Anya wasn't surprised to see her. Before even seeing her face, the hurried footsteps and towering presence already revealed her identity—Tsunade.
He knew she'd come. Ever since their last encounter when she unexpectedly gave him *the* medicine to help him recover, he realized that their relationship had actually become quite close. Plus, as she continued reforming the village's medical system, she always had time to visit.
But he didn't expect things to line up so perfectly today. Since they both happened to be here now, it saved him an extra trip later.
They locked eyes for a few seconds—their first real eye contact in a long time—and an amused smile slowly crept onto Anya's face as he prepared to greet her. But before he could say anything, Tsunade cut in first, asking a question that sent a cold sweat down his back.
"Where's that necklace I gave you?"
Tsunade had noticed it missing last time, but back then there hadn't been time to ask. Today, however, she had plenty of time—and planned to get to the bottom of it.
As soon as Tsunade asked, it suddenly clicked for Anya. Half a year had gone by, and he'd totally forgotten about it. He didn't even remember he still owed thirty million—not that he'd kept track—well, make that forty million with interest now.
He absolutely couldn't tell her the truth. If she found out he'd pawned it off to pay debts, his life would probably be in danger.
Anya pulled back his smile instantly, replacing it with sorrowful indignation. "Last time, during the mission, I was chased and nearly killed by many enemies. The necklace must've fallen off then. Must've been picked up by some ninja or another. Once I get out, I'll definitely go back and find it, no matter what it takes."
"Oh forget it," Tsunade replied casually. After all, Anya's injuries were clearly real; there was disappointment in her tone, but she didn't press further. Instead, she said, "Once you're out, don't think about running around everywhere, and absolutely no swordplay."
"Wait, what?" Anya looked confused. "Why not?"
Tsunade waved a document in front of him smugly and said with a slight pout, "I already talked it over with the old man. After you get out, you're joining my medical division directly."
Anya took the paper and glanced over it twice, letting out a helpless chuckle. He really wondered how Tsunade managed to get hold of this document. Looks like he really was becoming a Medical Ninja from here on out. Not a big deal though—at least once the Third Battle begins, the Third Hokage will surely call upon him again. After all, he was a blade tempered by White Fang himself, and wouldn't remain stuck inside the medical department forever.
So, Anya replied politely, "Then I'll be under your care, Tsunade-sama."
Tsunade shot him a glare and calmly produced a second document. "You've behaved well these past six months. The old man gave the order to lift your high-risk prisoner status, moving you to a regular prison cell."
So that explained the change in his prison status—it made sense why so many people came to see him today.
But this new document... left much to be desired. Most ordinary prisons weren't single cells; they were upstairs, far away from these underground tunnels. That kind of distance would be super inconvenient. With so many eyes watching, how would he sneak out to meet Serpent Master? No way—he'd just pretend he never saw it.
Anya declined gently, saying, "There's no need for me to move out—I'm staying right here."
Tsunade, fully expecting gratitude, eyed him suspiciously and said, "Have you been locked up for half a year and gone crazy? You actually got used to staying here?"
Everyone knew how oppressive the Maximum-Security Wing could be—it was like a pitch-black dungeon. Without a soul in sight and trapped in suffocating darkness, even the strongest minds might break after days of confinement. And Anya claimed he'd gotten used to it? Tsunade couldn't help suspecting something was wrong with his head.
"I'm serious," Anya said sincerely, staring at Tsunade.
Tsunade shoved the Document into his hands and scoffed, "Then read this first."
[Could there possibly be more key information?]
Upon looking closer, there really was something off. It turned out his regular prison cell had been specially constructed separately from the rest of the facility. To prevent escape attempts, there were dedicated guards watching over him—and that guard was none other than Tsunade herself.
"What's going on?" Anya asked, puzzled.
Tsunade stared back as though looking at an idiot and said, "Still don't get it? From now on, I'll be supervising you. Plus, since we're right in the middle of critical healthcare reforms, keeping you locked up here is useless. Instead, you can do some work for me inside the prison."
Got it. So she dragged some poor bastard straight into jail—how original. How did the Third even agree to this deal? And most importantly, what about Serpent Master if I go with you?
Seeing Anya fall silent with a thoughtful expression instead of looking happy, Tsunade immediately grew displeased. Her voice became threatening, "What? Don't tell me you're refusing?"
Little did anyone know how many trips she had made to the old man's office just to pull Anya out. After finally succeeding, instead of gratitude, Anya looked indifferent—as if everything she'd done had been pointless. A sudden wave of bitterness welled up inside Tsunade.
"How could that be?" Quickly understanding the situation, Anya silently apologized inwardly to Serpent Master before plastering a broad smile across his face and saying, "I'm just so thrilled I couldn't react in time. Knowing how much effort you've put into getting this Document approved, Tsunade-sama, you're practically my savior, like a second parent!"
She felt quite pleased at first listening to his words until the last sentence completely shattered her composure. She swung a punch straight toward him, shouting furiously: "Damn it! Who wants to be your mom? Am I really that old?"
Anya took the hit head-on. Good thing she didn't use her monster strength. Rubbing the spot where he'd been struck, he quickly started buttering her up again, "Of course you're not old, Tsunade-sama! Anyone seeing us walk together might mistake you for my little sister."
But somehow, Tsunade found his tone unsettling and responded with a quiet, eerie voice, "And you really want me to be your sister?"
Man, she's impossible to please, Anya sighed inwardly. Tentatively, he tried another approach, "How about… calling you Big Sister? That okay?"
Tsunade thought for a moment before finally nodding, "Fine."
Unaware of the subtle familial downgrade she had unknowingly accepted, Tsunade failed to realize that just recently, this very "younger brother" had been affectionately addressing Orochimaru as "Uncle."
After stepping outside and adjusting briefly to the sunlight, Anya soon followed Tsunade toward the new prison facility.
Anya hadn't expected this when she laid eyes on it. This place? A prison? It's clearly a luxury mansion! The exterior combines bluish-gray stone slabs with steel-framed structures, all wrapped in wooden panels on the outside. Through the contrast of different materials—cold meeting warm—it creates an incredibly striking visual effect.
Inside, every conceivable facility and piece of equipment was available—there were even natural caves used for hot spring bathing in the winter. Next to this place, the Maximum-Security Wing wasn't even close to being as impressive as an unfinished building. Can this even be called imprisonment?
Did I come here on vacation…?
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