After the negotiations concluded, Mitokado Homura, along with Yellow Dog and the others, arrived at the front-line camp.
As soon as he entered the camp, Mitokado Homura continuously greeted the shinobi he knew.
Joy was evident on everyone's faces.
The war was over. The Land of Whirlpools War was over.
After entering the command tent, Uchiha Kane quickly stood up and greeted Mitokado Homura.
Danzo, sitting to the side, remained motionless, looking down at a scroll.
Mitokado Homura said, "Danzo, you can't communicate normally with anyone. For negotiations with Genji, I had to make a special trip from the village."
Yōkō recalled the scene of Mitokado Homura and Genji insulting each other and felt that Mitokado Homura wasn't very suitable for negotiations either.
The negotiations for the Land of Rivers War, controlled by Nara Rokaku, were what you call firm and steady, applying pressure step by step—a man of principle.
Danzo asked, "Did Genji compromise?"
"Compromise? He had to. Did he have a second choice?" Mitokado Homura said:
"Danzo, once Genji's ceasefire scroll arrives, we can return to the village for the New Year."
Danzo nodded.
Mitokado Homura said to Uchiha Kane, "Clan Head Kane, and all staff officers, please leave the tent to me. Advisor Danzo and I have some matters to discuss privately."
Uchiha Kane said, "As you wish."
He wasn't too worried. The matter Advisor Mitokado Homura wanted to discuss probably had nothing to do with him.
He had just won a war as deputy commander; the village wouldn't target him at this time... right?
After Uchiha Kane left with the staff officers, only the two advisors, their assistants, and the Anbu remained in the tent.
Mitokado Homura looked to the side and asked, "Where is Otsu?"
"Otsu?" Danzo said, "Fallen."
"Fallen? That's a real shame. Otsu's ability was very unique, highly skilled in infiltration and assassination."
Mitokado Homura would sometimes specifically request Otsu for missions.
His body would disintegrate into insects, slip through window cracks, gather by the noble's bedside, and reform into Otsu. Using his Insect Clone, he never failed an assassination. Crucially, after killing, he could escape with ease, leaving not a single footprint.
Mitokado Homura said, "Danzo, there's another reason for my visit. I am here on behalf of Hiruzen to announce several appointments."
He carefully observed Danzo's expression, only to find his caution was wasted; Danzo's face was expressionless, revealing nothing.
Mitokado Homura continued: "Yellow Dog executed a perfect ambush, achieving brilliant results, killing Hōzuki Muragetsu and several jōnin, along with over three hundred Mist ninja in a single battle.
Hiruzen has appointed Yellow Dog as Deputy Head of the Anbu.
You and I are getting older.
People need to be young, after all.
Konoha will ultimately belong to these young people, don't you agree?"
Danzo looked at Yellow Dog.
Yellow Dog did not reply or meet his gaze. With all seniors present, it wasn't his place to speak.
Danzo said, "Fine. Konoha will ultimately belong to the young. However, the Battalion Commander position for the Alligator Snapping Turtle Battalion will be given to Hei."
Yōkō thought, This is a compromise.
Danzo agrees to Yellow Dog becoming Deputy Head, but in return, Danzo gets to take control of another Anbu Battalion.
There are six Anbu Battalions in total.
The Golden Eagle Battalion and the Black Ant Battalion are responsible for the Third Hokage's security and relaying his missions, rarely leaving the village for extended periods.
The Bay Leopard Battalion and the Lynx Battalion are completely under Danzo's control.
The Yellow Dog Battalion and the Alligator Snapping Turtle Battalion typically carry out long-term missions outside the village for the Third Hokage.
The Alligator Snapping Turtle (the previous commander) died, the Battalion Commander position had been temporarily held by Otsu, and now Otsu was also dead, with no formal Battalion Commander decided yet.
By conceding on the Deputy Head matter, Danzo gains another Battalion.
Thus, Danzo would directly control three Battalions. It's hard to say if his power has shrunk or expanded.
After Yellow Dog becomes Deputy Head, Fox will become the new Battalion Commander. But Yellow Dog won't likely have only Fox's Battalion under him; he will definitely fight for control of the Alligator Snapping Turtle Battalion.
Yōkō guessed that Yellow Dog wanted Hippo to become the Battalion Commander.
Mitokado Homura, having anticipated this, said:
"This is precisely the other matter I wanted to discuss with you.
Danzo, the Second Great Shinobi War will end before the New Year.
Every village suffered heavy losses in this war. A new great shinobi war is unlikely to occur in the short term.
The Anbu does not need to maintain such a large scale of six battalions.
Koharu handles the village's internal affairs. She told Hiruzen that the Anbu consumes too many resources. In peacetime, there's no need to support six battalions, a 300-plus strong Anbu.
After the war, the Anbu will undergo a streamlining reform.
It will change from six Battalions to four Divisions. Each Division will have 4 or 5 Squads, totaling no more than 80 people.
The Black Ant Division will be responsible for Hiruzen's guard duty and command relay.
The Golden Eagle Division, Lynx Division, and Fox Division will be the three assassination operation divisions.
Wartime requires wartime strategies, peacetime requires peacetime strategies.
What do you think, Danzo?"
Yōkō was secretly pleased; Mitokado Homura directly referred to him as Division Captain.
Unfortunately, each Division would only have 4 to 5 Squads under it, which is slightly better than a current Squadron Leader but commands fewer people than a Battalion Commander.
In terms of status, however, it's more important—one of the four Division Captains, the absolute core of the Anbu.
Judging from Mitokado Homura's explanation, Utatane Koharu used the financial burden as an entry point to propose Anbu streamlining, Hiruzen approved it, and Mitokado Homura announced it decisively.
It seemed several high-level figures were targeting Danzo.
Who knows what Danzo actually did to make them so eager to join forces and weaken him.
Danzo's eyelids drooped even lower. Even Yōkō could see that Danzo was on the verge of exploding.
Among the four Divisions, only the Lynx Division would be directly under Danzo's command. How could he not be angry?
He might not necessarily explode; it was more likely he would suppress his dissatisfaction and retaliate in other ways later.
Mitokado Homura quickly tried to appease him:
"Danzo, I told Hiruzen and Koharu that Root handles many important tasks, whether it's secret technique research or Anbu ninja training, and should not be cut.
My meaning was, Root's success is obvious to all. It should no longer be limited to Anbu ninja training. Root can, according to your intentions, carry out more covert missions.
After the Anbu is streamlined, it will have one Head and one Deputy Head, composed of Root, the Guard Division, the three Assassination Divisions, and the Logistics Department.
Root will become more independent, answering solely to you.
You will be the Head of the Anbu. How about such a reform?"
Yōkō understood. The higher-ups were compromising on Root, leaving it entirely to Danzo.
And Danzo should compromise on the Anbu reform as Sarutobi Hiruzen expected.
Streamline the personnel, then have the Anbu completely controlled by the Third Hokage, with Yellow Dog performing daily management on the Third's behalf.
Danzo's eyes showed a change, as if he was internally assessing whether a fully autonomous Root was worth the concession.
The tent was very quiet.
After two minutes, Danzo spoke: "Root's operations require reporting to no one. They are responsible only to me."
Mitokado Homura nodded: "Of course."
"Root personnel selection and deployment are at my sole discretion."
"Of course."
"Good. I agree to the Anbu reform plan."
Mitokado Homura's expression relaxed, and he began speaking in lofty terms:
"I was afraid you wouldn't agree. Koharu showed me a report; the Anbu is like a money-devouring beast.
Equipment, pay, compensation... it swallows up too much of the budget. Reform is necessary.
After reducing to four Divisions, Konoha's financial burden will be significantly lighter.
After the war, many compensation payments for the fallen need to be issued. The families accept delayed payment, but how can the village bear to let the orphans of our heroes not receive their compensation?
It's good that you agreed, Danzo."
All power divisions were carried out under the banner of the village's greater good. The greater good and public opinion are important components of power.
***
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(Chapter End)