If the most critical member of a shinobi squad was the medical-nin, then the importance of a sensory-type ninja was in no way inferior.
Detecting the enemy first meant seizing the absolute advantage in battle.
However, much like medical-nin, sensory-type ninja were notoriously difficult to train.
And the person now kneeling respectfully on one knee before Kusunoki Naraku—Yamanaka Moon—was an outstanding sensory ninja.
Not only was her combat ability solid, but her sensory skills were exceptional.
That was precisely why Naraku had summoned her first.
Of course, there was another reason—
Yamanaka Moon was the captain of ANBU's Moon Squad.
"Drink it."
Naraku slid the prepared vial across the table toward her.
Moon merely glanced at him before lifting the cup and swallowing it in one go, without the slightest hesitation.
"Don't swallow it."
Root-trained operatives had this one defining trait: once an order was given, it would be executed without deviation.
That was simply how Danzō operated.
Following Naraku's instruction, Moon kept the liquid in her mouth.
Naraku stood and walked over to her. Seeing her cheeks puffed out was faintly comical, but his expression quickly turned serious as he began.
"Stand up."
With the liquid still in her mouth, Moon couldn't reply. She immediately straightened her posture in front of him.
Naraku's gaze fixed on her pale neck.
His hands flashed through seals, then formed a sword-finger as chakra condensed at the tips.
Like lightning, his fingers struck the side of her long neck.
"Seal—Release!"
Almost immediately, Moon's complexion darkened, and she struggled to keep from spitting out the liquid.
"Ten seconds," Naraku said calmly. "Then you can spit it out."
"…Hngh!"
Ten seconds later, Moon finally expelled the liquid.
What had once been a clear crimson solution was now completely black, as if soaked in ink.
The Root Word Destruction Seal had been removed.
At first, Moon hadn't fully understood what her superior was doing—but now, realization dawned.
Naraku handed her a mirror.
Moon instantly stuck out her tongue, staring intensely at her reflection.
The sealing formula was gone.
Completely erased.
"Lord Naraku!!!"
Overwhelmed with emotion, Moon dropped to one knee again, her voice trembling with excitement.
"That's enough," Naraku said calmly. "You've followed me through dangerous missions these past months. Consider this your reward."
He understood her reaction well.
No one wanted a cursed seal embedded in their body for no reason.
"From this moment on," Moon said firmly, "I am willing to follow Lord Naraku's orders."
"I heard you," Naraku replied thoughtfully, studying her before gesturing for her to raise her head. "Recently, Yashiro Ao transferred into the Medical Emergency Unit. Do you think that position would suit you?"
"Even though you left the Medical Emergency Unit before, I can have you reassigned—if you wish. That way, you could work with your former colleagues again."
Former colleagues?
ANBU?
Or Root?
"I will follow Lord Naraku's orders," Moon answered without hesitation.
"Life in ANBU is good. I like it here."
Her response was exactly as Naraku had expected.
During their previous missions, he had already noticed how flawlessly she carried out his commands.
Still, he hadn't accepted her lightly. Only after conducting a quiet investigation had he decided to accept her allegiance.
"By the way," Naraku continued, watching her closely, "your older brother…"
"Where is Yamanaka Fū?"
"…Fū?!"
A flash of shock passed through Moon's eyes. She hadn't expected her superior to know even this.
"Yamanaka Fū was assigned as Elder Danzō's personal guard," she explained carefully. "After the Hokage ordered Root disbanded, most members were absorbed into ANBU, while others returned to civilian shinobi life. Some, however, disappeared entirely."
"Due to family connections, I discovered that Fū is still protecting Elder Danzō."
"But—"
She glanced up at Naraku. Seeing no change in his expression, she continued.
"Elder Danzō has a secret base within Training Ground No. 0. I once escorted supplies there and entered the perimeter."
"I wasn't allowed inside the base itself—only delivered the supplies outside."
Training Ground No. 0… a hidden base?
That was a worthwhile gain.
Naraku wasn't surprised at all.
Orochimaru built secret bases like a rabbit digging burrows—of course Danzō would have contingencies of his own.
Recalling the terrain of Training Ground No. 0, Naraku realized it truly was ideal for a hidden facility.
The area had been sealed off decades ago, filled with dangerous, rare creatures, and strictly forbidden to civilians.
He committed the information to memory and moved on.
"Do you think there are others suitable?"
His gaze drifted toward the remaining vials—the solution used to remove the cursed seal.
Moon understood immediately.
He was asking which former Root members could be trusted and brought under his command.
"All members of Moon Squad can be trusted," she said without hesitation. "I'm willing to vouch for them."
"In Squad Three, led by 'Three,' there's only one person you should trust."
"And among the other ANBU members, there are also…"
Moon revealed everything she knew. Since she had already pledged allegiance, there was no reason to hold back.
Besides—given Naraku's background, influence, and qualifications, it wouldn't be surprising if he became Hokage one day.
Choosing Danzō or choosing Naraku?
The answer was obvious.
"Good. Bring them to me."
Her list largely matched Naraku's own assessment. Only one name surprised him—someone he hadn't realized was once a diehard Root loyalist.
As for trusting Moon, this was also a test.
If anything went wrong, Naraku would hold her accountable.
As for himself?
He was the commander. The responsibility would never fall on him.
Before long, Naraku personally removed the cursed seals from each former Root operative.
From this moment on—
They were his people.
As for returning to Danzō?
Once the seal was gone, Danzō would never trust them again.
After all, how could he know what secrets they might have already revealed to Kusunoki Naraku?
And indeed—
Naraku had already extracted several sensitive secrets about Danzō from their testimonies.
"Training Ground No. 0 is that important…?"
After dismissing his subordinates, Naraku fell into thought.
Every source confirmed it—Danzō paid extraordinary attention to that abandoned training ground.
At first, Naraku had assumed it was merely a small base.
But now, it was clear—
That place was far more significant than he'd thought.
"What exactly is hidden there?"
"And why do I feel like I've overlooked something… as if I've seen this before somewhere?"
He shook his head.
"Forget it. Can't recall it right now."
"Time to visit the Third Hokage."
"Today, I'm going to demand my paycheck."