Commander?
When Fox suggested he aim for the ANBU Commander position, Yellow Dog would be lying if he said he felt nothing.
But Danzo's authority still loomed heavily over the village. Yellow Dog couldn't quite grasp the political winds. Was this truly the right moment to make a move?
Seeing his hesitation, Yako pressed forward.
"Lord Yellow Dog, I'm not suggesting we confront Danzo directly. We can secure allies first.
"I'm confident—if you meet with the Jonin Commander, Nara Shikakaku, he will support you becoming ANBU Commander."
Yellow Dog paused.
He didn't understand why Fox was so certain.
Nara Shikakaku was the Third Hokage's right hand. In most matters, he stood firmly behind Hiruzen.
But elevating someone to ANBU Commander was no small issue. That elder might not agree.
"Explain," Yellow Dog said. "Why would Lord Shikakaku support me?"
Yako answered smoothly.
"Jonin Commander Nara Shikakaku previously proposed using the Underground Bounty Exchange to place contracts on enemy shinobi—reducing direct retaliation from rival villages.
"But completing contracts through the Exchange requires extremely efficient intelligence.
"Konoha spent ten million ryō placing a bounty on an Iwagakure shinobi.
"He was killed by Kumogakure instead.
"Konoha lost the full bounty—plus commission fees.
"As far as I know, the village has lost over twenty million ryō at the Underground Exchange this month alone.
"Lord Shikakaku has been troubled by this."
Yellow Dog's eyes narrowed slightly.
Yako continued.
"After Root's heavy losses, aside from the Lightning and Wind Country spy networks temporarily handed to ANBU, the rest of Root's intelligence apparatus remains half-paralyzed.
"This mission—to the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass—requires intelligence on the Land of Earth.
"Ōnoki is shrewd. Who knows whether he'll interfere?
"My suggestion is this—speak with Lord Shikakaku.
"Jointly recommend to the Hokage that we take over the spy networks in the Land of Earth and the Land of Water as well.
"Otherwise, Lynx Division and my own division could very well be wiped out.
"That's Uchiha Madara we're talking about.
"Even I cannot guarantee survival if I face him."
Hearing Fox's solemn tone, Yellow Dog frowned.
"So to ensure the safety of our two divisions… I must secure control over the Land of Earth intelligence network?"
"Exactly!" Yako pressed.
"Lord Yellow Dog, ANBU shinobi are your most loyal subordinates.
"With Root's inefficient recruitment and training pace, every loss is difficult to replace.
"Lynx Division faces Sarutobi Kanosuke.
"My division faces Uchiha Madara.
"Out of ANBU's four divisions, only three are mobile. The Black Ant Squad must remain at the Hokage's side.
"If my division is crippled—and I die in the Land of Rain—ANBU loses one-third of its mobile strength.
"If Lynx Division is crippled too, ANBU loses two-thirds.
"At that point, you won't even be Deputy Chief.
"You'll be just another division captain—leading the Golden Eagle Squad.
"So it's simple.
"Advance—or be replaced.
"If you don't compete for the Commander position now, in a month you may find yourself demoted in all but name.
"You wouldn't be fighting for yourself.
"You'd be fighting for ANBU.
"For us."
Yellow Dog nodded slowly.
Fox had thought this through thoroughly.
Yes.
This wasn't about personal ambition.
It was about safeguarding Konoha.
He asked quietly, "The twenty million ryō loss… is that reliable?"
"I'm certain," Yako replied without hesitation.
"I personally accompanied the first negotiation with the Underground Exchange. I've been watching developments closely.
"It hasn't spread yet because Lord Shikakaku is likely suppressing the matter.
"Twenty million ryō isn't small.
"That's enough to fund twenty S-rank missions."
Internally, Yako smirked.
His occasional "skill-building discussions" with Nara Meika had proven very informative.
Yellow Dog stood.
"Come, Fox. We'll speak with Lord Shikakaku together."
Yako smiled behind his mask.
That's right.
If you become Commander… surely you'll need a Deputy.
Fox-sama.
That does have a nice ring to it.
Second Floor, Hokage Tower.
Nara Shikakaku looked up as Yellow Dog and Fox entered his office.
He gestured to Nara Meika at his side.
She nodded, exited, and instructed the assistant to suspend jonin appointments for the time being.
Then she returned and closed the door firmly.
Her eyes lingered on Fox's back for a moment.
Her breathing grew slightly heavier.
The memory of the other night still clung to her skin.
"Yellow Dog," Shikakaku said calmly. "What brings you here?"
Yellow Dog sat opposite him with the posture of someone prepared for a long conversation.
"Lord Shikakaku, you are aware of the two dangerous rogue ninja investigations about to begin.
"The destinations are the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass.
"Both border the Land of Earth.
"Any aggressive reaction from Iwagakure could cause mission failure.
"The targets are Uchiha Madara… and Sarutobi Kanosuke."
He paused briefly.
At some point, even he had subconsciously accepted the existence of a powerful Sarutobi rogue.
The truth of the matter remained unclear.
Yellow Dog continued.
"To ensure mission success, we must guarantee efficient operation of the Land of Earth intelligence network.
"But Root's current condition speaks for itself.
"Root has no formal active members—Lynx Division is temporarily filling the gap.
"The Land of Earth network must be revived immediately.
"This benefits not only our mission—but also the Underground Exchange contracts under your oversight.
"Wouldn't you agree?"
He didn't mention the twenty-million loss directly.
He didn't need to.
Shikakaku was intelligent.
Shikakaku leaned back slightly.
"So your proposal is to use this opportunity to transfer the spy network from Root to ANBU.
"Root is crippled. The intelligence system cannot wait for its reconstruction.
"A fragile intelligence network is painstaking to build.
"But it can collapse in days.
"Without proper support, those agents may be exposed and die abroad."
"That's precisely my meaning," Yellow Dog replied.
He didn't bring up the Commander position yet.
First secure the intelligence networks.
Then gauge the stance of the elders.
Shikakaku stood.
"Very well.
"Let's meet with the Hokage.
"I believe your assessment is sound."
Internally, Shikakaku thought:
The twenty-million loss resulted from intelligence failure.
The responsibility was not entirely mine.
Beside him, Nara Meika felt a spark of satisfaction.
Fox had provided the perfect justification.
So he does still think of me.
Her lingering resentment at his silence faded considerably.