The ANBU was a violent organization directly under the Hokage's command. Since the Hokage was often too busy, the ANBU Commander usually managed and directed operations on his behalf.
With the Hokage present now, Yagami only needed to follow Sarutobi Hiruzen closely—it was far more comfortable than following Danzō.
Sarutobi Hiruzen patrolled in and around the cave several times, asking endless questions about every detail.
Yagami answered whatever he could. For what he couldn't, he gave reasonable guesses or suggestions.
There were far too many mysteries surrounding Uchiha Madara.
Soon, the scouting shinobi led by the clan heads returned.
The Hyūga elder and Inuzuka Retsu approached the Hokage one after another, each shaking their heads.
Inuzuka Retsu spoke first:
"Lord Hokage, Uchiha Madara's retreat was extremely discreet, and with all the heavy rain, none of us found any trace of his departure.
I believe the hundred-meter giant inside the cave was a summoning creature. Otherwise, something that massive couldn't have disappeared so silently."
Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded. "Thank you, everyone. Please wait by the cave entrance. I have matters to discuss with the Senju and Uchiha clan heads."
The empty cave now held only the Hokage's group, Senju Hanaki, and Uchiha Toki.
Sarutobi first looked toward Uchiha Toki. "Clan Head Toki, does the Uchiha clan still have any form of contact or channel with Uchiha Madara?"
Uchiha Toki immediately shook his head.
"Lord Hokage, ever since Madara's first defection from the village, we've completely severed ties with him.
Please believe in the Uchiha clan. We live within the village—how could we possibly betray Leaf or associate with a monster like Madara?
I know nothing about this incident.
What confuses me more is—why would Madara possess Wood Style?"
Yagami thought to himself, Here it comes—Uchiha Toki's starting to deflect blame.
And he had no choice. If the blame for Madara fell on the Uchiha clan, they would never survive it.
Senju Hanaki's expression turned sorrowful and bitter.
"I want to ask the same thing. Why does a member of the Uchiha possess the Senju clan's most sacred bloodline?
Madara's from the Warring States Era. Back then, there was no chance of intermarriage between our two clans.
Has your Uchiha clan been conducting human experiments in secret?
Were the missing geniuses of the Senju clan taken to your laboratories?"
The two were about to start shouting when Sarutobi Hiruzen barked, "Enough! Don't dwell on matters of the Warring States Era!"
After a long pause, he spoke again.
"Madara's matter is too grave. Clan Head Hanaki, Clan Head Toki—you two will form a joint investigation unit. Start from here and continue scouting for traces of Madara.
Madara's hatred for Leaf hasn't faded. We can't afford to ignore him.
I also suspect the Nine-Tails' rampage during the seal transfer was his doing.
The Nine-Tails was once Madara's summoning beast. He's always wanted it back, but that night there were too many shinobi in the village, so he never got the chance to act."
Senju Hanaki didn't want to accept the Third Hokage's explanation, but she couldn't find any logical counterargument for now.
The Senju and Uchiha clans already held deep grudges after the Nine-Tails' sealing chaos, and now the Hokage wanted them to form a joint investigation team—wasn't this pouring oil on the fire?
Yet, since Madara was of the Uchiha and used the Senju clan's Wood Style, who else could investigate except these two clans?
Senju Hanaki and Uchiha Toki had no choice but to agree. As for the inevitable clash between them—Hiruzen would mediate when the time came. It was what he did best.
Senju Hanaki closed her eyes in pain. As long as Madara was alive, the village would blame the Nine-Tails' sealing chaos on him.
But deep down, Hanaki felt something didn't add up.
After leaving the cave, Senju Hanaki ordered her two guards to collect the three Senju corpses.
She stared at the three body bags and whispered, "We'll inform Tsunade after the burial… otherwise, she won't be able to take it…"
Moments later, one of the Senju guards suddenly called out, "Clan Head! There's a necklace on Kato Dan—it's the First Hokage's necklace!"
The necklace had survived intact due to its sturdy material.
Senju Hanaki took it, carefully tucking it away to return it to Tsunade.
Yagami followed Sarutobi Hiruzen all the way back to the Hidden Leaf Village.
Another seven days passed on the road—the next full moon was near.
Upon returning to the village, Sarutobi Hiruzen brought Yagami straight to the Hokage Building.
Only Captain Yellow Dog was waiting inside the Hokage's office.
"Fox, tell me all the real details," Hiruzen said.
Yagami immediately understood—Hiruzen wanted to know what Danzō had really done.
This time, Yagami recounted everything in full detail.
Their encounter with three shinobi under Madara's control, being hunted by Kato Dan, the deaths of White Ram, Monkey, and others, and his escape using the Yamanaka clan's secret art.
Then his meeting with Danzō, their confrontation with Madara, and how Danzō had used a Mangekyō Sharingan to buy his escape.
"What? You mean that eye's been destroyed?"
Yagami froze—had Danzō not told Hiruzen about that?
Have they started falling out?
When they devastated Hidden Stone and Ōnoki with their trap, ANBU propaganda had credited Danzō with the victory—but the Third Hokage had ordered that talk to stop soon after.
Perhaps cracks had already formed between them.
Yagami said, "Yes, Lord Hokage. That eye turned completely gray—like a dead man's eye."
"Continue."
Yagami went on to explain how Danzō had approached Kato Dan and traded another Mangekyō eye to kill him.
Then came Yagami's suggestion to bury Kato Dan's body within the Tree World Birth.
Everything involving Danzō had to be told truthfully.
If he hid anything and Hiruzen later cross-checked with Danzō, he'd be finished.
Sarutobi Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, smoke filling the room until it stung the eyes.
At last, he said,
"Alright. I understand. Fox, you've performed well—better than I expected.
Prepare a full mission report and hand it to Yellow Dog."
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Yagami returned to the ANBU base to write his report.
Once Fox left, Yellow Dog said, "Father, before this mission, White Ram reported that during the Nine-Tails' sealing transfer night, Fox's chakra was completely drained. This time—"
"Work hours. Use titles," Hiruzen interrupted.
"Yes, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen said, "Yellow Dog, don't overthink the details. If Fox managed to survive Danzō, he's fine.
If there were truly an issue, Danzō would've eliminated him long ago.
Fox is a talented shinobi—one worth cultivating.
ANBU lacks capable operatives. Most powerful jonin prefer to stay in their own elite squads. Few are as loyal and dedicated to Hidden Leaf as you.
If you're still uneasy, you may continue observing him—but don't hinder his promotion.
If you ever wish to take command of ANBU, you'll need several strong captains under you. Fox's growth rate is astonishing—he's worth the investment."
"I understand," Yellow Dog replied. "It's just a shame Fox's a civilian ninja. If only he were from the Sarutobi clan, or one of the Ino–Shika–Chō families."
Sarutobi Hiruzen smiled faintly. "Raise the younger generation of the Sarutobi and Ino–Shika–Chō clans slowly. There's no rush."
At the ANBU base, B saw Fox return and immediately went to report to Danzō.
Danzō said, "It seems Hiruzen trusts Fox deeply. With his soft face and dark heart, if he had any suspicion, he'd have killed Fox already.
Cease the investigation on him for now—just keep minor observation."
After finishing his mission report and handing it personally to Captain Yellow Dog, Yagami finally left the ANBU base.
He returned to the village—his squad was still stationed at the front lines.
This full moon cycle was always the hardest, most painful time.
Late that night, Yagami walked into the Tavern, calling out, "Boss, bring me your best sake!"
Qiaoyi saw that he'd come back and quickly approached, leaning close to whisper in his ear,
"Do you want spicy sake—or salty sake?"
Yagami blinked. "There's salty sake? Oh! I get it. No, I don't drink salty sake—but I do believe in returning the favor."
The two slipped into the back courtyard.
Half an hour later, Yagami groaned, "Change the sheets already—this isn't returning the favor with a spring, this is a damn fountain!"
***
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