Orochimaru glanced toward Danzō and gave a slight nod.
Their cooperation had reached its peak.
Hashirama cell transplantation… in exchange for the Scroll of Seals.
Danzō ignored Yellow Dog's proposal about the ANBU vice commander position, as if the post no longer mattered, and instead asked:
"Fox. Explain in detail the performance of your Wood Release."
Orochimaru thought to himself:
Go on — inspect the goods. Once you're satisfied, I'll collect what belongs to me.
Yako glanced briefly at Orochimaru before speaking.
"I'll start with Uchiha Madara's Wood Release.
His chakra reserves are enormous. In an instant, he trapped all of us inside Deep Forest Emergence.
Within that forest, it was entirely his domain — behind us, beneath us, above us — tree trunks everywhere, capable of crushing us at any moment.
Only Wood Release can counter Wood Release.
Before leaving the village, I went to Lord Orochimaru's laboratory to collect an experimental progress report. He injected me several times.
Fortunately, I gained Wood Release.
When facing Madara's technique, I spread my chakra across the ground.
Trees erupted wildly from the earth, pushing back his Wood Release and saving our people.
Afterward, I used Wood Release: Cutting Sprigs Technique against him. Madara seemed wary of the wooden spears and activated Susanoo to block them."
Yako concluded:
"I believe I can hold against Uchiha Madara for at least three minutes."
Hiruzen nodded repeatedly.
Three minutes against Madara was enough time to evacuate allies or prepare decisive techniques.
Even Danzō gave a rare nod.
He was deeply satisfied with Wood Release's battlefield performance.
His own weakness lay in confronting massive enemies — tailed beasts, giant summons, Susanoo.
Wind Release alone had limits.
If Fox was this strong with Wood Release…
What would Danzō become with it?
Yellow Dog persisted:
"I again recommend Fox for ANBU Vice Commander. What are the council's thoughts?"
Seeing Danzō silent, Hiruzen quickly spoke.
"The enemies facing ANBU grow increasingly dangerous. We require a powerful shinobi capable of handling external threats.
I approve Fox's appointment as ANBU Vice Commander."
Danzō thought briefly.
He had no suitable candidate left.
Only one elite jonin remained in the Shimura clan.
And even he would not survive against Madara or Sarutobi Kanosuke.
Root itself had thinned.
Uchiha Suigiku had just been absorbed — not yet fully trustworthy.
Yako looked gratefully at Yellow Dog.
This might actually happen.
This was political value.
Within Konoha, authority could resolve many problems — but not those posed by true monsters.
Hiruzen continued:
"What should be our next strategy against Uchiha Madara and Sarutobi Kanosuke?"
A heavy silence followed.
Sending five hundred shinobi into the Land of Grass was manageable.
Into the Land of Rain?
Impossible to simply ask Hanzo to stand aside.
Danzō spoke:
"A large-scale deployment to the Rain is unrealistic. Assign full authority to ANBU. Set a deadline — eliminate Uchiha Madara."
Hiruzen and Yellow Dog exchanged a glance.
Danzō had shifted tactics.
No longer contesting the vice commander role — instead pressuring ANBU.
He had conceded.
"Madara must be dealt with," Hiruzen said slowly. "But carefully. Avoid major casualties.
The pursuit of Uchiha Madara will fall under ANBU authority.
Fox is hereby promoted to ANBU Vice Commander — primarily responsible for rogue shinobi elimination."
Yako's heart surged.
He had entered Konoha's core of power.
Lord Fox…
That didn't sound bad.
After leaving the Hokage's office, Yako hurried after Yellow Dog.
"Thank you, Lord Yellow Dog, for recommending me! Without your guidance and support, I don't know when I could have crossed this threshold!"
Department heads and deputies were the true power core of Konoha.
Yellow Dog smiled, satisfied.
"I advocated for you last time as well. Unfortunately, Danzō insisted on another choice.
This time… he had no grounds to object."
"If there are dangerous missions outside the village," Yako said eagerly, "please assign them to me. Even as Vice Commander, I remain your most proactive squad leader."
Flattery flowed smoothly.
Yellow Dog beamed.
What he needed was someone willing to face danger.
He himself had no confidence facing enemies like Madara or Kanosuke.
As they reached the building's entrance, someone suddenly landed nearby, cracking the ground.
Tsunade.
She stared directly at Fox.
"Orochimaru told me you mastered Wood Release?"
Wood Release was the ultimate symbol of the Senju.
Even among countless Senju shinobi, only a handful had ever wielded it.
Against tailed beasts, against giant summons — its adaptability was unparalleled.
Yako glanced toward Yellow Dog instead of answering.
Leadership came first.
"Fox," Yellow Dog said, "give a brief demonstration."
"Yes, Lord Yellow Dog."
Hand seals formed.
A tree burst from the earth beside them.
A towering maple tree covered in crimson leaves — two stories tall, carefully stopping below the Hokage Tower's third floor.
Subtle.
Enough for the Third to notice from the window.
Not enough to seem ostentatious.
Indeed, Hiruzen moved to the window and watched.
Tsunade stared at the chakra-grown maple tree, momentarily dazed.
Once, she had believed her brother Nawaki would master Wood Release.
Equal mastery of Earth and Water Release…
And yet…
Here it was, in someone else.
Her gaze sharpened.
Do they really believe Orochimaru's experiments alone caused this?
Fox's chakra contained an unmistakable sealing property.
If her suspicions were correct…
He might carry strong Uzumaki blood — perhaps even a hidden legacy left by her father.
Other passing shinobi stopped, awestruck.
Even the eternal genin Maruboshi Kosuke paused, glancing from the First Hokage's stone face to the maple tree.
For a moment, it felt as though Konoha might return to its era of absolute dominance.
Tsunade turned away.
"Use Wood Release well. Do not disgrace its name."
She left without another word.
Back at ANBU headquarters, Yellow Dog announced:
"In one hour, the Third Hokage will arrive to announce an important appointment."
Purple Cat rushed into Yako's office, eyes shining.
"Captain Fox! I heard you're becoming Vice Commander!"
Yako quickly steadied her swollen belly.
"Don't run like that."
"Ninjas aren't fragile," she replied.
"Next month?"
"Yes. Maternity leave next month."
He gently stroked her hair.
"Take leave starting today. When you return, you'll be the Vice Commander's assistant."
Her face lit up.
"Then I'll apply for leave after attending Lord Fox's promotion ceremony!"
Yako smiled.
"Wildcat has fallen, I've been promoted — two squad leader positions are open. I need to discuss candidates."
Inside the ANBU office, Yako sat opposite Yellow Dog.
"Lord Yellow Dog, Hippo is a veteran. I recommend him as squad leader."
Hippo — once Yellow Dog's direct subordinate.
And an Akimichi.
Trustworthy.
Yellow Dog nodded eagerly.
"And your former squad?"
"I recommend White Ram as leader. Buffalo will transfer to Hippo's unit. Blossom Deer, Antelope, Leaf Monkey, and Black Ape will become team leaders.
Additionally, I recommend Antelope, Leaf Monkey, and Black Ape for jonin promotion."
Yellow Dog praised them enthusiastically.
Fox was now effectively a Kage-level shinobi within ANBU.
His recommendations would face little resistance.
With Fox's backing, Yellow Dog's influence surged.
Danzō's open influence within ANBU dwindled further.
"Come," Yellow Dog said. "Let's go to the training hall."
All ANBU gathered — except the Nine-Tails containment detail and Hokage surveillance squad.
On the raised platform sat the Third Hokage and Yellow Dog.
Fox stood beside them.
An empty chair had been placed there as well.
Clearly…
it was meant for him.