Hokage Office.
When Nara Shikakaku and Yellow Dog arrived together—and after hearing their proposal—Sarutobi Hiruzen lowered his head in thought for several seconds before instructing an aide to summon Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu.
Root's current state was undeniably dragging the village down.
Whether it was Underground Exchange bounties or S-rank rogue ninja investigations, nothing could proceed without intelligence support.
After listening to Shikakaku's explanation, Homura and Koharu exchanged glances before turning toward Hiruzen.
Hiruzen spoke slowly.
"Rogue ninja Uchiha Madara and the one calling himself Sarutobi Kanosuke represent Konoha's greatest crisis since the war ended.
"The daimyo of the Land of Grass has sent an extremely harsh letter.
"He has recently been attacked multiple times—not by wandering assassins, but because of Konoha's own guardian shinobi.
"Instead of protecting him, our presence has brought him endless trouble and severe losses.
"Konoha's reputation among clients has suffered greatly.
"For the sake of the rogue ninja investigation missions, I intend to follow Shikakaku and Yellow Dog's recommendation and transfer the intelligence networks to ANBU.
"ANBU's strength now surpasses Root's by far. They are capable of managing the system.
"What do you two think?"
Koharu spoke first.
"From a rational perspective, that is correct. Root is no longer suitable to oversee the intelligence network.
"However… emotionally speaking, this may be somewhat unfair to Danzo.
"He has just suffered heavy losses. Several members of the Shimura clan were killed, were they not?"
Homura replied calmly.
"Emotionally, I sympathize as well.
"But mission priority comes first. These rogue ninja pose too great a threat to Konoha."
Koharu said nothing further.
Hiruzen nodded.
"Then summon Danzo. We will persuade him properly. Everything must be done for Konoha's sake.
"And one more matter…"
He glanced toward Yellow Dog.
"I intend to recommend Yellow Dog as the new ANBU Commander. Do you have any objections?"
Homura and Koharu exchanged another glance, then looked toward Shikakaku.
Shikakaku's expression showed clear surprise—but after a moment, realization dawned.
Danzo had never been this weakened.
Seeing Shikakaku's reaction, Homura and Koharu understood he had not been informed beforehand—and was not opposed.
Homura said thoughtfully, "I will speak with Danzo.
"Perhaps he should become like me—a peaceful-era advisor, traveling occasionally for the village.
"Koharu handles internal affairs and has earned far too many wrinkles from the stress.
"Danzo oversees Root and has become a constant target of attacks. Even I find it difficult to watch.
"This could be seen as protecting him, could it not?
"He may need to step back until this storm passes."
Koharu shot him an annoyed glance. Those wrinkles were the result of managing endless administrative burdens for all of them.
Hiruzen nodded repeatedly.
Homura's reasoning was wise and measured.
"Yellow Dog, Fox, Meika—you may step outside. We need to have a proper discussion with Danzo."
Danzo arrived slowly.
Seeing Yellow Dog and the others outside the office, he frowned before entering.
Moments later, heated arguments erupted from inside.
Voices were suppressed, but occasional bursts of shouting leaked through.
At one point, Danzo roared:
"I'm the one taking the blows for all of you! Without me, you'd be the ones under attack!"
Nara Meika wasn't deeply involved in this matter—her responsibility amounted only to financial losses from a misjudgment.
But Yellow Dog and Fox were different.
Both listened closely.
Yellow Dog wanted to become ANBU Commander.
Yako wanted to become ANBU Deputy Commander.
After a while, the arguing softened.
Yellow Dog spoke lightly to Yako.
"Fox, when I become ANBU Commander, I'll recommend you as Deputy Commander."
Meika glanced sideways in surprise.
If she remembered correctly, Fox wasn't even twenty yet.
An ANBU Deputy Commander under twenty?
What kind of monster was that?
After a long time, the office door opened. Nara Shikakaku stepped out.
"Yellow Dog. Come in."
Yellow Dog entered.
Meika turned toward Fox.
"Congratulations. Looks like you'll soon become the ANBU Deputy Commander."
Yako replied modestly, "That was merely Lord Yellow Dog speaking casually. ANBU has three other powerful division captains. If one of them becomes deputy, I wouldn't be surprised."
Not long after, the village elders began leaving the office one by one.
As Danzo passed Fox, he paused briefly, casting a sidelong glance.
Yako remained completely unmoved.
No reaction at all.
He wondered why Yellow Dog had not yet come out.
Meanwhile, Meika returned with Shikakaku to the Jonin Commander's office and shut the door immediately.
"Clan head… is Fox becoming the new ANBU Deputy Commander?"
"Fox?" Shikakaku shook his head.
"Of course not. If anything, I would have preferred Black Ant.
"Danzo was extremely insistent. In the end… Lynx became Deputy Commander."
"Lynx?" Meika frowned. "But isn't Fox ANBU's strongest asset?"
Shikakaku sighed.
"If strength alone mattered, Hatake Sakumo would already be the Fourth Hokage.
"Even the White Fang must line up and wait—let alone a fox."
Meika felt a sting of disappointment on Fox's behalf.
A compromise had been reached.
Danzo relinquished the Commander position.
In exchange, the Hokage conceded the Deputy Commander role.
Inside the Hokage's office—
Yellow Dog spoke hesitantly.
"Lord Hokage, I promised Fox many times that if I became Commander, he would be Deputy Commander.
"Now Lynx has taken the position to balance Advisor Danzo's losses. How am I supposed to explain this to Fox?"
"Explain?" Hiruzen said calmly.
"Why must you explain anything?
"Whoever is appointed deputy is deputy. Subordinates cannot compete for it—nor do they have the right.
"This will be a good test of Fox's loyalty.
"If he acts as though nothing has happened and continues to serve you faithfully… then be very cautious of him.
"If he can swallow such a grievance, then his ambitions are far greater than a deputy Commander's seat.
"If he cannot let go of this and believes himself wronged… assign him more missions. Let hardship temper him."
Yellow Dog nodded slowly.
The Hokage's methods were indeed seasoned.
After leaving the Hokage's office, Yellow Dog gestured for Fox to follow.
They walked in silence.
Only after entering the ANBU base did Yellow Dog speak.
"Fox… Advisor Danzo has agreed to relinquish the ANBU Commander position and transfer the Land of Earth and Land of Water intelligence networks to ANBU.
"But he insisted that Lynx be promoted to Deputy Commander and continue handling liaison with the two nations' spy networks.
"The elders argued fiercely… but ultimately they had to concede.
"Fox, don't worry. When the next Deputy Commander position opens, I will recommend you."
As Yako lowered his head, his eyes changed subtly.
So… nothing would ever be handed to him.
If he wanted something—
He would have to take it himself.