Root wants to be above ANBU?
Yako sneered inwardly. 'And I'm supposed to take orders from Root? Then what's the point of being an ANBU squad leader?'
Killing Shimura Tan and Sarutobi Yu clearly hadn't been enough.
They didn't feel pain yet.
Until Root suffers a devastating blow, Yako won't be able to breathe easy even within the safety of ANBU.
'Root can't possibly outrank the ANBU squads. And you? You're not qualified to outrank me either.'
His mind drifted back to T's exceptional Wind Release.
'Why not draw a skill from him? Kill him, revive, and let him return to Konoha alive.'
White Ghost, his alt persona, already specialized in Fire Release. Adding Wind as a complementary style would only make him stronger.
A few seconds later—
T stared in horror at Fox's corpse, lying in a pool of blood, a kunai still clutched in Tei's trembling hand. His face turned ashen as he tore off Fox's mask.
He hadn't meant to kill him—he just wanted to assert dominance over ANBU. But Fox… was The Hokage's top enforcer.
[System message detected: Host has died. Initiating Moon Arc System…]
Yako reawakened on the mountaintop outside Unokō Port—on the night of the last full moon.
[Moon Arc Activated!]
Host may revive once per month, returning to the night of the previous full moon.
Bonus: 1 lottery reward granted.]
The draw began:
Sealing Technique: Evil Sealing Method (Basic)
Wind Release: Vacuum Wave (Basic)
Wind Release: Great Breakthrough (Mastery)
The first was a sealing technique—originally from the Uzumaki clan. After their downfall, most of their knowledge had fallen into Danzo's hands, making the Shimura clan look like sealing experts by default.
The second, Vacuum Wave, was a wide-cutting Wind technique—but didn't quite measure up to his Water Severing Wave, especially in terms of kinetic force.
The third was another mastered jutsu.
Yako chose the last one—Master-level Wind Release: Great Breakthrough.
Now, White Ghost's combat strength had grown once again.
T was now officially on his kill list. Eventually, Yako would take him out—another blow against Danzo.
Danzo was the "Shadow of the Shinobi World."
But Yako… was the Shadow of that Shadow.
He didn't know how to speak pretty words or argue morals—only how to kill.
All the sweet fruit in Konoha goes to people like Danzo… but how many of them are hollow inside?
You eat too many seedless fruits, one day you'll have to cough something up.
—
As expected, the timeline began to repeat itself.
Hatake Sakumo's team engaged Ryuuren over the ocean.
T recklessly inserted himself into the battle, cutting it short.
Yako stayed behind, dutifully observing the aftermath and documenting Ryuuren's post-combat behavior.
Later, when he caught up with Sakumo's team, the same confrontation with T occurred—but this time, Yako said nothing.
No need to waste breath. Let White Ghost do the talking later.
The squad moved swiftly. Any Kumo-nin who caught up were dealt with cleanly by Sakumo, who then kept leading them southward.
Before long, they crossed into the Land of Hot Water.
Kumo's multiple squads couldn't catch up.
Standing at the border, the commander—Karui—gritted his teeth.
"Return to the village! Let's wait for the declaration of war. We'll officially invade the Land of Hot Water!"
—
Days later, Sakumo's group returned to Konoha.
As Yako and T were summoned by the Hokage, they passed Sakumo leaving the building.
Yako entered the office to find Hiruzen Sarutobi, Danzo, and Orochimaru already present.
T spoke first, reciting his mission report in full. He especially emphasized his bravery in charging into battle against the Two-Tails, denying Sakumo the sole glory of the fight.
Danzo listened carefully, then turned to Yako.
"Fox, what exactly did you do during this mission?"
Yako replied, "For most of the mission, I worked with T to document this crucial engagement.
But after Sakumo's team and T withdrew, I stayed behind to observe and record how the Two-Tails Jinchūriki reabsorbed her Tailed Beast chakra."
Danzo nodded. "That's still valuable intel."
Orochimaru leaned forward. "Fox, is it true? Sakumo really cut through a Tailed Beast Bomb?"
Yako nodded. "Yes, he did.
His White Fang blade emits a chakra slash that persists for about two seconds in the air.
When the Tailed Beast Bomb struck the slash, it was split in two.
And thanks to his rapid Shunshin, Sakumo could retreat mid-assault—he truly has the power to face a Jinchūriki head-on."
He paused.
"…However," Yako added, voice steady, "T's premature interference clearly disrupted Sakumo's rhythm.
He had to protect T, which meant he couldn't press further and draw out the full form of the Two-Tails.
Ryuuren stayed in her humanoid form the entire time—far from the complete transformation we had hoped to observe.
So ultimately… this mission was a failure. We only confirmed Sakumo's ability to cut Tailed Beast Bombs.
We didn't discover any of his weaknesses against full-sized Tailed Beasts.
His blade's chakra slash is no longer than five meters. That's likely insufficient against larger Tailed Beasts.
Whether Sakumo has a trump card for such situations… we couldn't tell."
"Oh?" Orochimaru scoffed. He never cared for appearances, even in front of higher-ups. "So what you're saying is—this idiot, T, ruined our chance to observe a full transformation because he wanted to test Wind Release?"
"That's slander, Fox!" T immediately barked.
"The port was swarming with Kumo-nin—three full squads! Between the guards and stationed troops, they were forming a perimeter! Even if I hadn't stepped in, we would've been surrounded! Sakumo wouldn't have had a chance to push further! And besides… he didn't go all out! I think he was holding back!"
Orochimaru pressed the issue several more times, but T had prepared excuses—and with Danzo backing him, Orochimaru couldn't push harder.
Yako simply stood silently, observing.
Of the three, Orochimaru was still the only one with any moral line. He hadn't been fully stained by the system.
"You did well, Fox," Sarutobi finally said. "Leave the report scroll here. You're dismissed."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
T glared daggers into Fox's back as he left.
—
Back at ANBU headquarters, Yako went straight to Yellow Dog's office.
"Captain. During the mission, T claimed that Root is going to oversee the four ANBU squads. Is that true?"
Yellow Dog snorted. "Hmph.
Danzo told the Hokage that Root's missions are more secretive, more critical.
He suggested that in special operations, ANBU shinobi should obey Root commands.
But the Hokage didn't agree. And he never will."
Yako exhaled in relief.
'Good. I still have time to finish laying the groundwork.'