Yako said calmly, "Not being promoted to Deputy Commander this time… I'd be lying if I said I wasn't displeased. But please rest assured, Lord Yellow Dog. I will continue to do my best. I won't let it affect ANBU operations."
Seeing Fox show no unusual reaction and continue supporting him as always, Yellow Dog turned away to prepare the ANBU assembly.
Behind the lowered mask, Yako's eyes were ice-cold.
I traded favors with Meika to gather intelligence. I analyzed the situation and made the critical proposal. You become Commander… and now I have to call Lynx 'lord'?
Hard work means nothing if someone else has the right surname.
Let's hope your noble names buy you a few extra seconds when death comes.
ANBU Training Hall.
All ANBU shinobi gathered, awaiting the official announcement.
Sarutobi Hiruzen. Shimura Danzo. Mitokado Homura. Utatane Koharu. Nara Shikakaku.
Several Konoha elders stood on the dais.
At their sides stood Yellow Dog and Lynx.
Hiruzen announced the new appointments.
Yellow Dog — ANBU Commander.
Lynx… ANBU Deputy Commander.
Shock rippled silently through the crowd.
Those with strong discipline remained still.
Others glanced sideways toward Fox at the front.
Fox had always been the strongest beneath Yellow Dog.
No one expected the precious Deputy Commander position to go to Lynx instead.
Yako showed no reaction. His head tilted slightly downward, gaze fixed on the floor before the dais.
Purple Cat watched him with aching sympathy.
She knew how long Fox had pursued that promotion—only for Lynx to seize it first.
Behind the mask, Yako's eyes burned crimson.
The twin tomoe shifted.
In a flash, a third tomoe formed.
The Sharingan evolved.
So this is what strong emotional shock feels like…
Lynx. Yellow Dog.
How should I repay you?
After the ceremony ended, the elders departed and the ANBU dispersed.
Everyone avoided Fox, aware his mood couldn't be good.
Butterfly intercepted him.
"Captain Fox. Lord Yellow Dog requests your presence."
Inside the office, Yellow Dog stood up—an unusual gesture.
"Sit. Please, Fox."
Truthfully, he felt guilty.
"Fox… in the Hokage's office, before the elders, I strongly recommended you for Deputy Commander.
"But you know the circumstances. Advisor Danzo suffered tremendous losses.
"He relinquished the Commander position… and two major intelligence networks.
"As part of the compromise… Lynx was promoted."
Yako nodded.
"I understand. Lord Lynx is more suitable. He understands Root and the intelligence leaders of the two nations better.
"Please don't worry, Lord Yellow Dog. I won't hold resentment. For you—for Konoha—I have that much tolerance."
Yellow Dog exhaled in relief.
"Good, good. Fox, I promise—the next Deputy Commander will be you!"
They spoke for a long time, both satisfied in their own ways.
Yellow Dog believed Fox remained the same loyal subordinate as before.
Yako believed… there was nothing left to argue.
Your precious Sarutobi Kanosuke is already starving for blood.
Leaving Yellow Dog's office, Yako noticed Lynx's assistant waiting nearby.
"Captain Fox. Deputy Commander Lynx requests your presence."
Inside Lynx's office, Lynx stared at him.
Yako stared back without flinching.
Behind the mask, Lynx frowned slightly.
Does he not recognize his place now?
"Fox," Lynx said coolly, "the first rule of ANBU is obedience. Execution of orders.
"I've heard rumors you were the likely next Deputy Commander.
"But rumors are just rumors. Don't let them affect you.
"In the future, you will treat my assignments with the same diligence you show Commander Yellow Dog."
Yako suppressed the surge of anger within.
"Of course, Lord Lynx. Any mission assigned to me will be completed with one hundred percent effort."
Each repeated "Lord Lynx" filled Lynx with satisfaction.
Yako left the office and stepped into the darkness.
Lynx… how strong is your fate, to bear the title of 'lord'?
Give my regards to Sarutobi Kanosuke.
Outside the ANBU base, Yako tilted his head up toward the full moon.
Tonight was the night of the full moon.
Sending the Uchiha to investigate Uchiha Madara…
A deliberate miscalculation.
Madara would never forgive what he considered traitors among the Uchiha.
Yako's strength still wasn't enough.
He needed to grow stronger quickly.
The full moon hung like silver.
Inside a Root laboratory, Orochimaru suddenly turned toward one wall.
Fox emerged from the stone using an Earth Release technique.
"Oh? Fox. It isn't time to submit progress reports yet," Orochimaru said casually.
Yako glanced at the ten experimental subjects in the room.
"Lord Orochimaru, after Tsunade's anger… your Wood Release experiments must be progressing poorly."
Orochimaru lowered his gaze.
He had planned to gather fifty subjects for a large-scale comparative experiment.
That plan had failed completely.
Without access to children carrying Senju bloodlines, he had to proceed carefully with the remaining ten.
Progress was painfully slow.
Orochimaru looked up.
"You're not here to mock me, are you? You must want something."
Yako produced a scroll.
"This contains intelligence regarding the Sealing Scroll of Konoha."
Orochimaru's eyes gleamed.
"Oh? And what do you want in exchange?"
Yako tossed him the scroll.
"I don't intend to trade it. I want to prove that you cannot steal it."
Orochimaru opened it, scanning the details.
The Sealing Scroll was kept in a side chamber beside the Hokage's office.
That much he knew.
A barrier personally established by the Second Hokage—impossible to bypass without knowledge only the Hokage possessed.
Hiruzen's bedroom directly faced the chamber door.
Any disturbance, and the Adamantine Staff would strike instantly.
Yako asked, "Well? Impossible to steal, isn't it?"
Orochimaru nodded slowly.
"Fox… what exactly are you proposing?"
"I want to make a deal. One you'll find irresistible."
Yako's voice lowered.
"Lord Orochimaru, stealing the Sealing Scroll is impossible. The Second Hokage's barrier cannot be broken.
"The only way for you to see it is to complete your Wood Release research and earn access through Advisor Danzo.
"But at your current pace… even five more years won't be enough.
"Stop wasting time with these inferior subjects.
"They're just children with diluted Senju bloodlines. What results could they produce?
"I am proficient in Earth and Water Release. Elite jonin-level strength.
"Use me as your experimental subject.
"I will offer myself to help you complete Wood Release.
"And you… will implant Hashirama's cells into me and elevate my power."