The Fox Squad had lost two members, so Yagami submitted an application to Root, requesting two new ANBU recruits—ideally re-enlisted veterans from the retired pool. Danzo's control over the training and distribution of new recruits was incredibly frustrating; there was no telling if the newcomers would be Danzo's spies.
Hiruzen Sarutobi trusted Danzo too much. Danzo had been an essential helper during Hiruzen's early rise to power, and the two had developed a "path dependency." Danzo handled the bloody, difficult problems, and Hiruzen stepped in to mediate once things went too far. Currently, neither Yellow Dog nor Yagami could shake Danzo's position in the Hokage's heart.
Yagami gathered his entire squad.
"Missions after the war are more dangerous, though they aren't as frequent as during wartime. Aside from missions, every team must focus on training to enhance their strength. If you lack jutsu, come to me; the squad's resources are open to you. I will personally drop in on your training sessions—unannounced, without greetings, without reports, and without escorts. I'll head straight for the training grounds. I expect everyone in this squad to possess at least the strength of a Special Jonin. I'll be watching your mission records to recommend you for promotion as soon as possible, just as I did for Ram and Deer."
The members looked at their Captain with excitement. They could tell he truly wanted them to become the elite of the ANBU.
After the meeting, the Ram Team escorted six Stone ninja prisoners behind Yagami toward Root's new base. Following the reform, Root had moved out of the main ANBU headquarters to a separate facility located in a remote corner near the base of the Hidden Leaf's outer wall, outside the Forest of Death.
C from Root was surprised. "A Squad Leader personally escorting a few prisoners?"
"I have nothing better to do tonight," Yagami replied. "Root's prisoner demands are so high, I expect I'll be coming here often."
C didn't say much. Lord Orochimaru required at least fifty experimental subjects every month. Sending a Squad Leader to deliver them was the ANBU's way of expressing dissatisfaction with the sheer volume—it was a heavy burden on the corps.
Inside the base, C led them to the research area. In the depths of the dark corridor, the foul stench of preservatives grew stronger. Orochimaru stepped out of a laboratory and looked at the six bound prisoners. One by one, he grabbed their necks and snapped them.
Both Yagami and C were stunned.
"Lord Orochimaru..." C stammered. "These are fresh prisoners."
Yagami watched the smooth, cold efficiency of the killing. He didn't understand it, but he didn't ask—until the final man. Orochimaru spared him.
"From now on, my lab will only accept prisoners who possess both Earth and Water natures. Single-nature Stone ninja have no value."
Deer thought to himself: 'It was hard enough catching these Earth-style users while being chased by several units. Who had time to check their secondary chakra natures?'
"Lord Orochimaru," Yagami said, "if you require dual Earth and Water natures, the ANBU cannot provide fifty a month. Even if all three assassination squads did nothing else, they couldn't catch that many specific subjects."
Orochimaru glanced at Fox. "Then twenty-five from ANBU and twenty-five from Root. If prisoners are insufficient, use children with chakra talent instead; I can cultivate the dual natures in them."
Yagami felt he had gained some ground; Orochimaru had compromised. He said nothing and turned to leave with the Ram Team.
Suddenly, a cold wind blew!
Yagami turned back, looking at Orochimaru in confusion. The atmosphere in the dark corridor dropped to freezing point. C, who was familiar with Orochimaru's temperament, instinctively reached for his ninja tool pouch.
With a flick of his left hand, Orochimaru sent a shuriken flying toward Yagami.
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Yagami raised his arm, his skin instantly turning the color of red copper. A series of metallic clangs rang out as the shuriken were deflected. Orochimaru then wove signs rapidly, and a bolt of lightning like a white snake lunged at Yagami.
Yagami dodged the lightning bolt. He had already died once in this moon cycle; he wouldn't get another revival until the next full moon. He hesitated—if Orochimaru had truly gone mad and intended to kill him here, what should he do?
Ram stepped in front of Yagami, a dense swarm of rinkaichū erupting and filling the corridor instantly. Yagami, however, didn't sense actual killing intent from Orochimaru. He placed a hand on Ram's shoulder. "Wait, Ram."
The insects slowly retreated into Ram's body. Orochimaru lowered his hands, ending the assault. He eyed Fox up and down. "Fox, your Absolute Defense is an Earth Style secret technique, isn't it?"
Yagami was startled. He had never explained the principle of his technique to outsiders, yet Orochimaru had guessed it instantly. Was it because of his reaction to the Lightning Style just now?
"You are also proficient in high-level Water Style like the Water Severing Wave," Orochimaru's raspy voice echoed in the corridor. "Fox, are you interested in participating in my experiments?"
"No," Yagami said flatly.
Yagami had dual Earth and Water natures, and he also possessed the Senju lineage. Hashirama's cells were a means of power he would eventually pursue—but not now. Orochimaru's current research on Wood Style was still in its crudest stages; going now would be suicide. He would wait until the research matured. It was currently Year 40 of Konoha; he remembered Yamato was born in Year 41 and was taken as an infant for experiments. Since Yamato could master Wood Style, Orochimaru's research would only be considered "mature" next year. This year, Yagami wouldn't touch Hashirama's cells with a ten-foot pole.
Watching the squad depart, Orochimaru looked genuinely disappointed.
That night, Danzo entered the Hokage's office.
Hiruzen Sarutobi listened to Danzo's complaints and frowned. "What are you saying? Orochimaru invited Fox to participate in his experiments, and Fox refused? Orochimaru claims a Jonin like Fox, with such strong Earth and Water styles, has immense experimental value?"
The Third Hokage thought for a moment, then told his assistant, "Have Yellow Dog come see me."
When Yellow Dog entered and heard Danzo's demand, he resisted fiercely.
"Absolutely not! Fox will not participate in Orochimaru's experiments! He is my Squad Leader, not some 'valuable' test subject! Consultant Danzo, please do not bring this up again."
Yellow Dog rarely refused Danzo so directly to his face. Seeing his resolve, Hiruzen spoke before Danzo could respond.
"Danzo, let this matter drop for now. Fox isn't an ordinary Jonin; he is an ANBU Squad Leader. Look for other test subjects. Forget about Fox."
Danzo countered, "You won't let me touch the Senju clan. Without test subjects, how is the experiment supposed to proceed smoothly?"
"Tsunade is very cautious right now," Hiruzen said. "Do not move against the Senju clan for the time being."
Danzo said nothing and left the office. Yellow Dog turned to the Third.
"Lord Hokage, the Black Ant squad handles your security and transmits your orders. The Lynx squad is mostly commanded by Consultant Danzo. That means I only have Golden Eagle and Fox as Jonin under my direct command. The ANBU must move toward an elite structure. Where am I going to find another Jonin like Fox—someone who has followed me for nearly two years, possesses great strength and potential, and whose background is completely known? You said we need to strictly control the number of Jonin in the village; most Jonin prefer to voice their opinions in the Jonin Council—who actually wants to join the ANBU?"
"Fine, fine, I was wrong," Hiruzen admitted, a rare occurrence. He shifted the topic. "Next, you must secretly investigate the Jonin candidates recommended by Sakumo Hatake, Tsunade, and Uchiha. Find flaws in the candidates; if there are no flaws, create them. I will selectively agree to the Special Jonin they recommend, but the full Jonin candidates must not be passed easily. This is the most important post-war task for the ANBU."
"I understand," Yellow Dog said. "I will have the Golden Eagle and Fox squads begin investigating the ninja recommended by Tsunade, White Fang, and Uchiha immediately."