Revenge

Upon hearing the name Suzuki Sakura, Anko Mitarashi felt a jolt in her heart, and she immediately understood why the man had come.

Because long ago, while searching through the death rolls of Orochimaru's human experiment victims, she had seen that very name.

At the time, the field for the father's name appeared to be filled in as Suzuki Hiro.

Recalling this, Anko Mitarashi's thoughts ran wild like a runaway horse, instantly dragged back to the agonizing period following Orochimaru's defection.

Back then, she had been imprisoned and subjected to various forms of psychological torture, one of which was being forced to watch the lists of victims and the horrific, unrecognizable corpses left behind after the experiments.

These experiences only deepened the resentment she felt after being abandoned by Orochimaru.

Furthermore, among the many victims, one young girl had left an indelible impression on Anko Mitarashi: Suzuki Sakura.

In the photograph, Suzuki Sakura was only ten years old, possessing a head of pink hair that cascaded down her back like a waterfall.

Facing the camera, she wore a shy yet radiant smile, much like a flower bud on the verge of blooming.

What made one's heart ache was that this girl, two years younger than herself, should have been enjoying a carefree childhood, yet she had suffered through Orochimaru's cruel experiments, ultimately being labeled "unqualified" in the experiment reports before passing away in sorrow.

The flower of her life, which had yet to fully bloom, withered right there.

Suzuki Hiro stared silently into Anko Mitarashi's eyes; at first, he saw only confusion, but soon, a flicker of realization flashed across her face.

Immediately following this, Anko Mitarashi's pupils began to contract sharply, then gradually dilated.

Then, Suzuki Hiro broke the silence: "It seems you have remembered who I am."

"That's right, I am Sakurako's father."

"Back then, Sakurako's mother suffered a difficult labor and passed away after entrusting Sakurako to me."

"I raised Sakurako through all the hardships, witnessing her journey from a babbling infant to a child who could walk independently, to her first time practicing chakra, all the way until she graduated as a genin."

"She had immense talent. I had hoped to continue accompanying her as she grew stronger, supporting her promotion to chunin, and eventually seeing her surpass me to become a jonin."

"I even imagined watching her walk down the aisle, offering her my most sincere blessings."

"However, all of this was destroyed by Orochimaru."

Speaking to this point, Suzuki Hiro's emotions grew increasingly agitated. He jabbed a wound into Anko Mitarashi's palm with force, his tone becoming more vicious, while his eyes turned hollow and vacant.

"It was supposed to be an ordinary day. Sakurako told me she had a mission that would take her far away, likely for three days."

"Seeing the worry on my face, she reached out and hugged me tightly, as if telling me not to worry."

"Then she said: 'Dad, take good care of yourself while I'm gone,' and gave me a playful wink."

"Afterward, she turned around resolutely and left without looking back."

"Watching her figure fade into the distance, my heart was suddenly gripped by something, aching so intensely that it felt as if I were about to lose her forever. I fell into a state of unease and melancholy."

"For those few days, I didn't take on any new missions as I usually would; instead, I stayed home, silently waiting for her return."

"Finally, on the morning Sakurako was supposed to return, I woke up early, meticulously preparing her favorite Cherry Blossom Cake, filled with joy and anticipation for her homecoming."

However, Suzuki Hiro's voice began to choke up, laden with uncontrollable grief. "I waited and waited, for a very long time, but she never appeared. Watching those Cherry Blossom Cake I had made for her slowly spoil and rot, my heart grew heavier and more restless."

"In the end, the tragic news arrived: Sakurako had died in the line of duty." He choked back more sobs as he spoke.

"My Sakurako was still so young, how could she just be gone? For several months after that, I lived in a daze."

"However, time always heals all wounds. After that, I gradually accepted the cruel reality of Sakurako's departure."

"After all, once one becomes a ninja, everyone faces such a fate—very few people manage to live through it unscathed."

"So, I decided to follow the last words Sakurako left for me: take care of myself, start a beautiful life anew, and let them, mother and daughter in the Pure Land, see my strength."

"Perhaps this was fate's way of signaling to me!"

"The first mission I received after returning to duty was at one of Orochimaru's experimental bases."

"I followed the Anbu to pack up the files that had already been cleared, but there, I saw a document that broke my heart—it was the experimental log of my daughter's suffering!"

"Can you understand that kind of pain?"

"Whenever I recall the experimental records in that log, my heart aches as if pierced by a thousand knives."

"Every single entry was like a sharp blade, stabbing deep into my heart."

Having said this, I gripped the Kunai in my hand tightly, drew it without hesitation, and plunged it fiercely into Anko Mitarashi's other hand, as if only this could slightly alleviate the agony within.

Having lost the use of her other arm, Anko Mitarashi was now completely incapacitated, with no strength left to resist.

She endured the excruciating pain, sensing the flickering of the star of death in the sky, and understood in her heart that her life should perhaps end here.

She said weakly: "Then why didn't you go find Orochimaru to take your revenge?"

"Even if you kill me, Orochimaru won't feel any sadness; after all, I am just a piece of trash he discarded." Having said this, she thought of her current miserable state, and her hatred for Orochimaru grew even more.

Hearing Anko Mitarashi's words, Suzuki Hiro's expression dimmed instantly.

He remained silent for a long time before speaking slowly: "I once thought about throwing everything away to hunt down Orochimaru for revenge, but he has already betrayed the village and fled; I have no way to track him."

"And even if I found him, with my chunin-level strength, I would likely be killed the moment we crossed paths."

"So, I eventually abandoned that idea."

As he spoke, the helplessness in his eyes deepened. "I even thought about leaking everything out, but the thought that it would only create more grieving parents like me made me hesitate." At this, he grabbed his hair fiercely, pulling out two large clumps.

I have no other choice!

I was truly at the end of my rope, already prepared to die and reunite with my family in the Pure Land, but then I saw you—Anko Mitarashi!

Why is it like this?

You are the disciple of that traitor, yet you live so carefree and at ease!

And what of my poor Sakurako?

She is left to suffer in that laboratory, reduced to a miserable test subject!

I cannot accept this reality; yes, I admit that I am merely taking my anger out on you.

Every time I see you living so well, my heart cannot find peace.

I must kill you to vent the hatred in my heart!

It is just a pity that you have always been under the strict protection of the Third Hokage, and for so long, I could never find an opportunity to strike.

Until today, when I caught a glimpse of you on the street, I followed you quietly the entire way, and finally, I caught my chance.

When I saw your body begin to show signs of distress, I realized immediately that this must be the Sage of Six Paths showing me favor!

Therefore, I tracked you with absolute focus, watching as you cautiously left the village and arrived here. Once you reached this place and let your guard down, I struck you from behind with a Kunai.

In this moment, as you look at your own broken, scarred body, can you feel even a fraction of the pain and torment that Sakurako endured?

As I spoke, I slowly raised the Kunai in my hand, my eyes filled with resolve and determination.

I am sorry; I know well that you are actually an innocent person, but if you do not die, it is as if someone is standing before me at every moment, mercilessly mocking the cowardice and incompetence deep within my soul.

I have made up my mind. Once you are dead, I will sell all my possessions and trade every cent for Explosive Tag, then go to find Orochimaru.

I know clearly that with my current strength, I am unlikely to kill Orochimaru, but no matter what, I will make him pay the price for everything he has done.

Once I have finished all of this, I will head to the Pure Land to apologize to you in person.

Farewell!

As soon as the words left my lips, I gripped the Kunai tightly and, without a moment's hesitation, thrust it with all my might toward the heart of Anko Mitarashi.