Several hours had passed by the time Anyo came out of the room.
With one hand supporting his lower back, Anyo opened the door with the other. His face was pale, and he looked weak, lending his normally stern features a softness that made him even more captivating.
He had only just left the hospital when, of all things, he ran into people he knew.
"Well, if it isn't the little whitehead! What are you doing coming out of the hospital? Looking like that, you must be hurt. Hahaha..." A loud, mocking voice reached Anyo's ears, sounding particularly grating.
Then another voice spoke up. "Anyo, are you hurt? Did something go wrong in the Land of Crafts?"
The two arrivals were, of course, Kushina and Minato.
Anyo looked at them with a hollow smile, took a deep breath, and said, "I'm fine."
Seeing Anyo still putting on a brave face, Kushina seized her chance. She mischievously stepped forward and slapped him hard on the back, saying casually, "If you're sick, get treated! Want me to find Lady Tsunade for you? I guarantee she'll have you back on your feet in no time."
Find Tsunade again? I'm afraid I wouldn't come out alive.
The slap sent Anyo stumbling, and he nearly fell to the ground. He snapped at Minato, "Keep your woman in line. Tell her to stay away from me."
At those words, Kushina and Minato both blushed.
Her embarrassment only fueled her anger, and Kushina shouted, "You little whitehead, you..."
"Enough, stop arguing." Minato sighed helplessly and stepped between them. He had come to believe these two must have been enemies in a past life; they argued every time they met.
Anyo did not bother arguing with her either. Instead, he asked, "Minato, are you here to visit patients?"