"Yashiro Ao assisting the two elders…"
Hatake Kakashi and Shihouin Naraku had spent nearly an hour chatting over grilled meat and sake before the meal finally ended.
Naraku, smugly satisfied, stood up to leave.
Kakashi sighed, defeated, and paid the bill.
"…Wait a second. He got promoted. Why did I pay?"
It wasn't until he was halfway home, hands buried in his pockets, that Kakashi finally processed what had happened. "I helped him understand his new position… I should've made him pay. Tch. Whatever. I'll trick Yamato into buying lunch next time."
That night, after a long shower and a quiet return to his small apartment, Kakashi lay in bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Naraku's a good man," he murmured, recalling their conversation. "And those bastards couldn't wait to tear the Medical Emergency Team out of his hands."
Kakashi had known Naraku for years. They were considered equals once—young prodigies rising through Konoha's ranks. But where Kakashi had faltered under the crushing losses of Sakumo, Obito, Rin, and Minato, Naraku had surged forward.
Under Tsunade's mentorship, Shihouin Naraku flourished into one of Konoha's brightest stars—especially in the medical field. When Tsunade left the village, Naraku became the sole authority behind Konoha's emergency medical response team.
Leveraging experience from a past life and a visionary approach to medicine, Naraku transformed the department.
He introduced groundbreaking reforms:—New herbal treatments—Modernized hospital operations—International medical outreach
What was once a fiscal black hole for the village became its golden goose.
Daimyōs and nobles from across the Land of Fire—and eventually other nations—flocked to Konoha Hospital for treatment and recovery. Revenue soared. The Medical Department went from barely scraping by to turning a profit—funds that flowed directly into the village treasury.
That was the problem.
Danzo, Homura, and Koharu—three of Konoha's most entrenched power brokers—saw the writing on the wall. With the medical wing becoming a political force, they couldn't tolerate Naraku maintaining control.
Danzo needed money to secretly sustain the remnants of Root—and to continue funneling funds to Orochimaru's grotesque experiments.
Homura and Koharu saw their grip on Konoha's funding pipeline being loosened.
And Hiruzen… the Hokage simply didn't want to see Naraku grow too powerful, too quickly.
So, they moved.
They promoted Naraku.
But only just enough to strip authority while increasing responsibility.
Classic power politics.
The Next Day – Anbu HQ
Naraku entered the subdued facility with a neutral expression, eyes scanning the spartan halls.
"This place isn't even as big as the old Root base," he muttered.
"I heard that," Kakashi said, appearing behind him with a yawn. His voice was light, but his step was unusually energetic.
"Anbu doesn't have the bottomless wallet the medical department does," Kakashi added. "This is about as good as it gets."
Naraku snorted. "You've been Anbu captain this long and can't even shake loose a decent budget? I want to know where all the money our emergency unit gives the Hokage goes."
"Then it's settled," Kakashi replied instantly. "You handle funding requests from now on."
Naraku rolled his eyes. "You're really something."
"Anyway, your appointment's official. Hokage-sama passed along some instructions. I'll fill you in as we go."
The two entered the command wing of the base, navigating clean but empty halls. The silence was almost eerie.
"Where is everyone?" Naraku asked, noting the absence of movement.
"Out on assignment."
Eventually, Kakashi led him into a modest office.
"This is yours. The roster files and mission briefs are on the desk," Kakashi said. "Everyone will be back by tomorrow. I'll introduce you then. Formally."
Naraku sat at the desk and immediately picked up the file. He flipped through the pages—and froze.
"…Are you kidding me?"
In one swift motion, he stood and lunged toward Kakashi, pretending to choke him out.
"Why the hell are there so many former Root members on my team?"
Kakashi leaned just enough to dodge the grip, acting entirely unfazed. "You're capable. I figured you could keep an eye on them."
"You dumped Root loyalists on me like it's trash day."
"Not all of them are loyal to Danzo anymore. Some can be brought into the fold. I believe in your talent," Kakashi said, offering a lopsided smile.
Naraku glared. "I personally patched you up when you were on death's door last year—and this is how you repay me?"
Kakashi raised both hands, shrugging. "Orders from the top. I didn't have much choice."
Naraku turned back to the document, reviewing the names with narrowed eyes. Eventually, he sighed, letting it go.
"…I'll handle it. But not Uzuki Yugao."
Kakashi blinked. "Why not?"
Naraku didn't even look up. "Because she's my girlfriend."
"Ah." A pause. "So that's why I specifically put her under your command."
Naraku groaned. "We're fine. But I'm not turning my squad into a dating drama."
Kakashi smirked behind his mask. "Hokage's subtle hint, maybe."
Naraku studied the rest of the roster in silence. His eyes sharpened with realization.
"…None of these shinobi are weak. In fact, this team is one of the strongest I've seen."
Kakashi nodded.
"They're putting me in charge of the danger zone, aren't they?"
"Assassinations, black ops, infiltration. All the dirty work," Kakashi confirmed. "You don't have to accept. You're new to Anbu. The Hokage would understand."
Naraku stood up straight.
"No."
His voice was firm. "I'll take it."
He turned toward the door, eyes glowing with ambition.
"This is where it begins."
From the shadows of Anbu……he would rise.
To captain.