The negotiations concluded, and Mitokado Homura led Yellow Dog and the others into the front-line command camp.
From the moment he entered, Homura greeted every familiar shinobi he passed.
Everyone's face was beaming with joy.
The war was over—the war in the Land of Whirlpools had come to an end.
Inside the command tent, Uchiha Kagen immediately stood up and bowed slightly in greeting.
Danzo, on the other hand, remained motionless, eyes fixed on a scroll.
Homura said flatly, "Danzo, you just can't seem to hold a proper conversation with anyone. I had to come all the way from the village just to replace you in the negotiations with Gensui."
Yako, recalling how Homura and Gensui had practically shouted at each other's faces, couldn't help but think Homura wasn't all that suited for negotiation either.
Back during the Land of Rivers talks, it was Nara Shikakaku who kept the pressure steady—neither aggressive nor submissive. Now that was a refined operator.
Danzo asked without looking up, "Did Gensui yield?"
"He did. He had to. What other choice did he have?" Homura replied coolly.
"Danzo, once Gensui's ceasefire scroll arrives, we can finally head home to celebrate the New Year."
Danzo gave a small nod.
Homura turned to Uchiha Kagen. "Clan Leader Kagen, and fellow strategists—please leave the tent to me. I have something to discuss with Advisor Danzo in private."
Kagen nodded. "As you wish."
He wasn't too concerned. Whatever Homura wanted to talk about likely had nothing to do with him. After all, he had just served as deputy commander in a victorious campaign—the village wouldn't possibly move against him now… right?
Once Kagen and the others exited, only the two advisors, their aides, and the ANBU remained inside.
Homura glanced to the side. "Where's B?"
"B?" Danzo responded bluntly, "Dead."
"Dead? That's a shame. B had a very rare skillset—perfect for infiltration and assassination."
Homura himself would sometimes personally assign missions to B.
His body could scatter into insects, slip through a window crack, reassemble beside a noble's bedside, and kill without a trace. With insect clones and silent executions, he never missed a target—and more importantly, never left a footprint behind.
Homura exhaled through his nose. "Danzo, I also came to deliver some appointments on behalf of Hiruzen."
He watched Danzo's face carefully—but it was a waste of effort. Danzo's expression remained unreadable, as always.
Homura continued, "Yellow Dog pulled off a flawless ambush—killed Hōzuki Muratsuki, several jōnin, and over three hundred Mist shinobi in a single strike."
"Hiruzen is appointing Yellow Dog as Deputy Commander of the ANBU."
"We're getting old, Danzo. The future of Konoha belongs to the young, wouldn't you agree?"
Danzo turned his gaze to Yellow Dog.
Yellow Dog remained silent, eyes lowered. Surrounded by elders, there was no need for him to speak.
Danzo said, "Agreed. Konoha's future lies with the next generation. But the captain of the Crocodile Unit—I want C to take that post."
Yako thought to himself: So this is how compromise is made.
Danzo accepted Yellow Dog's promotion, but in return demanded control over another ANBU unit.
There were six ANBU units in total.
Golden Eagle and Black Ant were responsible for the Third Hokage's security and mission relays—they rarely left the village.
Bay Leopard was entirely under Danzo's control.
Yellow Dog and Crocodile carried out long-term missions outside the village on behalf of the Third Hokage.
The Crocodile Captain had died, and B had been acting as the interim captain. Now B was dead too, and no permanent replacement had been named.
By yielding on the Deputy Commander position, Danzo secured full control over another unit.
This brought him to direct control of three ANBU units. Whether his power had shrunk or grown—it was hard to say.
Once Yellow Dog was officially promoted, Fox would be made a unit captain. But surely he wouldn't be content with only one unit. He'd certainly fight to absorb Crocodile as well.
Yako suspected Yellow Dog would nominate Hippo as his new captain.
Homura, clearly prepared for this, said:
"That brings me to the next matter, Danzo.
The Second Great Ninja War will end before the New Year.
All the villages suffered enormous losses—no one will have the strength to start another war any time soon.
ANBU no longer needs to maintain its oversized structure of six full units."
"Koharu is handling village internal affairs. She told Hiruzen: ANBU consumes far too many resources. In peacetime, there's no reason to sustain six units—over three hundred shinobi."
"After the war, ANBU will undergo streamlining."
"From six units to four squads—each squad made of four or five teams. No more than eighty operatives total."
"Black Ant Squad: responsible for guarding Hiruzen and transmitting his orders."
"Golden Eagle, Fox, and Yellow Dog: the three assassination squads."
"There's a strategy for war—and a strategy for peace."
"What do you think, Danzo?"
Yako's heart skipped a beat. Homura had called him a "squad leader" directly.
Though a squad was made of fewer teams than a unit—fewer men, less direct command—it came with more weight. One of four core leaders. The ANBU's inner circle.
From Homura's phrasing, it was clear: Koharu had used budget concerns as a wedge. Hiruzen approved the plan. Homura was now executing it.
The leadership clearly intended to curb Danzo's influence.
Who knew what Danzo had done to provoke them into such a united front?
Danzo's gaze lowered further. Even Yako could sense it—Danzo was close to exploding.
Only one of the four squads would remain under Danzo's direct command.
How could he not be furious?
Still, it wasn't certain he'd erupt here. More likely, he would swallow the anger, bury it, and retaliate later—quietly, and surgically.
Homura, perhaps sensing the pressure in the air, quickly offered a balm:
"Danzo, I told Hiruzen and Koharu that Root handles vital missions—secret arts research, ANBU training.
That can't be cut."
"My point is: Root's success speaks for itself. It shouldn't be limited to just training ANBU recruits."
"Root can carry out more covert operations—just as you intended."
"After the restructuring, ANBU will be led by one Commander and one Deputy. Beneath them: Root, the Guard Squad, the three Assassination Squads, and Logistics."
"Root will become more independent—entirely under your command."
"You'll be the Root Commander. How does this reform sound to you?"
Yako understood it clearly now.
The leadership was yielding on Root—letting Danzo keep it intact.
In exchange, Danzo was expected to back off from the rest of ANBU.
Reduce its personnel. Place it fully under the Hokage's authority. Let Yellow Dog manage daily operations.
Danzo's eyes flickered—clearly weighing it in his mind. Was full control over Root worth relinquishing broader ANBU power?
The tent went dead silent.
After nearly two minutes, Danzo finally spoke:
"Root operations will not be reported to anyone. I answer to no one."
Homura nodded. "Of course."
"Personnel selections in Root are mine alone to assign."
"Of course."
"Very well. I accept the ANBU reform."
Relief spread across Homura's face. He even indulged in some theatricality:
"I was worried you'd refuse. Koharu showed me the budget sheet—ANBU's like a gold-eating beast."
"Equipment, stipends, survivor pensions… it's draining too many resources. Reform is unavoidable."
"With only four squads, Konoha's financial burden will ease considerably."
"After the war, we'll need to issue backpay and compensate the families of the fallen. They've agreed to delay those payments—but how could we bear to let the orphans of our heroes go without?"
"Thank you for agreeing, Danzo."
Every power reshuffle, in the end, was wrapped in the noble banner of village interest.
Honor and public perception—those, too, were part of power.