Hokage's Office.
Seeing Nara Rokaku and Yellow Dog arrive together, and hearing their proposal, Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head and thought for a few seconds, then had his assistant summon Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
Root's current state was indeed holding the village back.
Whether it was the Underground Bounty Exchange bounties or the S-rank rogue ninja investigations, neither could proceed without intelligence support.
After hearing Nara Rokaku's explanation, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu glanced at each other, then both looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "The rogue ninja Uchiha Madara and the person claiming to be Sarutobi Kanenosuke are Konoha's most significant crisis since the war ended.
The Land of Grass Daimyō's official letter contains very strong language.
His recent attacks weren't from nomadic assassins; they were all because of Konoha's Guardian Ninja.
Konoha's Guardian Ninja not only failed to protect him but also brought him countless troubles, causing him heavy losses.
Konoha's credibility among its clients has been severely damaged.
For the rogue ninja investigation missions, I have decided to follow Rokaku and Yellow Dog's suggestion and transfer the spy networks to Anbu.
Anbu's strength is much greater than Root's now, sufficient to control the spy networks. What do you two think?"
Utatane Koharu said, "Logically, that's true. Root is no longer suitable for controlling the spy networks.
However, emotionally speaking, this seems somewhat excessive towards Danzo.
He just suffered major losses, and the Shimura clan sacrificed several shinobi, didn't he?"
Mitokado Homura said, "Emotionally, I also sympathize with Danzo. But missions take priority. The threat these rogue ninja pose to Konoha is too great, isn't it?"
Utatane Koharu said nothing more.
Sarutobi Hiruzen said, "Then let's send for Danzo. We'll persuade him properly, everything for Konoha's sake.
There's another matter..."
Sarutobi Hiruzen glanced at Yellow Dog and said to Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu:
"I plan to recommend Yellow Dog for the position of Anbu Commander. Do you have any objections?"
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu glanced at each other again, then simultaneously looked at Nara Rokaku.
Nara Rokaku's expression also showed surprise, but upon second thought, Advisor Danzo had never been weaker than he was now.
Seeing Nara Rokaku's expression of sudden understanding, Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu realized that Nara Rokaku was not privy to this matter but was not opposed now.
Mitokado Homura said, "I'll try to persuade Danzo. It's not so bad to be a leisurely advisor like me during peacetime, occasionally acting as an envoy for the village elsewhere.
Koharu handles internal affairs and is so tired she's gained more wrinkles.
Danzo handles Root, gets targeted by rogue ninja and repeatedly attacked... I almost feel sorry for him.
This is also protecting Danzo, isn't it?
Perhaps he should lay low for a while, wait for this ill wind to pass."
Utatane Koharu turned her head and shot Mitokado Homura a sidelong glance. Her wrinkles were many, all from helping these men handle trivial matters.
The Internal Affairs Department had too many trivialities that consumed a lot of energy.
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded repeatedly. The persuasion angles summarized by Mitokado Homura were indeed wise and heartfelt words.
He said, "Yellow Dog, Fox, Umeka, you may leave first. We need to have a good talk with Danzo shortly."
Danzo walked over slowly.
He saw Yellow Dog and the others at the office door, frowned, and entered the office.
Soon, a fierce argument erupted inside the office.
Their voices were hushed, but an occasional roar could be heard.
Especially when Danzo shouted, "I'm taking the blows for you! If it weren't for me, you'd be the ones being targeted!"
Nara Umeka wasn't deeply involved in this matter; it was just a financial loss due to a decision-making error, but it was different for Yellow Dog and Fox.
The two paid close attention to the argument inside the office.
Yellow Dog wanted to be an Anbu Commander, and Yōkō wanted to be an Anbu Deputy Commander.
After a while, the arguing inside subsided a little.
Yellow Dog said to Yōkō in a light tone: "Fox, when I become Anbu Commander, I will recommend you for Deputy Commander."
Nara Umeka, standing to the side, glanced over sharply.
If she remembered correctly, Fox wasn't even 20 yet, was he?
A Deputy Commander under 20? What kind of genius was that?
A long time later, the Hokage's office door opened, and Nara Rokaku came out and said, "Yellow Dog, come in."
After Yellow Dog entered the office, Nara Umeka said, "Congratulations, Fox. You're about to become the Deputy Commander."
Yōkō said modestly: "That was just Lord Yellow Dog speaking offhand. Anbu has three other powerful squad leaders. If one of the others becomes Deputy Commander, I wouldn't be surprised."
Not long after, the elders filed out of the office one after another.
As Danzo passed Fox, he stopped and gave Fox a sidelong glare.
Yōkō remained unmoved, showing no reaction.
He found it strange that Yellow Dog hadn't come out yet.
Nara Umeka followed Nara Rokaku back to the second floor. Once inside the Jōnin Commander's office, she immediately closed the door.
"Clan Head, is the new Anbu Deputy Commander Fox?"
"Fox?" Nara Rokaku said:
"Of course not Fox. If possible, I would have preferred Black Ant to become Deputy Commander.
Advisor Danzo was very insistent. In the end, Lynx became the Deputy Commander."
"Lynx?" Nara Umeka said: "But isn't Fox the strongest in Anbu?"
"If being strong was all that mattered, Hatake Sakumo would be the Fourth Hokage now. Even the White Fang has to wait his turn patiently, let alone a Fox."
Nara Umeka felt a sense of loss for Fox inwardly.
Compromise. After Danzo compromised, he gained concessions from the elders.
Danzo gave up theAnbu Commander position; the Hokage gave up the Anbu Deputy Commander position.
Inside the Hokage's Office.
Yellow Dog said: "Lord Hokage, I told Fox several times that when I became Anbu Commander, he would be the Deputy Commander.
This time, to balance Advisor Danzo's losses, Lynx became Deputy Commander. How do I explain this to Fox?"
"Explain?" The Third said: "Why do you need to explain it to him?
Whoever is appointed Deputy Commander, is the Deputy Commander.
Subordinates cannot contend for it, nor are they qualified to.
This is a good opportunity to test Fox's loyalty.
If he acts as if nothing happened and continues to pledge loyalty to you, then you must be very careful of him.
If he can swallow such a great grievance, his ambitions are vast, and a Deputy Commander position wouldn't satisfy him.
If he remains fixated, believing he's been wronged, then keep assigning him more missions, let him waste his efforts on tasks, and temper his disposition."
Yellow Dog nodded, feeling the Hokage's method was more experienced.
Leaving the Hokage's office, Yellow Dog signaled for Fox to follow.
They walked in silence all the way. Only after entering the Anbu base did Yellow Dog speak to Yōkō:
"Fox, Advisor Danzo agreed to relinquish the Anbu Commander position and transfer the Land of Earth and Land of Water spy networks to Anbu.
At the same time, Advisor Danzo insisted on promoting Lynx to Deputy Commander, with Lynx continuing to liaise with the spies in those two countries.
A fierce argument broke out among the elders. In the end, they had to listen to Danzo.
Fox, don't worry. After Lynx, the next Anbu Deputy Commander will definitely be you!"
As Yōkō lowered his head, a subtle change flickered in his eyes.
It seemed things wouldn't be given freely. If he wanted something, he would have to seize it himself.
***
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