After a night of research, dawn had already arrived. Two bottles of liquid were placed before Anya, finally completing the task assigned by Tsunade. It wasn't easy. Stretching her sore muscles, Anya stood up to relax.
At that moment, the door opened and a refreshed-looking Tsunade walked in. Obviously, after leaving this mess for Anya, she'd enjoyed a good night's sleep. Entering, her eyes immediately fell on the two vials on the table. She walked straight over, popped off a cap, and took a careful sniff. Her eyes lit up.
"Not bad," Tsunade remarked with an impressed whistle. "Didn't think you'd actually pull it off. Honestly, I considered one bottle an overachievement."
Are you serious? Why didn't you say that earlier? Do you have any idea how close my head was to exploding last night? Hearing this, Anya's teeth clenched in irritation, but on the surface she wore a slightly flattering smile as she asked, "Since we've gone above and beyond, can I rest tonight?"
Rest? You're still young—what do you need to rest for? Once you're six feet under, you can nap all you want. Tsunade quipped coldly. "Since your talent is so good, we should strike while the iron's hot. I even feel like the mission I gave you yesterday was too light."
???
Anya's face was full of question marks. I'm at my breaking point—I really can't handle this anymore. Even if my teacher yells at me, I've got to go turn to him for help. Making up her mind, Anya decided she'd go directly to her teacher's place and never come back here again.
Thus, Anya quickly said, "Then can I go back for a nap and return in the evening?"
"Mm, go ahead," Tsunade waved her off dismissively, already fully absorbed in examining the poison Anya had produced.
As soon as she exited, Anya made a beeline for the Interrogation Department without hesitation.
Upon arrival, she wandered around briefly looking for her teacher but couldn't find him. Instead, someone from the department noticed an Anbu shinobi hanging around aimlessly and found it suspicious, approaching to ask, "May I ask if there's an order delivered by the Hokage?"
Upon hearing this, Anya immediately pulled rank: "Oh, the Hokage sent me to look for Hatake Shuomao."
The person looked puzzled: "Huh? Didn't we just send someone earlier? They obtained a crucial piece of intelligence from the prisoner—it's possible he's being assigned a mission now."
Anya cleared her throat. "It's precisely because the mission is urgent that the Hokage dispatched multiple people. Maybe I got delayed a bit, but since the message has already been passed along, I'll just leave first."
Without waiting to see whether the person believed her or not, Anya quickly departed. Well, my teacher has a mission now? Perfect! Isn't this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity? I must insist he lets me join. That way, I'll escape this hell and also test out my new sword art. One move, two gains!
Soon enough, Anya reached the entrance of the Hokage's office and knocked.
"Come in."
As Anya stepped inside, she saw only the Third Hokage alone in the room. She respectfully greeted, "Greetings, Lord Hokage."
With a slight smile, the Third Hokage asked, "Why have you suddenly come here?"
Carefully, Anya replied, "Ah… I heard that Lord Hokage might have a mission for my teacher. Would it be possible for me to participate alongside him?"
The Third Hokage's smile slightly faded. "You arrived late. He's already set off. This mission is urgent — the information came from a prisoner, and things might change at any moment. Immediate departure is necessary."
Anya understood perfectly well and felt a tinge of disappointment inside. Still unwilling to give up, he asked, "Is there any other mission you could assign me?"
Seeing how eager Anya was to take on a mission, the Third found it somewhat unusual but didn't refuse. Frankly speaking, after the Second War ended, there were many leftover issues needing resolution. All available ninjas in the village had already been dispatched — even recent graduates were being used. Having an expert like Anya volunteering for missions was certainly a good thing.
After sifting through mission scrolls for a while, the Third Hokage's eyes suddenly locked onto a certain document. Upon opening it and glancing through its contents, his expression immediately turned complicated. Clearing his throat twice, he quickly stuffed the file into a bag and feigned indifference as he spoke, "Hmm, there actually happens to be a mission here for you. It relates to the future plans of our village — a prolonged and arduous task. I believe you can definitely succeed."
Saying this, the Third Hokage stepped forward and solemnly handed the file bag to Anya. From his attitude alone, one could sense the weight of responsibility behind this mission.
Well, if he places so much faith in me, then I'll accept it. At least it should be safer than staying around Tsunade.
Anya took the file bag and declared firmly, "I won't fail you on this mission."
Seeing that Anya had taken the bag, the Third Hokage immediately turned back and waved his hand. "Alright then, go home and familiarize yourself with the mission details first."
"Yes, sir."
Using the Shunshin technique, Anya vanished from the office. When he reappeared, curiosity drove him to open the file bag. After just a quick glance, he almost wanted to tear the documents to shreds.
Unbelievable! No wonder he let me go this morning — he was waiting for me here all along. What kind of grand plan for the village is this? The file said he must assist Tsunade in improving the medical system within the village. I'm not even a medic ninja. Okay, maybe I do know some things, but plenty of others do too. Why specifically me?
At this moment, Anya could practically imagine Tsunade smiling smugly inside the hospital.
Looks like escaping her grasp is impossible. Resigning himself, Anya accepted his fate — fine, I'll go. His heart filled with mischievous thoughts: One day, when I develop a poison you can't decipher, I'll knock you out, and then...
"Big brother, your smile looks really evil," a soft voice suddenly interrupted Anya's fantasy.
Startled upon hearing this voice, Anya instinctively touched his face. His mask was still on. Yet somehow, she'd seen him smile — how was that possible?
Approaching the owner of this voice, Anya examined her carefully. Just an ordinary little girl, without Byakugan.
"How did you know I was smiling just now?" he voiced his confusion.
The Little Girl herself looked puzzled as she replied, "I just knew."
That reply puzzled Anya — she didn't seem to be lying at all. Was this feeling some sort of ability — like perception, or something else?
Anya made a sorrowful expression behind his mask and asked, "How about now?"
The girl shook her head, indicating she couldn't see anymore.
That's strange. Was it really just a coincidence earlier? No way. Anya never believed in coincidences—he was certain there had to be a reason.
As Anya's mind raced, he suddenly had an odd suspicion. "Little girl, take another look."
With that, Anya formed hand seals and activated the [Spirit Transformation Technique]. A pitch-black spirit form emerged from his body, floated midair, and made a playful face at the girl.
The girl burst into laughter and playfully made a face back at the soul.
So, this girl really could see spirits.
Anya deactivated the [Spirit Transformation Technique] and fixed the little girl with a curious gaze. "What's your name?"
The little girl found him amusing and smiled as she replied, "My name is Rin Nohara."
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