Severe Fever

I guess the Daimyo didn't take our advice seriously before consuming the golden apple, so technically, it's not our fault. We told him to start using makeup for a week to gradually appear younger, then eat the apple and resume using makeup to look older, gradually eliminating it until returning to his natural face. It would still be an extraordinary recovery, but nothing too flashy. With the amount of high-quality makeup the Daimyo's palace would buy during this time, people, whether spies or servants, would simply think that the youthful appearance was entirely false.

Now, in the hypothetical case that Orochimaru has really laid hands on the Daimyo's body, should I be worried? I mean, there are no residual traces of the golden apple in his body after consuming it, and all Orochimaru can confirm is how the man returned to his best state of health.

"I think Tsunade is right," Anko supported, leaning back, her gaze seeming to look into the past. "Such a perfect recovery would undoubtedly catch his attention, and abductions are a bit like his specialty."

Yes, I can understand what she means. Orochimaru is like the boogeyman in the ninja world.

"Does that mean we'll be Orochimaru's target from now on?" Nemu asked, outlining her line of thought. "I mean, the Fire Daimyo wasn't exactly subtle in giving orders to our benefit, and if what Tsunade has explained about him is true, I have no doubt he made the connection that we were the ones who gave him the golden apple. He might try to capture us and extract information."

What has Tsunade been telling Nemu?

"That would be extremely complicated," Shizune commented, offering her opinion on the matter. "Not to mention the fruit ability Enel gave us to strengthen ourselves or the training facilities we have here; there's still the hidden seal on our bodies."

Wait, so now I'm not Mr. Enel anymore, just Enel?

"All of that is still only under the premise that it was really Orochimaru who caused this," Mariko straightened the conversation before it veered off completely. "But I think being on guard might be a good option for a while."

"Will he try the same with the Wind Daimyo?" Pakura suddenly posed with a distressed expression.

And I understand why she says that with concern. The current one favors Pakura and supports Temari. If he ends up being replaced (or killed), we'll have to start over, and many things will complicate on that front. But I can't send someone to protect the Daimyo; my people are worth more than that guy.

"I don't think we have to worry about that," to my surprise, Tsunade was the one who dismissed our concerns. "If it really was Orochimaru, and with his abilities, he can't find anything in the Fire Daimyo's body, he'll understand that he won't find anything in the Wind Daimyo's either. He won't want to risk being labeled as the one who attacked two rulers. He may deduce that we made contact with him, but if that doesn't give him our location, he'll wait in the shadows to make his move."

"What a headache..." I rubbed my forehead with my hand in frustration. Killing Orochimaru is easy; the complicated part is ensuring he doesn't have more people with the cursed seal lurking around, and some fanatics resulting from his crazy experiments trying to revive him.

"In any case, let's stick to what was said, and each group will have to be careful when traveling," I told them as I took out Sarutobi's crystal ball from under the table. "Nemu, you'll help me prepare something while we head towards Uzushiogakure. The diagram is in the lab, and I have to go out for a while to pick up the final component. Ameyuri, I entrust you with the task of taking the Sky Island to the place I've marked on the map. Meanwhile, Shizune, I hope you can help me make a simple plan for what we expect to discuss at the Three Kages meeting."

After receiving confirmation from everyone and assigning tasks, my next destination is Konoha. But before leaving, I met with Anko for a moment to clarify a point that has intrigued me since she mentioned it in the meeting.

"Anko, who is the person you have in Konoha?"

"It's a secret~" she replied with a mischievous tone, narrowing her eyes playfully and crossing her arms under her chest.

I have to focus, keep my gaze on her beautiful eyes.

"I know that tone; what are you plotting this time?" I asked, raising an eyebrow inquisitively, as every time she plans something, she surprises me.

"Don't worry, I have everything under control," she assured, hitting her chest firmly, shaking it. "He's someone trustworthy."

Damn it! She's not making it easy for me, and from that smile, I'm sure she's doing it on purpose.

I raised my gaze to the sky and took a deep breath for a few seconds to calm down before looking back at her, telling her in a calm tone.

"...Just be careful, okay?" I would seriously be upset if whoever is in contact in Konoha is using Anko maliciously. Besides, why the hell did what I said sound so cheesy?

"Enel..." Anko took my hand as we intertwined our fingers, and our foreheads touched as I leaned down. It's just...

"Anko?" I called her.

"Yes?" she replied without separating.

"That's not my other hand."

"I know."

...

...Later...

"Why do we have to wait until tomorrow to leave?" Haku asked me, puzzled by the unexpected delay in his group's departure to Kumogakure, postponed at the last minute for the next day.

"Anko is not feeling well and has a bit of a fever," I replied without looking him in the eyes as my face was turned to observe a cloud with a very interesting shape passing by at that precise moment. "I already gave her medicine, so she'll be fine by tomorrow morning. We just have to let her rest quietly without disturbing her, okay?"

How can I tell him that Anko can't walk properly right now?

"Oh, okay," Haku nodded understandingly; a one-day difference wasn't a big deal for what they had to do anyway. "Should I prepare something light for her dinner?"

"No need; she already has a full stomach," I quickly covered my mouth with my hand, realizing that I almost said something I shouldn't have. "Just... make sure tomorrow's breakfast has a few more dishes. I'm sure she'll wake up very hungry after recovering from... the fever."

"Leave it to me!" Haku patted his forearm confidently. "Miss Pakura has been teaching me several dishes, and I know what Miss Anko likes, so I'll make sure she's satisfied with the food."

"Mmm, I trust you," I clapped him to encourage him and prepared to leave.

It's quite simple to know if Sasuke's pursuit has started or will start soon—I just have to check if the water tank of Konoha's hospital has a hole. And by the way, I want to see if they've already decided who the next Hokage will be.