In the Hokage Office in Konoha, Tsunade listened to their report, then propped her chin on her hands. Under Naruto and Sakura's anxious gazes, she finally gave the order: "Team 7 will go. Bring Sasuke back alive."
"Yes! Thank you, Granny Tsunade!" Naruto was overjoyed. The three of them set off straight from the office to search for Sasuke.
In the blink of an eye, Anyo was the only one left there.
He could not help asking in puzzlement, "You aren't even assigning them a teacher? Kakashi may be injured, but the village has other Jonin."
Tsunade said calmly, "According to your report, Kikyo took down an Akatsuki member on her own. Her strength is certainly no less than Orochimaru's. Besides, she has the Sharingan and can effectively control the Nine-Tails inside Naruto. Sakura has studied under me for over two years, and she's no weakling. They'll be fine on this trip."
"Aren't you worried? How about I go with them?" Anyo suggested.
Tsunade shook her head and looked at Anyo with an unreadable gaze. "I kept you here because I have a suspicion I need to confirm."
"A suspicion?" Anyo understood. "About me?"
"Yes." Tsunade slapped the desk, stood up, and shouted angrily, "Just what is your relationship with Orochimaru?"
"There's no need to look so frightening. If you want to know something, just ask." Realizing that Tsunade wanted a serious talk with him, Anyo grew solemn as well.
"Orochimaru and I have been partners from the very beginning." Anyo hid nothing, telling Tsunade outright.
"Partners? Just as I thought." Tsunade gritted her teeth. "How can you say that so casually? Don't you know what kind of person he is?"
"What does that matter? Your teacher knew better than anyone what kind of person he was. And then what?