After retrieving the marked intelligence, Anya swiftly arrived at the designated location. The place was in ruins, with broken walls everywhere and deep sword marks on the ground. Fragments of puppets were scattered about, and the air was thick with blood. Along the path lay several Suna ninja corpses, clearly the aftermath of a fierce battle.
Following the trail of combat, Anya finally spotted White Fang standing silently at the far end, his blade already sheathed.
"What happened? Didn't you kill all the Suna ninja here? It seems like there are no enemies left," Anya said while scanning the area using her Sharingan. Only a group of children without any fighting ability remained. Clearly, the capable Suna ninjas had already fallen to White Fang's blade.
"Yes, there are no enemies left." Hearing Anya's voice, White Fang instinctively responded before letting out a heavy sigh. "I stumbled upon this stronghold by accident. Here, I encountered two Puppet Masters—the strongest ones I've ever met. They were incredibly skilled. Initially, I thought such powerful puppeteers must be guarding Sunagakure's most important supply base. But it turned out they fought desperately just to protect these children."
Unsure of his meaning, Anya asked, "So... why did you call me here?"
White Fang fixed his sharp gaze upon Anya's masked face and said, "I know you have ways to infiltrate Sunagakure. This time, I want you to return these children safely to their village."
Anya blurted, "Teacher, you can't be serious, right?"
White Fang's expression remained serious as he replied, "This is something only you can do."
Realizing White Fang wasn't kidding at all, Anya spoke with great confusion: "Teacher, this isn't somewhere else—it's a battlefield. Regardless of whether or not they have combat abilities, they're still our enemies. I get it if you want to show mercy and let them live. But actually rescuing them? Taking them back to their village? Do you want them to grow up and one day take up swords to kill us?"
Anya's words left White Fang silent. After a long pause, he sighed again. "I don't know if what I'm doing is right. But those two Puppet Masters kept begging me not to hurt the children before they died. I admit... my heart softened. And I also thought—if Kakashi were in a similar situation someday, I would hope the enemy ninja could spare him too."
After speaking, White Fang waited quietly for Anya's reply.
Anya looked at her teacher as though seeing him for the first time. She had always believed that on the battlefield, her teacher was ruthless and decisive—yet inside, he was surprisingly gentle. Perhaps every battle he fought, every rush between war zones, was driven by his longing to end this chaotic age and bring back peaceful days.
Anya turned her gaze toward the group of children. Now, they were trembling, huddling together like helpless lambs awaiting slaughter, their eyes wide with fear.
Suddenly, Anya noticed the two fallen Suna ninja lying before the children. After carefully examining them, she couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
"What's wrong?" White Fang noticed something off.
After confirming several times, Anya spoke with a hint of melancholy in her voice: "I was in Sunagakure for such a long time, and I actually made a very good friend. If I'm not mistaken, these two puppeteers must be his parents."
Hearing this, White Fang could only sigh and give a helpless bitter smile.
Anya summoned a puppet and placed the two corpses inside, then turned to White Fang and said: "Teacher, please erase these children's memories from today—they'll be safe if they don't remember anything. I'll send them back to the village."
For once, White Fang thanked her: "Alright, thank you."
With that, White Fang began carving a formation, sealing it with hand signs to erase the children's memories, causing them to fall into a deep sleep.
After finishing everything, White Fang warned Anya carefully: "Be cautious—if things go wrong, make sure to save yourself first."
Anya nodded and replied: "I will."
Most ninja would find transporting a bunch of kids to Sunagakure a real pain—but not Anya. During her time spent with Sasori, she had already thoroughly memorized every inch of Sunagakure—including all its secret passages. Plus, her scroll contained quite a few puppets perfectly suited for carrying the children.
Soon enough, Anya summoned a wooden bull transport puppet and stuffed all the sleeping children into its belly, removed her Anbu disguise, painted her face like a puppeteer, and set off.
Indeed, the journey was smooth the entire way. As she approached Sunagakure, Anya followed the familiar path and sneaked effortlessly into the village, making it look surprisingly easy.
However, while thinking where exactly she should leave the children, a voice suddenly whispered in her ear: "Who are you, and why do you know about this hidden passage?"
Recognizing the familiar voice, Anya smiled joyfully and turned toward the source: "Sasori, long time no see."
"Big Brother Kurotsuchi?" Sasori stepped out from the shadows, slightly disbelieving: "I heard from grandma that on your very first day at war, you were attacked and died, and they never even found your body. So you're still alive—thank goodness."
Anya hopped down from the wooden bull, looking at the cheerful Sasori before her. A wave of guilt rose within her. She gently pulled him into a hug, hesitating before finally saying softly: "Sasori, war's brutal—no one can guarantee they'll come home safe from battle. I just got lucky and barely escaped with my life."
Sasori, with childish innocence, said: "If war is so scary, then don't go anymore. Stay here with me instead. My parents are gone now, and grandma is always busy handling affairs—I end up all alone every day, and it's really boring."
"That won't be possible," Anya said as she patted Sasori's shoulder. "It's our fate as ninja to fight. You're still too young to understand right now. But when you grow up and become a real ninja, I'll come get you. Then we can fight side by side—who knows, maybe even together."
Though initially upset upon hearing Anya refuse, Sasori's lips curled upward after hearing what came next. He held out his pinky: "Then promise me. Pinky swear."
"Alright, I promise."
They locked pinkies right then, binding their futures together on the road ahead.
After finalizing their promise, Anya pointed toward the Wooden Bull Transport Puppet behind her and said, "Inside are some children I rescued from the battlefield. I'll go place them somewhere safe before leaving."
"Wait," Sasori stopped her and pulled out a small bird-shaped puppet. "Anya-ge, when I become a ninja, please don't forget to come find me. This puppet carries my mark—use it to contact me."
"All right, I will," Anya accepted it with a serious nod.
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
Want to read the subsequent content in advance?
Please follow my Patreon:patreon/Tansnovel
Tans Novel - The Fastest-Updating Naruto Fanfiction Account
Read 100+ chapters in advance, with at least 3 new chapters updated every day! More free chapters! 20+ Naruto fanfictions!
Just three steps:
1. Download and open the "Patreon" app
2. Search for "Tans Novel"
3. Click on the collection and enjoy to your heart's content
<><><><><><><><>