Anya carried Sasori through the air until they finally stopped beside a massive waterfall encircling an entire village.
The reason for stopping was simple—they had hit a barrier. Anya glanced down at the village below and was about to speak when…
Sasori's eyes turned cold as he said, "Brother Kurotsuchi, are we attacking this village? Let me break through this barrier."
"Don't." Anya quickly stopped him, adding with a sigh, "Sasori, stop always looking so bloodthirsty. Try making a few friends—it won't hurt you."
"Friends?" Sasori shook his head. "I already have you, Brother Kurotsuchi."
"Fine then." Ever since Sasori had lost his parents, his personality had solidified—this wasn't something that could be changed with just a few words. Anya didn't say much more. He raised his hand and sent a bolt of lightning forward, striking the barrier and sending ripples through it—an informal greeting.
"Who's there?"
Shortly afterward, a middle-aged man arrived swiftly, riding a mechanical contraption from inside the village.
Anya immediately focused on this man, a faint smile forming on his lips. As for Sasori, he stared intently at the machine with great interest, seemingly trying to figure out how it worked.
The middle-aged man soon spotted the two figures above him, briefly flashed surprise in his eyes, then hurriedly approached with a humble tone: "This humble servant Genzo greets you, Lord."
"Oh?" Anya hadn't expected that even after so many years apart, Genzo not only still recognized him but also remained so respectful—he truly was clever.
"Open the barrier," Anya casually commanded.
"Yes." Without hesitation, Genzo pressed both hands together into a seal, deactivating the barrier. Just then, a little girl flew up toward them—short aqua-colored hair, dark skin, and orange eyes. She shouted as she came, "Grandpa! Grandpa! Are we having guests?"
Both Anya and Sasori were stunned at once. Flying ninja weren't common, especially among such young children.
Anya couldn't help but ask, "Who is she?"
Genzo looked at her fondly, chuckling softly as he answered, "You don't remember? According to her grandfather, she met you when you first visited the village. Of course, she was very little back then."
Now reminded, Anya recalled: "So she must be *that* person's granddaughter then."
"That's correct," Genzo replied while gently patting the little girl's head. "Fuu, behave now—these aren't ordinary guests. You should address him the same way I do, as your master."
"Master…?" Fuu shyly looked at the two newcomers, clearly awestruck by their striking good looks. Half her body hid behind Genzo's back, yet her eyes peeked out curiously.
"Just call me Brother," Anya said with a gentle smile. With that, he and Sasori descended. Looking around, Takigakure seemed far more prosperous than it had been years ago—alive with human energy. It seemed Genzo had managed things here quite well.
Anya followed Genzo all the way until they entered the tallest building in Takigakure, where they finally stopped.
Observing the structure, Anya suddenly understood and asked, "Oh? So now you lead Takigakure? Or have you already renamed it?"
"No renaming," Genzo replied. "The Village Hidden in the Hot Spring Mist belongs to the past, and I prefer not to stir any further troubles."
A trace of nostalgia flickered in Genzo's eyes as he pointed toward the building, saying, "Someone like me doesn't deserve to be Kage. I've always kept this position open for you. Now that you're back, you can move into this building. Tomorrow I'll gather all the villagers together..."
"Don't," interrupted Anya before Genzo could finish. "I'm still a ninja of Konoha. I can't be Kage of another village. Besides, I have no interest in managing a village. If you don't want to be Kage, just pick a capable young man from the village."
Genzo frowned unhappily, saying, "That won't work."
Finding a new Takikage wasn't hard—but what if the new one ended up ticking off Anya? Years had passed, and the man he had submitted to was already close to Kage-level strength, even if he hadn't quite reached it. Genzo knew his true nature too well.
Anya chuckled silently and said, "Genzo, it feels like you're afraid of me ever since we met again. You weren't like this before."
"Back then, the village was already gone. I had nothing to be attached to, so I had nothing to fear," Genzo replied bluntly. "Now everyone from the Village Hidden in the Hot Spring Mist is living here comfortably, slowly integrating in. I now have new attachments, so of course I've changed from who I used to be."
Anya patted Genzo on the shoulder and said, "You don't need to fear me as long as you haven't wronged me. I told you long ago—I may be indifferent, but I'm not heartless. This village is great. In the future, I won't bring the war here either. That's my promise to you."
Upon hearing these words, Genzo excitedly knelt on the ground and said, "Thank you, Master."
"Stand up. From now on, just call me Young Master."
With that, Anya went inside the building with Sasori and made himself at home. Genzo quickly prepared drinks and dishes for the two, even thoughtfully inviting two female villagers to accompany them.
At first, the two young women seemed shy when they arrived, but the moment they saw Anya and Sasori, hearts practically floated in their eyes, and they joyfully ran over. As they got closer, however, they hesitated, clearly considering whom to approach, caught in indecision.
Before Anya could react, Sasori frowned deeply and was about to say something in disgust—
Anya stopped him in time with a shake of his head, then smiled at the two girls. "You've already done your part. You should go back and get some sleep now."
Hearing this, the two girls' minds went blank—they had clearly fallen for a genjutsu—and they simply nodded before leaving.
Sasori asked curiously, "Why so polite to them, Kurotsuchi?"
Anya replied with a meaningful expression, "I've always been polite to those who don't threaten me. I don't want them affecting my mood."
Sasori nodded, half-understanding yet fully convinced that Kurotsuchi's words held deep wisdom.
After finishing their meal, Genzo returned, asking, "Young Master must have some plan for coming here this time."
"Yes."
As both were intelligent men, conversation was naturally easy, so Anya held nothing back. "This time, I plan to set up a loose organization here, recruit some people, and take on bounty missions."
Genzo immediately understood and asked, "Something like the Kinto Exchange?"
"There's still a difference."
Anya explained, 'Making money is secondary. This organization mainly recruits people with unique powers. Who knows? They might come in handy someday.'
Listening to this, Genzo realized the young master must have grand plans, though he dared not ask further.
Sasori had no such hesitation and asked directly, "Kurotsuchi, what do you want with those people?"
Anya said solemnly, each word deliberate: "I want to change this world ruled by ninjas."
Sasori never doubted Anya's capabilities and immediately responded, "Great idea, Kurotsuchi! Why don't we build a Transmorpher world?"
A proper upbringing does wonders.
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