Chapter 320: Obedience Test
Hearing Fox’s good attitude, Lynx felt very comfortable.
After seeing no objections from the other squad leaders, Lynx said: “Yamakaze, come with me. We’re going to the Land of Grass.”
Yoru and the other two squad leaders left Lynx’s office.
Kuroari was rather special, basically only carrying out the Hokage’s orders, yet was called back to listen to Anbu Deputy Minister Lynx’s lecture.
Golden Eagle had the heaviest mission load on his head, and it wasn’t easy working under a new leader.
Golden Eagle caught up to Kuroari and quietly asked: “Lynx has quite the attitude.”
Kuroari said: “Lynx is the one Lord Danzo pushed to the forefront, representing Lord Danzo. Having some attitude is normal.”
“Kuroari, I wonder if Fox can get his position right. He’s no longer the number one under Yellow Dog Minister.”
Kuroari nodded and said: “Don’t let some petty jealousy cause trouble. If he engages in outward obedience but inner defiance, or passive resistance, then Fox would be petty and unable to see the big picture.”
“From the earlier Q&A, it seems Fox has bowed his head and accepted his fate.”
In the Anbu corridor, Yoru calculated the time. Sarutobi Nihaku and Lynx’s traitor ninja pursuit unit might catch up to the Daimyo of the Land of Grass in about 15 days, starting the investigation and pursuit.
He needed to arrange his time well. After entering the Land of Rain, he’d find an opportunity to go to the Land of Grass.
Yoru returned to his squad.
Aries and Hanashika were waiting in his office.
Aries said: “Captain! For this Land of Rain mission to investigate Uchiha Madara, we’ve decided to go all out with you!
Uchiha Madara is stronger than Sarutobi Heinosuke. If we complete the mission perfectly, we can definitely surpass Lynx!”
Hanashika chimed in: “Captain, we’re not afraid to die. Formulate a tactic for us, and we’ll definitely kill Uchiha Madara!”
Yoru smiled and said: “Uchiha Madara is of course stronger than Sarutobi Heinosuke, so we can’t be reckless or hasty. We’re going to investigate, not to fight to the death.
Besides, even if we kill Uchiha Madara, does that mean Vice Minister is mine?”
He looked at Aries and Hanashika, feeling very gratified in his heart.
He hadn’t been promoted to Vice Minister, but his most loyal subordinates Aries and Hanashika showed no other intentions.
Yak and Hippopotamus were different; perhaps they had both gone to Yellow Dog to probe.
Yellow Dog was now truly a high-ranking official, mainly staying in the Hokage Building.
From now on, Yellow Dog would formally appear before the Konoha ninjas.
Ninjas going to the Hokage Building would all see a ninja wearing a Kiiroinu Mask—that was the new Anbu Minister.
Ordinary ninjas didn’t know Yellow Dog’s record, but to appear in the Hokage Building as Anbu Minister, he must be the strongest in Anbu.
Perhaps seizing some good opportunity, like Danzo Advisor back then, the Anbu Minister would remove his mask and become another high-level advisor.
In the Hokage’s Office.
Orochimaru saw Yellow Dog standing beside the Third Hokage and felt somewhat uncomfortable.
That position had previously belonged to him.
Heh.
It didn’t matter. As long as he obtained the Scroll of Seals, he wouldn’t need to disguise himself before these high-ranking officials.
The filth in Konoha Village had nothing to do with him.
Once he learned the Scroll of Seals, he would completely hide himself and focus on studying the secret jutsu and forbidden jutsu in the Scroll of Seals.
Orochimaru requested some notes from the Second Hokage on body dissection and modification, then left the Hokage’s Office.
After Orochimaru left, Yellow Dog said:
“Hokage, as I said multiple times before, once I became Minister, I’d make Fox Vice Minister. Now I’ve broken my word. I want to give him some compensation.”
“Compensation?” The Third Hokage shook his head and said:
“No matter what compensation you give Fox, it can’t change the dissatisfaction in his heart.
All things, we give, and only then can those below take them. We don’t give, and those below can only endure.
This is not the time to compensate Fox; rather, it’s the time to test Fox.
If Fox can understand this principle and position himself correctly, then we continue to cultivate Fox.
If Fox can’t understand this principle, then give Fox more missions and make full use of him.
This is a test for him, a test of obedience.
Yellow Dog, you must remember: never easily trust anyone.
Limited trust, unlimited work, until the subordinate accepts their fate and completely submits.
When I was young, I thought that I, Danzo, En, Kozuki, and others would always trust and rely on each other.
But now? Everyone has their own thoughts.
You must understand, people change. His willingness to die for you now doesn’t prevent him from wanting to kill you three years later.”
Yellow Dog nodded, abandoning the idea of compensating Fox.
He hoped Fox could recognize reality, accept reality, and only after such transformation could he become a better subordinate.
In the Hokage’s words, this was a test, a special obedience test.
The two were discussing how to manage subordinates when Danzo pushed the door open and entered.
Yellow Dog quickly shut his mouth and said no more.
Was Father also conducting some obedience test on Danzo?
Relieving him of Anbu Minister and replacing with Lynx as Anbu Deputy Minister—how was Danzo not at a loss?
“Danzo, is there something?”
“The mission roster for the Uchiha Clan’s Land of Rain mission, give it to me.”
Hiruzen Sarutobi quickly took out the roster and handed it to Danzo: “Including Uchiha Kane, 4 jonin, 8 special jonin.
As you know, we control it very strictly. The Uchiha Clan’s special jonin also have jonin strength.”
Every time Uchiha Kane recommended a jonin, nine out of ten times it would be rejected.
Some three-tomoe Uchiha with too much strength had exaggerated war records, earned a reputation, and only then would the village reluctantly give a jonin identity.
Watching Danzo look at the roster, the Third Hokage asked: “Danzo, are you thinking of using this opportunity to weaken the Uchiha?”
Danzo snorted coldly and said: “Hiruzen Sarutobi, that’s not for me to handle anymore. The Anbu Minister is right beside you—why ask me?”
Danzo finished looking at the scroll and turned to leave.
After the door closed, Yellow Dog said: “Hokage, Danzo Advisor is…”
“He’s upset, no matter. He’ll vent it on someone—that’s the one thing I like most about Danzo. However…” Hiruzen Sarutobi said:
“Divert Disaster Eastward. It would be good if the Uchiha Clan’s elites died at Uchiha Madara’s hands.
This is truly an excellent opportunity; the Uchiha Clan can’t say anything.
But we also have to worry about some three-tomoe Uchiha ninjas defecting to Uchiha Madara.
Very tricky…
If Danzo were willing to step in, he’d arrange these matters clearly.”
The Third Hokage looked at Yellow Dog and said:
“If I remain in power, I can suppress the Uchiha Clan.
If I die and the village falls to you or other young men, I’m afraid you won’t be able to suppress the Uchiha.
The Uchiha Clan’s potential is extremely terrifying. For so many years, I’ve kept the Uchiha curled up obediently in the Guard Department.
Once they’re released, they will use the terrifying bloodline limit of the Sharingan to prove the might of the second ninja clan of the Warring States.
Death will make the Uchiha stronger.”
Yellow Dog quickly said: “Hokage, let me handle it. I’ll take the opportunity to weaken the Uchiha, just like Danzo Advisor did before.
If Fox were Vice Minister, it would be great. I’d just mention it, and Fox could arrange those few Uchiha clearly.”
The Third Hokage said: “Anbu Minister is not only a high-level position but also represents responsibility. You’ve seen quite a few Root mission scrolls—try learning Danzo’s methods.”
In a forest at the edge of Konoha Village.
A figure crouched on the ground, eyes slightly narrowed.
In both eyes, the scarlet three-tomoe Sharingan slowly rotated.
Uchiha Suiju, son of Uchiha Kagami, was waiting.
In that instant, another figure appeared on the tree trunk opposite via Body Flicker.
Uchiha Suiju looked up: “Uncle Danzo, you’ve arrived.”
