In Konoha Village, a Ninja Hawk swiftly descended.
The one who received the Ninja Hawk was not a member of the Code Corps, but a shinobi wearing a monkey mask, codenamed Gibbon.
Gibbon's expression changed drastically upon seeing the intelligence brought by the hawk.
He hurried to the Hokage Building, first meeting Yellow Dog in the basement.
Yellow Dog was equally astonished after reading the report. He took the intelligence and went to the Hokage's office on the third floor.
Soon, many people gathered in the Hokage's office.
Danzo, Utatane Koharu, Nara Rokaku... all the higher-ups had arrived.
After frowning in thought, Danzo said, "Sarutobi Hiruzen, if he can match the Third Kazekage, couldn't he also match you? The Third Kazekage is hailed as the strongest Kazekage in history. You and I both know his strength; his title holds no water. We must make plans early and not let what happened with Hatake Sakumo becoming an advisor repeat itself."
Konoha's geniuses were like leeks, springing up one batch after another, impossible to cut down completely.
Nara Rokaku read the report, feeling initial relief.
A single Konoha Anbu had fought on par with the Third Kazekage just dozens of kilometers from Sunagakure. If not for the large number of Suna reinforcements arriving, the outcome was uncertain.
The Third Kazekage's Magnet Release Iron Sand was a powerful Kekkei Genkai secret technique, excellent for both offense and defense.
He could also understand Advisor Danzo's concerns.
Soon, the shinobi world would place Fox on the same level as the Third Kazekage.
Fox had long possessed Kage-level combat power, but he had always carried out missions anonymously within the Anbu.
Now, Fox's Kage-level strength could no longer be hidden; it was public knowledge.
For the village leadership, shinobi of different strength levels needed to be matched with corresponding treatment; otherwise, they would be criticized secretly by the villagers.
But what kind of treatment should be given to Fox?
Facing a regular Jōnin, granting an A-rank jutsu and the Jōnin position was a way to win them over.
But facing Fox... should they give him the position of Anbu Commander?
Utatane Koharu asked, "Did Fox retrieve Mitokado Homura's Five Ninja Swords?"
Yellow Dog said, "According to intelligence from our spies, Chiyo's grandson, Sasori, used Lord Homura's weapon treasury to create four top-tier puppets. Those four puppets were all destroyed and crushed by Fox. The weapons are now in Fox's possession."
"Four puppets?" Utatane Koharu said, "Weren't there five top-tier weapons that Mitokado Homura inherited from the First Hokage?"
"That is unknown," Yellow Dog replied. "We can discuss it in detail when Fox returns."
Danzo said, "Whether it's five swords or four is secondary. What we need to figure out now is how to treat Fox. Fox's strength is growing rapidly. His combat style has shifted from the Anbu's assassination and sneak attacks to his current method of frontal confrontation. His fame will grow larger, and his prestige will rise higher."
Everyone else looked at Yellow Dog.
Yellow Dog also felt some bitterness in his heart. Although he had been training diligently, he knew he couldn't possibly confront the Third Kazekage head-on. The Third Kazekage, hailed as the strongest Kazekage, earned his reputation towards the end of the First Shinobi World War, fighting against the Tsuchikage Ōnoki and the Hokage Sarutobi Hiruzen, all shinobi of the same caliber. The intensity of the Second Shinobi World War was less than the First. During the First War, the Kage of every village were forced onto the battlefield.
Now, the same problem as with Hatake Sakumo had appeared: should Fox be given a status corresponding to his strength?
Hatake Sakumo was very strong. They delayed, targeted him, and finally had no choice but to give him the advisor position. The other higher-ups felt like they had swallowed a fly, having an outsider among the advisors.
Fox was also very strong. Would they ultimately have to give him the position of Anbu Commander?
Yellow Dog said, "My suggestion is to temporarily not send Fox out of the village. Let him manage the Anbu's daily affairs. Leave the rogue ninja organization of Uchiha Madara to Advisor Hatake Sakumo to handle; there's no need to send Fox."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, seemingly agreeing with Yellow Dog's statement.
Yellow Dog added, "Of course, these arrangements should be made under the pretext of stabilizing the situation, and Fox must be placated to a certain extent. Fox once mentioned he lacked a suitable weapon. Why not reward Fox with some of Lord Mitokado Homura's Five Ninja Swords?"
After speaking, Yellow Dog looked at Utatane Koharu, who did not object.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Then it's settled. Fox is a match for the Third Kazekage. Although we all know Fox's strength has grown rapidly, the significance of this achievement is different. We are not prepared to hand the Anbu over to Fox yet. It is not suitable for Fox to gain greater merits now. Reward Fox with Mitokado Homura's ninja swords. Have Fox primarily responsible for managing the Anbu's daily affairs."
Yōkō returned to Konoha Village with the four weapons.
This trip to the Land of Wind had taken over 20 days in total.
Working for Konoha was truly draining, both mentally and physically, a waste of time and life.
After returning to Konoha Village, Yōkō entered Yellow Dog's office in high spirits.
"Lord Yellow Dog, I have completed the mission. I retrieved Lord Mitokado Homura's weapon treasury and recovered four ninja swords."
"Oh, good, Fox."
Yōkō was taken aback. There was something off in Yellow Dog's tone.
He explained again, "Unfortunately, the Third Kazekage appeared and saved Sasori. Otherwise, I could have eliminated the grandson of Sunagakure's Advisor Chiyo. Sasori is a genius puppet master of Sunagakure, an A-rank target in the Assassination Manual."
After Yōkō finished speaking, he saw Yellow Dog thinking, organizing his words.
He was certain something about this mission had gone wrong, causing the higher-ups' attitude towards him to change drastically.
After a moment's thought, was it the news of his battle with the Third Kazekage that made the higher-ups wary?
Had he gone from being the Anbu's top enforcer, the 'Double Flower Red Stick', to a subordinate who needed to be guarded against?
He truly had no intention of seizing power in the Anbu, at least not now.
After organizing his thoughts, Yellow Dog said, "Fox, you've done exceptionally well, actually matching the Third Kazekage. Come, let's go see the Hokage. Lord Hokage will arrange your reward."
Following Yellow Dog into the Hokage's office, Yōkō saw Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression instantly become kindly.
"Fox is back," Sarutobi Hiruzen said. "Sit, Fox, sit on the sofa."
Yōkō hesitated but followed the order and sat on the sofa. This was his first time sitting on the sofa in the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Fox, you completed this mission excellently. Before you even returned to the village, waves of intelligence arrived first. You not only retrieved Advisor Mitokado Homura's ninja swords but also confronted the Third Kazekage head-on. I wonder what reward you would like? Do you have any plans?"
Could Yōkō say he wanted to see the Scroll of Seals? To be honest, I feel I have a talent for many forbidden jutsu.
Yōkō was no fool; he knew this was Sarutobi Hiruzen's test, probing the extent of his ambition.
If he truly asked to see the Scroll of Seals, Sarutobi Hiruzen would likely brush it off, evade the request, and also mark Yōkō as ambitious.
Yōkō said, "Lord Hokage, before I set out, I mentioned to Lord Yellow Dog that I lack a suitable ninja sword. While retrieving Advisor Mitokado Homura's weapon treasury, I found the Senju Broadsword particularly suited for me. I wonder if I am qualified to inherit Advisor Homura's broadsword?"
Yōkō felt his request was not excessive.
He wasn't asking for forbidden jutsu or a promotion, merely picking a ninja sword from his spoils that suited him.
Having said that, Yōkō took out a scroll. After unsealing it, four ninja swords appeared on the ground.
The Senju Broadsword, the Chakra Metal Ninjato, the Assassination Black Blade, and the Giant Fūma Shuriken.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at these familiar weapons and said, "Fox, I'm not saying your mission wasn't successful enough, but Mitokado Homura had another sword, the Nine-Sectioned Staff. Have you seen it?"
"No, Lord Hokage. The Suna-nin Sasori only had four ninja swords."
Sarutobi Hiruzen pretended to think for a moment and said, "Fox, you have been diligently completing missions for the Anbu and for me all this time. How can one weapon be enough? These four ninja swords are all yours. The Five Ninja Swords were the First Hokage-sensei's weapons, later inherited by Mitokado Homura. Now, they have been passed to you. I hope you do not tarnish the reputation of these weapons..."
Yellow Dog was stunned. He thought they would give Fox two swords, not all four.
Yōkō was suspicious inside; this was too generous. Was this really Sarutobi Hiruzen?
His original expectation was to exchange his merits for the most valuable Senju Broadsword. He never expected all four weapons to be given to him.
Watching Fox put away the four precious ninja swords, Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Fox, with Advisor Sakumo in the Land of Rain, the village need not worry too much in that direction. I have an idea: the Anbu's strength is still too weak. Fox, I want you to focus your main efforts on training the Anbu shinobi, enhancing their combat power. If your subordinates are strong, your work will also be easier. What do you think?"
Yōkō replied without hesitation, "Lord Hokage, I will carry out your orders without any reservation! The Anbu is the sword in yours and Lord Yellow Dog's hands. If this sword isn't sharp enough, how can it complete the dark missions for you two? This is my failure as the Vice-Commander, failing to maintain the Anbu's overall combat strength. I will train my subordinates diligently. Please rest assured."
For a moment, Sarutobi Hiruzen even thought he might have been overthinking.
But Fox's answer was too perfect, so perfect it made Sarutobi Hiruzen even more vigilant.
Yōkō saw the look in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes shift from approval to wariness and felt bitter inside.
At this moment, no matter what he said, Sarutobi Hiruzen would not let him off.
He now understood why Yellow Dog and Sarutobi Hiruzen were acting strangely.
They were beginning to fear him.
Once suspicion arises, the crime is already established.
The moment Sarutobi Hiruzen began to doubt Yōkō's loyalty, Yōkō had already become a disloyal subordinate.
No matter what Yōkō did, it would only delay the inevitable confrontation.
Strictly speaking, Yōkō had done nothing wrong.
Was standing up to the Third Kazekage wrong?
His mistake was allowing himself to be compared to the Kage of a major village.
Except for Sarutobi Hiruzen, standing up to the Third Kazekage wasn't wrong for anyone else in Konoha.
It was like Luo Yulong, who did wicked things for half his life, living freely and arrogantly, but then did one good deed—criticizing pre-made meals—and ended up fleeing east and west, far from home.
Yōkō was the same. He committed all sorts of evils in the Anbu, and the higher-ups liked him more and more. But then he took the initiative to uphold Konoha's honor, fighting a great battle with the Third Kazekage, and the higher-ups were terrified.
Behind his back, these higher-ups were probably slandering him in every way possible.
Yōkō pretended nothing was wrong, reported some intelligence about Sasori and the Third Kazekage, and acted as if nothing had happened.
After the report ended, Yōkō placed the mission scroll down, picked up the sealing scroll containing the four ninja swords, and left the Hokage's office.
Some time after Fox left, Sarutobi Hiruzen murmured to himself, "Why isn't Fox named Sarutobi? Why isn't Fox my disciple?"
If he had possessed either of these, Sarutobi Hiruzen would not have treated Fox this way.
Fox was to the Anbu what Hatake Sakumo was to Konoha.
What benefited the Anbu and Konoha did not necessarily benefit Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Historically, many Daimyō of the Land of Fire had records of persecuting meritorious retainers.
Everyone knew persecuting meritorious retainers was bad, but those retainers had merit towards the Land of Fire, not necessarily towards the Daimyō personally.
Yōkō returned to the Anbu base, summoned several squad leaders, and began laying out the plan to enhance the Anbu shinobi's strength.
Jutsu completion, taijutsu improvement—every squad had to submit a training plan.
After all the squad leaders left, Yōkō stayed alone in his office, his eyes cold.
I am not the companion-cherishing, pure-hearted Hatake Sakumo. You want to use the methods you used on Hatake Sakumo on me?
In my eyes, you are too naive, just as you see Hatake Sakumo as naive.
***
Next Bonus Chapter goal=300 Powerstones
Dive deeper into the story with 50+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!
(End of Chapter)