Yellow Dog and Yagami arrived at the Hokage's office. A stack of documents over a meter high was piled on the Third Hokage's desk, and six baskets filled with scrolls sat on the floor nearby. This was the first time Yagami had ever seen scrolls measured by the basketful.
Following the Second Shinobi World War, Hiruzen had an overwhelming amount of business to attend to. There were pensions for fallen ninja, plans for the Ninja Academy's expansion, the reconstruction of border outposts in the Land of Fire, quotas for the Fire Daimyo's guardian ninja, reception for various Chamber of Commerce presidents, and post-war missions for the nobility—it was a logistical nightmare.
Hiruzen was almost completely hidden behind the mountains of paperwork. A voice drifted from behind the stack: "Yellow Dog, what is it?"
"Lord Hokage," Yellow Dog replied, "Fox has scouted critical intelligence regarding the Hidden Cloud's Jinchuriki."
Hiruzen stood up, massaged his stiff neck, and walked over to the sofa. He took the scroll and sat down, reading it carefully.
"Ryūjin, the Two-Tails Jinchuriki of the Hidden Cloud... she can maintain her sanity while remaining in a partial tail beast transformation state for extended periods? And she can seal the Tailed Beast chakra herself to withdraw after battle?"
Every hidden village possessed Tailed Beasts. In most cases, they were used with extreme caution because releasing them was easy, but containing them was difficult. The Hidden Sand kept the One-Tail Shukaku sealed in a kettle year-round, and the Hidden Mist allowed the Three-Tails to remain hidden in a great lake, precisely because they lacked total control over that violent power.
A Jinchuriki who could be deployed and retracted at will—didn't that mean the Hidden Cloud now possessed a stable Kage-level, or even beyond Kage-level, combat asset?
The Hokage's expression grew grim. As he looked up, Yellow Dog timely handed him his pipe. Hiruzen took a satisfying puff and looked back at the scroll.
"Fox did excellent work. This intelligence is invaluable." Hiruzen thought for a moment before adding, "Fox, go and invite Clan Head Hanaki Senju to my office."
"Yes, sir!"
Noticing the window was open, Yagami used a Body Flicker to exit the office immediately.
Inside the newly built outpatient building of the Hospital, Hanaki Senju was leading several young medical ninja on ward rounds. She suddenly turned her head, noticing the ANBU member standing to the side.
"Clan Head Hanaki Senju, Lord Hokage requests your presence at the Hokage building immediately."
Hanaki noted the Fox mask, recognizing him as one of the new Squad Leaders from the reform. For a Squad Leader to personally summon her, something major must have happened.
When Hanaki arrived at the office, Hiruzen rose from his paperwork once again and signaled for her to read the scroll. Hanaki was equally shocked by the performance of the Two-Tails Jinchuriki.
"Clan Head Hanaki," Hiruzen began, "the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki is being raised by your Senju clan. Evidence shows the Cloud's development of Tailed Beasts is reaching terrifying heights. What about us? Does the Senju clan have a mature development plan for the Nine-Tails?"
Hanaki frowned. "Lord Hokage, when my mother Mito was the Jinchuriki, the village could win wars without the Nine-Tails; she rarely used its power. Regarding development, we have no specific plan. For now, we are focused on ensuring the seal remains secure. If the village requires it, I can return and draft a plan."
Hanaki thought to herself: 'Drafting a plan is easy, but whether we execute it depends on the stability of the seal.' Her strategy when facing the Leaf high command was simple: no resistance, no execution—just stall until the problem went away.
"We need a development plan," Hiruzen said succinctly. "And that development must not harm the village."
"Kushina still has two years before she graduates from the Academy," Hanaki countered. "She is far too young. Once her own strength grows, the Senju clan will begin looking into the Nine-Tails."
Hiruzen's face hardened. "This matter cannot wait, Hanaki. If war breaks out with the Hidden Cloud, they will field two Tailed Beasts. If leaf has to use the flesh and blood of ordinary ninja to oppose them, do you know what that means?"
Hanaki thought: 'No matter how much the village hurries, I will not let Kushina, who hasn't even graduated, take such a risk.'
"Lord Hokage, we will give the Nine-Tails the attention it deserves," Hanaki said. "However, there is a more pressing matter. Regarding the Special Jonin recommendations from the hospital and the Jonin recommendation from Tsunade—how is the village's review progressing? The hospital needs more personnel to handle the post-war influx of recovering wounded."
It wasn't just Yagami who wanted his subordinates promoted; the Senju clan also wanted more high-ranking ninja in their ranks. As a former deputy commander on several battlefields, Tsunade had the authority to recommend Jonin. Aside from her, the Senju clan currently had six Jonin, and it only took three to recommend a Special Jonin.
Hiruzen gestured toward the baskets and piles of paper. "The recommendations are being reviewed one by one. Clan Head Hanaki, please return and wait for news."
If Hanaki Senju was a master of stalling, Hiruzen Sarutobi was her equal.
Once Hanaki left, Yellow Dog spoke up: "Lord Hokage, Fox and I wish to recommend Purple Cat, Ram, and Deer for promotion to Special Jonin."
"Oh? Have Fox fill out the forms. Bring them to me today, and I will approve them today."
"Understood."
It was a blatant double standard. The Hokage would block or stall the Senju clan's promotions, but ANBU recommendations were different—they were rewards for his own people. People only hate privilege when they don't have it. When it belongs to them, they praise it.
"Yellow Dog," Hiruzen added, "when the Golden Eagle squad monitors the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki, have them pay close attention to whether the Senju clan is giving her special training with Tailed Beast chakra."
"Yes, I understand."
Back at the ANBU base, Yagami had Purple Cat bring him the Special Jonin recommendation scrolls. As he filled them out, he decided to tease her.
"Purple Cat, your combat strength is inferior to Ram and Deer. We're in a volatile post-war period; ANBU missions are still dangerous, perhaps even more so than during the war. Back then, we had front-line units for support. Now, we might be the only ones within hundreds of kilometers. Once this period passes, I'll find a way to promote you."
"I understand, Captain," she replied. "I'm not in a hurry. Being the squad assistant is already enough for me. Even if you don't recommend me, I won't feel slighted."
Purple Cat was highly valued within the Yamanaka clan. The better she performed in the ANBU, the closer the connection between the Yamanaka and the village leadership.
"Hmm?"
Purple Cat's eyes brightened as she saw the Captain finish two scrolls and start a third. A promotion through the ANBU carried far more weight than one from the Yamanaka clan!
"How could I leave you out? Of course you're included."
After finishing the scrolls, Yagami followed the same procedure Yellow Dog had once followed for him. The Squad Leaders of Black Ant and Golden Eagle reviewed Purple Cat, Ram, and Deer. Once approved, Yagami took the three of them to the Hokage building.
The Hokage personally imparted the Will of Fire to them, speaking with such fervor that the three ninja felt their blood boil, ready to lay down their lives for the village.
Back at the base, Yagami addressed them: "Ram, Deer, you two must seize every moment to increase your strength. Now that you are Special Jonin, I will give you even harder missions. Without strength, you won't survive the ANBU."
"Understood!"