Inside the ANBU headquarters, Sarutobi Shinnosuke was making arrangements.
Seeing him standing there without a mask, showing his real face and wearing the robes of an advisor—
Yako still felt a bit unaccustomed.
Sarutobi Shinnosuke now held two roles:
ANBU Commander… and Foreign Affairs Advisor.
Meanwhile, Yako was acting commander of the ANBU.
As the only Vice Commander, whenever Shinnosuke was away, the entire ANBU fell under Yako's command.
His authority had grown.
Those who left the ANBU alongside Shinnosuke included Butterfly and Long-Arm Ape.
Butterfly had already married Yellow Dog.
Her real name was now Sarutobi Hōbi.
Yako felt a bit offended.
They got married… and didn't even invite him.
Wasn't he one of Shinnosuke's trusted aides?
Even if he had thought about killing him a few times—
As long as he hadn't acted, he was still a loyal subordinate.
Trust wasn't about thoughts.
It was about actions.
Not inviting him to the wedding—
Guess what I'm invited to the funeral anyway!
Long-Arm Ape's real name was Sarutobi Einosuke.
Among the younger generation of the Sarutobi clan, he was the most outstanding.
Yako gave him an extra glance.
His strength was unknown—
But his luck was exceptional.
Yako had long wanted to deal with him.
But he had been too busy.
And Einosuke was extremely cautious—rarely leaving the village.
There had been no opportunity.
Now that he had become an advisor's aide…
He would have to leave the village eventually.
Aside from Sarutobi Hōbi and Sarutobi Einosuke—
There was also a trio from the Ino-Shika-Cho clans, along with a Hyūga ninja, serving as Shinnosuke's aides.
The Ino-Shika-Cho trio could both protect Shinnosuke—
And among them, Nara Kyoichi could act as a strategist, helping handle affairs and fill in gaps.
Nara Kyoichi glanced at Fox.
He recalled what Clan Head Shikakaku had told him late last night.
When working under Advisor Shinnosuke—
He must cooperate closely with Fox.
The future of the Ino-Shika-Cho clans…
Partly depended on him.
Assist Fox in secret.
Build goodwill with him quietly.
As an elite jonin of the Nara clan, Kyoichi knew many things.
He even knew—
That Fox had a special connection with Yamanaka Ruri.
And Ruri was now a core figure within the Yamanaka clan.
As for the Hyūga ninja—
Yako recognized him as Hyūga Ketsu.
Shinnosuke spoke to Yako,
"Konoha's diplomatic situation is terrible."
"Once news of the attack spreads, every daimyō will send inquiries."
"The four smaller nations are easy. They lack strength and won't oppose us."
"My plan is to start with the Land of Whirlpools."
"Then proceed through the four smaller nations in sequence."
"Stabilize them first."
"After that… deal with the Land of Fire."
"According to Einosuke's intelligence, in about a month, the Fire Daimyō will send the Crown Prince to the Fire Temple for initiation."
"He intends to strengthen the Fire Temple."
"Bring in monk-ninja… and create a third power to balance Konoha and the samurai."
"He even plans to appoint two powerful monk-ninja as his personal guards."
"That is something Konoha absolutely cannot allow."
Shinnosuke's voice turned colder.
"Fox… in extraordinary times, we must use extraordinary methods."
Yako nodded, signaling him to continue.
"When we visit the smaller nations, we'll observe the Daimyō's stance."
"We'll give him a chance."
"If he continues to trust Konoha… then everything can be resolved peacefully."
"But if he insists on empowering the Fire Temple—"
"Then we cannot be blamed."
"If necessary… we'll cut the problem at its root."
He paused.
"My method… is to assassinate the Fire Temple's abbot—Jie."
Yako blinked.
You're already the Foreign Affairs Advisor—
And you're still solving problems like this?
He had heard that Jie was a master of Fire Temple techniques—
Possibly at Kage level.
The Fire Temple's techniques combined chakra with Buddhist scriptures—
A unique system.
Even the First Hokage had once studied there.
Techniques like the Thousand-Armed Buddha and Wood Golem…
Were said to have originated from the Fire Temple.
Shinnosuke continued,
"Einosuke will keep monitoring the Daimyō's stance."
"Let's move."
"We head to the Land of Whirlpools first."
Shinnosuke departed with his five aides.
Yako followed with the Hippo unit.
Together, they left Konoha.
News of Konoha's attack spread rapidly across the shinobi world.
In the Tsuchikage's office—
Ōnoki looked up in shock after reading the report.
He stared at Kitsuchi.
"No deception," Kitsuchi said. "Our spies confirmed it through multiple sources."
"Konoha was severely damaged by their own rogue ninja—Uchiha Madara."
"The White Fang is dead."
"So is advisor Utatane."
"And Akimichi Torifu."
"Hundreds of ninja and civilians died."
Ōnoki frowned deeply.
"It's not that I doubt our intelligence…"
"I just… can't believe the White Fang is dead."
"With his Body Flicker Technique… even Madara shouldn't have been able to kill him so easily."
He exhaled slowly.
"Then again…"
"The best way to deal with someone that fast… is to trap them in a battlefield they can't escape."
"I'd wager he died for Konoha."
"He had no choice."
"Sending an assassin into a frontal battle… only Konoha could afford such waste."
"If it were me… I would never have sent him against Madara head-on."
"I've seen Madara's Susanoo."
"It's absolute defense."
Kitsuchi's eyes lit up.
"Should we take advantage of this and start another war?"
"Konoha used to be strong—but now they're weakened."
Ōnoki showed no joy at their suffering.
"Konoha fears Madara."
"And we don't?"
"You've never faced him."
"You don't understand how terrifying he is."
He swallowed.
"That man…"
He paused before continuing.
"We follow the Will of Stone—"
"The stronger the enemy, the stronger our resolve."
"But Madara… is too strong."
"Konoha is definitely holding back anger right now."
"They'll crush the first enemy who steps forward."
"We won't rush into conflict."
"The Cloud Village will act before us."
"Let them test the waters."
"We'll observe from the shadows."
"Send a message to the Cloud—say we're willing to cooperate."
"Encourage them to strike first."
"Dispatch our Foreign Affairs Advisor—Gendo—to the Cloud."
When Gendo arrived in the Cloud Village—
He quickly realized his task was easy.
There was no need to persuade them.
The entire village was already boiling with war intent.
Training grounds were packed.
The mountains echoed with speeches.
Supplies were being transported nonstop.
War preparations—
Were impossible to hide.
The only question was—
How big the war would be.
Inside the Raikage's office—
Gendo met the Third Raikage.
They reached an agreement:
Both villages would strike at smaller nations protected by Konoha.
Take advantage of its weakness—
And deal a killing blow.
Outwardly, Gendo agreed enthusiastically.
But inwardly—
He remained cautious.
Even a wounded tiger—
Was still a tiger.
No one knew how much strength Konoha still had.
Unlike the restless Cloud Village and the cautious Stone Village—
The Sand Village remained unmoved.
The Third Kazekage thought of Fox's strength—
And decided against provoking a new war.
Better to observe for now.
In the Mist Village—
Elder Gensui read the report and turned to a young man beside him.
"What do you think, Yagura?"
Yagura, his chosen successor, answered calmly,
"Sensei… we should use the Land of Waves as a staging ground."
"Deploy the Hōzuki, Kaguya, and Terumi clans."
"Strike at the Fire Country's merchant ships."
"Test Konoha's response."
Gensui nodded repeatedly.
Yagura was already thinking like a Mizukage.
This—
Was the best opportunity they had ever had.
"Then you will command this operation."
"Let's see how much strength Konoha has left."
Meanwhile—
Shinnosuke's group arrived in the capital of the Land of Whirlpools.
The Guardian Captain, Yamanaka Kari, arranged their meeting with the daimyō.
The daimyō looked at the young Shinnosuke—
And couldn't help but think of Mitokado Homura.
Homura had been gentle and approachable.
But this new advisor—
Was sharp, gaunt, with sunken cheeks and prominent cheekbones.
He resembled the Third Hokage.
Especially his identity—
ANBU Commander.
Behind him stood both aides—
And masked ANBU.
With Danzo as precedent—
ANBU commanders were synonymous with brutality.
After Uzushio's destruction—
The daimyō had met Danzo once.
That overwhelming pressure…
Had terrified him.
There had been no room for negotiation.
The Land of Whirlpools had become a vassal of the Land of Fire—
Protected by Konoha.
The daimyō spoke cautiously,
"I've heard Konoha suffered an attack. My condolences."
"Advisor Shinnosuke… the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves both rely on maritime trade."
"There are many conflicts of interest."
"The Land of Waves is protected by the Mist Village."
"I fear they may take advantage of this situation."
"I ask for nothing more—"
"Just ensure they don't go too far."
"That we can retain our current share of maritime trade."
Shinnosuke replied calmly,
"I understand your concerns."
"After leaving here, I will head to Toga Port."
"I will make arrangements there regarding the Mist and the Land of Waves."
The daimyō nodded.
He was still unsure of this new advisor's capabilities.
Time would tell.
Konoha had two stationed units near Toga Port—
And five along the coastline.
Enough to handle a localized conflict.
After leaving the capital—
Yako called over Hippo.
"Hippo… the daimyō doesn't seem to trust Advisor Shinnosuke."
Hippo frowned.
"He's a bit ungrateful."
"Fox-sama… should we…"
He dragged a kunai across his throat.
Yako immediately shook his head.
"What are you thinking?"
"Killing him won't change his stance."
"We don't kill."
"My point is—"
"We should build momentum for Shinnosuke from the shadows."
Hippo nodded.
"I see."
"Spread rumors?"
"Maybe say he's incredibly powerful—"
"Like the next Professor of Ninjutsu?"
Yako grinned.
"Exactly."
"Go."
"We should ease our superior's burden."
As Hippo left—
Yako's eyes flickered.
If they elevated Shinnosuke's reputation—
Other villages would have to take him seriously.
Another "Professor of Ninjutsu"…
Wouldn't that make them nervous?