The training hall felt cramped with over three hundred ANBU ninja packed inside. Once everyone had arrived, Danzo remained silent, showing no intention of speaking. Shortly after, Hiruzen Sarutobi emerged from the shadows and stepped onto the stage. Yellow Dog stood immediately, waiting for Hiruzen to take his seat before sitting back down. Danzo did not move.
Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his gaze sweeping over the assembled masked ranks.
"ANBU ninja, the Second Shinobi World War has ended," he began. "Our Lead village has fought through several grueling campaigns—the Land of Steam, the Land of Grass, the Land of Rain, the Land of Earth, the Land of Rivers, and finally the Land of Whirlpools. We have emerged victorious, but the village has suffered heavy losses. Among us, none have sacrificed more than the ANBU."
"The missions so dangerous that survival was considered a miracle? The ANBU executed them. The assassinations deep behind enemy lines? The ANBU executed them. The ambushes against enemy Jonin and Elite Jonin? The ANBU executed them. The casualty rate for the ANBU is double that of the regular forces."
"Now the war is over. Truly over. You are outstanding ninja who were willing to burn your lives for the village—the toughest roots in the shadows of the Great Tree. Now that peace has come, most of you should no longer hide in the dark. You may return to the sunlight. As regular leaf ninja, you will continue to burn brightly for the village. Every ninja leaving the ANBU today will receive a one-time bonus equivalent to an A-rank mission reward. We will now distribute your discharge scrolls and rewards."
The Hokage's assistants moved quickly, handing out 280 scrolls to designated ninja. Many were unaware that such a massive downsizing was coming; panic flickered in their eyes as they received the scrolls. Upon opening them, they found their original ninja files—which had been transferred to ANBU the day they joined—along with a record of their service. The service record listed only the number of missions, not their contents.
By taking these files to the Hokage building, they would officially be registered as regular ninja again.
Some felt a pang of loss, but others felt an immense sense of relief. They would no longer have to carry out high-fatality missions. As regular ninja, they could lead Genin teams as instructors, reunite with their families, and walk the streets or go fishing without a care in the world.
Hiruzen stood up, and even Danzo followed suit. The crowd watched the stage, wondering what the three high-level officials were about to do. Hiruzen's powerful voice echoed through the hall.
"Your service in the ANBU is the most unique chapter of your career. The Hokage building will forever mark you as the village's most trustworthy ninja. On behalf of Konoha and the ANBU, I thank you for your extraordinary dedication. Where the leaves dance, the fire shall burn. Whether in the ANBU or the village, you are the dancing leaves and the burning flame. Take off your masks, young men. The next time we meet, it will be at the Hokage building to issue you the village's missions."
The floor of the training hall was hard, and the sound of tears hitting the ground was audible. As the masks came off, many faces were streaked with tears. Regardless of what their time in the ANBU had been—filled with grievances, dread, or cold resilience—the moment of departure turned it all into nostalgia.
Yagami thought back to when Captain Gorilla retired. Yagami had reached out to remove the mask for him, but Gorilla had told him to wait. The next day at the medical tent, Yagami had seen the mask resting neatly on Gorilla's pillow. Yagami adjusted his own Fox mask, wondering how he would eventually leave the Leaf.
Those leaving lined up to hand their masks to the equipment officers. They bowed to the Third Hokage, Commander Danzo, and Vice Commander Yellow Dog before departing. After the long farewell, the hall felt suddenly hollow.
A footstep echoed from the dark side-corridor. Orochimaru, clad in his long robes, walked out slowly. His narrow eyes scanned the room as he walked to the stage and sat beside Danzo. Orochimaru was one of only three people there who didn't need a mask.
Danzo's expression visibly relaxed. Yagami understood Danzo's perspective. For Danzo, the most important thing now was partnering with Orochimaru to increase his personal strength through experimental means. Power and prestige were fleeting; only raw strength was real. Once strength increased, the rest would follow. Thus, Danzo hadn't fought the ANBU reform too hard.
The atmosphere grew even more solemn with Orochimaru's presence. Hiruzen spoke again:
"Next, we will implement the ANBU reform. The ANBU will be divided into the following sections: Root, commanded by Danzo, which includes Orochimaru and ten formal members. Root will be responsible for training new recruits for both ANBU and Root, as well as specific clandestine missions."
"Then, the four squads. The Black Ant squad is for intelligence—transmitting my orders and organizing intel. The Golden Eagle squad is for protection—guarding key individuals and assets in the village. The Lynx and Fox squads are the primary assassination units. Additionally, there are the Scroll Registry, Equipment Division, and other support departments."
The units lined up. On the far left was Root, which currently had only six members besides Orochimaru. Three had died in the Land of Whirlpools—unluckily, all by Yagami's hand.
Then came the four Squad Leaders: Black Ant, Golden Eagle, Lynx, and Fox. Behind them stood their respective teams. From what Yagami knew, Black Ant was from the Nara clan, Golden Eagle was a Hyuga, Lynx was a Shimura, and then there was Yagami—Yellow Dog's direct subordinate.
Yagami felt a slight twinge of guilt; Yellow Dog truly trusted him, but Yagami... he pushed the thought aside. He would continue to play the loyal subordinate.
With the divisions established, the reform was complete. Yagami was now officially an ANBU Squad Leader.
Once the high-level officials left, Yagami entered Yellow Dog's office. "Lord Yellow Dog, are there any missions?"
"Yes, an important one," Yellow Dog replied. His assistant, Butterfly, handed a scroll to Yagami.
"I'm sending you to the northeastern border of the Land of Earth," Yellow Dog explained. "Our spy in the Hidden Stone sent word that they were crushed by the Hidden Cloud. The reason was the unexpected eruption of the Cloud's Two-Tails Jinchuriki. It seems the Cloud has made a breakthrough in Tailed Beast sealing. Their Jinchuriki can not only be used as weapons of mass destruction but can also be safely retrieved. Fox, go to the northeast of the Land of Earth, survey the battlefield, and see if you can gather intel. Also, capture a few ninja skilled in Earth Style; the Root lab needs them."
"Understood," Yagami nodded. He then added, "Lord Yellow Dog, since the reform, can we promote some members to Special Jonin? The current Team Leaders hold more weight than before. In my squad, Hippo and Yak are already Special Jonin. I'd like to recommend Ram and Deer for promotion."
Yellow Dog replied, "Very well. Let this mission serve as their evaluation. If they complete it beautifully, I will join you in recommending their promotion."
***
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