Fugaku noticed something strange about the atmosphere between the two of them. An idea suddenly occurred to him, but then he found it somewhat ridiculous and thought no more of it.
Only after Tsunade disappeared from view did Anyo turn and ask, "As the clan head, why haven't you returned to Konoha yet?"
Between the occasional prison visits over the past few years and their connection through Mikoto and Itachi, relations between the two had eased considerably, and they could now speak calmly with each other.
Fugaku sighed. "We lost this war, and many of our clansmen were lost. We've recovered some of their bodies, but others have vanished completely, and we have no idea where they are. I've been searching hard these past few days, hoping to find some clues."
Anyo felt rather strange hearing this. Fugaku probably never would have dreamed that the culprit behind his clansmen's disappearances was standing right in front of him.
After pretending to ponder for a moment, Anyo said, "I think they might have been captured by the Tsuchikage. He might even demand a ransom from you."
"Surely not." Fugaku did not believe Anyo at all and repeatedly rejected the idea. "The Tsuchikage himself couldn't possibly stoop so low."
Anyo added fuel to the fire. "Iwagakure was nearly wiped out in this war. He even dared to ally with the Black Market Mercenaries and Kirigakure. What do you think the Tsuchikage wouldn't dare do?"
Fugaku fell silent for a while, genuinely beginning to consider the possibility of Anyo's words. Had they really been captured? Still, he had faith in his clan members. If they truly reached a dead end, they would rather destroy their own bloodline than let the enemy succeed.
Seeing Fugaku fall silent in thought, Anyo did not disturb him. Instead,