The peace talks had concluded.
After leaving the town, Mitokado Homura remained unusually cautious. "Now that the negotiations are over, we must be even more careful.
Technically, diplomatic emissaries should be safe even between enemy forces. But shinobi aren't known for their morals. I wouldn't put it past Kumo to attempt revenge.
They've done it before—ambushed our teacher, the Second Hokage, and several of us during peace talks."
The old memory left a tight strain in Homura's voice.
"I understand, Lord Homura."
Yako stayed close, keeping a watchful guard as they departed the Land of the Moon.
Only after they entered the Land of Hot Water did Homura finally seem to ease up.
His worries, as it turned out, were unfounded—this time, Kumo wasn't planning to assassinate the negotiators.
Konoha had won. Homura had been aggressive during negotiations, but choosing neutral ground in the Land of the Moon showed he wasn't trying to provoke a full-scale war.
In the Second Great Ninja War, Kumo fought both Konoha and Iwa. Konoha, meanwhile, had faced all four great nations—and Amegakure.
Loss-wise, Konoha had suffered the worst among the Five Great Villages.
Mid- and low-ranked Konoha ninja had died in droves. It would take years to replenish that foundation.
Yako sent the Blossom Deer Squad ahead to the temporary base to gather the others, while he accompanied Homura to notify the daimyō of the Land of Hot Water that the conflict had ended.
The daimyō was relieved, but also bitter. Many nobles had died on the border; the damage to the country had been immense.
All Homura could do was reassure him: with the conflict over, there would be no further large-scale casualties.
Afterward, Fox Division returned to Konoha alongside Homura.
There was no chance to speak with Hatake Sakumo again. Yako wondered how things had gone on his side.
As they walked, Homura said, "Fox, with you protecting me, I've felt much safer."
"My lord, we're nearly at the border of the Land of Fire. Kumo won't follow us this far. Who else would dare attack the Fire Daimyō's advisor?"
Homura replied grimly, "There is a faction that's been targeting Konoha—far more dangerous than Kumo.
Root, the Shimura Clan, even the Sarutobi Clan have all suffered assassinations.
You'll see when we return: Danzo's been snapping at everything in sight. I've avoided him entirely.
I don't blame him. The attacks have been brutal. The Shimura Clan has already lost two jōnin, several tokubetsu jōnin, and Root hasn't recovered in half a year.
If they come after me, I'm doomed. I don't have Danzo's backup or numbers."
Yako muttered internally, You're safe for now, Homura. I'm not interested in you yet.
Still, Homura clearly wanted to establish a rapport. Fox's strength and reputation were now too significant to ignore.
When they reached the Hokage Tower, Homura invited Yako up to report in person.
Inside the Hokage's Office, something felt... off.
Where was Orochimaru?
For months, he'd been at the Third Hokage's side, learning how to manage the village's affairs. But now he was nowhere to be seen.
Then came the answer.
Homura asked, "How's Orochimaru's covert investigation in the Land of Rain going?"
Not a word about the border conflict—his first concern was Orochimaru's mission. The higher-ups clearly had other priorities.
The Third Hokage replied, "No progress. Once he entered Rain, the Uzumaki remnants vanished like ghosts.
The endless rain there wipes away all traces. No matter the method, they can't be found.
Orochimaru sent a report—Hanzō has noticed him.
He even sent a warning, asking if we intend to start another war—Jiraiya is in Rain, now Orochimaru too. What are we planning?
I wrote a letter to Hanzō to explain, but I can't exactly tell him we're hunting Uzumaki survivors, can I?
We were allies with Uzushio Village. Telling the truth would ruin that.
Hanzō didn't buy it. He's convinced that with both Sannin in Rain, we're looking to take him out.
Orochimaru had no choice but to go underground. Progress is... slow."
Yako quietly exhaled. So Orochimaru's investigation is stalled... good.
The Third puffed from his pipe. "Hanzō was also enraged that Orochimaru took several local children—those with both Earth and Water Release potential.
Most Rain shinobi have water affinity. Finding ones with Earth too is rare."
Homura's expression turned serious. "Have they entered the final phase of experimentation?"
By they, he meant Danzo and Orochimaru—and their secret work.
Everyone in Konoha's leadership knew about their research into Hashirama's cells.
"Yes," the Third said. "Orochimaru will return soon."
"What about his mission? The enemy is too strong—average jōnin aren't enough..."
Homura trailed off and turned to glance at Yako.
The Third nodded. "Root's B died in Uzushio. Root lacks capable hands.
Danzo won't go himself. We need another elite jōnin to lead the mission.
Danzo may be extreme, but he acts for Konoha's sake. His clan and Root have taken heavy losses—on our behalf.
Someone has to do the dirty work no one else will.
My thought is to send Fox to take over Orochimaru's mission in the Land of Rain."
Yako blinked. You want me to investigate… myself?
If Orochimaru found the Uzumaki remnants, Yako feared being exposed.
But if he went, what if he found nothing? How would he explain that?
Konoha F4 are devils. They were throwing him straight onto the fire.
Homura considered it. "Fox is strong. He withstood a strike from the Third Raikage. Even Hanzō won't take him down easily.
Besides, Hanzō knows the Sannin's power. Their presence makes him wary.
But if Fox goes? More discreet. Less provocation. Rain's crawling with other hidden forces too—Hanzō's dream of making Amegakure the Sixth Great Village isn't dead."
Yako's heart screamed: So my life just doesn't matter, huh?! What if Hanzō catches me and beats the hell out of me?!
Aloud, he said, "Lord Hokage, Lord Homura, I will carry out your orders without fail.
However, ANBU has many ongoing missions, inside and outside the village. If I'm gone for long with my squad... what about Lord Yellow Dog?"
He'd been posing as Yellow Dog's most loyal aide. After two months in the Land of Hot Water, he was now being sent to Rain. How could he still act the part?
The Third smiled. "I understand. I'll speak to Yellow Dog myself.
You don't have to take the full Fox Division. Just one squad.
Root's already stationed in Rain. So is the Lynx Division. Work with them. You'll handle critical targets."
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
Good. Yako's mind began to whirl. A brilliant idea was already taking shape.
Step one: act loyal.
Step two: flip the game.
Danzo's going to have the worst week of his life.
His blood pumped with excitement at the mischief to come.
Leaving the Hokage Tower, Yako turned straight toward the ANBU base.
He had to see Yellow Dog.