The sudden appearance of this person left Anko completely stunned.
This was Lord Orochimaru's residence, but the man she had mistaken for someone else during the day was here.
Could it be a coincidence?
How could it possibly be such a coincidence!
She instinctively stepped forward, her voice trembling in shock, "You... you are..."
The man's lips curled into a meaningful, familiar smile — a smile Anko knew far too well.
That familiar expression overlapped perfectly with the one etched deep in her memory, leaving her momentarily dazed.
"Lord Orochimaru..."
"Anko," the man slowly spoke, even his voice transforming into the deep, raspy tone she knew so well, like a fine thread piercing her eardrums.
"Lord Orochimaru, it's really you... Lord Orochimaru!"
Anko's eyes instantly reddened.
She rushed forward, intending to tightly embrace the person she had longed for day and night.
However, just as she neared him, the man shot out a hand with lightning speed, gripping her throat tightly.
"It's been a while, Anko," he said, his grip unyielding.
Under his iron grasp, Anko struggled to breathe, her face turning crimson.
Her throat convulsed as she managed to choke out a single question, "Lord Orochimaru... why..."
The man, now Hakuryu, sneered, "This body seems to suit you quite well, but I have more use for it now. How about returning it to me?"
As he spoke, he swiftly formed a hand seal.
Anko was suddenly engulfed by an overwhelming, unprecedented agony.
Her ears roared, her vision blurred, and her very soul trembled as though it were being torn apart.
Why... why would Lord Orochimaru do this to her...
Her mind went completely blank, soon filled with endless pain.
What Hakuryu had cast was a secret technique to extract Anko's soul from her body.
This body had been created by Orochimaru, naturally bearing some of Orochimaru's lingering methods.
Anko felt her consciousness fading, as an ominous sensation crept closer, filling her with terror.
It was death… the very death that Makoto had spoken of not long ago!
Suddenly, a powerful surge of chakra erupted from Anko, creating a shockwave that sent dust and debris scattering throughout the house.
Hakuryu's hand, which had been tightly gripping her throat, was forced to loosen.
Anko collapsed to the ground, coughing and gasping for breath.
When she lifted her head, a dark shadow had appeared around her eyes.
Seeing this, Hakuryu's expression turned to astonishment.
Anko now exuded a completely different aura than before, radiating an indescribable, overwhelming presence—an aura entirely derived from that terrifying chakra!
It was unlike ordinary chakra, but fully comparable to that of a Jinchuriki!
To Hakuryu, while this body was indeed powerful, Anko's ability to exhibit such strength was entirely irrational.
Her hair billowed as though caught in an unseen wind.
She slowly stood up.
"Why…?"
Hakuryu narrowed his eyes at the familiar girl before him.
His gaze carried none of the tenderness or affection one might expect, only a consuming desire for that body.
"So that's it," he muttered. "His handiwork, huh? I underestimated him."
It seemed as though he intended to make another move, but suddenly sensing something, he vanished from the spot in a flash.
Seeing this, Anko panicked and quickly activated her sensory abilities, hoping to pinpoint the man's location.
However, his chakra seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace behind.
Two figures suddenly appeared in the living room.
"Anko!"
It was Hakumen and Kakashi, drawn here by the commotion caused by that burst of chakra.
Anko stood frozen in place, staring blankly at the spot where Hakuryu had disappeared.
"Anko, what happened?" Kakashi asked.
"Is there an enemy?" Hakumen activated his Byakugan, instantly scanning the entire village.
Every movement of its inhabitants was visible to him, but he found no sign of anyone fleeing or acting suspiciously.
Seeing Anko remain silent, Kakashi frowned slightly. "Anko?"
"..."
Anko collapsed weakly to the ground, the dark shadow around her eyes fading away.
She hung her head in silence.
Kakashi's gaze fell on her neck, noticing a distinct red mark, though it was healing rapidly.
He exchanged a glance with Hakumen, who had also noticed.
"Anko, what happened here?"
After a long silence, Anko finally spoke: "...Nothing."
Her hair fell over her eyes and most of her face.
"Nothing happened."
Outside the residence, the Anbu who had arrived late saw that Kakashi, Hakumen, and Anko were inside.
They chose not to enter but waited outside.
Hakumen stepped out, pondering for a moment before ordering the Anbu, "Patrol the entire village and check for any suspicious individuals, but don't alarm the villagers."
"Understood!"
The Anbu left to carry out their orders.
Hakumen glanced back at the residence—once the home of the former Hokage, Orochimaru.
Having served as Orochimaru's personal Anbu, he was naturally very familiar with this place.
Anko had undoubtedly encountered someone, but who could make her protect them so fiercely?
A sense of unease grew in his heart; it was probably best to report this to Lord Hokage immediately.
Just then, Kakashi and Anko also came out.
Anko's face was expressionless, as if nothing had happened.
"I'm heading back," she said to the two of them, turning and walking toward the other side of the street.
The street was cold and quiet, with dim streetlights casting faint light that gradually swallowed her figure.
The two stood at the residence's entrance, watching her leave.
Kakashi spoke, "Who do you think it was?"
"I'm thinking of someone unlikely," Hakumen replied.
"I thought of the same person..."
"Do you think it's possible?"
"..."
Kakashi didn't answer. They both knew their thoughts were too far-fetched.
A person who had already died, whose body had been burned before the eyes of many witnesses.
Hakumen furrowed his brow, contemplating. "If it really is that person, what's his purpose?"
The same thought surfaced in both their minds, sending chills down their spines.
Revenge?
"...We should report this to Lord Hokage," Kakashi suggested.
The night was deep, and the moon hung dimly in the sky.
Inside the Hokage's office, Makoto stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the peaceful village below.
His expression was calm, lost in thought.
Hakumen knocked and entered.
"Lord Hokage."
"Hmm."
"About Anko..."
Hakumen reported everything that had just transpired.
"I see," Makoto responded calmly.
Hakumen paused, slightly surprised.
Looking at the Hokage's back, he decided not to press further.
"I'll take my leave."
Makoto's expression remained unchanged, as if none of the events had stirred his thoughts in the slightest.
......
At the Konoha Guest House.
"Hakuryu, where did you go?"
"I was a bit hungry, so I went out to get some late-night snacks. I brought some back for you and Lady Konan as well."
"You're considerate, aren't you?"
"It's my duty as Lord Nagato's bodyguard."
"It's getting late. We have to travel tomorrow—get some rest early."
"Understood."
Hakuryu stood in the courtyard of the guest house, watching as Nagato walked away with the snacks to find Konan.
He suddenly lifted his head and looked toward the distant Hokage building.
Its lights were still brightly lit, like a beacon in the dark night.
--------------
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