Seeing that everyone in the room was visibly uneasy, Kakashi was the first to regain his composure. He turned to Haku and asked, "Do you know where Anya went? He's been gone a long time this time, without leaving a single word behind."
As soon as he spoke, all eyes in the room turned to Haku—except for Naruto's.
Haku paused in thought for a moment before replying, "Though he said nothing, from what I know of him, he wouldn't disappear for no reason. He must've gone to send us important information."
At that moment, Konoha's elder council members, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado, arrived at the scene.
"An unexpectedly lively scene," said Koharu Utatane, speaking first. "Though we don't know what meeting you're holding, call it off immediately—there's something more important."
Tsunade replied with clear irritation, "Deal with your own matter later. For now, please leave."
Homura Mitokado sensed the unusual tension in the room and tugged gently at Koharu's sleeve.
Naruto, who had remained silent until now, finally came out of his daze upon hearing the news. His face darkened as he finally spoke up, his voice sharp with suspicion, "Was it her who sent him there, Grandma?"
Tsunade nodded grimly. "Yes."
Naruto's voice flared with anger. "Why would you even let him do something this reckless? You know exactly how stubborn Jiraiya was—sending him off alone to someplace that dangerous…"
Kakashi cut in, "That's enough, Naruto. I'm sure you understand the Fifth Hokage's decision."
Naruto froze in place, his fists clenched tightly. Without responding to Sakura's calls, he muttered to himself as he stormed toward the door, "Damn it! If the Old Pervert Sage had become the Fifth Hokage, he never would've let Lady Tsunade take such reckless risks like this."
Only now did Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado grasp what had happened. Shocked, they exclaimed, "What? Are you saying Jiraiya…"
"Was it the Akatsuki Organization?"
Tsunade gave a silent nod. "Yes."
"It seems our timing couldn't be more perfect," Homura said as he pulled out a letter and placed it on the Hokage's desk. "Please look at this carefully."
Frowning slightly, Tsunade picked it up and glanced through it. "The Five Kage Summit? Why such a sudden gathering at a time like this? Is it because the One-Tail was captured, and now you all plan to unite against the Akatsuki?"
"Exactly," Koharu replied. "This is a rare opportunity. Please attend without fail."
Tsunade gave no clear reply. She simply waved a hand, saying coolly, "I see. You may leave now."
Koharu seemed to want to say something else, but Homura gently shook his head and stopped her. The two elders left the office together.
Tsunade turned to Kakashi. "What do you think about attending this Five Kage Summit?"
"I…" Kakashi hesitated.
Haku stepped forward. "May I take a look?"
Though slightly puzzled, Tsunade didn't refuse. She handed him the letter.
After a brief glance, Haku quickly understood. "Anya will be going too."
A flicker of interest crossed Tsunade's eyes as she asked sharply, "How can you be sure?"
Haku didn't hold back either. With a quiet sigh and a trace of envy in his voice, he said, "This morning, Mabui, who has always served as Anya's secretary within the Clan, left early for the Hot Springs Country."
This is definitely not a coincidence. The meaning behind it is already obvious. The fact that Anya learned about the Five Kage Summit even before the Hokage indicates that she plays an important role in all this.
Thinking about what Jiraiya had told her before leaving, Tsunade felt a lump in her throat.
After remaining deep in thought for a long time, Tsunade finally spoke: "Everyone else please leave for now. White, you stay a moment longer."
Once they were alone in the room, an awkward atmosphere emerged. They had known of each other for a while, but this was actually the first time they were alone together.
Tsunade took the initiative to speak: "White, don't be so formal. I've actually taken the time to truly understand you. It's only natural that Anya would like you. If I were a man, I'd like you too."
White blushed slightly and carefully replied: "Actually, just being by Anya's side forever is enough for me."
Sighing, Tsunade stepped forward and held White's hand: "You know what? I really envy you. I think your relationship with him feels purer than mine ever was. From the very beginning, my relationship with him has been full of thorns and obstacles at every turn. For example, have the two of you ever argued?"
White instinctively shook her head.
Tsunade gave a bitter smile: "Anya and I have argued more times than I can count. There were even moments when I seriously thought about walking away from this whole thing. Yet somehow, I still keep falling deeper into it."
Blinking her eyes, White said: "Arguing isn't necessarily bad either. It means you both care about the relationship. Real goodbyes never come with warning."
"Perhaps." Tsunade recalled her own silent departure during the Third Battle, which had indeed happened exactly as White described.
Quickly regaining her composure, Tsunade asked seriously: "When was the last time you saw Lady Hakuto?"
White recalled: "It was when she and I went shopping together. By chance, we saw you and Jiraiya drinking at a tavern. Worried that you might drink too much, she made me go home first while she went over to check on you. That was the last time I saw her. I've searched everywhere in Konoha since then."
Tsunade's face suddenly turned pale: "Oh no..."
"I hope not," White realized immediately.
At the entrance of Kirigakure, Terumi Mei and Anya stood facing each other in silence for quite some time.
Just as Anya prepared to speak, Terumi Mei beat him to it: "Did you foresee this Five Kage Summit coming beforehand, which is why you made that promise with me back then?"
"Yes," Anya admitted honestly. "And what I previously said was also true—tremendous changes are about to sweep across the Ninja World, affecting every single person. Therefore, there are certain things I must do."
Terumi pouted: "Fine then. I won't stop you anymore, since your heart has never belonged to me anyway."
Helplessly, Anya replied: "I'll attend the Five Kage Summit too. Hot Springs Country is not only a beautiful tourist destination but also truly deserves its reputation as a famous hot spring resort. At that time, I'll treat you to a relaxing hot spring bath. How does that sound?"
"Really?" Terumi's mood instantly changed, her voice filled with joy.
Guess emotions are kind of like weather with some women!
Anya confirmed: "Of course. Let this serve as our guarantee."
As he spoke, Anya took out his Supreme Blade, ready to place it in Terumi Mei's hands.
Terumi Mei didn't reach out to take it. Instead, she asked, "Isn't this the weapon you used to beat Chojuro before?"
Anya grinned casually and said, "Haha, for someone like me right now, there's not even a single person worthy of being my enemy."
"You never stop showing off," Terumi Mei waved her hand dismissively. "Fine, fine, I believe you. I mean, who even gives a girl a weapon as a gift anyway? How about giving me that necklace you always wear instead as a token?"
Anya's expression froze. Cold sweat slid down his forehead. If he gave away this necklace, how would he explain it later?
What should I do now? Any tips out there? I'm online and desperate—super urgent!
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