Disclaimer: Naruto and all related characters belong to Shonen Jump.

It had been a nearly a month since the official end to the Fourth Great Ninja War. The days since had been a time of moving forward, honoring those who had fallen during the conflict. More importantly, however, it was also a time of change, particularly for the Hidden Leaf Village.

Now, standing in the Hokage's office, Anko Mitarashi was facing one such change.

"Lady Anko," the Sixth Hokage said as he watched from his chair, his elbows resting on his desk as his fingers crossed underneath his masked chin, "thank you for coming on such short notice."

Anko was not sure what to make of it. For the longest time, since her days as a genin, she had grown accustomed to the comforting presence of the Third Hokage. Perhaps it was because he was the one who had found Anko after her parting of ways with the treacherous Orochimaru. At first Anko had been distrustful of even him, her experiences with her teacher having harmed her ability to trust anyone. She had even wondered it if was simply guilt over Orochimaru's actions that drove him, nothing more, as the Sannin had been one of the Hokage's own students years earlier. Slowly but surely, however, Hiruzen Sarutobi had helped Anko to move past her misgivings for anyone and everyone. She had begun to both trust and respect the Third Hokage.

Then he had died, his life forfeit against Orochimaru himself. In the end Anko had to grow accustomed to a new Hokage, Lady Tsunade of the Sannin. At first it had been a rocky start, the special jonin unable to process anyone besides Hiruzen Sarutobi leading and protecting the village. Eventually, however, she felt the same respect for Tsunade, the legendary kunoichi proving herself exponentially.

Now Anko Mitarashi found herself having to experience the tides of change once more. Tsunade had survived both the war and even direct combat with Madara Uchiha as well, but she had felt the time had come to move on and leave the Hidden Leaf Village in good hands. The Sannin continued to aide those in need with her medical ninjutsu, especially those wounded in the war, but she had stepped down from her role as the Hokage.

In her place now was the son of the White Fang, the copycat ninja known as Kakashi Hatake. It was no surprise to Anko that he had been granted the title, in no small part due to his reputation as well as his influential actions at the war's end. Still, she had finally grown accustomed to the presence of the Fifth Hokage, but now Anko had to accept a sixth.

"It is... an honor," the special jonin said, bowing at the waist slightly. "What can I do for you, Lord Hokage?"

"Please," Kakashi said, waving his right hand in objection to Anko's actions, "don't be so formal."

Anko could not help but object, her brown eyes widening as she spoke in protest. "But that would be-"

"Please."

"All... all right." Anko really could not comprehend how to handle associating with a Hokage that was not above her, but a part of her generation of shinobi. It was a unique situation from her perspective, but one she knew she would have to comprehend quickly. "So... why did you wish to see me?"

"To talk," the Sixth Hokage answered, his voice growing serious. "There is something I need to tell you about the war."

Anko's heart sank at those words, knowing full well what Kakashi was referring to. It had been a concern of hers since the moment she had awoken from the Infinite Tsukuyomi. The purple haired kunoichi had tried her best to ignore the obvious, to look away from the past as she had forced herself to do nearly all her life, but now she could tell the truth was going to come out one way or the other.

"Orochimaru."

"Yes," Kakashi replied, his shoulders sinking as he did so. "The previous Hokage confirmed to me that Orochimaru was present on the battlefield for the last stages of the war."

"But how?" Anko knew she could never doubt Orochimaru's tenacity, his ability to cheat death, but to die and then return to the world of the living as if nothing had occured was unfathomable "He was... supposed to be dead. Killed by Sasuke Uchiha."

"It's more complicated than that," Kakashi sighed. "The earlier reports of his death were not entirely true. One of my... sources informed me that while Sasuke did in fact betray and kill Orochimaru, his consciousness lived on in the Curse Mark that adorned Sasuke. The same seal as yours."

"Had," Anko corrected. "It's gone now."

The special jonin detected traces of sadness in her words, something that completely caught her off guard. She had always hated the Curse Mark, despising the pain it had put her through. Worse still, it had marked her as just another victim of Orochimaru. Now that it was gone, however, it was like a piece of her was lost forever.

What the hell is wrong with me? Good riddance to that damned seal!

"So I've been informed," Kakashi continued. "It was removed from you during the war."

"Who told you that?" Anko asked, raising an eyebrow in suspicion. Her voice began to raise, her temper flaring. "This source you talk about is awfully familiar with my predicament, isn't he? So what did Kabuto tell you? What the hell did he do to me?"

Anko had heard the rumors, that after the war had ended Kabuto Yakushi had willingly turned himself over to the Allied Shinobi Forces, seeking penance for his actions.

"Please calm down," the Sixth Hokage said sternly, though traces of compassion still danced across his words. "It was not Kabuto who told me of such things. It was Sasuke himself."

"What?"

"As you've no doubt heard, the young man proved instrumental in ending the war..." Kakashi's voice trailed off, as if he was hiding something in regards to the Uchiha descendant. "That was why his past crimes were pardoned, so long as he lives on the straight and narrow path."

"Really?" Anko stared skeptically at the masked Hokage, knowing there was more to Sasuke's role in the war then he let on. The special jonin wanted to press for details, but there was more concerning matters to deal with. "So what did he tell you?"

"Sasuke said that during a battle with his brother, Orochimaru revealed himself to be still alive. He reconstituted himself from Sasuke's Curse Mark. However, Itachi Uchiha then sealed Orochimaru away with a jutsu unique to him. From Sasuke's explanation it appeared that Orochimaru was trapped in a genjutsu of eternal paradise."

"That would be too good for him." Anko bit her lower lip in anger, trying to come to terms with the man who had betrayed her living in eternal bliss.

"I would have to agree," Kakashi continued. "But please, don't concern yourself over it."

"Long story, huh?"

"Yes. During the war, Sasuke, along with some aide from an unlikely source, defeated Kabuto and ended the Reanimation jutsu," Kakashi continued. "Thus, in turn, stopping Kabuto from using your Curse Mark to empower his resurrected army."

"Huh." Anko did not know what else to say. She had never imagined her life would have been saved by a traitor to the Hidden Leaf. "Guess I ought to thank the little punk."

"There's more," Kakashi interrupted. "Using the trace amounts of Orochimaru's chakra in your Curse Mark, as well as a sample of Kabuto's mutated flesh-"

"Oh, eww..." Anko's face contorted at Kakashi's words. She was never a squeamish individual, but the macabre practice the Hokage was describing was too much even for her.

"- Sasuke used a jutsu of some particular sort to combine the two and freed Orochimaru from his imprisonment, fashioning a new body from Kabuto's skin sample. Your Curse Mark was destroyed in the process."

"So..." Anko's eyes narrowed. "You're telling me that not only did I not contribute any value to the Allied Shinobi Forces during the war, that not only did Kabuto use me involuntarily to power up the soldiers that were slaughtering our compatriots..."

Anko's breath was becoming ragged and labored, her anger finally boiling to the surface. The Sixth Hokage could see and hear the signs, sensing the hatred that was threatening to consume her. For now he knew she needed to vent, thus he allowed it go on.

"You're telling me that I played a part in the resurrection of that... that bastard?" Anko's voice cracked as she screamed, her eyes wide with anger, a single tear escaping one of them. "Is that what you're trying to tell me?"

Kakashi suddenly stood up and walked over towards Anko. The Hokage placed his right hand on one of her shoulders. "It's going to be all right."

The contact, the words, they left Anko Mitarashi stunned and silent. It was just as the Third Hokage had done when he had found Anko alone after Orochimaru's betrayal of her. The special jonin looked up at Kakashi and, for just a moment, she saw a flash of Hiruzen Sarutobi standing before her, dressed in his Hokage garb.

Despite the nostalgic reassurance, however, Anko was still left in despair. She recalled her last encounter with Orochimaru in the Forest of Death. She had been so determined to end his life that she had been willing to sacrifice her own in the process. Now to confirm her suspicions that she had played a part in the man's continued presence in the world was enough to throw her life into disarray.

"I..." she stammered. "I..." Slowly but surely Anko's voice hardened, a newfound determination overriding everything else. "I have to kill him. I will kill him!"

"Anko..." Kakashi's face lowered for a moment. He stepped back to his desk and returned to sitting in his chair. "I ask that you reconsider your desires. Despite your past experiences you've always moved on with your life, not seeking vengeance."

"This is different!" Anko right hand balled into a fist, her grip so tight that blood began to seep out from the cuts that formed. She grit her teeth in response to the minor pain. Her face then came alive with rage. "He was gone! The world was free from his influence, from any future transgressions! And I was used to bring him back!"

Consumed with anger, Anko raised her bloody fist up.

"It's my responsibility to put him back where he belongs! And I will make him pay for what he has done or die trying!"

Kakashi exhaled, his breath held no more. "As the former leader of Team Seven I've seen how revenge and hatred can blacken a heart... For your own sake..."

"Yes, Sasuke Uchiha..." Anko rasped. "And from what you've told me he looked into that abyss and came back."

"With great consequence," Kakashi said. "He brought suffering upon himself and those who cared for him."

"And why care about me?" Anko said, her gaze suddenly lowering to the floor, her clenched fist falling by her side, the blood dripping away. "My blood relations have all passed on, I have no team of comrades to call family... The only ones who will suffer are myself and that damned Orochimaru."

Kakashi sighed, then reached towards the intercom on his desk. He pressed a button on it and then spoke. "Shizune, please send up the members of Team Seven that are on the premises."

"Yes sir," a voice spoke from the box. "I'll send up Naruto Uzumaki and Sakura Haruno at once."

"The... hell?" Anko's face suddenly shifted from anger to confusion. "What do they have to do with this?"

"This village is your family," Kakashi said. "The bonds between us all are stronger then you give them credit for. And those two signify that principle better than anyone. Besides... Sakura is a medical expert and I'd say your hand needs healing."

Anko's face grew sullen. She unclenched her fist and looked down at the blood that had pooled in the palm of her hand. The price I pay for my anger... The Hokage is right...

"Hey, Kakashi-sensei! What' up- ow!"

"Be more polite! He's the Hokage now! Honestly..."

Anko Mitarashi turned around and caught sight of the members of Team Seven standing in the doorway. Naruto was currently holding the top of his head with both hands. The pink haired Sakura was beside him, her left hand a tightened fist that clearly had been used.

Good to see the war didn't change them any...

"Oh, Lady Anko," Sakura suddenly said, her angry expression fading. "Good to see you."

"Her?" Naruto said, his face suddenly carrying an expression of fear. "W-What are you doing here?"

The mood was quickly lightened and Anko could not help but giggle. He ended the war and yet he still freaks out when he sees me. Guess I really did do a number on him back during the Chunin Exams...

It was then that Anko noticed the bandages that covered Naruto's right hand. She could only imagine it was a war wound, but seeing it on the energetic shinobi left her feeling cold. He deserved better than to suffer as the world made so many others do.

"What... happened to you?"

Naruto clearly could see that Anko's gaze had focused on his arm. He tried to laugh it off, scratching the back of his head with that very hand. "Oh, it's nothing. Just a flesh wound."

"Naruto," Kakashi suddenly spoke up, "tell her the truth."

Naruto's nervous smile faded fast and he looked directly at Anko with stern eyes. "It was the price I paid for defeating Sasuke and saving the world."

"What?" Anko was taken back. "I thought the Uchiha kid helped you end the war."

"He did, but..." Sakura's eyes looked away, the kunoichi unable to finish the sentence.

"Revenge is not a simple matter," Kakashi said, suddenly standing behind Anko, his hand on her shoulder once more. "These two suffered physically and mentally because of Sasuke's hateful actions. Things have been resolved as best they possible could, but the years leading up to it..."

Even the Hokage was unable to find the words.

"Sakura," he finally said, changing the subject, "if you would, please heal Anko's hand."

"Right." Sakura reached out with her black gloved hands, taking hold of Anko's damaged one. A green light, the product of the medical expert's chakra, lit the room up. "There. All set. Does it still hurt, Lady Anko?"

"No, I..." Anko looked down at her healed hand, the blood no more. "Thank you."

Anko closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

"All right, so you all forgave Sasuke," she said. "I get that. But you don't know Orochimaru like I do. He's beyond redemption."

"Maybe," Kakashi said, returning to his desk. "He's always been a hard one to read or understand. I will take your word for it, however. His actions are monstrous. There's no denying that. But..."

"But?" Anko wanted to know just where the Hokage was going with this.

"Tell me, what happens if you spill ink on paper?"

"The paper absorbs the ink," Anko replied matter-of-factly. "What of it?"

"Uh, Kaka- Lord Hokage?" Naruto stammered, ready to avoid another punch from Sakura. "Why are we talking about paper? I thought this was about Orochimaru?"

"Naruto..." Sakura couldn't help but bring her right hand up, dropping her face into her palm. "It's a metaphor..."

"Huh?"

"Even the purest substance can be corrupted," Kakashi continued, ignoring Team Seven's background conversation.

"Are you saying Orochimaru was pure once?"

"I do not know," Kakashi answered. "Only his fellow Sannin, Hiruzen Sarutobi or yourself could honestly answer that. But... I had a friend once. He was as kind hearted as they came. But, in the end, the world broke his spirit and he did many unforgivable things."

"And?"

"In the end... I forgave him nonetheless."

"Fine," Anko nearly hissed. "So let's say I forgive Orochimaru. So what? That doesn't make up for his crimes. Kabuto clearly wishes for penance, but I don't see the world leaving him to go free. He's imprisoned. And I don't know about your friend but-"

"So you've heard about that," Kakashi said. "Yes, Kabuto turned himself in and is currently calling the newly rebuilt Blood Prison his home. As for my friend... he did not live to see justice's retribution. He died to make amends as best he could. Look, I'm not saying Orochimaru would do either. No doubt his helping us win the war was an act of self-preservation."

"Like I said," Anko continued, hers a steely gaze, "he still needs to face justice for his crimes against so many."

"I agree, but..." Kakashi spoke truthfully, as he always had, "no one knows where he is now."

"The coward fled the battlegrounds after the Infinite Tsukuyomi was dispelled, didn't he?"

"Yes." Kakashi looked at Anko, trying to read her emotions now. Unfortunately for him, he found them masked. Undeterred, he continued to speak. "Our forces are looking everywhere for a sign of him."

"But Kakashi, he can't be that much of a threat," Naruto suddenly spoke up. "Both Sasuke and I could defeat him easily now."

"Naruto," Kakashi said, his tone showing signs of anger. "You have grown strong, but do not let your overconfidence overshadow your skill and strength. Yes, we as Team Seven ended the war by conquering a foe that vastly overshadows Orochimaru, but he is no fool. His goal was always to master ever jutsu, to conquer both life and death. Do you think he will not grow stronger himself the longer he is in hiding?"

"Well, uh, true." Naruto grinned sheepishly, slowly backing away from Sakura just in case.

"So what do you want me to do, track Orochimaru down?" Anko asked earnestly. She had grown used to such missions, having spent plenty of time hunting down Kabuto. Though she knew how that had ended, much to her dismay.

"No," Kakashi answered, as if he knew what she was thinking as well. "For now I want you to rest and recuperate."

"All right," Anko replied, not missing a beat. "Well then... if I may be excused?"

"Yes, that is all," the Sixth Hokage said. "And Anko... please be careful."

"I'm not going to go after him without permission," Anko retorted. "So you don't have to worry about me getting hurt in a fight or whatever."

"I didn't mean that," Kakashi replied. "Just be mindful of yourself."

Anko did not know what to say to that. She knew Kakashi had reason to be concerned, past experiences no doubt influencing him, and Anko did not want to be diserespectful to a Hokage. She simply bowed slightly once more, then walked between both Naruto and Sakura and left the Hokage's office behind. As she stepped out into the hall, the special jonin dwelled on Kakashi's words. She knew he had asked her to rest but his last words were an obvious giveaway of his true feelings on the matter. The Sixth Hokage had to have known she could not take all of his advice to heart.

It will be a matter of justice, not vengeance, but he knows that I can't just sit back and do nothing while Orochimaru roams the land. Not when the responsibility for every action he takes now falling on my shoulders...