Anko's Resolve

Hearing Anko's words, a hint of hesitation flashed across Naruto's eyes.

He instinctively turned his head to look at Kou, who was still coiled around the python and watching them with a leisurely expression.

Feeling Naruto's somewhat uncertain gaze, Koko, who had been enjoying Anko's praise, turned her gaze to Naruto and gave him a gentle and calm smile.

Seeing that kind smile from Kou, Naruto's last lingering hesitation was completely dispelled.

He puffed out his chest and said loudly to Anko with absolute certainty:

"Sister Anko, I think you might have misunderstood! I feel that Brother Kou is a good person!"

I probably just accidentally fell asleep; it couldn't have been Brother Kou who did it!

Anko stared in astonishment at the blond brat who was so confidently vouching for Kouchi, pointing at Kouchi incredulously and asking Naruto:

"What's wrong with you, kid? You've only just met him, how can you be so sure you're vouching for him?"

I've really learned something new! There are actually people in this world who are even more filial to him Asuma!

"Uh, Sister Anko, are you insulting me?"

Naruto scratched his head, muttering thoughtfully:

"Speaking of which, the name Asuma sounds familiar. I think I heard the Third Hokage and Kakashi mention it when they were chatting before?"

That's not the point!

Anko roared angrily:

"Who understands Uchiha Kuro, Uchiha Kuro or me?"

"Get out of here now, immediately, right now!!!"

"Yes!"

Seeing that Anko was truly angry this time, Naruto immediately dropped his playful grin and, without saying a word, took off running towards Kakashi's direction.

After running a few steps, he couldn't help but turn back and glance in the direction of the knock.

Feeling the worry in Naruto's eyes, Koko nodded gently and gave him a reassuring smile.

Seeing the smile on Naruto's lips and hearing his parents' words in his mind, the last weight in Naruto's heart finally lifted.

He waved vigorously at Kou, then ran quickly towards Kakashi without looking back...

Anko glanced at Naruto's increasingly smaller figure out of the corner of her eye, and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She looked away again and muttered irritably under her breath:

"Honestly, this kid is usually so shrewd, how come he's acting like he's possessed today, trusting this guy so much?"

I went through so much trouble to get along with him back then...

Listening to Anko's resentful complaints, he shrugged and teased in a lighthearted tone:

"Who knows? Maybe I have some kind of system that can captivate people at first glance?"

"You really do like to say things that are completely incomprehensible, just like always."

Anko turned her gaze back to Kou, suppressing the complex emotions in her heart, and a confident smile appeared on her tear-streaked face:

"Although I don't know what your purpose is in coming to Konoha, now that you're back, you're not leaving!"

As the captain of the Konoha Temporary Security Team, I hereby arrest you! Surrender now, you dangerous Konoha!

Kou glanced at the python on his body, then looked at Anko, who was already displaying a determined posture, and muttered to himself, somewhat speechlessly:

"Hey, you don't actually think you can trap me with just a few stinky snakes, do you?"

The moment he finished speaking, a wisp of green smoke suddenly rose from Kou's body.

Just as the smoke rose, the large snakes that had been tightening their bodies collapsed limply to the ground.

The tall figure that they had tightly bound together had, after the smoke dissipated, turned into a half-cracked wooden stake, its shape slightly broken by the weight of the snake's body.

"This is... Substitution Technique? When did this happen?!"

Anko stared at the broken wooden stake on the ground, her pupils suddenly contracting.

Without thinking, she turned around almost instinctively, scanning her surroundings warily.

"Knock knock yo (Here I am)~~"

A flippant whisper drifted from behind her.

Anko suddenly turned around.

Kou had silently appeared not far behind her, leisurely bending down to pick up a still-cold beer can from the pile of snack bags scattered on the ground.

He straightened up and casually tossed the can of beer toward Anko.

Anko subconsciously reached out and took the beer, about to thank him, when she suddenly realized what she had done and stared at Koko, who was grinning mischievously, with a dark expression on her face.

"Although I knew you weren't so easy to control, I didn't expect it to be this fast..."

She has already worked so hard over the past five years.

The gap is still so big...

Anko murmured resentfully to herself, then reached into the ninja tool pouch on her thigh and steadily pulled out a Kunai, its tip pointing directly in the direction of the knock.

But no matter how big the gap is, I will never give up!

At the very least, we must hold out until Kakashi arrives.

As long as Kakashi is around, there's at least a chance to keep him around...

Anko stared intently at the knock in front of her, her eyes welling up with tears again.

"Unless you kill me, this time... I will never let you go, no matter what!"

She silently made this vow in her heart, her Chakra gathering power, ready to launch a fierce attack on Kou at any moment.

"Stop."

Just as Anko was about to make her move, Kou raised a hand and steadily aimed his open palm at her.

Anko looked at Kou's sudden action, a deep look of doubt flashing in her eyes:

"What the hell are you doing all of a sudden?!"

She frowned and called out impatiently:

"If you're going to fight, then fight already! This time, you're not getting away!"

After saying that, Anko ignored Kou's helpless look and prepared to launch a fierce attack on him without hesitation.

However, the instant she took her first step, Kou's figure silently appeared beside her.

He raised a hand and gently patted Anko's shoulder, which had suddenly stiffened.

"Tsk, you girl, you still haven't changed your impatient nature after all these years."

"Please listen to me finish what I have to say, okay?"

Kou spoke slowly, looking into Anko's eyes, which were full of tension and confusion, and then gently withdrew the hand that was on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, I have no intention of running away right now."

"Although I initially planned to leave as soon as possible, my thoughts have now changed."

Looking at the Anko, he spoke slowly and calmly:

I want to have a serious talk with you... about what's going on between us.

--

I had something to do today, so I'm a little late. There's one more chapter I can't finish updating tonight, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow morning to update it. Sorry...