Hearing Fox's positive attitude made Lynx feel very comfortable.
Seeing that the other squad leaders had no objections, Lynx said, "Wildcat, come with me. We're going to the Land of Grass."
Yōkō and the other two squad leaders left Lynx's office.
Black Ant was rather special, basically only taking orders from the Hokage, yet he had been called back to listen to Deputy Commander Lynx's instructions.
Golden Eagle had the heaviest workload; changing leadership didn't make things easier.
Golden Eagle caught up with Black Ant and asked quietly, "Lynx has quite the air about him, doesn't he?"
Black Ant said, "Lynx is the person Lord Danzo pushed to the forefront; he represents Lord Danzo. It's normal for him to have some airs."
"Black Ant, I wonder if Fox can accept his position. He's no longer the number one under Battalion Commander Yellow Dog."
Black Ant nodded and said, "Let's hope he doesn't cause any trouble over some petty jealousy. If he starts feigning compliance while resisting orders or slacking off, then Fox would be rather petty and unable to see the bigger picture."
"Judging from the exchange just now, Fox seems to have lowered his head and accepted his fate."
In the Anbu corridor, Yōkō calculated the time. The team led by Sarutobi Hinotama and Lynx pursuing the rogue ninja would probably catch up with the Daimyō of the Land of Grass in about 15 days to begin the investigation and pursuit.
He needed to schedule his time properly. After entering the Land of Rain, he would find an opportunity to go to the Land of Grass.
Yōkō returned to his own squad.
White Ram and Kika were waiting in his office.
White Ram said, "Captain! For this mission to investigate Uchiha Madara in the Land of Rain, we've decided to go all out with you!
Uchiha Madara is more powerful than Sarutobi Kanenosuke. If we can complete the mission perfectly, we can definitely one-up Lynx!"
Kika chimed in, "Captain, we're not afraid to die. Please devise a strategy; we can definitely kill Uchiha Madara!"
Yōkō smiled and said, "Uchiha Madara is certainly more powerful than Sarutobi Kanenosuke, so we can't be reckless or impatient. We're going to investigate, not necessarily to fight to the death.
Besides, even if we kill Uchiha Madara, does that mean the Deputy Commander position would be mine?"
He looked at White Ram and Kika, feeling very gratified.
He hadn't been promoted to Deputy Commander, but his most loyal subordinates, White Ram and Kika, hadn't developed other ideas.
Yak and Hippo were different; perhaps they had both gone to sound out Yellow Dog.
Yellow Dog was now truly part of the upper echelon, primarily stationed in the Hokage Building.
From now on, Yellow Dog would officially appear before the Konoha ninja.
Any ninja going to the Hokage Building would see a ninja wearing a Yellow Dog mask; that was the new Anbu Commander.
Ordinary ninja didn't know Yellow Dog's background, but anyone who could appear in the Hokage Building as the Anbu Commander must be the most formidable figure in the Anbu.
Perhaps, seizing a good opportunity, just like Advisor Danzo did back in the day, the Anbu Commander could remove his mask and become another high-ranking advisor.
In the Hokage's office.
Orochimaru felt somewhat uncomfortable seeing Yellow Dog standing beside the Third Hokage.
That position used to be his.
Hah.
It didn't matter. Once he obtained the Scroll of Seals, he would no longer need to disguise himself before these higher-ups.
The foul atmosphere within Konoha Village had nothing to do with him.
After learning the contents of the Scroll of Seals, he would completely disappear and focus on researching the secret and forbidden jutsu recorded within.
Orochimaru requested some of the Second Hokage's notes on anatomy and body modification and left the Hokage's office.
After Orochimaru left, Yellow Dog said:
"Hokage-sama, I've said several times before that once I became Commander, I would make Fox the Deputy Commander. Now I've gone back on my word. I'd like to give him some compensation."
"Compensation?" The Third Hokage shook his head and said:
"No matter what compensation you give Fox, it won't change the dissatisfaction in his heart.
Everything must be given by us for those below to receive. If we don't give it, those below can only endure.
This isn't the time to compensate Fox; rather, it's a test for Fox.
If Fox can understand this reasoning and accept his position, then we will continue to nurture him.
If Fox cannot understand this reasoning, then assign him more tasks and utilize him fully.
This is a test for him, an Obedience Test.
Yellow Dog, you must remember, never trust anyone easily.
Limited trust, unlimited work, until the subordinate accepts their fate and submits completely.
When I was young, I thought that I, Danzo, Homura, Koharu, and the others would always trust and rely on each other.
But now, everyone has their own ideas.
You must understand that everyone changes. He might be willing to die for you now, but that doesn't prevent him from wanting to kill you three years later."
Yellow Dog nodded, abandoning the thought of compensating Fox.
He hoped Fox could recognize reality and accept it. Only after such a transformation could he become a better subordinate.
As the Hokage-sama said, this was a test, a special Obedience Test.
As the two were discussing how to manage subordinates, Danzo pushed the door open and entered.
Yellow Dog promptly shut his mouth and stopped speaking.
Was his father also conducting some kind of obedience test on Danzo?
Removing him as Anbu Commander and replacing him with Lynx as Deputy Anbu Commander – by any measure, Danzo seemed to be at a loss.
"Danzo, what is it?"
"Give me the mission roster of the Uchiha clan going to the Land of Rain."
Sarutobi Hiruzen quickly produced the list and handed it to Danzo: "Including Uchiha Kane, 4 Jōnin, 8 Special Jōnin.
You know how strict we are. The Uchiha clan's Special Jōnin also possess Jōnin-level strength."
Every time Uchiha Kane recommended someone for Jōnin, nine out of ten times it would be rejected.
Only when a Three Tomoe Uchiha was exceptionally strong, achieved exaggerated battle records in war, and earned a reputation would the village reluctantly grant them Jōnin status.
Watching Danzo read the list, the Third Hokage asked, "Danzo, are you planning to use this opportunity to weaken the Uchiha?"
Danzo snorted coldly and said, "Sarutobi Hiruzen, that's not something I should be managing anymore. The Anbu Commander is right beside you; why are you asking me?"
After reading the scroll, Danzo turned and left.
Only after the door closed did Yellow Dog speak: "Hokage-sama, Advisor Danzo is..."
"He's angry, but it's fine. He'll find someone to vent on. That's one thing I really like about Danzo. However..." Sarutobi Hiruzen said:
"Diverting the trouble, it would be great if the Uchiha elites could die at the hands of Uchiha Madara.
This is a perfect opportunity, and the Uchiha clan can't even complain.
But we also need to worry about some Three Tomoe Uchiha ninja defecting to Uchiha Madara.
It's very tricky...
If only Danzo were willing to put in the effort; he would arrange these matters perfectly."
The Third Hokage looked at Yellow Dog and said:
"If I remain in position, I can suppress the Uchiha clan.
But if I die, and the village falls into your hands or the hands of other young people, I fear you won't be able to suppress the Uchiha.
The Uchiha clan's potential is extremely terrifying. All these years, I've kept the Uchiha honestly confined within the Police Force.
Once they are released, they will use the fearsome Kekkei Genkai of the Sharingan to prove the might of the second-greatest shinobi clan of the Warring States Period.
Death makes the Uchiha stronger."
Yellow Dog quickly said, "Hokage-sama, let me handle it. Let me take this chance to weaken the Uchiha, just like Advisor Danzo did before.
If only Fox were the Deputy Commander... If I just hinted at it, Fox could arrange things perfectly for those Uchiha members."
The Third Hokage said, "The position of Anbu Commander is not only a high-ranking post but also represents responsibility. You've read many Root mission scrolls; try to learn from Danzo's methods."
In a forest at the edge of Konoha Village.
A figure crouched on the ground, squinting slightly.
In his eyes, crimson Three Tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated.
Uchiha Mizukiku, son of Uchiha Kagami, waited.
In an instant, another figure appeared on the tree trunk opposite him via Body Flicker.
Uchiha Mizukiku looked up: "Uncle Danzo, you've come."
***
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(End of Chapter)