Abandoned?
Anya gave a dry laugh. "Let me correct you. *I* was the one who got abandoned."
Hakuto thought for a moment and said, "Then tell me what happened before you two split up. I'll judge fairly, but don't lie."
"Fine."
Anya didn't hold anything back and told his daughter everything that had happened between them inside Mount Hakuto.
"You actually poisoned her. Well, it seems like you did it with good intentions, but I disagree with that approach," Hakuto expressed her opinion, then continued, "Do you know why I say that *you're* the one who abandoned us?"
Anya's expression shifted slightly as he hesitantly asked, "Could there be something else I don't know about?"
Hakuto sighed and said, "Shizune told me that back then, when she followed Tsunade…"
"Wait a second," Anya interrupted with a strange look. "Why are you calling her 'older sister'?"
"Oh come on, you really don't understand women," Hakuto said helplessly. "Women really hate being reminded of their age—especially in front of others. So you *have* to address her as 'older sister.' Even now, you're still seen as an outsider."
"An outsider? Alright, go on," Anya couldn't really argue with that.
Hakuto continued, "When they left Konoha, they stayed in the town closest to it for a week. During that time, they didn't go anywhere. Shizune said she was always waiting for something, but you never showed up at all."
Upon hearing this, Anya could only respond with a bitter smile, speechless.
Hakuto wasn't going to let him off easily. Tilting her head, she asked, "What? No arguments this time?"
Anya recalled his mindset back then and helplessly replied, "When I knew she had left, I felt utterly defeated, thinking we probably just weren't suited for each other. I never imagined she'd actually be waiting for me."
"Then tell me—if you had known back then that she was carrying me in her womb?"
These words struck Anya like lightning. If I had known back then...
"I'd go to the ends of the earth to find her," Anya exhaled deeply, as if awakening from a dream. He said, "Hakuto, thank you. It's always been my fault. Now I want to make amends. Is there still a chance?"
"It's good that you realize your mistake. That means there's still a chance." Hakuto waved goodbye to Anya and skipped away cheerfully.
Anya stood frozen in place, unmoving for a long time.
Inside a small tavern, Tsunade was sitting there alone, drinking by herself. Her cheeks were flushed from all the sake she'd downed.
A tall figure walked in and naturally sat beside her, starting to sip his drink as well.
"Today's been quite the reunion with old friends, Jiraiya," Tsunade didn't turn around but already knew who had arrived.
Jiraiya's voice was heavy. "Oh, the other one must be Orochimaru. When a giant serpent suddenly burst from underground to block my path, I knew he was here. You two should've already met."
"Does it even matter if they've met or not?"
Tsunade was lost in thought, barely registering Orochimaru's sudden arrival. Her mind kept returning to the father and daughter she'd just met. She was even curious about what the two might be discussing.
Jiraiya sensed something was seriously wrong with Tsunade and cut right to the chase. "I came here because the old man passed away. The village has decided—they want you to become the Fifth Hokage."
"Hokage? No interest," Tsunade declined offhandedly.
"Dammit, I knew it. Perverted Sage, I knew you sneaking off could never mean anything good."
Just then, Naruto burst in from somewhere, shouting, "Plus, how can they actually want someone like you as the Fifth Hokage?"
Tsunade glanced at Naruto and asked, "Who's this noisy brat?"
Jiraiya introduced, "He's Naruto Uzumaki."
Tsunade gave Naruto a couple more looks and figured things out. She sneered slightly and said, "Jiraiya, this disciple of yours is nothing like your previous one. Whether it's intelligence, eloquence, or even appearance—he falls way short."
Naruto clenched his fist angrily. "What did you say?"
Jiraiya didn't argue. "There's probably only one person in this world who could rival the Fourth Hokage."
Tsunade couldn't help sighing. "But the Fourth died young, sacrificing himself for the village. As for that person you mentioned, he's still alive. Different choices lead to different outcomes."
Jiraiya's eyes shifted slightly. "Does that mean... he's here too?"
"Who's here? Did you meet another old friend, Granny Tsunade?" Shizune and Hakuto arrived together, both holding a little pig in their arms.
When Tsunade saw Hakuto, she shot up from her seat, voice trembling slightly. "You... came back."
Hakuto smiled faintly. "Of course. Where else would I go?"
"Who is she?" Jiraiya, just like Orochimaru, recognized her immediately by sight. His tone held disbelief as he asked, "Could it be... are you his child?"
Naruto squinted at Hakuto suspiciously, muttering under his breath, "Hmm, why does she seem kind of familiar?"
When Tsunade didn't respond,
Jiraiya slammed the table, his voice booming in fury, "Does he even know about this? All these years—hasn't he once come to see you two? That bastard—I'll make him pay!"
"Alright, calm down. Wanna play angry hero? That role's already taken." Anya strolled in with a confident smirk, plopping down as if nothing was amiss. She gestured and said, "Everyone sit. I've rented out this tavern already. More guests are on their way soon. Best to spill it all now while we're all here."
Jiraiya naturally didn't understand the reference, but when he heard there were more people coming, his heart jolted. He roughly guessed who it might be. His face darkened as he sat down.
"It's you," Naruto stood up in surprise, pointing at Anya. "Auntie Kurotsuchi? How come you're here too?"
Anya smiled warmly at Naruto. "Kurotsuchi is my pen name. My real name is Anya. But of course, you can also just call me Auntie."
"You're also a writer?" Hakuto asked curiously. "What books have you written?"
Anya pulled out an illustration and said, "Here, take a look. It's my new book, called Sailor Moon. It's totally perfect for someone like you!"
Naruto glanced at it and interrupted with clear dissatisfaction, "Why not keep writing about Oub Ultraman? Is this because Master Kakashi has been..."
Before he could finish, Jiraiya clamped his hand over Naruto's mouth.
Ever since Anya walked in, Tsunade felt like an outsider. She felt lost in her own thoughts, unsure of what to say. She silently started drowning her sorrows in alcohol.
The atmosphere turned icy until the tavern door swung open again.
Orochimaru walked in alone...
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