Seeing the doubt in Yako's eyes, Yellow Dog explained:
"The Seven Ninja Swords were forged by the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu. The Hōzuki clan holds the summoning scroll that binds them.
Whether the Seven Ninja Swords are a legacy Gengetsu left to his clan… or a national treasure left to Kirigakure has long been a subject of debate."
Mist politics—worse than Konoha's, and that was saying something.
"Right now," Yellow Dog continued, "the ruling elders of Kirigakure believe the swords were crafted from resources provided by the village. As such, they belong to the village—not the Hōzuki clan.
Their internal infighting is intense—far worse than our own. The competition for a spot among the Seven is vicious. People die regularly.
The elders refuse to recognize Hōzuki shinobi as rightful inheritors. They want the clan to surrender all seven blades."
Yako couldn't help but mentally mutter: 'So you admit Konoha has internal strife, huh?'
Still, in the rotten world of shinobi, Kirigakure was one of the moldiest. Konoha was a mess—but Mist was a disaster.
Yellow Dog continued:
"The elder Gensui is the main force behind this policy. He wants the Seven Ninja Swordsmen to serve the village, not the Hōzuki clan.
After the death of Gengetsu, the clan—under immense pressure from both the Third Mizukage and Gensui—turned over three of the less significant swords:
The Executioner's Blade
The Longsword: Sewing Needle
The Blunt Blade: Helmet Splitter
But the four stronger blades:
Samehada
Twin Blades: Kiba
Explosion Blade: Splash
Greatsword: Hiramekarei
...remain in the clan's hands."
Yako frowned slightly. If they were going to be facing physical-type blades like the Executioner's Blade or Sewing Needle, he wasn't worried.
This mission might actually be feasible.
Yellow Dog's goal was to capture one of the Seven Blades—and if played right, the act could spark deeper fractures inside Mist.
That could earn him the kind of achievement needed to ascend to Vice Commander.
—
Tsunade had already arrived with the reinforcements and was now integrating with the medical corps.
Yako followed Yellow Dog into the command tent.
On the central platform sat Danzo, ever expressionless, his right eye wrapped in bandages.
Beside him was Uchiha Kagen—who looked thoroughly miserable.
The frontlines had not been kind to the Uchiha.
Their Fire Release was countered by Water Release. Their Sharingan was countered by Hidden Mist Technique.
When even an Uchiha was looking forward to the arrival of a Senju like Tsunade... that told you everything you needed to know.
After a brief exchange with Tsunade, she and a few medical-nin departed for the frontline infirmaries.
Only then did Danzo look toward Yellow Dog.
Without waiting to be asked, Yellow Dog stepped forward.
"Danzo-sama, the war in Uzushio can't be dragged out much longer.
The Tsuchikage Ōnoki has been secretly negotiating with Kumogakure but hasn't even bothered to speak with us.
Cloud could withdraw from Iwa at any time and turn toward us—or Hot Water.
Among the Five Great Villages, Cloud is second only to us in strength.
Hokage-sama believes we must prepare for their threat—and end this war quickly.
He has proposed a strategy: target the Seven Swords.
If we can steal one or spark internal conflict, we might destabilize Mist enough to bring this war to a swift end.
My unit is here solely to carry out the Hokage's directive."
Yellow Dog invoked Hiruzen at every turn—making it impossible for Danzo to directly object.
Danzo took the scroll handed to him. Hiruzen's signature and seal were at the bottom. He said:
"As ANBU Commander, I approve your operation.
As for Crocodile's death… I recommended B to take his place. Do you have the Hokage's formal response?"
Yellow Dog was unsurprised.
Danzo had come to the front not with his trusted elites or the Bay Leopard Squad, but with Crocodile's unit.
And now Crocodile was dead. Coincidence?
Unlikely.
Danzo wasn't subtle. He wanted three ANBU squads under his thumb:
Bay Leopard
His loyal B
And now Crocodile's former team
With three under his control, even Yellow Dog being promoted wouldn't threaten his grip.
But Yellow Dog didn't flinch.
"Hokage-sama agrees B can serve as acting captain of Crocodile's unit.
The permanent appointment will be decided jointly after the war ends.
Here is the official scroll for his provisional appointment."
Standing beside them, B lifted his chin.
Yako turned his gaze to B as well—silent support for his own commander.
He wouldn't put it past Danzo to have orchestrated Crocodile's death.
He knew better than to trust that man.
Danzo didn't respond immediately, simply letting silence fill the tent.
Eventually, he said:
"Very well. Proceed with the Hokage's mission."
—
As they left, Yako spared a glance at the silent, brooding Uchiha Kagen.
'Poor guy.
Sharing a tent with Danzo must feel like sleeping in a glacier.'
Back at their own camp, Yellow Dog's squad took a moment to rest before splitting.
They fanned out across the coastline.
Yako gathered his three squad leaders: White Ram, Antelope, and Blossom Deer.
"Split into three units. Patrol the thirty-kilometer stretch along this coast.
Your orders are:
Seek out the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
Capture and interrogate any Mist-nin you encounter.
Extract intel on the location or movements of the swords.
If the target seems valuable, bring them to me. Purple Cat will handle interrogation.
But if you encounter one of the Seven Swordsmen themselves—do not engage.
Contact me immediately.
We'll only face them as a full unit."
—
When his teams had departed, Yako remained on a rocky outcrop, staring at the sea under the night sky.
Waves rolled endlessly.
By day the wind came from the ocean. By night, it blew from land—behind him now.
He recalled his earliest days after transmigrating his very first assignment in the Land of Waves.
He'd patrolled this very coast. Faced real dangers.
Back then, his squad leader had been Brown Bear.
His second captain: Black Ape.
Now, he stood in their place.
Dispatching teams. Watching the surf.
He wondered—had they stood here like this?
Worried? Hopeful?
Just like he was now?