From very early on, Anyo had noticed an adventurous streak in Kikyo's personality. It was also why she wanted to become a ninja. Outwardly well-behaved and obedient, she yearned for adventure inside, so ninja missions had always been journeys of exploration to her, and she delighted in them. Her disappearance this time had likewise stemmed from her nature. The difficulty and danger of a mission that called for one of the Konoha Sannin to undertake it alone were easy to imagine. Kikyo could not have been unaware of them, yet she had followed him anyway.
There was really nothing wrong with that disposition. When it came to taking risks, Anyo went even further than Kikyo. Facing more than twenty thousand Allied Forces alone back then had been an enormous gamble. Fortunately, he had succeeded. Had he failed, not even his bones would have remained.
It isn't Kikyo who's wrong, but this world. It seems I need to pick up the pace.
After leaving Amegakure, Anyo flew toward Konoha without pausing for a moment. He was only halfway there when he sensed familiar people ahead. Retracting the wings on his back, he dropped straight out of the sky.
"Who's there?"
Yugao, holding Waning Moon, was the first to notice the sound of something cutting through the air. She stood with her sword ready. Beside her, Shizune reflexively took two steps forward and brought out the poison gas she carried to defend herself. Behind them stood Tsunade, who was preparing to travel to the Land of Hot Water for the Five Kage Summit.
"It's me." Anyo's familiar voice made all three breathe a sigh of relief. Tsunade stepped forward in agitation and asked, "Where have you been all these days?"
Anyo gave a faint smile. "Taking care of a few minor matters.