Anyo, who was lying on the ground, reacted first and hurriedly asked, "How long has he been gone? Was he alone?"
"I don't know either." Sakura gave Anyo a complicated look. It was precisely because Sasuke had learned the news about him that he had resolutely decided to leave, but...
There was no time to worry about all that now. Unable to spare it another thought, Sakura said anxiously to Tsunade, "Lord Hokage, please send someone to bring Sasuke back. He must have gone to Orochimaru."
"Orochimaru? Was he seeking power? That child..." Tsunade looked troubled. "Almost all the Jonin have been sent out on missions, leaving only the bare minimum necessary in the village. But Sasuke's departure was very likely guided by that sick freak's subordinates."
"I'll go." Kikyo stepped forward of her own accord.
"No."
Everyone present except Sakura rejected the suggestion in unison.
Anyo was even more direct. "Kikyo, you're not even a ninja right now. You aren't qualified to take missions."
"Ah." Kikyo sighed, walked over to Sakura, and took her hand to comfort her. "Sasuke must be the person you like. That's why you're so upset. Don't worry. As long as you keep him in your heart, you'll see each other again someday."
Looking at the exceptionally beautiful Kikyo before her, Sakura was too touched to speak.
After a moment of thought, Tsunade said, "Shizune, go get Shikamaru."
Anyo understood Tsunade's intention. "You're planning to send a newly promoted Chunin out with a few Genin? This mission might be harder than you imagine."
Tsunade replied expressionlessly, "You once said that trust was important, that it was passed down from the top. Rather than worrying about them, you should think about how you're going to explain this to your Sister Mikoto."
Anyo said helplessly, "I told