"Of course, Teacher." Anya politely bowed.
"Hah!" Ebizō burst into laughter. "I don't even know your name yet, and you're already calling me teacher."
"Oh, my name's Kurotsuchi," Anya made up a name on the spot. After all, neither "Anya" nor "Yunbai" could be used openly.
"Kurotsuchi, huh? That's a dependable-sounding name," Ebizō chuckled. "Alright then—welcome to Sunagakure Village." He stretched out one hand halfway in the air, eyes filled with expectation. Obviously, if Anya wanted to learn puppet techniques from him, the only requirement was to join Sunagakure.
Anya caught on immediately. Smiling slightly, he extended his hand too, clasping Ebizō's firmly. "It's my honor."
On that day, Anya donned the signature forehead protector of Sunagakure. From then on, Sunagakure gained a new puppet master named Kurotsuchi.
Right from the start of his training, Anya displayed astonishing talent. His nimble hands handled puppet threads perfectly, mastering several basic puppet techniques almost instantly, skillfully controlling them simultaneously.
Ebizō couldn't stop grinning. He knew he had hit the jackpot—a talent likely surpassing even himself and his sister combined.
Anya maintained her focus on study and training, avoiding distractions from village affairs. While learning, she also read books about the Puppet Technique. This technique originated from the Second Kazekage Shamon and was further developed by Monzaemon for use in battle. The most powerful puppets were the Chikamatsu Collection—each of these ten puppets had unique weapons, ninja tools, and offensive methods. Only Chiyo had the skill to wield them effectively at this level.
So during the previous fight against Hanzo, Chiyo must have known she couldn't defeat him and didn't use her ultimate puppet techniques, deliberately holding back her strength.
Generally speaking, a puppeteer's power was proportional to the number of puppets they controlled. For example, when you first learn puppetry, you may require ten fingers to control just one puppet. But as your skills improve, you can control ten puppets using only a single finger. In theory, this could be infinitely stacked as long as your abilities allowed.
So being a puppeteer offered almost endless room for growth. However, there would always be weaknesses—that is, the puppeteer's original body. Anya clearly understood this point. During her spare time while studying puppetry, she never abandoned her training in sword arts.
Before she knew it, more than two months had passed since arriving in Sunagakure Village. Sunagakure was probably the place she'd stayed the longest besides Konoha. She completed the one-year study plan Ebizō assigned in just two months—and went beyond it.
Ebizō's greatest strength wasn't in manipulating puppets, but in crafting them, which suited Anya perfectly. The reason she wanted to stay was precisely for this. However, her ambition was a bit greater—she hoped to create a flying puppet.
Should she go ask her teacher for some inspiration? Thinking of it, she decided to act immediately. Anya went to the teacher's office but didn't find him there. Did he go fishing *again*?
Right then, a childish voice suddenly piped up: "Are you looking for Ebizō-san? He's not in the village anymore."
Anya turned around. A boy around six years old emerged—red hair, incredibly handsome and cute.
"Who are you?"
The child spoke in his adorable, babyish tone: "My name is Sasori. Both Ebizō-san and Chiyo-bāsan are gone now. They said something about going to war."
"War? That shouldn't be the case."
Anya felt puzzled. Why would Hanzo, whose weakness Chiyo had uncovered, end up in a stalemate with Sunagakure for so long? Was he really that strong, or was Sunagakure simply too weak?
"I heard we're fighting someone called Konoha," Sasori said, making Anya suddenly feel alarmed.
Oh come on. So it turned out to be a war between two great nations. No wonder things weren't strange anymore. At this rate, even two months wouldn't matter—this might drag on for two years. Looks like she'd have to work things out on her own for now. Anya became somewhat disheartened.
Thoughtfully, Sasori asked, "You're Ebizō-san's student, right? I've heard him praise you often. What did you come looking for Ebizō-san for?"
What could a brat like him possibly understand? Anya casually replied, "I want to build a flying puppet. I came here to ask him about it."
"Ask me then. I know how!" Sasori proudly laughed.
Anya stared at him in disbelief: "You?"
Seeing Anya's disbelief, Sasori tugged at his sleeve and said, "Come on, I'll show you my treasure."
Sasori pulled Anya into a small room. Several small puppets lined the windowsill.
Sasori picked up a bird-shaped puppet and pressed one of its wings. The little bird flapped its wings and flew up, but soon lost power and fell to the ground.
It couldn't fly for long, but Sasori had been truthful—he really could make flying puppets. This kid really was a genius... Sticking around didn't seem so bad after all.
Anya let go of the idea of leaving. A familiar smile spread across his face as he enthusiastically clapped his hands. "Sasori, you're amazing! Come on, let's work together—we'll build something epic!"
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