"We are ninjas from Konoha, and our mission orders are to capture or eliminate members of the Akatsuki Organization. Unfortunately, we won't be backing down," Asuma declared solemnly, raising the blade in his hand.
"Hahaha," Hidan burst into laughter. "Hey, Kakuzu, what do we do now? You might not care about earning money, but they aren't about to let us go easily either."
Kakuzu frowned. If they wanted to die, he wouldn't show any mercy to these brats.
"Let's go."
Upon hearing these words, Hidan raised his scythe, his face filled with excitement. "You can sit this one out, Kakuzu. I'll handle this myself—another offering for Lord of Evil."
Kakuzu stood aside, coldly stating, "Don't get careless. I won't save you."
"Don't worry about it," Hidan roared loudly and charged forward.
Anya and Orochimaru chatted along the way and, before they realized it, had already arrived at the entrance of the Kiri village. This time, Anya's power had long since improved dramatically—his entire being had transformed completely. Without needing Haku's help, he easily infiltrated the village.
Master Gen, who was peacefully fishing, suddenly felt startled. Vaguely sensing something, he frowned and opened his eyes. Then he tugged his fishing rod; a fish had already taken the bait.
Anya entered Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode and pushed his senses to their limit. He scanned the entire village but couldn't sense even a flicker of Six-Tails' aura. Something wasn't right.
"Why isn't it here? Could Sasori's intelligence be incorrect?"
Orochimaru replied, "The intelligence is accurate. My network confirms Six-Tails is in Kiri. But the information came too easily... almost like the village wanted us to know."
Anya asked, "Why would the Kiri village do that?"
After a brief pause, Orochimaru replied, "As war weapons, tailed beasts hold significant strategic value for every village. I believe Six-Tails probably isn't in Kiri anymore."
"Forget guessing around. It's too much trouble. Let's just find someone to ask directly."
Anya's eyes gleamed, and his figure vanished instantly.
Master Gen lifted his fishing rod, and a nearly half-meter-long fish leapt out of the water, splashing droplets in all directions.
"Haha, I got a big one!" Master Gen was overjoyed, immediately putting it into the fish basket he had prepared.
"Master Gen, your fishing skills are truly amazing. This fish will last for several meals," a voice chimed in with admiration.
Gen recognized the voice and felt a sense of familiarity, but as he turned around, his initial joy instantly turned into rage. His eyes radiated killing intent as he spat, "You swindler—you dare come to the Kiri Village again?"
"A swindler?" Orochimaru, perched on his shoulder, heard the remark and his eyes lit up with curiosity. He leaned down with interest, ready to hear some gossip.
Anya smiled slightly and said, "That was many years ago, Master Gen. Why still hold so much hostility toward me?"
"Many years ago? You make it sound so simple. Should I address you now as Oub, or Uchiha Anya?" Gen's face darkened, his snake-shaped cane twitching in his hands.
"Just a name—nothing more. Call me whatever you prefer, Master Gen."
Anya said calmly, "To be honest, I came here today because I need a favor."
Master Gen impatiently waved his hand and said, "One word for you—get lost."
Anya didn't get angry either. She politely replied, "Alright then. Since Master Gen has no desire to even hear me out, I'll take my leave now."
A look of shock and suspicion flashed across Orochimaru's eyes. When had this guy ever been this obedient? There must be a trick.
The same thought crossed Master Gen's mind. The moment he saw Anya genuinely turning to leave, his expression darkened as he said sharply, "Wait."
Anya paused mid-step, turned her head back, and asked, "Yes, Master Gen? Do you have anything else to say?"
"Hmph," Master Gen coldly snorted. "Stop pretending. Although we haven't interacted much, I understand your personality thoroughly—you're someone who never gives up until you achieve your goal. You wouldn't just walk away so easily. Tell me, what did you come here for this time? Of course, feel free to try lying to me."
Anya grew serious. "Back then, things happened unavoidably. Naturally, that won't happen again. This time, I mainly wish to ask: where is Six-Tails from Kiri?"
"Six-Tails?" Master Gen's gaze shifted, asking in a gloomy tone, "What do you want with him?"
"I have my own purposes. But naturally, if Master Gen insists on knowing, I can tell you." Anya appeared very sincere.
Master Gen remained silent for a while before speaking. "Of course Six-Tails remains in Kiri Village. Still, no matter what you're planning, I won't let you meet him."
"Hehe," Anya chuckled. "Master Gen, you always call me a liar, yet you yourself aren't the slightest bit bad at deceiving people either."
Master Gen replied flatly, "I don't know what you mean."
Anya bluntly responded, "Before coming to see you, I thoroughly sensed throughout all of Kiri Village, but found not even a trace of Six-Tails's presence. So, I'm certain he absolutely isn't here in Kiri Village anymore. I merely want to know where he is now—I don't care about anything else."
"Ah," Master Gen sighed, sitting back down onto his fishing platform and pointing at the space beside him.
Anya understood his meaning, swiftly stepping over and sitting next to him.
It seemed like Master Gen hadn't spoken of this topic with anyone for quite some time; he clearly didn't know where to begin. Anya didn't rush him, instead pulling out some fishing gear from a scroll and joining him in casting lines into the water.
After a little while, Anya successfully caught a fish.
"You've really changed compared to before," Master Gen remarked with feeling. "If it were in the past, your heart surely couldn't remain so calm."
After placing the fish inside a basket, Anya lightly smiled. "People always grow and change."
Master Gen loosened slightly. "Fine, I can tell you where Six-Tails is. However, you must promise me to leave immediately after learning everything. Don't go looking for Terumi Mei."
Upon hearing Master Gen mention Terumi Mei, Anya's heart trembled slightly. She silently nodded.
Master Gen recalled, "After Yagura Karatachi became the Fourth Mizukage, the village had suffered heavy losses from the Third War. Bitter resentment filled the Village. Fearing his own strength wasn't enough to command respect, he sealed the Six-Tails within himself, becoming its Jinchuriki. Just when things were starting to settle down, he was assassinated by a member of the Akatsuki Organization. Following that assassination, everything changed dramatically. The Village fell back into an era of bloodshed worse than even the time under the Third Mizukage—the darkest chapter in Kiri's history."
At this point, Master Gen gripped his fishing rod tightly, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.
He continued, "Initially, I thought it was just a stress reaction from surviving the assassination attempt, so I didn't pay much attention. But when the Village kept getting darker and darker, I realized something was seriously wrong. It wasn't until Ao, who had the Byakugan, investigated further that we discovered the truth—he had been under someone else's control all along."
Only one person could have done that—controlled a Jinchuriki for his own ends. Anya softly murmured, "Was it the Sharingan?"
"Yes," Master Gen sighed. "A mysterious man possessing the Sharingan. I even suspect that many of the Third Mizukage's actions were also controlled. Just as I secretly contacted the Village elders to uncover whoever was behind this, the Fourth Mizukage disappeared without a trace. Along with him vanished the Six-Tails sealed inside him."
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