Fox was alive, so there was no longer any need to report his "death" to Root.
However, White Crane followed the Commander's orders to the letter. She had her ink hawk deliver a report to Root that specifically praised Fox's mastery of Earth Style.
Yak approached Yagami, adjusting his kunai with a meaningful look, silently asking if they should execute White Crane on the spot.
Yagami shook his head. "White Crane is still a fellow Ninja of the Leaf. Leave this to me; I'll handle the threat once we're back in the village."
'Purple Cat just got pregnant,' Yagami thought. 'I can't exactly execute the child's aunt in cold blood.'
He felt a rare pang of nostalgia for the days when he had nothing to lose. A year and a half ago, White Crane would already be a corpse. He needed to visit the Uzumaki hideout soon to see if Yuka had cracked Danzo's Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal.
Yagami walked toward the Rain noble's ship, gesturing for Yak to follow. They flickered onto the deck. The nobles of the three nations exchanged panicked glances at the sight of the ANBU. They looked pointedly at Chisa.
'we agreed to a diplomatic solution, so why did you secretly hire the Copper Fox?'
"Do not be alarmed," Yagami said coolly. "We received intelligence of a Stone plot to sabotage the Teigu aqueduct. The Hidden Leaf has eliminated the Stone Jonin, Yamashige. I trust this interruption won't hinder your proceedings. Please, continue."
With a wave, Yagami and the Yak squad vanished. Chisa felt a hollow ache in her chest as he left.
...
Near the border of the Land of Rain, Yagami paused. "It's disappointing that we didn't run into Uchiha Madara this time. I feel empty inside, Yak."
Yak stared at him. 'Disappointed you didn't see Madara?' He didn't think he was any stronger than the captains who had died during the last encounter.
"Yak, your squad has two objectives," Yagami continued. "First, wait for me at the border. I'm going deeper into the Land of Rain to scout for Madara. You shouldn't come; I can survive a brush with him, but protecting you as well would be difficult."
"Understood, Captain," Yak said quickly. "We'd only hold you back."
"Second, secure the intel from Yamashige's body as fast as possible. It's been too long since we heard about Madara; I feel like he's planning something big."
White Crane was trembling with fear. Having been caught as a mole, she had no choice but to obey. Yagami didn't exclude her, turning back to Yak. "If I find Madara, include it in your squad's mission report."
Yak's eyes lit up. The Commander was handing him a massive career boost. "I understand, Captain! We'll be waiting at the border!"
Once the squad left, Yagami vanished into the ground. As a Commander, he had the autonomy to set his own scouting parameters. He had only sent them away because Shiro-ji had notified him via the contract chakra.
...
When he reappeared, he was outside the Uzumaki hideout. Faint smoke rose from the jungle; the clan was well-hidden. Yuka emerged, holding a scroll with an excited grin.
"Fox! I finally cracked Danzo's Cursed Tongue Eradication Seal!"
It had taken her months, but the timing was perfect. Danzo's ultimate leash on his subordinates was now useless. After an intense "celebration" in the secret treehouse, Yagami sat with Yuka. He noticed she hadn't caught the "baby fever" that seemed to be hitting his other partners—perhaps the stress of the seal research was the cause.
On the return journey, Yagami refined his plan to strike at Danzo again. Root had been quiet lately, mostly staying within the Land of Fire, but they were becoming more insidious.
Meeting Yak back at the border, Yagami spoke in low tones. Yak's eyes widened. "Captain, you actually found intel on Madara?!"
"Write the report the moment we get back," Yagami instructed. "I've discovered that Madara has a secret base within the Land of Fire—near the Valley of the End, where he fought the First Hokage."
"The Valley of the End?" Yak mused. "Madara was buried there after the First killed him. Is there a major secret hidden in his grave?"
"I don't know," Yagami said. "Submit the report. I'll discuss it with Commander Yellow Dog and organize an investigation."
...
Back at the ANBU base in the Leaf, Yak began writing the report immediately. In the adjacent locker room, White Crane watched his office door through a crack. A few seconds later, she headed to her sister Purple Cat's office.
Passing Yagami's door, she quickened her pace. She entered the assistant's office next door, her voice sounding forcedly cheerful. "Purple Cat, do you need help? Let's go home early today!"
"You're learning," Purple Cat said. "Calling me Purple Cat here instead of 'Sister.' But we're ANBU; we don't choose when we go home."
White Crane kept glancing at the bell on the wall. If Fox called for Purple Cat, that bell would ring. Soon enough, it did. Purple Cat left for the Commander's office and returned a moment later with a scroll.
"New mission?" White Crane asked.
"Just delivering a scroll to Butterfly."
"I'll do it for you," White Crane insisted. "You're pregnant; don't overwork yourself. Pack your things, and we'll go home together after I'm done."
Purple Cat's eyes flickered, but she handed it over. "Fine. Get it to Butterfly quickly."
White Crane took the scroll and saw the Yak insignia. This was the report Yak had just finished. She hurried into the hallway, checked for Fox or Yak, and ducked into a corner to scan the contents. Her eyes lit up. 'Such valuable intel!'
She bypassed Butterfly's office and headed straight for a secret Root drop point.
...
Inside the Root Base.
The operative C sprinted toward Danzo, who was standing on a cross-bridge, lost in thought.
"Lord Danzo!" C blurted out. "Fox has returned from the Land of Rain. He's discovered that Uchiha Madara has a secret base within the Land of Fire—at the Valley of the End! The ANBU is already organizing an investigation team!"
Danzo stiffened. A man as proud as Madara would certainly consider the place of his defeat significant.
"Immediately!" Danzo barked. "Take a team to the Valley of the End! We must find Madara's base before the ANBU gets there!"
"Yes, my Lord!"
***
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