The Fox Squad had lost two members. Yōkō submitted a request to Root, asking them to send two new Anbu members, preferably re-enlisted from retired Anbu ninja.
Danzo's control over the training and assignment of new Anbu members was irritating.
Who knew if any of the newcomers sent would be Danzo's spies?
Hiruzen Sarutobi trusted Danzo too much. Danzo was a crucial helper when Hiruzen first came into power, and the two had formed a path dependency.
Troublesome problems were always left for Danzo to handle. When Danzo's methods became too extreme and bloody, Hiruzen would step in to mediate.
Currently, Yellow Dog and Yōkō were unable to shake Danzo's position in Hiruzen's heart.
Yōkō gathered all the members of his squad:
"After the war, missions will be more dangerous, though not as frequent as during the war period.
Aside from mission execution, each team must focus on training and find ways to enhance the members' strength.
If you lack ninjutsu, tell me. The squad's resources are open to you.
I will occasionally participate in your team's training sessions.
I will arrive unannounced, without notice, without listening to reports, and without requiring accompaniment, going straight to the training grounds.
I hope everyone in this squad will have at least the strength of a Tokubetsu Jonin.
I will keep an eye on your mission records and recommend you for promotion to Tokubetsu Jonin or even full Jonin as soon as possible.
Just like White Ram and Flower Deer's promotion this time."
The team members looked excitedly at their Fox Squad Captain. The Captain genuinely hoped for them to improve their strength and become Anbu elites.
After the meeting, the White Ram team, escorting the six Iwa-nin prisoners, followed Yōkō towards Root's new base.
After the Anbu reforms, Root had moved out of the Anbu headquarters and established its own separate base.
The Root base was even more remote than the Anbu base, located outside the Forest of Death, right at the foot of Konoha's perimeter wall.
Hei of Root was very surprised: "The Fox Squad Captain is personally here just to escort a few prisoners?"
Yōkō said: "I have nothing to do tonight. Root is demanding too many prisoners; I'll probably be coming here often from now on."
Hei didn't say much more. Lord Orochimaru needed at least 50 test subjects per month.
The Anbu sending a Squad Captain to deliver prisoners was an expression of dissatisfaction.
This number was indeed too high, putting great pressure on the Anbu.
After entering Root, Hei led them to the experimental area.
Deep within the dark corridor, the unpleasant smell of preservatives grew stronger.
Orochimaro emerged from the laboratory and saw the six bound prisoners.
He grabbed each prisoner by the neck, one after another, and snapped them.
Not only Yōkō, but even Hei was stunned.
Hei spoke up: "Lord Orochimaru... these are freshly captured prisoners."
Yōkō watched Orochimaru's smooth, practiced killing, puzzled but didn't ask anything.
When it came to the last person, Orochimaru didn't kill him.
"From now on, my laboratory will only accept prisoners who possess both Earth and Water attributes.
Single-element Iwa-nin have no value."
Flower Deer thought to herself, capturing these Earth attribute ninja from the Land of Earth was difficult enough; they were being chased by several battalions at the time, who had the leisure to check the prisoners' chakra natures?
Yōkō said: "Lord Orochimaru, if it's Earth-Water dual attributes, it's impossible for the Anbu to provide 50 prisoners per month.
Even if all three assassination special squads did nothing else, they couldn't capture so many, and such specific, prisoners."
Orochimaru glanced at Fox and said:
"Then let it be 25 prisoners from the Anbu, and 25 from Root.
If there aren't enough prisoners, use children with chakra talent instead. I can cultivate the Earth-Water dual attributes in them."
Yōkō felt he had gained some face, as Orochimaru had compromised. He didn't say anything more and prepared to leave with the White Ram team.
A cold gust of wind!
Yōkō turned back, looking at Orochimaru in confusion.
Within the dark corridor, the atmosphere suddenly dropped to freezing point.
Hei, who was more familiar with Orochimaru, couldn't help but reach for his weapon pouch.
Orochimaru's left hand flicked, producing a shuriken from somewhere. The shuriken flew swiftly towards Yōkō.
"Shadow Shuriken Technique!"
Yōkō raised his hand, his skin turning a reddish-bronze color. After a series of clinking sounds, he blocked the shuriken.
Orochimaru quickly formed hand signs, and a bolt of lightning, like a white snake, shot towards Yōkō.
Yōkō swiftly dodged, avoiding the lightning bolt.
He had already died once during this full moon cycle, and the next full moon hadn't arrived yet.
Yōkō hesitated, wondering what he should do if Orochimaru had gone mad and intended to kill him here.
White Ram stepped in front of Yōkō, and a dense swarm of Parasitic Destruction Insects surged out, instantly filling the corridor.
Yōkō couldn't sense any killing intent from Orochimaru. He reached out and pressed White Ram's shoulder: "Wait, White Ram."
The Parasitic Destruction Insects slowly returned to White Ram's body.
Orochimaru stopped his attack, no longer pressing forward. He looked Fox up and down and said: "Fox, your Absolute Defense is an Earth Release secret technique, right?"
Yōkō was startled. He had never told anyone the principle behind his secret technique, yet Orochimaru had directly guessed the answer.
Was it his dodging of the Lightning Release attack that gave Orochimaru a clue?
"You are also proficient in top-tier Water Release like Water Release: Water Cutting Wave." Orochimaru's sinister voice echoed in the corridor:
"Fox, are you interested in participating in my experiments?"
Yōkō said bluntly: "No."
Yōkō not only possessed Earth-Water dual attributes but also the Hyūga clan's Kekkei Genkai?
Hashirama Cells were a means he would inevitably try to use to enhance his strength.
But not now.
Orochimaru had just begun researching Wood Release, and the experiments were extremely crude. Participating now would be suicide.
It wouldn't be too late to cooperate once Orochimaru's research matured.
It was currently Year 40 of Konoha. He remembered Yamato was born in Year 41 and was captured by Orochimaru for experiments as an infant.
If Yamato could master Wood Release, it meant Orochimaru's research would be basically mature by next year.
He absolutely would not touch Hashirama Cells this year.
Watching Fox leave with his team, Orochimaru felt very regretful.
That night, Danzo entered the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Danzo's complaint and said: "What did you say? Orochimaru invited Fox to participate in his experiments, and Fox refused?
Orochimaru said a Jonin like Fox, who excels in both Earth and Water Release, has immense experimental value?"
The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then said to his assistant: "Send for Yellow Dog."
Yellow Dog entered the Hokage's office. Upon hearing Danzo's request, he reacted extremely vehemently:
"Absolutely impossible! Fox will never participate in Orochimaru's experiments!
He is my Squad Captain, not some 'highly valuable test subject'!
Advisor Danzo, please do not bring this up again."
It was rare for Yellow Dog to refuse Danzo so directly to his face.
Seeing Yellow Dog so resolute, the Third Hokage spoke before Danzo could:
"Danzo, let's set this matter aside for now. Fox is not an ordinary Jonin; he is an Anbu Squad Captain.
Look for other test subjects. Let's forget about Fox."
Danzo said: "You won't let me touch the Senju clan either. Without test subjects, how can the experiments proceed smoothly?"
Hiruzen Sarutobi said: "Tsunade is being very cautious lately. Don't make a move on the Senju clan for now."
Danzo said nothing more and left the Hokage's office.
Yellow Dog said to the Third Hokage:
"Lord Hokage, the Black Ant Squad is responsible for your safety and relaying your commands.
The Lynx Squad is more often under the command of Advisor Danzo.
That means, under me, I only have Golden Eagle and Fox as my two Jonin.
After the Anbu downsizing, we must inevitably take an elite route. Where else can we find a Jonin like Fox, who has been with me for nearly two years, is powerful, has outstanding potential, and whom I know inside and out?
Didn't you say we need to strictly control the number of village Jonin? The Jonin all like to give their opinions at the Jonin Commander meetings; who would be willing to join the Anbu?"
"Alright, alright, I was wrong." It was rare to see Hiruzen Sarutobi admit fault. He changed the subject, saying:
"Next, you need to secretly investigate the Jonin candidates recommended by Sakumo Hatake, Tsunade, and Kane Uchiha.
Find problems with the candidate Jonin. If there are no problems, create some.
For the Tokubetsu Jonin they recommend, I will selectively approve the promotions. But the full Jonin they recommend must not be easily approved.
This matter is the Anbu's most important task after the war."
Yellow Dog said: "I understand. I will have the Golden Eagle and Fox Squads investigate the ninja recommended by Tsunade, White Fang, and Kane Uchiha as soon as possible."
***
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(Chapter End)