When Yako returned to Tsurugetsu Tavern, he noticed that the house had already been decorated with New Year stickers.
The New Year was approaching. Next year would be Konoha Year 42.
After spending some time with Kyoi and the child, Yako waited until they were asleep before walking to the front of the tavern alone.
Even someone as ruthless as Danzo would still allow Yakushi Nono to return to the village for a month or two each year so she could take care of the orphanage.
But since the intelligence network had been handed over to Long-Arm Ape, Yakushi Nono had not returned even once.
They say a new official burns three fires upon taking office. Your position is so new that the fires haven't even finished burning yet.
Yako opened the right-hand scroll and asked Yakushi Nono where she was.
Her reply came quickly. She was currently in the Capital of the Land of Rivers, investigating the details surrounding the death of Mitokado Homura for the ANBU.
What was there to investigate? Yako himself had killed the man. With a few hints from him, Yakushi Nono would probably have enough to report.
The two discussed things through the scroll for a while. Yako promised that he would deal with Long-Arm Ape.
That man had gone too far.
Yakushi Nono was Yako's little seventh. There was no way he would let her keep suffering under that man's authority.
The next day, Yako visited the orphanage and left one hundred thousand ryo with Jenri. It would be enough for the children to enjoy a good New Year.
After night fell, Yako carried a scroll and entered Orochimaru's laboratory.
The man and woman whose heads had been swapped were already dead. Their heads and bodies had been separated again, and Orochimaru had split open their skulls, rummaging through their brains as if searching for something.
Orochimaru turned his head.
His surgical gloves were soaked with blood. He set down the tweezers and looked toward the scroll in Yako's hand.
His vertical pupils gleamed with mockery.
Yako easily read the meaning in Orochimaru's gaze.
Yellow Dog had been willing to sell even his father's forbidden techniques for the sake of power.
"Orochimaru-sama," Yako said, "your talent truly astonishes me. To independently develop the Five Elements Great Barrage—I admire you."
"Oh?" Orochimaru smiled. "You certainly know how to flatter. Was it not Yellow Dog who gave me the forbidden scroll?"
"How could Yellow Dog-sama possibly give you the Sarutobi clan's ultimate forbidden technique?" Yako replied calmly.
"This technique allows a ninja with five chakra natures to wield a terrifying trump card.
"Five chakra natures are difficult to master, but if someone lives long enough, they can gradually polish them, just like Sarutobi Hiaki.
"Once one possesses all five chakra natures, combining them with the Five Elements Great Barrage grants destructive power comparable to a Tailed Beast Ball.
"Yellow Dog-sama would never admit that he handed such a forbidden technique to someone.
"Never.
"No matter who asks. No matter the occasion."
Yako tossed the forbidden scroll to Orochimaru and then turned to leave.
Orochimaru caught the scroll and opened it, scanning it quickly. His eyes shone even brighter.
That was right.
It was indeed the Five Elements Great Barrage scroll. Especially the section describing the clash of five elemental chakras—if practiced according to the scroll, it truly might work.
Orochimaru's greatest strength had always been survival.
But his offensive power had always fallen slightly short.
With the Five Elements Great Barrage, that weakness would finally be filled. His combat power would reach the peak level of a conventional ninja.
This was a forbidden technique comparable to a Tailed Beast Ball.
Orochimaru carefully stored the scroll away and formed a hand seal.
Half a minute later, three subordinates appeared beside him.
"Spread the word," Orochimaru said calmly. "I have no interest in the position of Foreign Affairs Advisor."
The three exchanged glances but asked no questions. They simply went to carry out Orochimaru's order.
The next day, news spread through Orochimaru's confidants that he would not be taking the position of Foreign Affairs Advisor.
With Orochimaru withdrawing, only one candidate remained.
Yellow Dog.
When Hippo heard that Orochimaru had stepped aside, he rushed into the deputy commander's office and said excitedly,
"Fox-sama! With Orochimaru out, Yellow Dog-sama is about to become part of Konoha's high leadership!"
Yako replied calmly,
"The rumors you spread were simply a form of signaling.
"Major decisions in Konoha have nothing to do with ordinary villagers—or even the ninja clans.
"Two or three people in the Hokage's office decide the fate of the entire village.
"Orochimaru appeared close to becoming an advisor, but in reality he was far from it.
"Yellow Dog may seem slightly short of the position on the surface, but in truth the role already belongs to him."
He paused and added,
"And let me emphasize again: everything we have done has been done behind Yellow Dog-sama's back. Do not report any of this to him. He knows absolutely nothing."
Hippo nodded repeatedly, clearly enlightened.
His loyalty was unquestionable.
But his abilities were far inferior to Fox-sama's. His talents were suited only for leading a small squad.
Several days later, Yako was summoned to the underground level of the Hokage Building.
When Yellow Dog saw Fox enter, he stood up.
"Come, Fox. We're going to meet the Hokage."
"I don't know why Orochimaru suddenly withdrew from the competition, but now I'm the only candidate left.
"After several days of hesitation, the Hokage has finally relented.
"Come with me. Tell the Hokage about ANBU's future arrangements and ease his concerns."
Yako noticed the burning intensity in Yellow Dog's eyes behind the mask.
'He's completely intoxicated with the opportunity.'
Good.
The only thing to fear was him refusing to leave the village.
The two climbed the stairs and entered the Hokage's office.
Seeing Yellow Dog and Fox enter, Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed and exhaled a long cloud of smoke from his pipe.
He frowned thoughtfully.
After a long silence, he spoke.
"Yellow Dog… have you truly thought this through? Are you certain you want to become the Foreign Affairs Advisor?"
For several days, Yellow Dog had been persuading him, hoping to advance one step further.
Yellow Dog removed his mask without hesitation, revealing a lean face.
It was the first time Yako had seen his appearance.
He resembled Sarutobi Hiruzen somewhat—only younger and sharper.
Removing the mask symbolized his farewell to the ANBU life he had lived for years.
He had risked his life carrying out missions for this very moment.
"Hokage-sama," Yellow Dog said firmly, "the Guardian Ninja of the various daimyo are in panic. The daimyo of smaller nations are beginning to doubt Konoha's strength.
"Torifu-sama has been inactive for years and cannot return.
"Orochimaru is obsessed with experiments and has no interest in the complicated, time-consuming duties of foreign affairs.
"As for the others—either their strength is insufficient, or their status unsuitable.
"But I, Hokage-sama—I too have mastered a forbidden technique. I believe I am fully capable of becoming the Foreign Affairs Advisor."
Yako was startled.
Since when had Yellow Dog mastered a forbidden technique?
It seemed that during the past year or two as ANBU commander, Yellow Dog had not been idle either.
Yako himself had never died at Yellow Dog's hands, so he wasn't particularly afraid. Still, he wondered what forbidden technique the man had mastered.
From Yellow Dog's performance so far, his strength clearly surpassed Asuma's in the original timeline.
Even under normal conditions, with taijutsu and Fire Release alone, he would already be considered an elite jonin.
If he truly possessed a forbidden technique…
Then Yellow Dog's strength might already be approaching Kage-level.
Sarutobi Hiruzen studied his son's determined expression.
"Becoming Foreign Affairs Advisor is dangerous. Extremely dangerous.
"Uchiha Madara. Sarutobi Kanosuke. And the Mangekyō user known as Spiral Zetsu.
"Any one of them possesses terrifying power."
He gestured toward Fox with his chin.
"Fox specializes in defensive secret techniques and also wields Wood Release. Battles he survives… you might not survive—even with a forbidden technique. What do you think?"
Yellow Dog did not hesitate.
"Hokage-sama, opportunities to become a high-ranking advisor are incredibly rare.
"So rare that they may not appear even once in a decade.
"This is the best opportunity.
"And the only one."
His implication was clear.
The other advisors would not easily vacate their positions.
Koharu Utatane managed internal affairs and rarely left the village. She could remain advisor until death.
Danzo was both powerful and extremely cautious—and now he possessed Wood Release. Killing him would be even harder.
Another vacancy might not appear for ten years.
Yellow Dog's age and experience were not yet ideal.
But he could not wait.
Sarutobi Hiruzen asked quietly,
"If you leave to become Foreign Affairs Advisor, what will happen to ANBU?"
"Hokage-sama, please rest assured," Yako said immediately.
"After Yellow Dog-sama becomes advisor, I will continue reporting everything to him and manage ANBU's daily affairs on his behalf.
"For major missions, Yellow Dog-sama will still remain the ultimate authority.
"As for Yellow Dog-sama's safety, ANBU can dispatch an elite guard squad to protect him."
Yako thought to himself:
'Protect him? We'll see about that. I'll personally make sure he's carried back in perfect condition.'
Hearing Fox's statement, Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head again, weighing the decision.
Pushing Yellow Dog into a high-ranking position…
Was it truly a good thing?
Or a disaster waiting to happen?
Several minutes later, he let out a long sigh, as if reaching a decision.
"Sarutobi Shinnosuke…"
For the first time, he addressed his son by name rather than by the ANBU codename Yellow Dog.
Joy flashed across Shinnosuke's face.
His father had agreed.
"Since you wish to become the Foreign Affairs Advisor so strongly… and since you have mastered a forbidden technique…"
BANG!
The Hokage office door slammed open violently.
Yako's scalp tingled.
That force… that style…
Danzo, without a doubt.
Damn it.
Danzo had come again to ruin everything.
Yako turned his head—
Then froze.
He had misjudged.
The person who stormed in with blazing fury was none other than Sarutobi Hiruzen's wife.
Sarutobi Biwako.
"I refuse to allow my son to become some advisor! The two of you will not make decisions behind my back!"
Seeing the situation escalate, Yako quickly rushed forward and shut the office door, then stood quietly by it as the family argument began.
"Mother!" Sarutobi Shinnosuke said urgently. "This opportunity is incredibly rare! I cannot miss it!"
Sarutobi Biwako shouted,
"I just came from Koharu's daughter's funeral! I just came from Koharu's daughter's funeral!"
She repeated it twice, clearly overwhelmed with emotion.
"The bodies of Etsu and Hiki were returned to Konoha.
"Koharu is currently preparing their remains.
"But those bodies can't even be called bodies!
"They're two piles of crushed flesh!"
Her voice trembled.
"The horrifying part is that even in that mangled flesh, you can still see their outlines.
"Even I could immediately tell which pile belonged to Etsu and which belonged to Hiki!"
"They were a married couple! How pitiful they were!"
She suddenly turned on her husband.
"Sarutobi Hiruzen! You useless man!
"You can't deal with rogue ninja yourself, so now you're sending your own son to do it?!
"Why don't you go to the Land of Rain?!
"Why don't you go to the Land of Grass?!
"Why don't you go to the Land of Rivers?!
"If you had killed Uchiha Madara back then, would we be facing all these problems now?!"
The moment Biwako began shouting at the Hokage himself, Yako quietly opened the door a crack and slipped out.
The rest of the conversation was not meant for his ears.
Standing in the hallway, he gestured for everyone nearby to move away from the Hokage's office.
The Hokage's assistants, visiting shinobi—everyone retreated under the ANBU deputy commander's order.
Yako leaned against the wall, listening to the fierce argument inside.
'Did my plan just collapse…?'
More than ten minutes later, the office door opened.
Yako saw Biwako still raging like an angry tigress.
And beside her—
Sarutobi Shinnosuke…
Wearing the Yellow Dog mask again.
Yako sighed internally.
He had given away the Five Release Great Combo Technique scroll…
Yet failed to create the opportunity to assassinate Yellow Dog.
'A woman with long hair and short insight… ruining my great plan.'
Then another thought crossed his mind.
He could not let all that effort go to waste.
If one plan failed, he would simply make another.
If pushing Yellow Dog out of the village had failed…
Then he would settle for the next best option.
Hatake Sakumo.
It might be possible to push him into the position instead.