"Konoha really isn't important to me, but you are." Anyo cupped Tsunade's face and asked, "I still remember everything I promised you. What about you? Have you really decided to stay here, even if you die, even if there's no future left for us?"
A trace of longing flashed through Tsunade's eyes. She had imagined their future countless times, but now there was something more important than that. Her voice was full of resolve as she replied, "Yes. Konoha is the village my grandfather built with his own hands, and it's the place that raised me. I'm a Konoha Ninja. Protecting it is my duty. I can't leave."
Although he had long known Tsunade's answer, Anyo still refused to give up and asked, "Then between me and Konoha, which matters more to you?"
Conflict crossed Tsunade's face. She turned her head away and said, a little flustered, "How can you compare those things? They're different..."
Anyo pressed both hands firmly against her shoulders, leaving her no room to evade him, and demanded, "I don't want to hear anything else. Just give me your answer. Me or it?"
Faced with Anyo's repeated questioning, Tsunade couldn't help pushing him away and blurted out, "It matters more."
Relief appeared on Anyo's face, and a faint, composed smile settled over his stern features. "Thank you for not lying to me. Can we have one last hug?"
Apology showed on Tsunade's face. At that moment, she suddenly understood what Anyo had said a few days earlier. Death really did accompany every ninja. Only this time, the one who died might very well be her.
They held each other tightly, as though trying to knead each other into their own flesh and blood, forever committing each other's scent and taste to memory.
Gradually, Anyo was no