Following the ANBU streamlining, the underground base felt significantly more spacious. Yagami now had his own private office and a separate lounge, both of which Purple Cat had already meticulously prepared for him. Each team was also assigned its own locker room and rest area.
Yagami summoned all his teams: the Ram Team, the Deer Team, the Hippo Team, and the Yak Team. Ram and Deer were subordinates he had personally cultivated for a long time; their individual strengths were now quite formidable.
"Our squad has just received its first mission since the reform," Yagami announced. "While the mission doesn't strictly require our full strength, I told Lord Yellow Dog that I want to use this opportunity to forge our new unit. You have thirty minutes to prepare. We are heading to the distant northeastern border of the Land of Earth."
At the village gates, several ninja on guard duty watched in confusion as a large contingent of ANBU departed the village. The war was over; why was such a heavy force being deployed?
Yagami calculated the time. It would take about twelve days to reach the northeastern border from Leaf. That would coincide almost perfectly with the next full moon, granting him another chance for revival should things go south.
On the first night of the journey during their rest break, Yagami called Ram aside.
"After the reform, the ANBU is moving toward an elite-only structure. From now on, every ANBU ninja must be a specialist," Yagami said solemnly. "Ram, you are the one I value most. You are still a Chunin, but I intend to recommend you for promotion to Special Jonin. This mission will serve as your evaluation. Perform well, and aim to exceed our objectives."
"The mission is to bring back four prisoners skilled in Earth Style; let's bring back eight. We are tasked with surveying the battlefield between the Stone and the Cloud; let's extract the most detailed accounts of the battle through interrogation. If you do this, I'll have the leverage I need to push for your promotion. Understand?"
Ram was visibly moved. "I understand, Captain! Please watch me; I will not let your trust go to waste!"
Yagami nodded encouragingly. He suddenly thought of Ryoma Aburame. Ryoma's Insect Clone technique had left a deep impression on him. He reached out and felt the rinkaichū beneath the skin of Ram's arm.
"Ram, back in the Land of Rain, I once executed a mission with B from Root. He was also of the Aburame clan and was a master of the Insect Clone. It's incredibly versatile—his body could dissolve into a swarm and reform at will."
Ram replied, "Captain, the Insect Clone is a top-tier secret technique of our clan. It involves letting the insects replace as much of the body's muscle and tissue as possible. The cultivation process is agonizing and requires immense talent. Usually, the clan only grants this technique to those who are heavily injured and on the brink of death—a last-ditch effort to see if they can survive through the insects."
Yagami felt a phantom ache in his own body. Using insects to replace one's own flesh? There was a massive difference between raising insects in a body and raising a body in insects. He recalled crushing Ryoma's heart and lungs and the strange texture of it.
"When we worked together," Yagami lied smoothly, "I saw B get injured. His blood wasn't even normal anymore. It seems that technique transforms the body entirely."
Ram didn't know the specifics of the technique's training, but he was secretly shocked. 'Does it even transform the blood?' The Insect Clone was powerful—even if a limb was lost, the insects could reconstruct it. The ability to infiltrate as a swarm made it peerless for assassination. Yagami's words gave Ram a hint: perhaps the secret to the transformation started with the blood. He decided to ask the clan elders about it when he returned—or at least poke around for information.
Next, Yagami called for Deer.
"Deer, out of everyone here, you are the one I value most. You're still a Chunin, but I want to recommend you for Special Jonin. This mission is your test. Exceed the expectations."
Deer's excitement was instantaneous. 'The Captain really does value me most?' Since his sister's death, Deer had been consumed by grief, abandoning a normal life to seek a meaning for his existence in the ANBU. Though his heart had felt like cold ash, the prospect of promotion was still invigorating.
"Captain, rest assured. I will put my life on the line to complete this mission perfectly."
Deer specialized in Fire and Wind Styles. Fire Style ninja were particularly dependent on chakra reserves; the main difference between techniques like the Great Fireball and the Fire Dragon Flame Bullet was often just the scale. The more chakra, the more powerful the fire. Deer had decent talent, but his reserves were only average.
Chakra was a blend of physical and spiritual energy. Physical energy came from training, but spiritual energy was harder to grow. Usually, both plateaued once a ninja reached a certain age. Some claimed near-death experiences or intense emotional trauma could spike spiritual energy. Yagami didn't have a reliable method for him yet—he relied on his system and unique constitution.
However, since this mission involved capturing test subjects for Root, Yagami hoped to get a glimpse of Orochimaru's research. Perhaps the Sannin had a way to artificially boost a ninja's chakra.
After Deer left, Yagami had Purple Cat summon Hippo.
"Hippo, we used to be fellow Team Leaders. Now, I've been fortunate enough to become a Squad Leader. Back when we were peers, you were the one I admired most. Let's finish this mission together. Once we've completed a few more S-rank missions, I'll find a way to recommend you for full Jonin status."
Hippo, a member of the Akimichi clan, was honored. "Captain, please don't worry. I am completely behind you. Your strength is obvious to everyone, and I have no room for petty jealousy. In the Fox Squad, I will give my all for the mission."
Yagami nodded. Hippo was a veteran of Yellow Dog's old brigade; he was reliable.
Finally, Yagami met with Yak alone.
"Yak, we used to be fellow Team Leaders. Now, I've been fortunate enough to become a Squad Leader. Back when we were peers, you were the one I admired most. Let's finish this mission together. Once we've completed a few more S-rank missions, I'll find a way to recommend you for full Jonin status."
Yak was a civilian ninja skilled in Earth Style. Feeling the weight of the Squad Leader's respect and concern, he repeatedly vowed to complete the task with absolute diligence.
Once the four Team Leaders had departed, Purple Cat stepped forward.
"What about me? Captain, when do I get to be a Special Jonin?"
Yagami smiled. "I'll take you on one or two S-rank missions. Then you'll have the credentials to promote. But those opportunities are rare—even I have only officially completed six S-rank missions."
Yagami's S-rank record was indeed distinguished: discovering Madara Uchiha, the oasis poisoning, submitting the paraglider design, holding the rear at Shabo Port, killing Camel Thorn's wife, and capturing the Hiramekarei. The ambush on the Mist's sword-retrieval unit, despite being a glorious victory where Muratsuki Hozuki fell, had been downgraded by Danzo's spite, preventing Yagami from getting a seventh.
***
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