Anya followed Mabui to the temporary residence provided by Nian Nian. As soon as they entered, she was overwhelmed by how much had been crammed inside.
"Are you trying to empty Konoha?"
There wasn't even space to set foot, aside from a bed.
Mabui said shyly, "Isn't this because you told me to go around and explore? After earning a salary all these years, I finally have the chance to spend it, so of course I wanted to buy more things."
Anya asked in confusion, "Didn't you ever go out spending during all those years in Sunagakure (Sand Village)?"
Sighing involuntarily at the mention of it, Mabui replied, "Coming to Konoha made me understand why the Great Ninja World War (The war among ninja villages) happened. Compared to Konoha, Sunagakure has such a harsh environment that survival itself is already a struggle. How could we afford any extra expenses like..."
"Don't get sentimental," Anya interrupted. "Since you've filled this place completely, come with me and let's relax somewhere else."
"Relax? Where to?"
"Onsen."
Inside the hot spring pool, Anya removed her mask and lazily leaned back, enjoying the steam rising from the outdoor acidic pool. She let herself relax and enjoy the peaceful, warm comfort.
After washing away all fatigue, Anya sensed with her soul that Mabui had changed into a swimsuit and was staring at her intently without blinking. So she teased, "What? You want to soak here too? No problem. I've already asked the owner—this is a mixed-gender bathhouse."
"Who wants to bathe with you! I just came over to take a look." After saying that, Mabui quickly sneaked off, not explaining exactly what she was looking at.
Not long after, Anya submerged herself underwater; the ripples thickened the already hazy mist above. From afar, it seemed like paradise.
A shadow slipped inside silently, gliding lightly across the water before sinking beneath its surface.
The person, with a voice magnetic and deep, said, "Anya, I didn't expect you to invite me here."
The water rippled as Anya burst forth from beneath the surface. She emerged looking clean and pure, exuding an otherworldly aura. Her snow-white hair flowed like silk, and her eyes shone with brilliance.
Smiling, Anya asked, "Should I call you uncle or aunt now?"
"Gender holds no meaning for me. Did you pick this place just to check if my Living Corpse Reincarnation worked?"
The figure in the pool was none other than Orochimaru, currently entirely naked. His feminine features were extremely distinct—flawless white skin like snow.
After the knockout stages, the Konoha Destruction Plan (Konoha no Hōkai Keikaku) would officially begin. Anya knew Orochimaru would definitely come looking for her eventually. It was better for her to take the initiative and summon him through her soul first.
Anya observed him carefully before sighing, "This new body truly has more vitality, but what about your soul? Over time, they'll inevitably become incompatible. Seems like changing bodies might soon become routine for you."
Orochimaru, fully aware of this issue, spoke darkly, "That's precisely why I sought out Sasuke. I've nearly mastered Hashirama's Essence already. When Senju Clan combines with Uchiha Clan, Myriad Phenomena power will arise—that's what *you* once told me."
"The combination isn't that simple," Anya reminded. "Have you seen my current body?"
"Looks perfect. I used up all my energy to get here. Don't doubt me — right now, my Chakra is almost gone."
Hearing this, Orochimaru's eyes lit up. His serpentine pupils narrowed into vertical slits, locking onto Anya's neck. His long tongue extended instinctively to lick his lips.
Anya naturally understood Orochimaru's obvious desire: "I invited you here hoping we could both relax. Please, don't get any wrong ideas."
"Should I really not eat meat offered right in front of me?"
Consumed by desire, Orochimaru stretched his neck forward. His mouth opened wide, revealing sharp fangs. Like a striking serpent, he lunged at Anya.
"Huh? How could this happen?"
An intense pain surged through Orochimaru's body. The Chakra he had gathered in preparation to drain blood immediately drained away, leaving his body limp and powerless, as if he had become an ordinary man.
This sensation felt familiar.
Anya explained his confusion: "It's the power of [Sage Art]. I've infused this pool water with that energy. Your body couldn't contain it before. After changing bodies, the rejection will only be stronger. Now, can we talk properly?"
Orochimaru, having failed to attack, dispersed the Chakra. The rejection sensation instantly vanished. He couldn't help but smirk mockingly: "Hehe, Anya, I never expected you'd be so cautious about me."
Anya replied with a pout: "I've been completely honest with you. Why would I even need to be cautious? I just use Sage Art's natural energy for training when I have free time. I just want to recover my own strength faster."
Orochimaru sneered: "You're still as two-faced as ever."
Facing the accusation, Anya shrugged: "You're not as nice to me as you used to be. Because you now have an assistant wearing glasses? Did he take my place?"
Thinking of Kabuto Yakushi, Orochimaru scoffed: "I've never compared him with you. In my heart, no one can match you — not in my eyes."
Anya replied without modesty: "That's true. I do believe that."
After finishing the preamble, they got down to business.
Orochimaru spoke directly: "When the main match begins, I'll disguise myself as Kazekage to approach Sarutobi. At the same time, my summoned beasts will cause chaos within the village. Since Sunagakure is your territory, we'll be counting on you next."
"In other words, you're only responsible for an old man close to death, and I have to handle all the hard nuts to crack?" Anya expressed dissatisfaction: "Then you might be disappointed by me."
"Hmph." Orochimaru snorted coldly: "So many years have passed. Your organization has been secretly developing. How strong it has become, I can't confirm. But it's definitely sufficient to destroy a Konoha."
Anya admitted: "Indeed, I can do that. But it's unnecessary. Don't forget, I'm only assisting your attack. You're the main force. I don't want to steal your spotlight."
"Then do you know?" Orochimaru continued, "During your silence all these years, another organization emerged. Its strength surpasses your organization. Once we capture Konoha and use it as our stronghold, it'll be easy for us to create a storm. Just like how the Spinning Shuriken should rotate — the direction is entirely in our hands now." Orochimaru's eyes brimmed with ambition.
Anya pushed back against Orochimaru's ambition: "Looks like you've met a lot of people and learned a lot over the years. Why must you be the one to make the Spinning Shuriken turn? Isn't it better to just wait for the wind to rise?"
Orochimaru's eyes darkened, his tone turning cold: "So you're saying I should wait until you're fully recovered before trying to reshape this world? What makes you think you can succeed where I cannot?"
"Future me will definitely be stronger than you, whether you accept it or not. If even I fail, your failure will be far worse."
The moment those words were spoken, tension filled the hot spring. Orochimaru's killing intent surged outward without restraint.
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