All the ANBU stood below the platform, eyes fixed forward, waiting for the Third Hokage to announce the new leadership.
Hiruzen Sarutobi spoke calmly:
"In the Land of Grass operation to eliminate rogue shinobi, our Vice Commander and Squad Leader Wildcat gave their lives for Konoha.
ANBU shinobi who carry the Will of Fire in their hearts have burned away their lives for the village.
ANBU is one of Konoha's most vital institutions — protecting the village from the shadows.
Its mission cannot stop.
I hereby appoint Fox as ANBU Vice Commander."
Standing to the side, Yako inclined his head to the gathered shinobi before taking his seat.
At last…
He had a place at the table.
During the Second Shinobi War, ANBU had suffered repeated annihilations under Danzō's command.
Or rather — repeated near-extermination.
Yako had been drafted into ANBU as expendable cannon-fodder chūnin.
At that time, Danzō controlled ANBU.
Its operatives were treated like disposable intelligence-gathering tools — more convenient than shadow clones.
Yako's rise through the ranks…
was a history of dismantling Danzō's influence.
Supporting Yellow Dog's promotion to Vice Commander — cutting away part of Danzō's authority.
Seizing control of intelligence systems in two major nations — cutting away more.
Supporting Yellow Dog's rise to ANBU Commander — cutting further.
And finally, eliminating Danzō's chosen Vice Commander.
Now Danzō's overt influence within ANBU was nearly gone.
Of course, this success had also required alignment with Hiruzen and Yellow Dog's interests.
In Konoha, advancement came through bloodline, patronage, rare inheritance — or overwhelming genius.
Yako had none of those.
Even with a cheat-like system, the climb had been brutal.
Civilian-born shinobi in Konoha survived like ants.
Looking at the dozens of masked ANBU below, Yako felt a trace of sympathy.
But sympathy alone changed nothing.
He was no saint.
If anyone could reform Konoha's imbalance, it would be Sakumo Hatake.
Sakumo had clarity.
Resolve.
Minato was brilliant — but politically still bound by Hiruzen's sacrifice-driven ideology.
Below the platform, Squad Leaders Black Ant and Golden Eagle exchanged glances.
Wildcat was dead.
Fox promoted.
Only two veteran squad leaders remained.
Fox's strength had long been acknowledged — ANBU's strongest blade.
Meeting adjourned.
Both men silently resolved to pay him a visit.
In the shinobi world, reputation flowed from power.
If he arrived half a second sooner, you lived.
Half a second later — you died.
Hiruzen continued.
"Hippo and White Ram are appointed Squad Leaders."
White Ram's eyes trembled with emotion.
Following Fox had brought him the Ten Seal, survival through grievous injury, mastery of Insect Clone Technique — and now promotion.
Among the Aburame, few wielded such influence.
As long as Fox lived…
the future was limitless.
Unlike poor Wildcat.
One month of joy — then death.
After the assembly, Yako moved into the Vice Commander's office.
Purple Cat beamed.
"Fox! Vice Commander Fox!"
He steadied her rounded belly.
"Don't rush."
She pouted, "Like I said, Ninja aren't fragile."
"Start maternity leave today. When you return, you'll serve as my assistant."
Her eyes sparkled.
Beside her, White Crane avoided eye contact.
She still hadn't told her sister…
Better to wait.
Peace within the family mattered more than appearances.
Scrolls piled onto Yako's desk.
"Already this many?" he muttered.
White Crane nodded.
"Authority transfers."
He began reading.
First: Barrier control for ANBU headquarters.
Vice Commander oversaw daily operations.
Second: ANBU mission archives.
Full access to completed operations.
He would need time to comb through Konoha's hidden history.
Third: Ninjutsu vault access.
Aside from S-rank forbidden techniques, he could reward subordinates with nearly any jutsu.
Just those three authorities alone…
changed his weight within Konoha entirely.
Then he frowned.
No foreign intelligence network?
Previously, intelligence over Lightning and Wind Countries had been managed by Long-Armed Ape.
Now it seemed fully consolidated under him.
Mysterious man… Yako thought.
When will you leave the village?
He reviewed old surveillance reports.
Yes.
Kyoi and the Tsurugetsu Tavern had been monitored.
And yes — even Yako himself had been randomly surveilled during off-duty hours.
Standard procedure.
High-risk individuals received constant monitoring.
Lower-risk — periodic checks.
Fair enough.
One by one, the squad leaders came to his office.
Black Ant — loyal to Hiruzen.
He spoke of Hokage Tower security.
Yako readily agreed to assist in barrier reinforcement when necessary.
Closer to the Hokage's power center meant greater leverage.
Golden Eagle entered next.
"Vice Commander Fox… I previously handled internal surveillance. Including monitoring ANBU members off duty.
I assure you — there will be no future investigations targeting you."
Yako smiled mildly.
"I understand. Continue monitoring everyone else. I trust you know I wouldn't betray Konoha… or the Hokage."
Golden Eagle nodded vigorously.
Of course not.
A shinobi wielding Wood Release…
was one of Konoha's pillars.
Hippo followed.
An old acquaintance.
Yako instructed him to rebuild combat readiness quickly — losses in the Land of Grass had been heavy.
ANBU's internal factions were complex.
Control required patience.
As Hippo left, Yako's gaze sharpened.
Black Ant.
Golden Eagle.
Hippo.
Which branch would he eventually pull fully under his influence?
White Ram entered last.
Yako instructed him to push Antelope, Leaf Monkey, and Black Ape toward jonin promotion.
White Ram requested personnel replenishment.
"I'll pressure Root," Yako replied.
He had weakened Root severely.
Now he needed manpower again.
Irony.
Hours later, paperwork complete, Yako leaned back.
Power.
It energized him more than any stimulant.
The taste of it…
was intoxicating.
He left ANBU headquarters and used Body Flicker to reach the rooftop of Konoha Hospital.
He deliberately released a trace of chakra.
Moments later, Tsunade left her office and entered a side washroom.
Water ran from the faucet in the antechamber.
"I knew you'd come," she said without turning.
"Fox.
What is it you want to say to me?"