And so, Uchiha Yorin temporarily became a member of Konoha's Anbu.
Both Sarutobi Hiruzen and Namikaze Minato were happy to see it.
As Konoha's largest "Will of Fire" indoctrination base, they had plenty of ways and stamina to deal with a clever type like Yorin. One failed brainwashing isn't a big deal—as long as you keep pouring the Will of Fire into him, sooner or later he'll end up like Shisui and Itachi on the original timeline, only able to go "aba-aba."
Minato especially.
With their interests now tied, hearing that Yorin had joined Anbu made him breathe a huge sigh of relief. He felt he'd gained another ace beside Kakashi.
Even a sunny, simple-minded guy like Minato knows what Anbu means to a Hokage. Otherwise he wouldn't have sent his most trusted man, Hatake Kakashi, straight into Anbu the moment he took office—to be his shield.
Don't be fooled by the nice phrasing about "soothing Kakashi's pain," helping him forget Nohara Rin and Obito's deaths.
Yorin thought that excuse was for fools.
If you'd sent Kakashi to the Maldives for a long vacation, that I'd believe. Sending him to Anbu and calling it therapy? What's the tactic—desensitization by repeated injury? Do you take me for an idiot?
…
Of course, Yorin figured Minato had no real choice.
He's a commoner shinobi, not a Sarutobi with a whole clan to boss around—someone who can casually appoint two sons to run Anbu without blinking.
If he didn't put Kakashi in Anbu to someday inherit White Fang's mantle, Minato probably wouldn't sleep well.
What's the alternative—wait for the old man to find time to appoint his other son as Anbu commander?
Uchiha Yorin: "Am I being too conspiratorial? Whatever. Kishimoto's just a comic artist—what does he know about Hokage politics?"
…
With that in mind, Yorin followed Danzō through Anbu's doors.
The headquarters sits deep under the Hokage Building. Anbu is dark in every sense—lighting and pathways both. Without Danzō leading the way, Yorin would have needed a while just to find the entrance.
Inside, though, it's a whole other world. The entry is unassuming, but the outfitting and gear are first-rate. You can tell Anbu is rich—very rich.
Compared to the Uchiha-run Police Force, Anbu is the true apparatus of violence—the blade in the Hokage's breast.
Anbu was founded by the Second, Tobirama Senju.
Unlike his sunny, open big brother, Tobirama had a deep city and ruthless means—an austere, hawkish strongman. His raw power lagged far behind Hashirama's, but his scheming outweighed it.
To safeguard Konoha's foundations, he poured his heart into Anbu. After his death, when Hiruzen took over, he honed Anbu into his sharpest weapon.
Two generations of Hokage, painstakingly cultivating it and sparing no expense, expanded Anbu again and again.
Vast training halls, secret inheritances, ninjutsu of every nature… and when Danzō stuck a foot in, the creation of "Root" gave Anbu its own pro-grade youth academy.
All that, plus Hokage authority to draft elites from every clan, made Anbu Konoha's third strongest violent organ—and its number one intelligence service.
"Not bad. Anbu is really not bad."
With Tobirama's legacy everywhere, Yorin found plenty to click his tongue at.
The more he saw, the more he liked it. He felt… fated to it.
The Uchiha don't have the Hokage Building's resources. Much of Anbu's equipment the clan lacks—and that's before you talk about forbidden arts.
The Sharingan isn't omnipotent. If you could copy everything, the whole ninja world would've long since joined hands to wipe out the Uchiha to the last man.
That only sharpened his desire to boot Danzō and become the next "Darkness of the Shinobi."
Being the Darkness sounds great. Then Minato is the new hero of shinobi, and I'm the new Darkness—a tidy Naruto–Sasuke substitute.
Anbu is great; its resources and training infrastructure ought to be the building materials for the Senju revival…
Speaking of which—still no sign of Tsunade-sama? The clan head's not delivering—maybe I should crank up the pressure. Or go find her myself?
…
Shuffling along ahead, Old Man Danzō had no idea the recruit he wanted to co-opt and brainwash was harboring killing intent—and thoughts of replacing him.
For the moment, he was still supremely confident—convinced he could turn Uchiha Yorin into his tool. Use him, squeeze him dry, and when there was nothing left, toss him like a rag.
The thought sparked a subtle, twisted thrill in him.
"Danzō-sama."
"Danzō-sama."
"Danzō-sama."
Wherever they passed, every Anbu—no matter what they were doing—stopped to bow and greet him.
Clearly, Danzō's prestige in Anbu was high. If not for the fallout of Orochimaru's defection, he wouldn't have merely brainwashed Root—he'd have bent all Anbu to his will.
Uchiha Yorin: "Truly terrifying, this 'Darkness of the Shinobi.'"
As before, none of the inner monologue showed on his face.
"Just ahead," Danzō said, stone-faced.
It was Anbu's deepest point—a secret lab guarded by Danzō's own confidants.
Living Corpse Reincarnation—under development. Edo Tensei—being perfected. Cloning. Artificial humans. Cell transplants. Genetic modification…
Countless earth-shaking inventions of the future would be born behind that unremarkable, black door.
Yorin drew a deep breath.
He'd prepared himself, but meeting Orochimaru now still brought a twinge of nerves.
Unlike Old Man Danzō, Orochimaru was someone he respected—and took seriously.
Which didn't stop him from cranking the vigilance to max.
Just as he often skewers Obito—saying the Obito who killed Minato and Kushina is no longer "human"—well, the Orochimaru who killed the Third and tried to kill Tsunade isn't exactly brimming with humanity either.
Not every Uchiha can be like "Second Pillar," playing roadside dad to Orochimaru. Yorin didn't have that kind of confidence.
Maybe after a few reincarnations, when Orochimaru's interests shift from immortality and "learning every jutsu" to raising kids—full maiden-mode—he'll be safer.
For now, he's still one of the scariest monsters in the ninja world.
Now, as Danzō pushed the door open, that very monster turned his head, looked at Uchiha Yorin—and smiled gently.
"A rare guest indeed," he said to Yorin.
~~~
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