Danzo waited for Yako's reply.
Yako's heart raced; one wrong word and Danzo would kill him on the spot.
He steadied his thoughts and said,
"Lord Danzo! We must loudly spread the news that Uchiha Madara is still alive.
This will mobilize the village to form a massive task force to hunt Madara down.
Madara's survival is a nightmare for the village.
Kato Dan appeared not far from Madara, guarded by Senju escorts. I believe the Senju clan roughly knows Kato Dan's location.
If we throw Kato Dan's corpse into Madara's Tree Birth Technique, disguising his death as caused by Madara, wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"
Danzo's eyelids lifted slightly, intrigued. "How so?"
Yako saw he'd piqued Danzo's interest and hurried on,
"First, it explains Kato Dan's death.
Tsunade will spare no effort to investigate. If Kato Dan died at Madara's hands, Tsunade will have no good options—after all, her grandfather also died prematurely from his battle with Madara at the Valley of the End.
Second, it diverts blame eastward.
The Senju will focus more on the Uchiha.
Then, the internal conflict between the Senju and Uchiha will intensify, distracting them from uncovering the truth."
Yako was certain Danzo was not afraid of Tsunade's investigation but was very interested in stirring Senju-Uchiha strife.
Danzo had never cared for the Senju during Rin's time and only held back now due to the clan's weakness and concern over the village's other clans.
Indeed, Danzo's interest visibly spiked upon hearing the words "internal strife."
No one knew internal conflicts like Danzo—he was Konoha's master manipulator.
Otsu asked, "What if Madara denies killing Kato Dan?"
Yako explained, "Madara has killed too many people. He wouldn't remember someone like Kato Dan, who's two generations junior to him."
Danzo nodded, that was true.
Seeing the situation favorably, Yako revealed the ultimate goal:
"Lord Danzo! I'm willing to take the risk to go to the Tree Birth Technique site now, setting up the illusion that Kato Dan was killed by Madara.
Kato Dan's real time of death and the fake one can't be too far apart or it will be uncovered."
He wanted to distance himself from Danzo, who was too dangerous now.
Once apart, Yako would have more room to maneuver.
Danzo furrowed his brow and glanced at Kato Dan's corpse before finally saying,
"Good! Yako, your mind is sharp—you are a born Anbu."
Born Anbu... Yako felt that sounded more like an insult.
Danzo added, "Otsu, follow Yako and ensure he completes this plan. I will wait here."
Just as expected, Danzo dared not risk himself; he was scared of dying tonight.
Sending Otsu was a sign of distrust, fearing sabotage.
Yako hoisted Kato Dan and the two Senju guards' corpses, picking up Kato Dan's severed hand, and moved back.
Otsu trailed a hundred meters behind, watching Yako intently.
Returning once more to Madara's hideout cave, Otsu was just as nervous.
Yako had to gamble.
He bet Madara would quickly relocate once exposed.
In the original story, after gaining Senju Hashirama's power, Madara lost interest in the shinobi world and focused solely on his Eye of the Moon Plan.
Now discovered by Danzo, Madara might move again to hide.
Madara's goal was to revive and execute the Eye of the Moon Plan; without Hashirama, the world was meaningless to him.
If Madara still lingered... Yako twitched his eyes and activated his Sharingan, wondering if Madara had been careless with his past conquests.
Madara, do you remember Nanka River's Summer Rain Lotus?
But maybe Madara still hated that the Uchiha clan didn't escape Konoha with him.
Rain pelted, and the distant woods shimmered in the mist.
Soon, Yako reached the battlefield at the Tree Birth Technique site.
Thick, sturdy trunks intertwined densely.
He looked up at the black cave above the Tree Birth Technique.
Forming hand seals, Yako created a shadow clone.
The clone leapt from tree trunk to trunk across the Tree Birth site toward the cave.
At the cave entrance, cool breezes blew out.
Yako prepared to activate his Sharingan, watching the clone vanish inside.
A hundred meters behind, Otsu nervously watched the cave.
Otsu secretly planted parasitic insects on Yako; if Yako tried anything, Otsu would eliminate him.
About twenty seconds later, the clone reappeared at the cave mouth.
Yako's tension eased.
He put down the corpses and teleported to the cave entrance halfway up the slope.
The clone exploded, transferring its memories back to Yako, but still uneasy, Yako entered the cave.
The mountain and underground space had been hollowed out, vast beyond reason—yet empty except for a single chair.
That tall space might be meant to house an Outer Path Golem.
Madara, Nagato's family—all were gone.
Yako exhaled in relief; Madara had indeed hidden again, laying plans behind the scenes.
Returning to the Tree Birth Technique, Yako found three Konoha shinobi corpses and the body of a Yamanaka Root ninja.
All crushed and shattered by the tree trunks.
Examining the grisly state, Yako similarly treated Kato Dan and Senju guard corpses.
He lifted trunks, placed the bodies inside, then ensured their skulls were crushed to prevent intel recovery.
Only the lower half of Kato Dan's face remained visible through a gap, enough to confirm his identity.
Otsu relaxed watching Yako work.
Danzo had spoken the truth—Yako was a born Anbu, ruthless and meticulous.
After finishing, Yako told Otsu,
"I request to join the investigation team. When they return here, I can guide them to notice details on Kato Dan's corpse to avoid mistakes."
Otsu replied, "You can tell me the details; I can guide the investigation team too."
Yako was stunned—if he told Otsu everything, wouldn't Otsu just kill him afterward?
"Fine, then let's go over the details at Kato Dan's body."
At the corpse, Yako exaggerated complexity: "Look at this head... this chest..."
After explaining, he added,
"I also considered the heavy rain washing the site. The investigation team might not arrive until ten days later. I think after rain erosion, his arm could show four to five different conditions...
I request to guard the site for a few days to observe rain effects and prevent wild beasts or rain ninja from destroying the scene."
Otsu saw Yako setting multiple possible scenarios, making things more complicated.
After some thought, Otsu decided to ask Danzo whether to kill Yako or not—better not act on his own.
"You come back with me to see Lord Danzo; he will decide if guarding the site is necessary."
Yako followed Otsu back to Danzo, who still stood in the rain, one eye a white pupil, the other a gray dead eye.
Otsu told Danzo softly.
After thinking, Danzo said,
"Yako is very useful and thorough. Let him guide the investigation team.
Yako has experienced this year's major Anbu missions from Uzushio Village without errors.
He showed no sign of betrayal or siding with the Senju.
According to Yako, you and he will guard here to prevent passing rain ninja from damaging the scene.
I will return to the village and bring the investigation team soon.
The Third Hokage will come. Madara is still alive. This threat surpasses even the Second Great Ninja War."
"Understood, Lord Danzo."
Watching Danzo leave alone, Yako exhaled deeply.
They had faked their way through.