Yellow Dog led Yako out of the Jōnin Corps' evaluation chamber.
Outside the Hokage's office on the third floor, they caught sight of Tsunade storming out, her face cold and her steps forceful.
Whatever she and the Hokage had discussed, it hadn't gone well.
Inside, the Third Hokage sat at his desk, staring blankly at the surface.
It was the silence after a heated argument.
He didn't lift his head until Yellow Dog stood beside him.
Then, Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression shifted in an instant—from grim to warmly pleased.
"Oh? Fox already passed Shikakaku's test?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen opened the jōnin recommendation scroll and skimmed through it.
"Five S-rank missions, all under ANBU… That record alone qualifies you.
Interview says Copper Fox is a little extreme?
Well, that's hardly a problem for ANBU.
Combat trial—Shikakaku says even after ten more minutes, there'd be no conclusion? Sounds like your defense is exceptional."
He looked up.
"Fox, there's no issue with approving your promotion.
But I do want to ask you something else.
Both Yellow Dog and Black Ant have recommended you for ANBU Division Captain.
Tell me, how would you handle that role?"
Yako's heart skipped.
A surprise promotion? Not just to jōnin—but Division Captain as well?
ANBU Division Captains wield enormous authority—managing over sixty ANBU operatives, overseeing training, promotions, and jutsu rewards.
They could even operate independently to oversee an entire war effort.
After a brief pause, Yako replied:
"There are two responsibilities I would focus on above all.
First—completing every mission entrusted to me by you, Lord Hokage, no matter the cost.
Second—so long as it doesn't conflict with your orders, I will follow Yellow Dog-sama's lead without question.
Should he be promoted to ANBU Vice Commander, I vow to be the sharpest blade in his hand."
Yako thought: If I only say I'll follow the Hokage, it won't stand out.
His rise through the ranks—tokubetsu jōnin, then jōnin—had all been thanks to Yellow Dog's recommendations.
Yellow Dog was clearly grooming him as a close subordinate.
And judging by the Hokage's near-blind trust in Yellow Dog, emphasizing his loyalty to the man would likely pay off.
It did.
The Third's expression brightened further.
Yellow Dog nodded in approval.
"Very good," said the Hokage.
"Your jōnin promotion will be finalized today.
As for your captaincy… Prove yourself in Uzushio first.
Help Yellow Dog earn his promotion to Vice Commander—when he moves up, his division will be yours."
"Understood, Lord Hokage, Yellow Dog-sama. I won't let you down!"
If Yellow Dog became Vice Commander, he would finally step into Konoha's upper echelons. From then on, he could rightfully be addressed as dono.
The Hokage continued:
"As a reward for becoming jōnin, ANBU operatives are allowed to learn one A-rank jutsu of their choice.
Do you have a plan for your abilities?"
Yako had been thinking about that on the way over.
His top priority? Sanitizing his toolkit.
Some of his core techniques—like Sealing Arts and Water Flicker—were deeply rooted in classified or controversial sources.
This was a chance to rebrand.
No one would question a jōnin learning a new jutsu through official channels.
He wouldn't dream of requesting an S-rank technique.
Those were restricted far beyond standard jōnin.
"My elemental jutsu are already well-balanced," he said.
"I'd prefer to refine what I have.
But… would it be possible for me to learn a sealing technique?"
"Sealing, hmm…" Hiruzen mused.
"Tsunade came here earlier.
The Senju clan found out ANBU had been using sealing arts, and she came demanding answers—wanted to know where they'd come from.
In truth, ANBU unearthed some techniques while investigating the downfall of Uzushio.
They were recovered from corpses of Uzumaki shinobi."
Hiruzen handed him a scroll.
"Have a look at the list. Pick one.
Sealing jutsu are incredibly useful. They may become vital to you someday."
No wonder Tsunade had looked furious.
'So it was for the sake of investigation, was it?'
Yeah, right. Tsunade wasn't that naïve.
Yellow Dog brought over the scroll:
"Sarutobi Hiruzen's Sealing Jutsu Research Catalog"
Yako scanned the list.
None of the most famous techniques were present: Four Symbols Seal, Eight Trigrams Seal, Reaper Death Seal, Adamantine Sealing Chains, or Reverse Four Symbols Seal.
But finally, he spotted one familiar name.
"I'd like to learn the Self-Binding Curse Mark, Lord Hokage."
"Self-Binding?"
Hiruzen nodded slowly.
"It's permitted. But the jutsu is quite difficult—without the special chakra of the Uzumaki, few can master it. Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. I witnessed it used during a mission in Uzushio, and it left a strong impression.
I'm willing to commit the time to mastering it."
At last — an official chance to 'sanitize' his strongest sealing technique.
Soon, only Water Flicker would remain in the shadows.
He just had to find a way to tie it to Hanzō somehow.
—
Yako left the Hokage's office with his heart full.
He'd earned the jōnin rank — and gained a powerful new jutsu.
Back at ANBU HQ, he encountered Yellow Dog's assistant, Butterfly.
She approached respectfully.
"Fox-sama, please follow me. You now have your own office."
Yako smiled inwardly.
Finally.
As a jōnin and future division captain, he would need a space for paperwork, mission approvals, and intel analysis.
Outside the office, he spotted Hippo and Yak.
Who says ANBU has no social rituals? These two know the game.
"Congratulations, Fox-sama."
"Well deserved, Fox-sama."
If Yako was promoted, these two would likely become his squad captains.
He smiled.
"Come in. Let's see what my office looks like."
—
Inside the room was a scroll cabinet, a locked cabinet for classified scrolls, a large desk and a smaller one — probably for an assistant — and several chairs.
A high window offered a view of the Death Forest, masked by a thicket of camouflaged shrubs.
A hanging lantern and two desk lamps lit the space.
Off to the side, a small rest area — complete with a bed and wardrobe.
It was nearly identical to Yellow Dog's office.
This would be his base of operations for the foreseeable future.
Butterfly asked, "Fox-sama, you may now appoint a personal assistant.
Do you have someone in mind?"
"Purple Cat," Yako said without hesitation.
"I'll take her to registration immediately."
Hippo and Yak congratulated him again, and Yako assured them that if he became Division Captain, he'd make sure to keep them close.
They left satisfied.
Soon, Purple Cat burst into the office, eyes shining with excitement.
"Purple Cat," Yako said, "you'll be my full-time assistant from now on.
I'm assigning Antelope to lead your squad."
She looked around the office, thrilled.
"Captain… so this means we don't have to wait for the locker room to clear out anymore, huh?
Yesterday you were saying it was so inconvenient, and now we've got our own space. You're amazing."
She darted into the resting area, eyes twinkling behind the mask.
Yako followed and kicked the door shut behind him.
"No more sneaking around.
You agree, don't you?"
The new bed, surprisingly, was very soft.