With the puppet guiding him, Anyo stopped after flying for only half a day.
The puppet mark on Little Bird was growing clearer and clearer. Clearly, Sasori had already arrived.
He had only just landed when an utterly delighted voice rang out. "Brother Kurotsuchi, it really is you! It's been so long."
Anyo looked toward the voice. In the years since they had last met, Sasori had grown into a teenage boy. His short red hair was soft and glossy, his skin pale and smooth. His bright, clear black eyes shone with a gentle warmth, and his straight nose had a pleasing curve. In terms of looks, he could be said to rival Anyo.
After exchanging a few looks at their reunion, Anyo stepped forward and hugged Sasori, his voice carrying the joy of meeting again after a long separation. "Yes, it really has been a long time."
After the embrace, the distance between them at their reunion vanished. Sasori said happily, "I thought that after all this time, you would have forgotten our promise, Brother Kurotsuchi."
"How could I? You're my best friend in Sunagakure. Wherever I am, I'll come as soon as I hear from you."
Anyo had always felt somewhat guilty toward Sasori. There was no helping it—his teacher had cut down Sasori's parents.
Hearing this, Sasori glanced in the direction Anyo had come from and asked with some uncertainty, "Then, Brother Kurotsuchi, have you been staying in the Land of Fire?"
Anyo sighed inwardly and decided to tell the truth. "To be more precise, I'm a Konoha ninja now."
"Konoha?" Sasori stepped back twice, his gaze beginning to flicker. A measure of hatred colored his voice as he asked, "Then you must have met that ninja called the Konoha White Fang."
"Yes, I have. About three