At first, she thought a handsome guy had come and kindly offered to heal her injuries. Now it turned out they were all birds of a feather—evil to the core. Kurotsuchi glared angrily at Deidara.
Deidara simply shrugged, at a loss for words.
Anya took the initiative to ask, "Did you get the container?"
"Yeah, I got it." Deidara handed over the Five-Tails' container to Anya. It was because he'd asked Kurotsuchi about its location that he got stuck with her, unable to shake her off.
Anya accepted it and then said to Kurotsuchi, "Think about a new name. Also, here's a book for you."
So saying, Anya pulled out the [Sailor Moon] comic she had drawn and tossed it to Kurotsuchi, ignoring her expression before walking straight into the laboratory.
Sasori and Orochimaru were both inside. With the powerful logistical support from the Zero Organization, the other tailed beast cells were growing at an incredible rate. Among them, the earliest-researched Eight-Tails was nearly fully matured; a miniature Eight-Tails was about to be born.
Anya briefly sensed the situation before walking up beside Orochimaru. Sage Chakra flowed from his body into Orochimaru's form, while simultaneously activating the Spirit Transformation Technique to replenish the damage to Orochimaru's soul.
After a while, Anya stopped and softly asked, "Still unsuccessful, huh?"
Orochimaru's expression remained calm as he answered with a tinge of sorrow, "Yes, who would've thought that Itachi's Susano'o would actually contain the Sword of Totsuka? The Eight Branches Technique was completely countered. You were right about this after all."
Sasori, standing nearby, wore a look of schadenfreude, thinking only one thing: served him right.
Anya then asked, "What now? Giving up already?"
"This was always the last attempt. It's okay if it fails." Surprisingly, Orochimaru now sounded quite open-minded.
Anya and Sasori were both stunned at this unexpected reply, showing great surprise.
Orochimaru reminded them, "By the way, with the last two tailed beast cells acquired, just place them into their designated experiment chambers."
"Oh, right."
Anya placed the Three-Tailed and Five-Tailed Beasts' cells into their assigned experiment chambers. As previously prepared precious materials were added, the unique chakra of the two tailed beasts began to form. From this point onward, all nine tailed beasts' chakra had been completely gathered.
Orochimaru's eyes shone brightly as he spread his arms wide, watching the scene unfold. "Absolutely perfect, just one last step, right? Anya, I hope all my efforts haven't been in vain."
After all, whether another Demonic Statue of the Outer Path even existed in this world was completely unknown—it relied entirely on Anya's guesswork.
Anya, with a confident expression, replied, "Don't worry. Even if one doesn't exist, we can create one ourselves. If the Sage of Six Paths could do it, there's no reason we can't."
"It seems this is where I fall short compared to you," Orochimaru admitted, genuinely surprised and inspired by Anya's words.
Indeed, just because predecessors could achieve something didn't mean the successors couldn't.
"Uncle, you've worked hard. Next time I come, I'll release your restraints."
This was a promise made long ago, and it was finally time to fulfill it.
Orochimaru, having experienced great ups and downs, didn't show much surprise. He simply replied in a carefree tone, "I know."
"Let's not disturb your experiment, Sasori. Let's go."
As soon as they walked out, Sasori pulled out a scroll and said, "This intelligence report was delivered here two days ago by Mabui on Empress Megatron's orders. It specifically states you must read it personally."
Haku?
Anya's expression changed immediately. Haku rarely contacted her directly unless something significant had happened.
After opening the scroll and reading its contents, Anya's eyes flared with killing intent. Her hands clenched tightly around the scroll.
Sasori quickly asked beside her, "What is it? Did something happen?"
Anya took several deep breaths, then ignited flames in her hands to burn the scroll completely. Calmly, she said, "Nothing important. Let's move, Sasori. The Five Kage Summit is beginning, and the countdown for the Fourth Great Ninja World War has begun."
A flicker of flame passed through Sasori's eyes as he coldly stated, "Will we eliminate them all during this summit?"
The Hot Springs Country had long been a stronghold controlled and developed by the Zero Organization over many years. Although Sanshouo Hanzo still lingered there, that hardly affected their larger plans. His Mechanical Army could advance ahead of schedule to overwhelm everything.
"Not yet. Let those who want to dance first step onto the stage." Anya's gaze had already become thoroughly calm, though turbulent energy still lurked beneath her composed exterior.
Rubbing the Blade of Indifference in her hand, she whispered softly, "Eventually, I will settle all accounts one by one."
After Sasori left, Anya practically vanished from this place at the same moment.
When she reappeared, endless drizzling rain greeted her eyes, water flowing into the channels surrounding Rain Village.
With his Sharingan, he instantly detected the secret hidden within the falling rain. Without a word, his spirit separated from his body and flew into the village.
Inside a chamber where Konan sat folding origami cranes alone, her body suddenly stiffened—someone had unexpectedly appeared within her Spiritual Space.
"Master?"
Anya gazed at the now fully matured Konan and smiled lightly, saying, "I never imagined you'd still call me that."
Konan replied in her usual cool tone, "After all, you're my only master."
Getting straight to the point, Anya asked, "After Jiraiya died, did Nagato capture another person as well?"
Startled, Konan responded, "Was there someone else infiltrating back then?"
Seeing Konan's reaction seemed genuine, Anya already understood Hakuto's whereabouts. She spoke, "Since you don't know, I'll take my leave then."
"Wait," Konan called out, fixing an indescribable gaze upon her. "You can tell me more details. If I knew anything, I would have told you."
Originally unwilling to elaborate, seeing Konan like this, Anya couldn't help but sigh. "These years you've followed Nagato closely—you think how does this place compare to Konoha?"
Recalling her earlier days in Konoha, Konan's lips curved slightly upward before returning once more to her cold expression. "They aren't comparable. They're entirely different worlds."
Anya replied, "Right. However, I believe people living in Konoha are certainly happier than those here."
Unable to maintain her icy composure any longer, Konan spoke passionately, "But isn't it the wars between those major nations that caused Rain Village's current state? Their happiness was built on our suffering!"
Anya understood—and even sympathized—with Konan's anger. "You're right, but that's survival of the fittest. To change all this, we need to establish a whole new order. In a way, the Akatsuki Organization took the correct first step. Unfortunately, Yahiko is dead."
A sharp pain struck Konan's heart. Everything had changed on that day.
As she prepared to question the past events, Anya had already vanished, leaving only these words echoing in her ears:
"The current Akatsuki won't last long, Konan. Live to see the day I build my new world. Rain Country will be reborn."
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