Back in the Hidden Leaf.
Yellow Dog looked over the mission report scroll and said, "Fox, you even understand engineering? Water level monitoring? Hydroelectric plant construction?"
Yagami replied, "I specialize in Earth Style. After reviewing some data in the Land of Rivers, I gave them a few suggestions."
Yellow Dog pulled out another scroll. "This is the ninjutsu reward scroll for your unit. Seven jutsu in total. Go ahead and distribute them."
Taking the scroll, Yagami was in a good mood. With each subordinate gaining one offensive and one defensive jutsu, their combat capabilities would be significantly enhanced.
Yellow Dog added, "Fox, prepare yourself. We may head to the Land of Whirlpools battlefield this month."
Just having withdrawn from the Land of Rivers and not even catching a breath, and they were already heading to Whirlpool? Yagami asked in confusion:
"Commander, the Land of Whirlpools front has Anbu Minister Danzo and the Snapping Turtle Unit. Why do they need us to..."
Yagami's words trailed off. The Snapping Turtle Unit was there to monitor the war for the Hokage. If Yellow Dog's unit was needed, it meant something had gone wrong with Snapping Turtle. Or perhaps, something was wrong with Danzo.
Yagami immediately asked, "Commander, are you looking to move up a step?"
Yagami guessed that Sarutobi Hiruzen might be looking for an opportunity to sideline Danzo within the Anbu. The cooperation between Danzo and Hiruzen was no longer as seamless as it once was. Danzo had his own ambitions, which were clashing with Hiruzen's authority. According to the original story, the Anbu and Danzo eventually split, with Danzo leading the Foundation while the Hokage kept control of the Anbu. He just didn't know exactly when that happened.
Yellow Dog asked, "Fox, do you support me moving up?"
"Support you? Of course!" Yagami said. "Commander, if you don't move up, how can I move up? To be honest, I've had my eye on the position of Anbu Battalion Commander for a long time. If I don't move up, how can my subordinates move up? There are those in my unit who want to be Captains as well. If you don't move up, how can we all rise together? Commander, I absolutely support you. On behalf of the entire Fox Unit, I support you!"
Yellow Dog said, "You are an Anbu who earned the title Copper Fox. If you want to be a Battalion Commander, your strength is sufficient. Perform well in Whirlpool. That is precisely why we are in such a hurry to reach another battlefield. Perhaps both of us can achieve our goals."
Yagami left the Commander's office, thinking that Yellow Dog might be aiming for the position of Anbu Vice Minister. In the Land of Grass, many of Yellow Dog's missions were arranged by Danzo—capturing prisoners, negotiating with Hanzo in the Land of Rain, etc. But in the Land of Rivers, Yellow Dog's independence was high, with missions arranged by himself. Perhaps the friction between Hiruzen and Danzo started back in Grass, and Yagami's rank was simply too low to notice the high-level squabbles.
The prospect of being promoted to Anbu Battalion Commander was exciting to think about.
Shortly after Yagami left, Anbu Battalion Commander Black Ant entered Yellow Dog's office. Black Ant was a Nara Jonin and, like Yellow Dog, an absolute confidant of Hiruzen. Black Ant handed a scroll to Yellow Dog. "Yellow Dog, I've received the latest intel. Snapping Turtle is dead."
Yellow Dog was stunned. He had just been talking about the Snapping Turtle Unit in Whirlpool, and now the man was dead?
Black Ant said, "Among the six Anbu Battalion Commanders, you, I, and Golden Eagle are loyal to the Hokage. River Leopard and Lynx were trained by Danzo and are loyal to him. After Snapping Turtle's sacrifice, Minister Danzo wanted to appoint 'B' from the Foundation as the new Commander, but the Hokage vetoed it. Yellow Dog, the situation has become complicated. Be extremely careful once you reach Whirlpool."
Yellow Dog nodded, taking the investigation report on Snapping Turtle's death. "I'll be careful."
Black Ant added, "There are other things we need to investigate. The Foundation is conducting dangerous experiments led by 'A'—that is, Orochimaru. Danzo and Orochimaru are unwilling to share experimental data or results with the Anbu. The Hokage is very displeased. With all these incidents, the Anbu urgently needs a Vice Minister, or there's a risk of it slipping from the Hokage's control."
Yellow Dog said, "None of the Hokage's three disciples are easy to handle. Jiraiya is staying in the Land of Rain, essentially deserting the combat ranks. Princess Tsunade openly defied the Hokage in the Jonin assembly. And now Orochimaru has leaned toward Danzo. Can't he do experiments under the Hokage? What conditions did Danzo offer, or what rare materials did he provide? The Hokage raised the Sannin, yet they each act perversely. If even his disciples aren't trustworthy, who is?"
Black Ant suddenly thought of the Second Hokage. The Second's disciples eventually overturned many of his policies as well. The Leaf placed great importance on the master-disciple bond, yet they often ended up at odds.
Black Ant said, "Orochimaru's experiments seem to be progressing well. Spies say he's in a great mood lately. He's rarely participated in the war in the Land of Earth, staying in his laboratory tent. We need to find a way to gather more intel on the Foundation. Under the Hokage's nose, their power is growing and becoming harder to read. If you are promoted to Vice Minister, your battalion and the now-vacant Snapping Turtle battalion will need new commanders. Do you have a recommendation?"
Yellow Dog said, "I plan to have Fox take over my battalion."
Black Ant nodded. "Copper Fox, eh? His strength is enough. After he earns merit in Whirlpool, we can definitely consider making him a Battalion Commander. He's still a Special Jonin, right? Should we settle his Jonin status first?"
"I was thinking the same. I'll write the Jonin recommendation for Fox within the next two days."
After returning to his unit, Yagami summoned the three squad leaders.
"These are the ninjutsu scrolls I applied for. Each squad leader will transcribe the jutsu they need. The war in the Land of Rivers is over. After a day or two of rest, organize intensive training. Our strength must improve quickly because we are following Commander Yellow Dog into the Land of Whirlpools immediately."
Purple Cat couldn't help but ask, "Captain, why is Commander Yellow Dog in such a hurry to head to Whirlpool?"
"Purple Cat, do not complain. We are Anbu; our only duty is to follow orders."
Yagami guessed that Yellow Dog was pushing so hard to secure a major achievement, ensuring the Anbu would accept his promotion without question. Hiruzen could appoint him directly, but it was better for Yellow Dog to earn it through merit.
After the squad leaders took their scrolls, Yagami opened his. Inside were one Genjutsu and six elemental ninjutsu. He didn't care for the elemental ones; his current arsenal was strong enough, and he would only learn those to handle niche situations. His eyes fell on the Genjutsu: [Temple of Nirvana Jutsu].
This was for Purple Cat. But since he had the Sharingan, he could try learning it too. The greatest feature of Sharingan Genjutsu was that it required no hand signs and was instantaneous. This gave the Uchiha a massive initiative advantage. In the original story, Itachi's aura was so overwhelming largely because he started with Genjutsu—one glance, and the fight was over.
The perks of being a Unit Leader were truly excellent. Obtaining ninjutsu was much easier now.