Hidan slowly opened his eyes and immediately spotted Kakuzu standing before him. His trademark arrogant grin spread across his face as he said, "Hey, Kakuzu..."
He had barely gotten those words out when his eyes went blank, and he stood rooted to the spot.
Kakuzu instinctively looked at Anyo.
Anyo smiled faintly and said, "I used the strongest genjutsu on him, Kotoamatsukami. From today onward, he'll obey your orders and mine completely. Even he won't know he's being controlled. Only this way can I feel at ease leaving him as your partner. Oh, right, let's add a mask, too."
As he spoke, Anyo readied a mask specially made by Sasori and casually slipped it over Hidan's face.
Recalling the battle against Konoha, Kakuzu had to admire Anyo's attention to detail. He agreed, "Good idea. He really does talk too much. Hidan, we're leaving."
At Kakuzu's command, Hidan snapped out of the genjutsu and followed him as if by reflex.
Anyo asked, "Uncle, where are you heading?"
Without looking back, Kakuzu retorted, "What, brat? Do I have to report my whereabouts to you now?"
"Uh, no, that's not it." Feeling rather sheepish, Anyo said, "I'll be staying in Konoha for a while. Come find me anytime if you need anything."
Kakuzu walked away so quickly that it was unclear whether he had heard. He gave no reply and disappeared into the woods with Hidan.
"To think Uncle left without even being interested in revenge. He's really broad-minded," Anyo murmured to himself. "Judging by the time, that guy should be arriving soon."
A large party of over a hundred people arrived in the small town nearest Konoha. At its head, a guileless-looking man gazed toward Konoha, not far away, with tears of emotion in his eyes. "Year after year went by, and