"Anko's situation has come under suspicion..."
Hyuga Sho walked along the corridor.
Five years had passed since Orochimaru defected.
It was indeed difficult to explain why Anko had not shown herself for five years.
"We'll find a time to bring her out for a stroll..."
Hyuga Sho made up his mind.
He would have Anko appear, take on a few missions, and make her presence known in front of others.
That would dispel their suspicions.
Then he would see whether Anko had reformed.
If she followed the Will of Fire,
he would set her free. If she did not follow the Will of Fire... then she would need to continue learning under his guidance.
Hyuga Sho pushed open the door and entered Training Room No. 2.
Nohara Rin was already waiting inside.
"Deputy Head~~."
Nohara Rin, who had been sitting there obediently, immediately stood up and tilted her head back to gaze at Hyuga Sho.
Her fawnlike eyes trembled slightly, expressing emotions too vague to put into words.
That was right.
She was looking up at him.
Nohara Rin was 145 centimeters tall, and her appearance had been fixed in the state of a thirteen-year-old.
But in reality...
Nohara Rin was already twenty years old.
She was the same age as Hyuga Sho, Yūhi Kurenai, and the others.
And Hyuga Sho's height... was 175 centimeters.
Of course, 175 centimeters was merely his normal state. Hyuga Sho could adjust his height at will, reaching a maximum of 255 centimeters.
Standing a head and a half taller than Nohara Rin, Hyuga Sho could be said to be looking down at her.
And because of that...
"Ah~!"
Nohara Rin suddenly let out a fawnlike cry of surprise, taking two steps back as her eyes widened.
"Rin."
Hyuga Sho looked at her.
"It's been