As her words fell, Mitaraishi Anko brought the Kunai in her hand even closer. Its sharp tip glinted coldly, sending a chill down their spines.
The two people before her had already gone deathly pale with fright, their whole bodies trembling. They had never imagined Mitaraishi Anko could be so terrifying.
Looking at the pair who had been scared witless, she couldn't help but feel disdain.
She knew she couldn't kill anyone in the village, or she would face a manhunt by the Anbu.
So she sighed helplessly and said, "Since I can't kill you while we're in the village, get lost while you still can!
"As for your garbage team, I'm not going back. I'd rather not have to look at two useless idiots."
With that, Mitaraishi Anko put away her Kunai and turned to leave, leaving the two staring at each other, their hearts full of fear and regret.
The overwhelming killing intent radiating from Mitaraishi Anko had scared the two of them half to death!
They stared blankly at her retreating figure. Only after they were sure she was really gone did they collapse to the ground in relief, as if every ounce of strength had drained from their bodies.
It took them a long time to come to their senses. Then they began blaming and cursing each other. "What's there to be so smug about?
"She's just another useless person abandoned by Orochimaru!
"Hmph, she can only act tough in front of us."
As they vented their fear, they failed to notice that just outside the alley, Mitaraishi Anko—the woman who should have left long ago—was standing there in silence!
Hearing their words from inside the alley, she felt an uncontrollable surge of rage.
She wanted to rush in and teach those two ignorant fools another harsh lesson. But the moment she lifted her foot, a stabbing pain suddenly shot through her shoulder. The Cursed Seal Orochimaru had left on her was acting up!
Mitaraishi Anko's expression shifted slightly. She knew how serious an attack from the Cursed Seal could be. It would greatly weaken her in battle, and might even leave her in danger.
So she forced down her anger, decided to ignore the two still spewing filth, and hurried away.
After all, it would be disastrous if the two in the alley spotted her while the Cursed Seal was acting up.
With that thought, Mitaraishi Anko quickly chose a secluded path and headed toward the outskirts of the village. She didn't notice the figure quietly following not far behind her.
Meanwhile, after watching the whole scene, Uchiha Chen was about to turn and leave.
He knew this wasn't the best time to introduce himself.
Besides, even if he went over, he wouldn't know what to talk about.
And if she found out he'd been watching the commotion, she might summon a snake to bite him! With that thought, Uchiha Chen decided it was better to leave for now.
However, just as he turned around, he happened to see Mitaraishi Anko stumbling as she left, with what seemed to be another figure following close behind.
On closer inspection, it was the same person who had been watching from nearby.
He frowned slightly, wondering whether he should follow and see what was going on.
After all, a considerable amount of time had passed since Orochimaru's defection. Mitaraishi Anko had already passed the village's test, so there shouldn't be any Anbu still secretly watching her.
So what was this person after, following a girl who was clearly unwell? The more Uchiha Chen thought about it, the more suspicious it seemed.
Since Mitaraishi Anko was someone he would need to win over in the future, he could step in if anything happened to her—and use the chance to build a good relationship.
In the end, Uchiha Chen decided to follow and investigate.
As they headed one after the other into the depths of a deserted forest outside the village, Mitaraishi Anko slowly came to a stop in front of a small wooden cabin.
She had built it after Orochimaru defected, to endure the torment of the Cursed Seal. The area beside it was where she went to vent the agitation that came after the pain.
The land nearby, blasted and ruined by ninjutsu, bore witness to how she had unleashed her fury after enduring the agony.
The village leaders knew all about it, but chose to turn a blind eye.
After all, Mitaraishi Anko had passed the test. As long as she didn't cause trouble in the village, they let her do as she pleased.
As soon as she reached the cabin, Mitaraishi Anko seemed to have found a place where she could finally feel safe, and her body gradually slackened.
But as her mind relaxed, the Cursed Seal on her neck seemed to sense something and began spreading rapidly.
A wave of agony hit her, followed by a bloodcurdling scream.
Just as Mitaraishi Anko was about to pass out, a Kunai suddenly sliced through the air with a sharp whistle and shot straight toward her.
Mitaraishi Anko, who had been so imposing just moments ago, had been weakened by the Cursed Seal until she could no longer resist. She could only watch as the Kunai tore through her delicate fishnet stockings and sank deep into her smooth thigh.
Blood gushed out like a spring, staining the ground red.
By then, the pain had left Mitaraishi Anko unable to utter even the faintest cry. Her body should have collapsed limply to the ground, but instead it convulsed and trembled uncontrollably.
Seeing that Mitaraishi Anko inside the cabin had completely lost the ability to defend herself, the figure who had followed her appeared at the entrance, as though he'd just received the best news imaginable.
He glared hatefully at the weakened Mitaraishi Anko, a twisted grin spreading across his face.
He laughed wildly. "Hahaha! Mitaraishi Anko, do you recognize me?" As he spoke, he ruthlessly pulled the Kunai from her thigh, then plunged it into her other thigh.
He watched in silence, savoring her wretched state as he waited for her to respond.
After a long while, Mitaraishi Anko finally began to recover. She blinked, and her gaze slowly focused on the man before her, who had calmed down but still wore a gloomy expression.
She studied him carefully. He looked close to thirty and wore the standard vest of a Chunin. His skin was so pale he seemed not to have seen the sun in ages. Disheveled short hair fell across his forehead. His lips were pressed together, forming an eerie, half-smile, and his eyes held an unprecedented deadness.
Mitaraishi Anko's gaze was confused. She clearly didn't recognize him and had no idea why he was treating her this way.
But before she could ask, Suzuki Hiroki had already read everything in her puzzled eyes. He spoke softly with an odd smile. "It's all right if you don't recognize me. I'll help you remember, little by little..." Before his words had even faded, he twisted the Kunai in his hand viciously again, as if trying to vent his anger and pain.
Suzuki Hiroki took a deep breath, then continued, "My name is Suzuki Hiro. I'm just an inconspicuous Chunin.
"But I have a very lovely daughter. She's innocent, kindhearted, and gentle. No words of praise could ever do her justice.
"I'm sure you know her name. It's Suzuki Sakura." His voice grew a little lower, and a trace of sorrow flickered in his eyes.
At the name Suzuki Hiro, Mitaraishi Anko still looked puzzled. But when she heard the name Suzuki Sakura, her pupils suddenly contracted. She parted her lips as if to say something, then closed them again in defeat.