Upon returning to the Yellow Dog Brigade's camp, Yagami found Yellow Dog and said, "Brigade Commander, I plan to head back to the coastline to investigate the Hozuki clan's movements. After Hozuki Muratsuki's death, they won't just let this go; they might be planning something big."
Yellow Dog looked highly gratified. "Fox, you are the most proactive ANBU ninja I have ever seen. I just received word that Consultant Koharu Utatane has left the Land of Earth and is on her way to the Land of Whirlpools. She will represent the Hidden Leaf in negotiations with the Mist. The war is ending—the Second Ninja World War is finally drawing to a close."
Koharu leaving the Land of Earth meant that front had reached its conclusion. With the other conflicts settled, the Mist stood no chance against a unified Hidden Leaf.
Yellow Dog continued, "Once the war is over, rewards will be distributed. I will be promoted to Deputy Minister of ANBU, and you will become a Brigade Commander."
"Then the next time we meet, I'll have to address you as Lord Yellow Dog!"
"Brigade Commander Fox, we shall rise together."
A certain joyous atmosphere—or perhaps the thrill of two accomplices in league—reached its peak in their mutual flattery. Both were satisfied.
"Lord Yellow Dog, now that you've said that, I'm even more motivated to handle the aftermath. I'll set out immediately to investigate the Hozuki clan's retaliation."
"Go then."
Yagami left the main camp and quickly caught up with Ram's squad, who were on their way back. Ram whispered urgently, "Captain, the two bodies were destroyed! Someone discovered my setup and sabotaged my traps!"
Yagami thought to himself, 'As expected, no evidence.' Root's reaction speed was incredible. He said, "The three of you return to camp. Ram, follow me."
Once the others were gone, Yagami stated, "Ram, I have orders from the Brigade Commander to investigate a Root ninja from the Aburame clan. You are responsible for locating his parasitic insects."
Though B's identity was meant to be a secret, Yagami knew him as Ryōma Aburame.
"Understood!" Ram thought to himself that he had to find evidence of Root framing the brigade this time; he couldn't afford another mistake.
Aburame members were easy to track for their own kin; they habitually released insects for sentry duty. While Yagami couldn't find Ryōma Aburame, Ram could do so with ease. After a day of searching the coast, Ram finally spoke: "Found him! Captain!"
Yagami said, "Good. Point me in the direction and then find a place to hide. The next part of the investigation is too dangerous; I must complete it alone."
Ram marked the approximate range of the other Aburame's insects and departed. As an ANBU, he knew not to ask about things he wasn't supposed to know. If the Captain said it was dangerous, he would only be a hindrance.
...
Beneath a cliff on the coastline.
B leaned against a jagged rock, listening to the surroundings and sensing the feedback from his insects. One of his parasitic insects had encountered those of another Aburame, but the other had quickly departed. B didn't care; it was likely just another clan member on the battlefield.
Soon, his insects signaled that someone was approaching. B looked to the side, continuing his wait for a woman.
Nonō Yakushi, the Walking Miko, Root's most vital spy. She possessed a disguise technique that even veteran ninja couldn't see through, allowing her to gather intel in enemy nations. Today, she appeared as a shapely, middle-aged woman.
Approaching B, Nonō adjusted her glasses and pressed her brow to keep herself from reflexively frowning. Root's plot had failed. Yellow Dog's victory threatened Danzo's power within the ANBU. Originally, by leaking the plan to the Mist, the Mist should have used it to launch a counter-ambush. Instead, they were struck with precision while setting their own traps.
As the liaison for this operation, Nonō held undeniable responsibility. If Yellow Dog became Deputy Minister, Danzo would not let her off. More importantly, he wouldn't spare her orphanage—her only weakness.
She stopped by the water to wash her hands. A specific powder dissolved into the seawater. In the distance, a walrus was stimulated by the scent; it left its rock and dove into the water. Nonō felt a slight relief. She had successfully caught the walrus's attention.
She continued toward the meeting point. Reaching the cliff, she jumped down and saw B leaning against the rock.
B stared at her. "The Lord requires an explanation—one that proves you haven't betrayed him."
Nonō spoke calmly, "I led Fuguki Suikazan to the meeting point. Two Root ninja arrived, gave the countersigns, and exchanged intelligence. Everything went smoothly. The plan Fuguki saw stated Yellow Dog would ambush yesterday. The Mist went to set traps the day before—everything seemed fine. However, the intel those two Root ninja brought was wrong. Yellow Dog arrived at the ambush site the day before. The Mist were caught off guard while dispersed. They didn't have time for the Hidden Mist Jutsu or coordinated Water Style. The failure is entirely because the combat plan provided by the two Root ninja was incorrect."
Nonō threw a scroll to B. "This is my report. It explains everything clearly."
B slapped the scroll away into the seawater. Nonō watched it bob in the waves, realizing this wouldn't end peacefully. B wouldn't even give her a chance to explain. B then threw his own scroll to Nonō.
Nonō opened it, and her pupils constricted. She finally realized what had happened. The two Root ninja, had been killed. The ones she had met were fakes.
Dropping the scroll, Nonō thought rapidly. "To kill Jin and Ki, the enemy must be at least an elite Jonin. To get intel from them, the enemy must be an expert in interrogation or..." She paused. "No, not interrogation. No torture could break a Root member. It must have been the Yamanaka clan's secret technique, reading memories from the corpses. He obtained the Root codes and met with me. Someone capable of killing elite Root, supported by a Yamanaka..."
Being a spy in enemy territory, Nonō wasn't intimately familiar with the internal politics of the Leaf. Danzo only allowed her back to the village for two months at the end of each year.
B listened to her analysis and nodded. "There aren't many who fit that description. Jin and Ki were strong. And with Yamanaka support... a Yamanaka who saw him kill Root but didn't report it to headquarters. Most importantly, someone connected to Yellow Dog. There is only one possibility: Copper Fox of the Yellow Dog Brigade! His assistant, Purple Cat, is a Yamanaka—Rika Yamanaka."
B nodded repeatedly; by reconciling his intel with Nonō's, he had found the answer.
Nonō said, "Can I go now? The Mist are investigating the failure of the recovery unit. It's becoming difficult for me to cope."
In the next instant, Nonō's face turned pale. A whirlwind of parasitic insects surrounded them.
"No!" B said. "Failure must be punished. You are coming back to Root. The Lord is extremely dissatisfied with your work in the Mist. There is no longer any need for you to stay undercover there."
Nonō thought, 'As expected'
The insect tornado tightened around the two, the sound of buzzing wings filling the air. As it prepared to seize her, Yagami, submerged in the sea with only his eyes and forehead visible, was about to strike when he forced himself to stop.
A massive orange-haired figure appeared, carrying the Great Sword Samehada on his back!
Fuguki Suikazan?
***
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