Fox was alive. There was no longer any need to report his death to Root.
Still, following the captain's instructions, White Crane sent the hawk carrying a report praising Fox's Earth Release mastery back to Root.
Yak stepped beside Yako and subtly lifted his kunai—a silent question: should White Crane be executed here?
Yako shook his head.
"White Crane is still one of Konoha's own. Leave this to me. I'll resolve this risk after we return to the village."
Purple Cat had only recently become pregnant. No matter how ruthless he could be, Yako couldn't bring himself to kill the child's own aunt.
He missed the version of himself that had nothing to lose.
If it had been the him from a few years ago, White Crane would already be dead.
He needed to visit the Uzumaki hideout soon—to see if Yuka had broken Danzo's Tongue Eradication Seal.
Yako approached the Rain nobles' ship, gesturing for Yak to follow. They appeared atop the vessel in a flicker.
The nobles of three nations exchanged uneasy glances at the sight of Konoha ANBU.
Their eyes kept drifting toward Kojii Chisa.
Wasn't this supposed to be a noble negotiation? Why had she secretly hired Konoha ANBU?
And not just any—Copper Fox himself.
Yako spoke calmly.
"There's no need for alarm. We received intelligence that Iwa shinobi were plotting to sabotage the water diversion at Teigu Town. Konoha ANBU has eliminated the Iwa jonin Yamashigeto. Please continue your negotiations."
With a wave, he and Yak Squad vanished.
Chisa felt strangely hollow as he left.
Yako led Yak Squad swiftly toward the border.
Near the Rain Country boundary, he said casually:
"Strange… coming to the Rain Country and not running into Uchiha Madara leaves me feeling empty."
Yak nearly choked.
Not meeting Madara felt disappointing?
Their squad had lost two team leaders the last time they encountered him. Yak didn't think he was stronger than either.
Yako continued:
"You have two assignments. First, wait for me at the border. I'm going deeper into Rain Country to investigate Madara. Your squad stays behind. I might survive an encounter with him—but protecting all of you at the same time would be difficult."
"I understand," Yak said quickly. "We'd only slow you down."
"Second task—extract all intelligence from Yamashigeto's body. It's been too quiet regarding Madara lately. I suspect he's preparing something major."
White Crane felt intense dread.
Her connection to Root had been exposed—and yet she still lived.
Now she could only obey.
Yako didn't avoid speaking openly in front of her.
"If you discover anything related to Madara, include it in your mission report."
Yak's eyes lit up.
The captain was handing him credit.
"I understand! I'll wait at the border!"
Once Yak Squad left, Yako sank into the ground and disappeared.
As squad captain, he had authority to adjust his own assignments. The village wouldn't question a temporary absence.
The real reason he sent them away was because Yuka had summoned him via contract chakra through White Porcelain.
He emerged near the Uzumaki hideout.
Thin threads of cooking smoke rose within the rainforest.
The Uzumaki remained well hidden.
Yuka approached holding a scroll, excitement clear in her voice.
"Fox! I finally broke Shimura Danzo's Tongue Eradication Seal!"
She had needed months even with K's corpse.
The seal was powerful—and deeply malicious.
"Good. Perfect timing. One of Danzo's strongest cards is gone."
Inside the secret treehouse, after an exhausting encounter, Yako rested his hand on Yuka's abdomen.
The more pressure someone bore, the harder pregnancy became.
Other women had begun showing signs, but Yuka hadn't joined this wave.
As he traveled back, Yako mentally rehearsed plans to strike at Danzo again.
Root had become quieter—but more dangerous. Using the Tongue Eradication Seal, they gathered intelligence in secrecy and built strength.
Back at the Rain border, Yako whispered something to Yak.
Yak's eyes shone.
The captain had truly found information on Uchiha Madara.
"After returning, write a report immediately," Yako said quietly. "I discovered that Madara has a hidden base within the Land of Fire—near the Valley of the End, west of Konoha."
Yak recalled old legends.
"Captain… Madara was believed dead after the First Hokage defeated him there. Is there a secret hidden in the Valley of the End?"
"I don't know," Yako replied. "Write the report quickly. I'll discuss it with Yellow Dog and organize an investigation."
"Yes, Captain!"
Yak was thrilled.
Madara was the number one S-rank target on the assassination manual. Any information about him was invaluable.
What began as an A-rank mission might now become an S-rank operation.
Back at Konoha's ANBU headquarters, Yak immediately began drafting the report.
In a nearby changing room, White Crane peered through a narrow crack at Yak's office.
After a few seconds, she turned and headed toward her sister Purple Cat's office.
As she passed Fox's office door, she unconsciously quickened her pace.
Entering the assistant office beside it, her tone shifted into cheerful brightness.
"Purple Cat, need any help? Let's head home early today!"
"You've improved a little—at least you call me Purple Cat here instead of sister," Purple Cat replied. "But not enough. Since when do ANBU decide when they go home?"
As they chatted, White Crane's gaze repeatedly drifted to the bell hanging on the adjacent wall.
If Fox summoned Purple Cat, he would ring it.
Soon enough—the bell rang.
Purple Cat stood and entered the neighboring office.
After a while, she returned.
"Any new mission?" White Crane asked.
"Oh, just delivering a scroll to Butterfly."
"I'll take it," White Crane said quickly. "You should rest—don't strain yourself. Get ready; after I deliver it, we'll go home together."
Purple Cat's eyes flickered briefly, though she nodded.
"Alright. Hurry back."
White Crane accepted the scroll.
The ox symbol on its surface caught her eye.
Yak's report.
She left quickly, pushing open the door.
The dim corridor was empty.
No Fox. No Yak.
Lucky.
She glanced at the contents—and her eyes shone.
Such valuable intelligence.
She hurried toward Deputy Director Yellow Dog's office area. Butterfly's assistant office stood beside it.
Inside Root headquarters.
C rushed through the corridors and arrived before Danzo.
Danzo stood beneath the cross-bridge atrium, lost in thought.
C didn't hesitate.
"Lord Danzo! Fox has returned from the Rain Country. He learned that Uchiha Madara has a secret base in the Land of Fire—at the Valley of the End, where he fought the First Hokage! ANBU is preparing an investigation!"
Danzo's heart stirred.
Of course.
Someone as proud as Madara would never forget his defeat there.
The Valley of the End must hold great significance.
"Immediately," Danzo ordered. "Take men to the Valley of the End. Find Madara's secret base before ANBU does!"
"Yes, sir!"