Anya finished treating herself before starting on Haku. In truth, Haku's injuries were just as severe. Anya couldn't help wondering how she had managed to stay conscious longer than herself.
As the healing progressed, Kakuzu glanced outside through the window and suddenly spoke up, "Kid, that girl who saved you has been following us all along. What are you planning to do about it?"
Anya stiffened, her chakra for healing momentarily wavering. Actually, ever since she found out where those bandages came from, she'd already had suspicions but had intended to feign ignorance. Now that Kakuzu had brought it up, delaying further didn't seem viable.
While continuing the healing process, Anya asked Kakuzu, "Uncle, how far are we from Kiri now?"
Kakuzu answered promptly, "About a day's journey away."
Anya calculated in her mind. If so, they were still within the Land of Water. Did she come alone? How could Master Gen let her come by herself? Or perhaps Master Gen had accompanied her here as well?
Anya's eyes flickered with uncertainty, clearly torn and hesitant.
At this moment, Haku gently reached out and caressed Anya's face, speaking softly, "Go. From the first moment I saw you, I knew you were decisive. If you truly didn't want to go, you wouldn't be wearing this expression."
Haku's words hit hard and snapped Anya out of her hesitation. Indeed, if she simply walked away like this, she would never resolve it. It would be better to face it head-on and settle things quickly before returning peacefully.
Even though she had decided to confront her, Anya was still worried the girl might immediately throw a surprise attack upon seeing her—after all, in her current physical state, she was completely defenseless. She could only count on someone else for help.
Anya turned her gaze to Kakuzu, "Uncle, can I borrow your wind-nature mask to get me over there?"
Kakuzu activated Earth Grudge Fear and summoned a black, winged creature capable of flight, reminding her, "Kid, if things turn into a fight, it'll cost extra. Make sure you're ready to pay."
Clearly, Kakuzu fully understood that right now, Anya was absolutely broke—otherwise she wouldn't have bargained with him at length before eventually handing over a necklace as collateral.
Anya gritted her teeth, "If fighting really breaks out, I'll rush straight to the Kinto Exchange and complete a few bounty missions. I'll make sure to pay it back."
This time, Kakuzu approved of Anya's determination, waving his hand casually. "Then go ahead."
Mounting Kakuzu's summoned creature, Anya patted its head lightly, signaling that it was time to depart.
With a loud whistle, those small wings flapped hard, launching forward like a bolt, almost throwing Anya right off. She could only cling tightly onto it. Luckily, even though the beast looked terrifying, it felt surprisingly soft when she hugged it.
Kakuzu clearly knew where Terumi Mei was. Soon enough, the familiar tall, graceful figure came into Anya's sight.
They hadn't seen each other in just a few days, but the innocent cheerfulness had vanished from Terumi Mei's face. Her eyes, once filled with bright sparkle, were now dull. This reunion seemed to stretch across centuries, filled with mutual silence.
Finally, Anya was the one who broke the silence, "Thank you for the bandages—they saved my life."
Terumi Mei replied coldly, "No need to thank me. Originally, I intended to strangle you to death with them. You're just lucky to survive."
"Indeed, you've grown up. You've learned to say one thing and mean another."
Undoubtedly, the fault lay with Anya. As he gazed at the woman transformed by his actions, Anya suddenly asked, "Do you regret having married me?"
Terumi Mei was momentarily stunned by the question. Regret? Even she didn't know the answer herself—it might have been yes, or it might have been no.
Anya took a couple of steps closer. Instinctively and somewhat nervously, Terumi Mei stepped back. She realized she had no defense against him at all—a single sentence from him was enough to crack the wall she had so carefully built around her heart.
"I don't regret it," Anya's eyes sparkled with incredible intensity. "I don't regret anything I've done. I only regret the things I wanted to do but didn't act on. Whatever happens, you are my wife. We are bound by fate, but right now, we each have our own attachments. On some day in the future, when you're just you and I'm just I, I will come for you. Whether you agree or not, this is a man's promise."
After saying this, tears streamed directly down Terumi Mei's face. All the pent-up pressure and pain from the past few days suddenly found an outlet.
She threw herself into Anya's arms, hugging him tightly as tears continued to fall. It was as if she were trying to wash away his presence with her tears.
Far away, watching this scene through the Water Mirror Technique, Master Gen couldn't help but stomp his feet and beat his chest in frustration. Secretly, he regretted letting Terumi Mei come out. She had clearly been so thoroughly deceived, yet the moment they met, a few words were enough to win her over—she even threw herself into his arms willingly. Was there any hope left?
Just as Anya began to wonder whether he would drown in her tears, Terumi Mei stopped crying.
At this moment, her eyes were as brilliant as if they had been washed clean, like gems glowing in the deep black ocean. Deeply emotional, she asked, "I just need one answer: do you love me?"
Anya responded quickly, "Love gathers the most beautiful emotions in this world. Meeting you is the most beautiful thing in the world. Therefore, my feelings for you are, without a doubt, love."
Terumi Mei wouldn't let him off so easily. "Then say those three words. I want to hear them. I want to confirm it once again."
Anya spoke solemnly, word by word, "I love you."
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
After saying this, Terumi Mei made up her mind. Without looking back, she walked away, afraid that if she stayed any longer, she really wouldn't be able to resist following him.
Watching the girl's retreating figure, Anya sighed and climbed onto Kakuzu's summoned beast before beginning his return journey.
Once the beast returned into Kakuzu's body, having seen everything, Kakuzu couldn't help but sneer, "Brat, you're actually pretty deep. You almost impressed me a little."
Sighing, Anya said, "Those words were spoken by me in the identity of Oub. Uncle, you know that I'm not called Oub anymore."
Kakuzu understood immediately after a moment of shock, and said meaningfully, "Being devoid of sentiment and morality—this is good indeed."
Haku listened, feeling rather confused. The first half of the sentence sounded like an insult, while the second half sounded like praise. What exactly was going on?
Anya understood perfectly well. In Kakuzu's mind, being devoid of sentiment and morality was considered a virtue, after all, the only thing he truly believed in was money.
Anya had mixed feelings about that girl. If she had to put a name to them, love wouldn't quite fit—not yet, at least. If she truly loved her, knowing herself as she did, she would've taken the girl with her no matter what, instead of leaving things hanging for later. But there was definitely some affection involved; otherwise, she wouldn't have gone out of her way to visit her in the first place. For now, this would have to do. Once she settled things with her master, she'd work hard to grow stronger and then return to Kiri. First, she'd deal with those so-called Seven Pursuers, and only then could she focus on building their relationship.
With her thoughts sorted, Anya turned her attention to recovering her strength, eager to leave and return to the village as soon as possible. She couldn't wait to get going!
<><><><><><><><>
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
<><><><><><><><>