After leaving Sunagakure, Anya quickly selected a suitable route. He knew his mentor, White Fang, had already arrived at the battlefield.
Sunagakure harbored Konoha's secret operatives. These spies contacted Anya through special markings, providing valuable intelligence to Konoha while also informing him about the current battle situation—both sides were locked in fierce combat.
The battle in Amegakure had ended six months ago. Once Hanzo's poison gas strategy was exposed, he stopped all activities and retreated into hiding, no longer causing trouble.
With an eagle companion, Anya's speed saw a qualitative leap. Along the way, everything went smoothly. To make this cover identity's death on the battlefield believable, he needed cooperation from his mentor, White Fang, to stage a convincing performance.
Soon, Anya landed at a Sunagakure stronghold. The leader of this outpost knew headquarters would send a puppet master, though probably didn't expect such a prompt arrival.
"You must be Kurotsuchi. Your speed is impressive. It seems your puppets are really good at delivering messages," the leader said, clearly satisfied with Anya's promptness.
Anya cut straight to the chase. "Got anything I need to do?"
"Not yet…"
Before the commander could finish speaking, a massive explosion suddenly shook them from outside.
Then came a piercing cry: "Enemy attack!"
The leader's expression changed instantly. Grabbing a kunai, he rushed out immediately.
Anya thought silently to himself, *As always, my teacher's timing is spot-on.* This Sunagakure stronghold's ninja were finished.
Ten minutes later, White Fang emerged from the billowing dust, an invisible aura of death spreading throughout the area.
Smiling, Anya was just about to step forward and flatter his mentor when an intangible killing intent locked onto him. Without warning, White Fang lunged forward, slashing downward toward Anya's forehead with his signature white-bladed sword.
"Damn! You're serious?!"
In an instant, Sword Art: Draw Technique executed. Twin streams of sword energy clashed midair. White Fang twisted his body, rapidly maneuvering up and down. In an instant, countless slashes surrounded Anya from all directions, completely sealing off any escape routes and forcing him into direct confrontation.
Anya let out a low snarl, [Dance of the Blade]. A sea of sword lights fluttered like butterflies dancing among flowers, completely blocking White Fang's rapid strikes—one attacking relentlessly, one defending impenetrably.
After the flurry of sword flashes passed, Anya soared skyward, shouting loudly, "If you wish to test me, then watch closely. Witness what I've mastered during my desert training!"
Before their eyes, Anya's tanto gleamed coldly. His expression was calm and composed, showing almost none of the usual human emotions—no happiness, anger, greed, or fear. His eyes, sharp as a wolf's, extended sharp glints through the blade's edge right up to White Fang, continuing infinitely across the earth, covering the eternal night over endless lands!
[Breaking the Blade]
The sword in his hand was no longer just a simple weapon; it directly acted upon the mind, merging perfectly with his will, indistinguishable from himself.
At that moment, the sword light seemed to gain a soul, awakening with bloodthirsty chill, like a lone wolf locking eyes with its prey.
White Fang's face lit up with brilliant intensity, fearlessly meeting the onslaught head-on.
[Challenging one's superior in rank] — defying authority through strength.
After their blades clashed, Anya staggered back and finally leaned against a large tree to catch his breath. His chest heaved unevenly, his body nearly drained of strength, yet an unusually happy expression lit up his face. Gasping for breath, he said, "Teacher, I actually blocked your three sword strikes."
White Fang slid his blade back into its sheath and simply replied, "Is that so?"
As those words fell, Anya's Sunagakure forehead protector dropped to the ground. Clearly, White Fang had held back just now—otherwise, it might have been his head that fell instead.
Seeing this, Anya showed no sign of disappointment as he said, "Thank you for holding back, Teacher."
"Looks like during this period you haven't neglected your Sword Art training," White Fang remarked. Then, forming hand seals, he released the sealing technique binding Anya. The familiar chakra flowed through his body once again—and it was significantly stronger.
Frowning slightly, Anya asked, "What is this?"
"This," explained White Fang, "is the reward for progressing under burdens. Return to the village and rest for a few days. From now on, your battlefield will be in Iwagakure."
"Iwagakure, huh?"
"That's right. Your intelligence was correct—the strength of Iwagakure far exceeds our expectations. Kumogakure has already been forced into retreat by them. Next, I believe their eyes will refocus on Konoha."
"So Hanzo truly knew something after all," thought Anya inwardly, then reminded him, "Teacher, be careful about Sunagakure's puppets when fighting them, and also watch out for their deadly poison. Don't get wounded, or else the poison will immediately spread through your bloodstream—it could be troublesome."
White Fang replied with great confidence, "Don't worry. I clearly understand the weaknesses of puppeteers. They won't get any opportunity."
Indeed, someone as fast and skilled in close combat as White Fang made him particularly effective against puppet users. Not to mention, his signature White Fang tanto was crafted specifically to sever chakra threads.
Riding atop a giant eagle, Anya quickly returned to Konoha. Once inside his room, he collapsed directly onto his bed and fell into a deep sleep. Though this time seemed relatively relaxing on the surface, his entire being had remained tense without even the slightest slackening, and mental exhaustion had constantly lurked within him.
When he woke up from his nap, Anya yawned widely while stretching his arms, then energetically pushed open the door and stepped outside. The dazzling sunlight temporarily blinded him slightly.
Compared with Sunagakure, Konoha was definitely a more pleasant place to live. Vendors, restaurants, and even various entertainment facilities were visible everywhere. Anya checked his pockets—nearly broke.
This wasn't surprising though—he'd been spending extravagantly with Sasori and Tenten during his stay in Sunagakure, and even worse, he'd hired Kakuzu for quite some time recently. That alone cost a lot. Maybe he should try his luck at gambling? But given his current status as a Konoha ninja, gambling was one of the major taboos for shinobi—it's strictly forbidden. If caught and reported to White Fang, it wouldn't end well.
Well then, maybe he could just find a rich target wandering outside the gambling hall instead! There was no need to enter the casino itself.
Just as he considered this idea, a suspicious-looking figure sneaked out from the gambling house straight into Anya's vision.
That unmistakable powerful presence and striking figure made it absolutely obvious—who else could it be besides Tsunade?
Oh right, the Sannin were often referred to as the "gambling, poison, and vice" trio! Especially Tsunade, the legendary sucker who never won a bet, despite her massive fortune. Who else could be a better gambling partner?
With that thought, Anya rushed over cheerfully and called out, "Tsunade-sama!"
Startled by being recognized, Tsunade quickly regained her composure. Recognizing Anya, she cleared her throat and tried to look stern. "Aren't you Haku's student? What brings you here, kid?"
Anya mischievously pulled out a deck of playing cards and waved them in front of Tsunade. "Wanna play a game?"
Tsunade's eyes lit up for a moment, but she soon shook her head and scolded, "You've got some nerve! Gambling's strictly forbidden for ninja."
"But I just happened to see..." Anya didn't finish her sentence, pointing at the small house behind Tsunade.
"Fine, just a quick game," Tsunade sighed, giving in once she realized she'd been caught.
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