Natsuhiko had taken the initiative to seek out Antelope for a reason.
At the end of the day, his foundation within the ANBU was still far too shallow.
It was precisely because of that weakness that he had resorted to such drastic measures earlier—going so far as to disband an entire division just to establish his authority.
But moving forward, he couldn't continue acting with such unrestrained force. That kind of approach would only backfire on him in the long run.
So, reaching out to win over those worth recruiting was a far better choice—especially since the First Division remained untouched. Naturally, that made it his primary target.
In truth, he could have started with the First Division from the very beginning. With a fifty-fifty choice, targeting either division wouldn't have seemed strange.
But in the end, he had deliberately chosen the Second Division instead.
That decision was shaped by the image he had carefully constructed for himself.
After all, he had risen from within the First Division. Many of his former comrades were still there.
If he had turned his blade against his old unit, the label of "cold-blooded" would have been firmly attached to him.
That label wasn't without its advantages. Someone who could act against their own former comrades would naturally inspire fear—and that fear could greatly strengthen his authority.
But at the same time, it would deal a heavy blow to his long-term image.
And Natsuhiko's ambitions had never been limited to merely becoming the head of the ANBU. His vision had always extended far beyond that.
"Stand up," Natsuhiko said with a faint smile, shaking his head slightly as he looked at Antelope. "You were my division commander once. Seeing you like this feels… strange."
"Yes, Commander," Antelope replied, nodding before slowly rising to his feet. "But things are different now. You are the head of the ANBU, and I am your subordinate."
"Yeah… I suppose my luck has been quite good," Natsuhiko said, a small smile forming on his lips. "Just a few months ago, I was only a squad leader. And now, I'm the ANBU Commander."
"Luck is also a part of strength," Antelope said softly, his head lowered. "If you didn't have the strength, you might have fallen in the Land of Wind. And without that strength, you wouldn't have been able to deal with the former Commander either."
At that, Antelope abruptly stopped speaking.
He couldn't quite grasp what kind of mindset Natsuhiko had held when he dealt with Murashima Takumi.
Perhaps it had been deliberate—after all, such an opportunity was rare. To seize it decisively and climb upward…
That alone was something to be proud of.
After all, Natsuhiko himself had said it:
For those climbing to the top of the food chain, mercy was not an option. There was only one rule—either become the hunter, or become the prey.
If Natsuhiko intended to be the hunter, then those who had fallen at his hands were nothing more than prey.
Still… such matters were hardly honorable. No one could truly tell what kind of thoughts lay behind this new Commander's actions.
"Perhaps," Natsuhiko replied calmly, showing no anger. He simply nodded with a faint smile. "Whether it's luck or strength, the truth is that I've reached this position."
"Yes, Commander," Antelope said, this time with genuine feeling in his voice.
"Thank you, Division Commander."
Natsuhiko seemed to catch the subtle shift in his tone, the smile on his lips deepening slightly.
"In the end, people have to look forward," he continued. "Some things are bound to change. Even if everything seems fine right now, the future… ultimately belongs to the younger generation, doesn't it?"
"…Perhaps," Antelope murmured, his eyes flickering faintly.
By now, he understood why Natsuhiko had come to see him.
In truth, he had always known this day would arrive.
But Natsuhiko's attitude… was unexpectedly reassuring.
There was no excessive pressure, no overwhelming force—only a measured respect that made it easier to accept.
This attitude made Antelope feel unexpectedly comfortable. At the very least, it was completely different from the way Murashima Takumi and Division Commander Redwing had treated him.
It was also the same demeanor he remembered from the "Nightingale of Konoha"—the way Natsuhiko used to treat others.
Of course… it could all be an act.
After all, Natsuhiko had worn a mask for so long without being exposed. That alone proved just how deep and calculating his mind truly was.
But even if it was an act, it didn't really matter.
Antelope could feel that he was being respected—and for someone in his position, that was already enough.
Strictly speaking, he was only a subordinate.
Because of that, he wasn't opposed to being drawn in by Natsuhiko. What he needed, however, was something more tangible—something concrete.
"Don't say 'perhaps.' Birth, aging, illness, and death… when people grow old and their energy declines, that's simply the natural order."
Natsuhiko clearly sensed the shift in Antelope's emotions, and his tone grew firmer.
"And don't forget—adding flowers to brocade will never compare to delivering coal in the snow. Division Commander Antelope, you're a sensible man. I believe you know how to make the right choice."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"The ANBU still has many areas that need reform. When new people step in, naturally… others will have to step out."
"Yes, Commander. Thank you for your guidance," Antelope replied respectfully, though his mind had already begun to turn over these words carefully.
Seeing this, Natsuhiko knew his first objective had been achieved.
Now, it was time to push things further.
Whether Antelope's reaction was genuine or not, Natsuhiko intended to lay out his next steps anyway. It would serve as a stronger incentive—helping Antelope make a clearer, more decisive choice.
And if it was all an act…
Then Natsuhiko would be more than happy for Antelope to report everything to Hiruzen Sarutobi.
Because what he wanted now… was to force Hiruzen into making mistakes.
After all, the changes I'm about to make to the ANBU can't be hidden anyway, Natsuhiko thought calmly. Whether I say it or not doesn't make much difference. This way, I can also test Hiruzen's attitude.
Since taking control of the ANBU, he hadn't encountered any real obstacles—but that didn't mean trouble wouldn't come later.
If anything, it was inevitable.
That was why he needed to probe Hiruzen carefully, to understand where the old Hokage truly stood.
Of course, Natsuhiko wasn't worried about much else.
He still held the advantage in terms of personal strength. That alone gave him the freedom to act far more boldly than others.
Even so, shaped by the values of his past life—and by the persona he had carefully constructed—he preferred to operate within certain boundaries.
Unless someone pushed him too far, he had no intention of acting recklessly. Maintaining appearances still mattered.
At the same time, he couldn't help but wonder if Hiruzen's hands-off approach toward the ANBU was also related to Danzo Shimura.
Danzo had done nothing during the Nine-Tails' attack, and with the unrest surrounding the Uchiha clan, word of his inaction had likely spread throughout Konoha.
An intelligence organization like the ANBU couldn't possibly be unaware of it—and Natsuhiko himself had long known how events had unfolded.
On top of that, it hadn't even been Fugaku Uchiha who led the Uchiha into action, but rather the elder Uchiha Shin.
And Hiruzen knew very well that Uchiha Shin had close ties with Natsuhiko.
Because of all this, Natsuhiko couldn't help but speculate—
Perhaps Hiruzen, in addition to offering concessions to the Uchiha clan, was also extending a form of goodwill toward him.
For example… letting me refrain from pursuing Danzo's mistakes, while he, in turn, stops interfering with the ANBU?
The thought lingered in Natsuhiko's mind, though he couldn't arrive at a definitive answer.
Which was precisely why he needed to test Hiruzen.
Only then could he act with true confidence.
And alongside that test, he would push Hiruzen toward making mistakes—that was his ultimate goal.
After all, what Natsuhiko intended to do next…
was to dismantle the traditions of the ANBU itself, even challenge the unspoken rules that had long governed it.
With that thought in mind, a faint smile appeared on Natsuhiko's lips. He slowly walked over to the window, his gaze drifting toward the towering Hokage Monument outside. After a moment, he turned back to look at Antelope.
"I'm not someone who enjoys making promises," Natsuhiko said calmly. "I prefer to focus on tangible actions instead. Tell me, Division Commander Antelope—what do you think of the current structure of the ANBU?"
"The structure of the ANBU…?" Antelope looked at him, puzzled, clearly unsure of what he was getting at. "The current system has been passed down over time. As a subordinate, I don't have the authority to comment on such matters."
"A very cautious answer," Natsuhiko replied with a small nod, smiling faintly. "After all, avoiding mistakes is the safest approach."
He didn't mind Antelope's response. In fact, he expected it.
After all, Antelope had no idea just how bold his intentions truly were—nor how far he was about to push things.
This time, however, Natsuhiko had no intention of keeping him in suspense.
He spoke plainly.
"Perhaps in the past, this structure helped maintain stability. But in my view… the ANBU simply doesn't have enough manpower."
His gaze rested on Antelope as he slowly articulated his goal.
"The system still follows the model established when the ANBU was first created. Even though the benefits and responsibilities have improved, the overall scale has remained unchanged."
"That lack of growth limits what we can accomplish."
"So, I intend to expand the ANBU's size—significantly."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Especially within the internal affairs division. There are too few administrative personnel, which slows down intelligence classification and analysis."
"We need more people to handle these tasks… and more individuals we can trust."
"Do you understand what I mean?"
"I… understand, Commander," Antelope replied, swallowing slightly before nodding.
Expanding the ANBU…
That alone was a shocking proposal.
Fortunately, from what Natsuhiko had said so far, his focus seemed to be on the administrative side. That at least gave Antelope a measure of relief.
Low efficiency among clerical staff could reasonably justify increasing their numbers. While it still meant breaking away from the traditional scale of the ANBU, it was far less drastic than expanding the combat forces outright.
And yet, even as he felt relieved, a faint sense of disappointment crept into his heart.
After all, having more troops under one's command was always appealing.
As a division commander, Antelope already stood near the top of the ANBU hierarchy—only two others were on equal footing with him, and only one stood above them all.
If that structure were expanded, the benefits to him personally would be immense.
But it seemed… this new Commander was still exercising restraint.
At least, that's what Antelope thought—
Until Natsuhiko spoke again, still wearing that calm smile.
"And another thing," he added casually. "The number of combat personnel is far too small."
"A single division, in reality, is no larger than a squad. That may be the ANBU's tradition… but whether such traditions still suit the times is another matter entirely."
"In my opinion, they don't."
His tone remained steady, but his words carried unmistakable weight.
"A division should look like a division. Only with sufficient numbers can we respond to the unpredictable changes of the shinobi world… and better protect Konoha."
He paused, his eyes settling on Antelope once more.
"What do you think, Division Commander Antelope?"
"…."
This time, Antelope didn't dare respond at all.
The scope of what Natsuhiko was proposing had already surpassed his expectations.
He had known that Natsuhiko was ambitious—otherwise, he wouldn't even consider expanding the ANBU.
But he had never imagined that the ambition would run this deep.
It wasn't just the administrative branch.
Even the combat divisions were to be expanded in one sweeping move.
Such a decision… would bring about changes on a scale almost impossible to predict.
Antelope felt a shiver of fear run down his spine—this was a complete breaking of the facade. Yet, beneath that fear, a spark of excitement had taken root, because if this plan were to be realized, he would finally become a "true" division commander.
His authority would be expanded beyond anything previously imaginable. The number of ANBU combat personnel under his command, the scope of the jutsu he could control—even the decisions he could influence—would surpass what any former ANBU Commander could wield.
Caught between hesitation, anticipation, and fear, all he could do was remain silent. Silence was easier than speaking, easier than admitting the ambitions and desires that churned within him. After all, everyone had ambition, everyone had greed—and he was no exception.
"Believe me," Natsuhiko said softly, breaking the tense quiet, "silence is not the best choice. Especially when I am offering you an opportunity—your silence will only disappoint me."
"Apologies, Commander," Antelope snapped back to reality, immediately dropping to one knee, bowing so low his forehead nearly touched the floor, as if confessing a sin.
"You've done nothing wrong. There's no need to apologize," Natsuhiko replied, shaking his head gently.
"Go ahead, rise. I will not make things difficult for you, but I hope you will not make things difficult for me either. Some decisions I have already made, and I will carry them out. What you need to do is cooperate. Understand?"
"I will not make things difficult for you, Commander," Antelope said, lifting his head with newfound determination. "I will fully cooperate with your actions. You have my word."
"That's good. I'll be watching closely," Natsuhiko said, still calm, still gentle. He nodded once, then gestured toward the exit. "Go now, and prepare yourself."
After saying this, he turned and returned to his desk. Antelope stood, bowed slightly, and left the office with utmost respect.
Only after the door closed behind him did Natsuhiko allow himself a small, satisfied smile.
"Humans really are… hypocritical," a voice suddenly echoed in his mind. It was the small Nine-Tails, its tone full of disdain.
"You don't care whether he lives or dies, yet you act as if you do. You don't care if he will remain loyal, yet you pretend you hope he will stand by your side. And that one—Antelope—is no different. His heart is already leaning one way, yet he acts ambiguous. I truly cannot understand you humans. Isn't living like this exhausting?"
"It is exhausting. Without a doubt," Natsuhiko replied silently in his mind, his thoughts responding to the small Nine-Tails.
"Perhaps this is one of the greatest differences between humans and you Tailed Beasts, or animals in general. We do not act purely on instinct. Even if we follow the law of the strong preying on the weak at times, more often we show sympathy for the weak—whether genuinely or as a performance.
"Remember this: human conflicts are never the same as animal conflicts. We think more. Therefore, we do more."
His words were measured, deliberate. The fundamental difference between humans and animals wasn't just labor, tools, or technology. Those things were important, but the key was thought itself. Human consciousness and reasoning had allowed humans to dominate the ecological chain.
In simple terms, humans had, through reasoning, communication, and millennia of evolution, learned what it meant to act rationally. Even when possessing immense power, one cannot act recklessly—it is suicide.
Animals obey the law of the jungle openly and without hesitation, because survival demands it. But humans cannot, and must not, replicate that in society. Without morality or order, humans would be no different from animals, and society itself would collapse into bloodshed and chaos.
If humanity truly lived that way, its environment would never have developed into what it is today. More likely, it would have long since been weakened by even more brutal internal conflict.
Of course, these were merely Natsuhiko's own reflections—his personal understanding of the world. He had never shared them with anyone.
The only exception was the little Nine-Tails who had asked him about it… though clearly, the fox had no interest in such thoughts.
"Boring."
That was the only response it gave before losing interest entirely, turning away and going back to sleep.
From its perspective, things were simple—if something didn't obey, just kill it. There was no need for all this scheming and calculation. Living like that was far too exhausting.
Natsuhiko could only shrug helplessly at that mindset. Killing someone was easy.
But the human heart… wasn't something that would submit just because you displayed power by taking lives.
"Boring or not, tiring or not… that's simply part of what separates humans from animals," Natsuhiko thought, shaking his head as he sensed the little fox drifting off again.
After having its chakra drawn to nurture the seeds, the little Nine-Tails had become noticeably drowsy more often.
Of course, it wasn't truly asleep. It was more that it had little interest in the human world. With the inherited memories of the original Nine-Tails, very little here felt new or worth paying attention to.
Compared to observing all this, it would rather conserve its strength and recover its chakra.
Natsuhiko didn't disturb it. Instead, he pulled out several documents and lightly tapped his desk.
"Commander."
In the blink of an eye, an ANBU operative appeared before him, dropping to one knee.
"Go and summon the acting commander of the Second Division, Kakashi Hatake," Natsuhiko said directly. After a brief pause, he added, "And bring the Third Division squad leader, Trout, as well."
"Yes, Commander!"
The operative responded immediately before disappearing just as quickly.
Natsuhiko casually spread out the documents before him. They contained detailed plans regarding the expansion and restructuring of the ANBU.
He paid no mind to the hidden presence within his office. Even after the one who had just left, there were still three others concealed in the shadows.
In truth, the higher one's position, the tighter their protection—whether or not they actually needed it.
Natsuhiko had no intention of abolishing this arrangement. For the ANBU, such placements were invaluable—not just for protection, but for gathering intelligence and maintaining oversight.
As for whether others were willing to accept it… that wasn't his concern.
He would implement it regardless. After all, it could always be justified as safeguarding Konoha's leadership.
Whether others believed that or not didn't matter.
He did.
So he began with his own office, maintaining the system—though he had replaced the personnel with individuals he trusted.
There was no way he would allow operatives whose loyalties were unclear—or worse, those devoted to Hiruzen Sarutobi—to monitor him.
The four ANBU stationed within his office were all from the Senju clan.
And in time, he would cultivate even more loyal personnel—perhaps even placing them within the Hokage's office itself.
"Commander."
Before long, Trout and Kakashi Hatake arrived from their respective posts.
Their speed was impressive, though both of them looked visibly fatigued.
But that was hardly surprising.
Kakashi was currently tasked with rebuilding the Second Division that Natsuhiko had personally disbanded—a monumental challenge that demanded both time and energy.
As for the Third Division, which had once belonged to Natsuhiko, it still lacked a formal division commander. Several squad leaders had yet to be chosen, while others simply weren't qualified.
That left the experienced Trout to shoulder much of the responsibility alone.
And as a result… he was anything but idle.
Natsuhiko could tell at a glance that, despite the exhaustion, Trout was actually enjoying himself. After all, in a sense, he was already acting as a provisional division commander.
"You've both worked hard these past few days," Natsuhiko said with a gentle smile, nodding toward them before continuing. "Whether it's White Fang or Trout, I've seen your efforts."
"Thank you for your recognition, Commander," the two replied at once, bowing slightly. "This is our duty."
"But I'm afraid you'll be even busier from here on," Natsuhiko added, pushing the documents spread across his desk toward them. His smile remained calm, almost reassuring. "Take a look. This will be your next assignment."
"Yes, Commander."
Though puzzled, they quickly accepted the files. The moment Trout began reading, however, the expression hidden beneath his mask shifted dramatically.
Expand the ANBU?
Increase the size of each ANBU division to match that of standard ninja units?
Trout was no newcomer—he had spent years in the ANBU and understood the deeper implications. The fixed size of ANBU forces wasn't arbitrary; it was tied to a web of power balances and vested interests. More importantly, the authority wielded by the ANBU was already immense.
He had never imagined that anyone would dare to shatter the regulations established by the Second Hokage—and to do so while serving as the ANBU Commander, no less.
Yet Trout remained silent. He voiced no objections.
After all, he wasn't even a full division commander yet. Questioning his superior's decision was out of the question.
Moreover, this Commander seemed to have the full backing of the Fourth Hokage. It was entirely possible that this reform was being driven from the very top.
Using a member of the Senju clan to overturn policies originally set by a Hokage of Senju origin… in a way, it felt like breaking a cycle.
And truthfully, a flicker of anticipation rose within him.
If the ANBU expanded—and if he were appointed as a division commander—his authority would grow beyond anything he had previously known. He would become a truly powerful figure within the village.
Trout had never been particularly aligned with Hiruzen Sarutobi. Otherwise, he wouldn't have adapted so quickly after Natsuhiko took over.
His obedience had always had a simple goal: to align himself with whoever stood behind Natsuhiko.
The Third Division had once been infiltrated by Root, and as an ANBU operative, he had followed Kusunoki's lead. But with Kusunoki dead, he needed a new pillar to rely on.
At first, he had assumed Natsuhiko was one of Hiruzen's people.
Now, however, it was clear—this former division commander, now the ANBU Commander, stood firmly with the Fourth Hokage.
"I understand. There's no problem." Kakashi said. Compared to Trout's tangled thoughts, Kakashi Hatake was far more straightforward.
He didn't concern himself with the political ramifications or the shockwaves these changes might cause. He didn't care how controversial Natsuhiko's plans were.
All he knew was this: Natsuhiko had given the order.
And Natsuhiko, the ANBU Commander, was someone his teacher had personally trusted and elevated.
That alone was enough.
Natsuhiko had changed his life—pulling him back from darkness in the past, saving his teacher, and even helping save the entire village.
For someone like that—both a close comrade and his superior—Kakashi had no reason, and no intention, to refuse.
"I understand as well, Commander," Trout quickly added, silently cursing himself for overthinking as he gave his answer.
"Good."
Natsuhiko nodded, satisfied, and immediately began issuing orders.
"Kakashi, you will continue serving as the acting commander of the Second Division. Focus on organizing and structuring your squads, but don't rush. There will be new recruits joining soon—make sure to give them proper opportunities."
He paused briefly before turning his gaze to Trout.
"As for you, Captain Trout—I am officially appointing you as the acting commander of the Third Division. You will be responsible for its formation. Do you understand?"
"Yes, Commander!"
...
"Bastard… damned bastard!"
Deep within the headquarters of Root, Danzo Shimura smashed everything in sight. Flower pots shattered against the walls, ceramic vessels exploded across the floor, and even his heavy desk was overturned in a fit of uncontrollable rage.
He was furious—no, far beyond furious. Ever since he had tried to forcibly seize Pakura from the ANBU, his anger had never once subsided.
That cursed descendant of the Senju clan had not only slaughtered his subordinates in broad daylight but had even sent their severed heads back as a deliberate act of humiliation.
Worse still, he himself had been severely punished for the incident, while that damned Senju brat had walked away unscathed.
Danzo etched this hatred deep into his heart. He loathed Natsuhiko. He loathed Minato Namikaze. And he loathed Hiruzen Sarutobi.
But he was not the Hokage.
He had no right to argue, no power to resist. All he could do was endure—wait, and bide his time for the perfect opportunity.
Then came the Nine-Tails incident.
The devastation it brought upon Konoha was beyond imagination, and when Danzo saw the Sharingan reflected in the beast's eyes, he immediately realized—this was his chance.
If the ANBU suffered heavy losses while protecting the village, and he stepped in under the pretext of controlling the Uchiha because of the Sharingan's involvement, then Root could preserve its strength. Meanwhile, with the ANBU and other forces weakened, he could seize greater influence for himself.
"If you are the Hokage, then go protect Konoha yourselves!"
That was the mindset he had acted upon.
Perhaps he would never understand why he could never become Hokage—because he simply lacked that very resolve.
Yet what he never could have anticipated was the complete collapse of his carefully laid plans.
He knew Fugaku Uchiha well and believed he understood how to deal with him. But he had never expected the emergence of Uchiha Shin.
He knew of the man—steady, obedient, lacking strong opinions, someone who had always sought to align himself with Konoha.
And yet, at that critical moment, Shin had acted with shocking decisiveness.
Worst of all, Danzo hadn't even had enough manpower at the time to stop those damned Uchiha.
And what followed only left him even more stunned.
That Senju descendant… he possessed Wood Release.
He had held back the Nine-Tails. He had fought alongside Minato and ultimately sealed the beast, emerging as a hero of the village.
Every part of it was unbearable.
Especially the fact that Natsuhiko had now become the Commander of the ANBU—stepping into the very spotlight Danzo had always longed to claim.
It felt as though the entire world had betrayed him.
"Why?! Why is it like this?!" Danzo roared, his voice echoing through the office, filled with fury and disbelief.
Natsuhiko had stepped fully into the public eye, and worse—Hiruzen had tacitly allowed it.
That alone was something Danzo could not accept.
But what made it even more intolerable was this: even after Hiruzen had reclaimed control as Hokage, he had not lifted Danzo's punishment.
Danzo was still restrained, still unable to fully command Root as he once had.
To him, this was nothing short of unforgivable betrayal.
"Hiruzen… since you show no mercy, don't blame me for showing none in return."
After a long while, Danzo finally calmed down. His gaze grew colder, darker—his anger no longer explosive, but condensed into something far more dangerous.
"Why am I in this position?
Is it simply because I am not the Hokage?
Then I will become Hokage—just to prove it to you.
You always said I overstepped my bounds…
Then I'll show you what it truly means to overstep."
The words left his lips like a vow—cold, resolute, and filled with a quiet, terrifying determination.