Back in Konoha.
Yellow Dog looked down at the mission report scroll and raised an eyebrow.
"Fox, since when do you know about engineering? Water-level monitoring? Hydroelectric stations?"
"I'm good with Earth Release," Yako replied evenly. "While in the Land of Rivers, I read up on their systems and offered a few suggestions."
Yellow Dog produced another scroll. "This is your unit's ninjutsu reward scroll: Seven techniques in total. Distribute them as you see fit."
Yako accepted the scroll with a pleased expression.
Once every subordinate had both an offensive and defensive technique, their combat capability would rise dramatically.
"Fox," Yellow Dog continued, "prepare yourself. We might be heading to the Uzushio battlefield this month."
Yako blinked in surprise. Just withdrawn from the Land of Rivers front, not even time to rest, and already another battlefield?
"Captain," he asked, "but the Uzushio front already has Advisor Danzo and the Spirit Turtle Unit overseeing the war. Are we really—"
He stopped mid-sentence.
If the Spirit Turtle Unit was still functioning, their deployment wouldn't be necessary.
That meant either the unit, or Danzo, had run into trouble.
"Captain," Yako said carefully, "are you… planning to move up the ranks?"
He suspected Sarutobi Hiruzen might be preparing to sideline Danzo, loosening his grip over the ANBU.
Once, the two had been inseparable allies.
Now, Danzo's ambitions had begun to clash with the Hokage's authority.
In the original story, ANBU would eventually split, Danzo founding Root while the Hokage retained control of the main division.
Perhaps this was when it began.
"Fox," Yellow Dog asked with a grin, "do you support me taking that step?"
"Support you? Of course I do!" Yako said without hesitation.
"Captain, if you don't rise, how can I?
To be honest, I've had my eyes on the ANBU Captain position for a long time.
If I don't move up, neither can my men, and some of them have ambitions too.
If you rise, we all rise with you. I speak for the entire Fox Unit when I say, you have our full support!"
Yellow Dog chuckled. "You're the ANBU now known as Copper Fox. You've got the strength to command a full division.
Perform well in Uzushio; that's exactly why we're pushing to redeploy so soon. If all goes well, we might both reach our goals."
When Yako left the office, he couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement.
Could he truly become an ANBU Captain? The thought thrilled him.
Back during the Grass Country campaign, Yellow Dog's missions had mostly come through Danzo: prisoner captures, negotiations with Hanzō in the Rain Country, and the like.
But in the River Country war, Yellow Dog had acted independently, running operations on his own authority.
Perhaps the rift between Sarutobi and Danzo had started back then, Yako had simply been too low in rank to notice it.
Soon after Yako left, ANBU Division Captain Black Ant entered the office.
A Nara clansman and, like Yellow Dog, one of Hiruzen's most trusted subordinates.
He handed Yellow Dog a sealed scroll. "I've got news. Crocodile Turtle is dead."
Yellow Dog froze. Just minutes ago, he'd been discussing the Uzushio front with Fox, and now this?
"Of the six ANBU division captains," Black Ant said, "you, me, and Golden Eagle are loyal to the Hokage without question.
But Leopard and Lynx, those two were raised by Danzo. They answer to him.
Now, with Crocodile Turtle gone, Danzo wants to appoint Root's B as the new captain.
The Hokage vetoed it."
He sighed. "The situation's getting complicated fast. Be cautious when you deploy to Uzushio."
Yellow Dog nodded solemnly and took the investigation report. "I will."
Black Ant continued, "There's more. Root's been conducting dangerous experiments. Leading them is A — Orochimaru himself.
Danzo and Orochimaru are refusing to share data or results with ANBU. The Hokage is not pleased.
If this continues, the division risks slipping from his control. We'll need a Vice Commander soon."
Yellow Dog frowned. "The Hokage's three disciples: each one a handful.
Jiraiya lingers in the Land of Rain, ignoring orders. Princess Tsunade defies him openly.
And now Orochimaru has turned toward Danzo.
Is it forbidden to conduct experiments under the Hokage's supervision? What is Danzo offering him, rare materials? Freedom?
The Hokage raised the Sannin… and now each of them walks their own dark path.
Tell me, Black Ant, if even the Hokage's disciples can't be trusted, who can?"
The older man fell silent, recalling the Second Hokage.
His own disciples had also overturned many of his policies in the end.
In Konoha, lineage and tutelage mattered deeply, but between master and student, betrayal seemed almost inevitable.
Black Ant finally said, "Reports from our spies suggest Orochimaru's experiments are advancing rapidly. He's been in high spirits.
During the Stone Country campaign, he's barely appeared on the front lines, staying in his research tents.
We must find a way to probe deeper into Root's operations.
Under the Hokage's nose, Danzo's faction grows more opaque and more dangerous.
If you do become Vice Commander, that leaves your unit and Crocodile Turtle's both vacant.
Do you have anyone in mind for captain?"
"I intend to let Fox take over my division," Yellow Dog answered.
Black Ant nodded approvingly. "Copper Fox, hm? His strength is sufficient.
Once he proves himself in Uzushio, it's worth considering him for promotion.
He's still only a tokubetsu jōnin, right? Perhaps we should regularize his rank first."
"I was thinking the same. I'll submit his jōnin recommendation within a few days."
===
Back at the Fox Unit headquarters, Yako gathered his three squad leaders.
"These are the ninjutsu scrolls I secured for you," he said, setting them on the table.
"Each squad leader will copy what your team needs most.
Now that the River Country war is over, rest for a day or two then begin intensive ninjutsu training.
We must raise our strength quickly. We'll soon be accompanying Captain Yellow Dog to the Uzushio front."
Purple Cat frowned. "Captain… why is Yellow Dog in such a rush to head into another war?"
"Don't complain, Purple Cat," Yako said firmly. "We're ANBU. Our duty is simple: execute orders."
Still, he suspected the reason.
Yellow Dog was determined to earn a major victory, one undeniable enough to secure his next promotion.
The Hokage could have simply appointed him Vice Commander, but that would never carry the same weight as earning it through the battlefield.
After the three squad leaders finished copying their techniques, Yako unrolled the scroll for himself.
Inside were one genjutsu and six elemental techniques.
The elemental ones he ignored; his current mastery was more than sufficient.
He'd only learn them if the situation demanded it.
His attention fixed on the genjutsu — Demonic Illusion: Nirvana Temple Technique.
That one, he thought, was perfect for Purple Cat.
As for himself, he could attempt to study genjutsu too.
With the Sharingan, after all, genjutsu required no hand signs, just eye contact and intent.
That instant-cast advantage gave the Uchiha a near-unbeatable edge in one-on-one combat.
Even Itachi's legend, in the end, rested on that same terrifying first strike a single glance that decided the battle.
Yako smiled faintly.
Being a unit captain had its perks acquiring new techniques had become far easier.