The peace negotiations concluded.
Upon leaving the town, Mitokado Homura's caution spiked to an almost feverish pitch. "Even after the talks, we must remain vigilant. Theoretically, one does not strike a diplomatic envoy, but the moral compass of a shinobi is notoriously low. I cannot rule out Cloud ninja seeking petty vengeance.
They have a history of such treachery—ambushing our Second Hokage and our team during peace talks in the past. Fox, maintain the perimeter. This is not the time to relax."
The weight of those traumatic memories was etched clearly across Homura's tense features.
"Understood, Lord Homura!" Yagami replied, positioning himself as a meticulous shield. He carefully escorted Homura out of the Land of Moon. It wasn't until they crossed the border back into the Land of Steam that the elder's posture finally began to loosen.
In truth, Homura's fears were somewhat misplaced this time. The Hidden Cloud had no intention of martyring a diplomat. Leaf had won the tactical exchange, and while Homura had been aggressive at the table, the fact that the meeting took place in the Land of Moon suggested a mutual desire for a buffer.
The Second Great Ninja War had been a meat grinder. While the Hidden Cloud had fought two major fronts against the Leaf and Stone, the Hidden Leaf had been embroiled in five distinct conflicts against the four great nations plus the Hidden Rain.
In terms of sheer attrition, the Leaf had suffered the most. Their ranks of Chunin and Genin were decimated; it would take years of peace to replenish the village's foundational strength.
Yagami dispatched the Flower Deer squad to the temporary camp to gather the rest of the division while he accompanied Homura to an audience with the Daimyo of the Land of Steam.
The Daimyo, upon hearing the conflict was over, immediately launched into a litany of grievances. Many nobles had perished along the border, and the country's infrastructure was in tatters. Homura could only offer platitudes, promising that the era of large-scale noble casualties had passed with the signing of the armistice.
Shortly after, the Fox Division followed Homura directly back toward the Hidden Leaf. Yagami didn't get a chance for a final word with Hatake Sakumo, leaving him wondering how the "White Fang" would navigate the political aftermath of his victory.
On the road back, Homura remarked, "Fox, with you guarding me, I feel significantly more secure."
"Lord Homura, we are nearly at the border of the Land of Fire. The Cloud wouldn't dare cross it now. Is there anyone else who would realistically attempt to strike a consultant of the Hidden Leaf?"
Homura lowered his voice. "A shadowy force has been targeting the village from within the shadows, and the threat they pose is far greater than the Hidden Cloud. Root and the Shimura clan—even the Sarutobi clan—have faced frequent assassinations. You'll see it when you return; Danzo has been frantically snapping at shadows.
I've avoided meeting him lately. One cannot blame his rage; this faction strikes with terrifying lethality. The Shimura have lost two Jonin and several Special Jonin. Root hasn't recovered its full strength in six months. If I were targeted, it would be disastrous—I don't have the vast clan or the legions of subordinates that Danzo commands."
'Don't worry, Homura,' Yagami thought privately. 'I have no interest in you. For now.'
Homura seemed intent on bridging the gap between them, clearly valuing the Fox's rising reputation and combat prowess. Upon reaching the Hidden Leaf, he insisted Yagami accompany him to the Hokage's office to deliver the report personally.
Entering the office, Yagami immediately sensed something was off. 'Where is Orochimaru?'
For months, Orochimaru had been a fixture at the Third Hokage's side, observing how to manage the village's internal affairs. His absence was conspicuous. 'Has he fallen out of favor?'
Homura's first question provided the answer. "How is Orochimaru's secret investigation in the Land of Rain proceeding?"
He didn't even mention the Land of Steam first. It seemed the top brass was far more concerned with Orochimaru's progress.
The Third Hokage sighed, a cloud of tobacco smoke drifting around his head. "There is no progress. After entering the Land of Rain, the Uzumaki remnants seemed to vanish into thin air. The eternal downpour there has washed away all physical traces; no sensory method has been able to pin them down. Orochimaru sent word that Hanzo has already noticed him.
Hanzo sent an envoy asking why both Jiraiya and Orochimaru are within his borders—he wants to know if we are looking for a second war. I've written back to explain, but I cannot tell Hanzo the truth. We cannot admit to a foreign power that we are hunting our own allies, the survivors of the Hidden Whirlpool. Hanzo doesn't trust me. He believes their presence can only mean one thing: an impending ambush. Orochimaru has been forced into the shadows; his pace is glacial."
Yagami felt a surge of relief. 'So the Rain is doing its job.'
The Third took another long drag. "Another reason for Hanzo's fury is that Orochimaru has been... acquiring children from the Land of Rain who show talent in Earth and Water Style. Most Rain citizens have a natural affinity for Water, making it easier to find those with the dual talent required."
Homura's expression shifted. "Has the research entered the final human experimentation stage?"
The "research" they spoke of was the forbidden study of Hashirama's cells conducted by Danzo and Orochimaru. The village leadership was well aware of these dark experiments.
"Yes," Hiruzen confirmed. "Which is why Orochimaru will be returning to the village soon."
"Then what of the investigation?" Homura asked, glancing toward the Fox. "The enemy force we're tracking is powerful; two or three average Jonin are no match for them."
The Third Hokage nodded, his eyes settling on Yagami. "Root's B was killed in the Land of Whirlpools. Root is short on high-level combatants, and Danzo is unwilling to go himself. We need an elite Jonin to lead the search. Though Danzo is extreme, his actions are always for the benefit of the Hidden Leaf.
His Root and the Shimura clan are acting as our shield, taking the brunt of these retaliations. Someone has to do the dirty work that others refuse, don't they? My intention is to have Fox lead a team into the Land of Rain to take over for Orochimaru and continue the investigation."
Yagami froze. 'I'm supposed to investigate myself?'
If Orochimaru investigated, Yagami worried about the Uzumaki being found. If he investigated, how could he possibly explain finding absolutely nothing without looking incompetent? The "Hidden Leaf F4" were truly vicious; they were putting him on the hot seat.
Homura thought for a moment. "Fox has the strength. He blocked a hit from the Raikage; Hanzo shouldn't be able to easily dispose of him. Orochimaru's presence was a provocation because Hanzo knows the Sannin's power.
If Fox goes, he can move covertly, and Hanzo won't be as defensive. The Land of Rain is already crawling with ANBU from other villages anyway—Hanzo calls himself a 'Demi-God' and dreams of becoming the sixth great power; he's used to the attention."
'Is my life not a life?' Yagami grumbled internally. 'What if I get caught and Hanzo beats the daylight out of me?'
Aloud, he said, "Lord Hokage, Lord Homura, I will certainly carry out the mission you have assigned. However, the ANBU has many duties. If I am gone for an extended period with my division, what will Lord Yellow Dog do?"
Yagami was playing up his role as Yellow Dog's "most loyal subordinate." He had already been in the Land of Steam for two months; heading straight to the Rain seemed like he was abandoning his post.
The Third laughed. "I appreciate your concern. I'll speak to Yellow Dog personally. You won't need the entire Fox Division for this. Take one squad. In the Land of Rain, there are already Root ninja and the Lynx Division. You will coordinate with Lynx and take charge of any critical combat encounters."
"I understand, Lord Hokage."
'If there are other people involved, this might actually work,' Yagami thought. A brilliant, devious plan began to take shape in his mind.
First this, then that... Danzo was about to have a very bad string of luck. The excitement of the chaos he was about to sow made his pulse quicken.
Leaving the Hokage building, Yagami hurried toward the ANBU headquarters to meet with Yellow Dog.