Following the ANBU downsizing, many rooms in the underground base had been vacated.
Yako now had his own office and private quarters—both neatly prepared by Purple Cat.
Each team also had its own changing and rest rooms.
Yako summoned all four of his squads:
White Ram Squad
Blossom Deer Squad
Hippo Squad
Yak Squad
White Ram and Blossom Deer had been under Yako's tutelage for some time, and both had grown into formidable shinobi.
Yako addressed them:
"We've just received our division's first mission since the ANBU restructuring.
Technically, it doesn't require a full deployment. But I spoke with Yellow Dog-sama—I want to use this mission to bond our newly formed squads.
You have thirty minutes to prepare. We depart for the far northeastern border of the Land of Earth."
—
At the village gates, other squads watched the ANBU teams leave with puzzled expressions.
'The war is over. Why are so many ANBU being deployed?'
Yako did some quick mental math. Reaching the northeastern border would take twelve days—right around the next full moon.
'Another revival window.'
—
During the first day's rest break, Yako called White Ram over.
"Now that ANBU is heading toward elite specialization, only the best will remain.
White Ram, you're the one I believe in most.
You're still a chūnin, but I intend to recommend you for Tokubetsu Jōnin.
This mission is your evaluation. Do well—go above and beyond.
If ANBU wants four Earth Release–affiliated prisoners, we'll bring back eight.
If they want battlefield intel, we'll interrogate every detail.
Do that, and I'll push your promotion myself. Understand?"
White Ram's heart surged with emotion.
"Understood! I won't let you down, Captain!"
Yako nodded, then paused as a name came to mind: Aburame Ryōma.
That Insect Clone Technique had left an impression.
He grasped White Ram's forearm, sensing the Destruction Bugs under the skin.
"White Ram, back in the Land of Rain, I worked a mission with B from Root. He was also from the Aburame clan and used Insect Clone Technique.
He could dissolve into a swarm of insects and re-form at will."
White Ram nodded. "Captain, the Insect Clone Technique is one of the Aburame clan's top-tier secrets.
It involves replacing as much of the body as possible with bugs—muscle, tissue, even internal structure. The process is extremely painful and requires rare talent.
The clan only permits its use when a member is gravely wounded—like a last resort, to attempt resurrection."
Yako winced at the thought. 'Replacing your body with bugs? That's a whole different level than simply raising them inside you.'
He remembered crushing Ryōma's heart and lungs in combat. The blood had felt… off.
"During that mission, I saw B injured. His blood wasn't normal—seems the transformation is incredibly thorough."
White Ram's face paled slightly. If even blood was converted…
Still, the technique was powerful. Even a severed limb could be replaced. And infiltration? Near unstoppable.
'Maybe… the key lies in altering the blood first.'
He'd ask his clan discreetly later, even if they refused to let him train it.
—
Next, Yako called in Blossom Deer.
"Of everyone, you're the one I believe in most.
You're still a chūnin, but I want to recommend you for Tokubetsu Jōnin.
This mission will be your evaluation. Aim to go above and beyond."
Blossom Deer was stunned.
So the one Captain values most… is me?
After losing his sister, he had drowned in grief. He'd abandoned civilian life and thrown himself into ANBU, hoping for death.
Though he felt numb, the prospect of promotion stirred something inside him.
"Captain, I swear—I'll give it everything I've got. I'll complete the mission flawlessly."
He specialized in Fire and Wind Release. Fire, in particular, required high chakra reserves.
Most Fire Jutsu differed primarily in scale, not form.
The more chakra one had, the more powerful the flames.
Blossom Deer had decent chakra talent—his reserves weren't low.
But chakra came from mixing physical and mental energy. The physical could be trained. The mental? Much harder.
Both reached their limit with age.
Some shinobi claimed traumatic or extreme emotional events could spike their spiritual energy. Others pushed themselves to death's edge for faster growth.
Yako had no good methods for increasing chakra. He'd relied on his system and transmigrator perks. Chakra theory wasn't his strength.
Still, one of this mission's objectives was to procure experimental subjects for Root.
If Orochimaru got involved… maybe his research included boosting chakra capacity.
—
After Blossom Deer, Yako had Purple Cat summon Hippo.
"Hippo, you and I were both company captains. Now I've become squad leader—barely.
Back then, you were the one I admired most.
Let's fulfill our missions together. After a few successful S-rank missions, I'll push for your promotion to Jōnin."
Hippo, from the Akimichi clan, nodded earnestly.
"Captain, I'm honored. You're strong—everyone sees it. I'm not jealous or resentful.
In the Fox Squad, I'll give it my all."
Yako nodded. Hippo was a veteran from Yellow Dog's old unit. Loyal and dependable.
—
Then came Yak.
"Yak, you and I were equals. Now I've moved up—but back then, you were the one I respected most.
Let's prove ourselves together. After a few more high-level missions, I'll help you reach Jōnin."
Yak, a civilian ninja and Earth Release specialist, was visibly moved.
He promised to give his all for the squad.
—
After all four squad leaders had left, Purple Cat stepped up.
"What about me, Captain? When do I get promoted to Tokubetsu Jōnin?"
Yako smirked.
"I'll take you along for a couple S-rank missions. That'll give you the merit needed.
But those aren't exactly common—I've only done six myself."
His six S-rank missions were well-known:
Discovering Uchiha Madara
Poisoning the Oasis
Turning in the Paraglider
Rearguard at Sabaku Port
Assassinating Takuji's wife
Seizing Hiramekarei
The mission to ambush the Mist's blade recovery team—where he'd slain Hōzuki Muratsuki—should've been S-rank, but thanks to Danzo's petty grudge, it hadn't been counted.