With their business concluded, Sasori glanced hesitantly at Yugao, looking as though he wanted to say something.
Anyo chuckled. "Just say it."
"Kurotsuchi, I'm leaving. What about you?"
At those words, Yugao immediately turned her gaze on Anyo and stared hard at him. From the look of it, she really intended to leave with him.
Anyo pondered for a moment, then began to hesitate. According to the original storyline, Tsunade would return soon. Should he meet her? Or should he choose to see her another day, as he had with Kurenai Yuhi?
Sasori continued, "Your body hasn't recovered yet. I won't feel at ease without being there to protect you."
"I can do it," Yugao offered.
Sasori shook his head. "I know Kurotsuchi trained you, so your fighting style must lean toward offense. You're not suited to being a bodyguard."
"What about me?" Mabui had appeared outside the door at some point.
Contempt showed in Sasori's eyes. Clearly unimpressed by Mabui's strength, he replied coolly, "You need to return to the village with me."
"I won't." In a rare display of willfulness, Mabui refused. How could she not understand Sasori's plan? He wanted to drag her back to do all the work because he didn't want to handle the village's tedious affairs.
Anyo spoke up. "Mabui, you really do need to go back with Sasori. A major war just took place here. The other nations are bound to send spies to Konoha to investigate. Although so many years have passed, your identity..."
Only then did Mabui suddenly remember that she was a missing person. How long had it been? So long that she had almost forgotten she was a ninja from Kumogakure.
"Hmph, good thing I didn't agree to let you take me back to Kumogakure back then. Wherever you