The Capital of the Land of Rivers.
The daimyo had been poisoned into a coma. The crown prince had been assassinated by a Sand ninja puppet technique.
Guardian Captain Mitokado Etsu had been killed. Even the visiting Konoha advisor Mitokado Homura had died as well.
Panic spread among the nobles of the Land of Rivers.
Amid crisis and chaos, Treasury Minister Kojii Chisa was naturally pushed forward by the nobles as the temporary leader.
Chisa received a scroll from her summoning beast, White Porcelain.
It was a scroll written by Fox.
Following Fox's instructions, Chisa formally sent diplomatic letters to both the Land of Fire and Konoha.
The wording of the letters was severe, clearly expressing the dissatisfaction and anxiety of the Land of Rivers' daimyo family.
Fox had also emphasized that Chisa must contact the daimyo of Uzushio Village.
When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves.
The message was meant to stir a sense of urgency in the Uzushio daimyo.
Sure enough, the daimyo of Uzushio Village was frightened by Chisa's letter and quickly sent his own diplomatic message to the Land of Fire and Konoha.
Seeing two vassal states so alarmed, the daimyo of the Land of Fire also sent an official letter to Konoha.
This time, even the Land of Fire daimyo could no longer tolerate the situation.
Since when had Konoha become so weak?
If a mere rogue ninja could defeat Konoha's Guardian Ninja, how could Konoha possibly protect the daimyo of the various nations?
Inside the Hokage's office, the village leadership had gathered.
The atmosphere was heavy.
On the sofa sat Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Nara Shikakaku, and Yellow Dog.
Several high-ranking officials passed around the three diplomatic letters from the Land of Fire, the Land of Rivers, and Uzushio Village.
Behind each of the four leaders stood their assistants or subordinates.
Standing behind Yellow Dog was Yako.
Yako glanced around the room.
Behind Danzo stood B, wearing a mask—Uchiha Suigiku.
Danzo had managed to deceive the man, turning him into his loyal hound.
Utatane Koharu's face was pale. She had not yet recovered from the tragedy of her daughter and son-in-law's brutal deaths.
Behind Nara Shikakaku stood Nara Meika. Shikakaku himself looked troubled.
The fact that the daimyo of Uzushio Village had also sent a diplomatic letter meant that he, too, had begun to fear for his safety.
Better safe than sorry.
Nobles feared death more than anyone.
The Ino–Shika–Cho clans were responsible for guarding the Uzushio daimyo. Had the daimyo, after hearing about the strength of the rogue ninja, begun to doubt their ability to protect him and the other nobles?
Sarutobi Hiruzen continued puffing out thick smoke from his pipe as he spoke.
"Kojii Chisa, one of the nobles of the Land of Rivers, has explained their predicament in her letter.
"The crown prince was assassinated with puppet poison.
"The daimyo's coma increasingly resembles the effects of some new toxin.
"Konoha's Guardian Ninja have the duty to protect the daimyo and nobles.
"However, Guardian Captain Mitokado Etsu was killed by Spiral Zetsu, a subordinate of Uchiha Madara.
"The nobles of the Land of Rivers are extremely frightened and demand that Konoha fulfill its duty to protect them.
"Every year the Land of Rivers provides Konoha with numerous missions and substantial payments. Their request is not unreasonable.
"The daimyo of the Land of Fire, after hearing of this tragedy, has also sent a formal letter expressing anger at Konoha's failure.
"Even the daimyo of Uzushio Village, far away on the peninsula, now feels threatened and uneasy.
"You must all think of a solution. If this continues, we may lose missions from both the Land of Grass and the Land of Rivers.
"Although the daimyo of the Land of Fire has always supported Konoha, he may reduce the number of missions in order to force us to take noble security more seriously."
The mood among the leadership grew even heavier.
Utatane Koharu said nothing.
Her loss had been the greatest.
Her daughter and son-in-law had died horribly. The fact that she had not erupted in rage already was only out of respect for Hiruzen.
Danzo glanced over the diplomatic letters and remained silent.
Ever since Hiruzen had forced him to hand over the position of ANBU commander to Yellow Dog, he had retreated fully into the shadows, focusing entirely on strengthening the Root organization.
Root now possessed K, who wielded Wood Release, and Uchiha Suigiku.
Given enough time, Root's strength would return to its peak.
As for Konoha's foreign affairs, Nara Shikakaku rarely expressed opinions.
His primary responsibility was managing Konoha's jonin, understanding their thoughts, and resolving their problems whenever possible—preventing another rogue ninja like Sarutobi Kanosuke from appearing.
But this time was different.
The Uzushio daimyo had also been dragged into the crisis.
Shikakaku had no choice but to think of a solution.
Seeing the four leaders remain silent, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly felt an intense longing for Mitokado Homura.
If Homura had been here, even if the matter had nothing to do with him, he would have been the first to speak—saying exactly what Hiruzen wanted to hear and easing the tension.
Homura's death had been a tremendous loss.
Hiruzen had no choice but to continue speaking himself.
"Konoha's external situation is extremely dangerous.
"Not only are we facing the threat of rogue ninja Uchiha Madara and his organization, but other villages are beginning to stir as well.
"They have all realized that Konoha is struggling to deal with Madara.
"We must produce a plan to resolve this crisis."
Utatane Koharu finally spoke.
"If Uchiha Madara is in the Land of Rain, why don't we organize a force to enter the Land of Rain and kill him?
"I am willing to lead a team personally to hunt down Uchiha Madara and his subordinates!"
No one doubted Koharu's determination.
But no one voiced support for her proposal either.
Konoha's losses were increasing.
From the Guardian Ninja to an advisor—each battle had proven one thing.
Uchiha Madara and his subordinates were terrifyingly powerful.
Yako thought to himself:
'Not to brag, but half of Uchiha Madara's destructive reputation is actually my doing.'
In truth, Madara himself had no interest in directly attacking Konoha.
His only objective was preparing the stage for the Eye of the Moon Plan.
Danzo spoke calmly.
"If we pursue Uchiha Madara into the Land of Rain, the biggest problem will be Hanzo.
"We must first send someone to negotiate with him.
"Even if we cannot form an alliance, we must at least obtain his consent to remain neutral."
Nara Shikakaku continued the discussion.
"Hanzo will never agree.
"He calls himself the Demigod of the Shinobi World.
"If hundreds or thousands of shinobi entered the Land of Rain, Hanzo would never allow it. His pride would not permit such humiliation.
"Even if he did agree, the village urgently needs a Foreign Affairs Advisor—someone capable of negotiating with Hanzo and forcing him to yield.
"Konoha must also quickly send representatives to negotiate with the daimyo of various nations to restore their trust.
"That also requires a Foreign Affairs Advisor.
"My opinion is that we must select a new advisor as soon as possible."
Shikakaku spoke at length.
And yet… he had not truly said anything.
The Foreign Affairs Advisor position was extremely difficult to fill.
If it were easy, the matter would not have remained unresolved until now.
Orochimaru had clearly refused.
He had no interest in the position.
Yellow Dog, meanwhile, faced strong opposition from within the Sarutobi clan.
Both Sarutobi Biwako and Sarutobi Hiaki believed that Yellow Dog should not take on such a dangerous role.
Seeing that no one else spoke, Shikakaku continued.
"Perhaps… at the final jonin assembly of the year… we could hear the opinions of the jonin?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen paused.
Then he understood Shikakaku's meaning.
Konoha could not remain without a Foreign Affairs Advisor.
But the outside world had become extremely dangerous. Whoever took the position might easily be assassinated.
If none of the Hokage's trusted aides could fill the role…
Perhaps they should consider someone else from the village.
Hiruzen sighed.
He truly had no one left to rely on.
Shikakaku added quietly,
"Whoever becomes the new Foreign Affairs Advisor must regularly travel between the capitals of the smaller nations, ensuring the safety of the daimyo and their Guardian Ninja."
His implication was obvious.
The advisor should be sent outside the village—responsible for dangerous inspections and dealing with rogue ninja.
Yako thought to himself:
'Bringing the Uzushio daimyo into this situation was indeed useful.'
Only by threatening the wallets of the Ino–Shika–Cho clans could they be forced to compromise.
Shikakaku had proposed considering someone from the village.
But among the powerful shinobi currently idle within the jonin assembly…
Hatake Sakumo was the most eager candidate.
If given the opportunity, Sakumo would certainly seize it.
Hiruzen glanced toward Danzo.
Danzo offered no objection.
He also had no desire to confront Uchiha Madara directly.
"Uchiha Madara does not have many years left to live," Danzo said.
His meaning was simple.
They could simply endure the crisis and wait for Madara to die.
Hiruzen pondered the situation again and again.
There was truly no suitable candidate.
Torifu, Orochimaru, Yellow Dog…
None were possible.
Finally, with great reluctance, Sarutobi Hiruzen said,
"Shikakaku… prepare the final jonin assembly of the year.
"Add the recommendation of a Foreign Affairs Advisor to the agenda."
After leaving the Hokage's office, Yako followed Yellow Dog down to the underground level.
"Yellow Dog-sama," he asked, "does Biwako-sama still refuse to allow you to become Foreign Affairs Advisor?"
Yellow Dog instinctively tried to rub his brow—only to remember that he was still wearing his mask.
He had believed he could finally remove the mask and appear openly as Sarutobi Shinnosuke.
But that chance had slipped away.
"Yes," Yellow Dog said quietly.
"Mother refused. She gathered the clan elders and several uncles to persuade the Hokage to reject my proposal."
He paused.
"The deaths of Senju Nawaki and Mitokado Etsu have made them extremely nervous.
Too nervous."
"Biwako-sama only wants what is best for you," Yako replied calmly. "There is nothing to be done."
After returning to the ANBU base, Yako summoned the ninja hound Pakkun.
Pakkun glanced around cautiously.
"Fox… you're getting bolder and bolder. Summoning me inside the ANBU base?"
Yako replied calmly,
"I'm the ANBU deputy commander. I have enough confidence in my authority. Don't worry—no one is monitoring this place."
"So," Pakkun asked, "what message do you want me to deliver to Sakumo?"
"Pakkun, tell Sakumo-sama to carefully study the intelligence regarding the four vassal states of the Land of Fire.
"In a few days there will be a jonin assembly.
"Sakumo-sama may have the opportunity to become Konoha's Foreign Affairs Advisor.
"Orochimaru has withdrawn, and Yellow Dog faces opposition from his clan.
"The competition is minimal."
The death of Mitokado Homura was a major event.
Pakkun had already heard Sakumo discussing it.
The wrinkles on the small dog's face grew unusually serious.
"I understand. I'll pass the message to Sakumo immediately."
When Hatake Sakumo received Pakkun's report, he moved quickly.
Moonlight Kento began gathering intelligence about the four vassal nations of the Land of Fire—information about their daimyo families, major officials, powerful nobles, financial income, expenditures, and the size of their samurai forces.
Yamashiro began quietly probing other jonin for their opinions.
Hatake Sakumo's team quickly sprang into action.
Several days later, the jonin assembly convened.
The jonin quickly noticed that a familiar figure was missing from the podium.
Nara Shikakaku began with Konoha's annual report—mostly meaningless formalities.
Only the final item on the agenda truly mattered.
Shikakaku said,
"The respected Advisor Mitokado Homura—disciple of the Second Hokage—who spent more than ten years tirelessly managing Konoha's foreign affairs…
…has fallen in the Land of Rivers.
"Tomorrow, a funeral will be held for Advisor Mitokado Homura.
"All jonin without active missions should attend.
"Konoha cannot remain without a Foreign Affairs Advisor.
"Now we move to the final agenda item.
"The jonin assembly will nominate candidates for the position of Foreign Affairs Advisor for the Hokage's consideration."