"This is going to be a headache."
Natsuhiko hadn't expected Sora to throw such a difficult request his way.
The ANBU was no place for anyone to casually set their sights on. Back when he himself had learned he would be assigned there, he hadn't exactly welcomed the idea either—if anything, he had resisted it in his heart.
And now, Uchiha Sora had come to him, asking to join.
That alone was enough to put him in a difficult position.
He couldn't quite understand what had driven a girl like her to want a post in such a place. Wasn't she just signing herself up for unnecessary suffering?
In the end, though, Natsuhiko didn't refuse her.
After all, he couldn't be certain whether this was entirely Sora's own decision, or if Uchiha Shin had a hand in it as well.
So he chose to give her a chance.
The ANBU was undergoing reforms, and the administrative branch was riddled with vacancies. If Sora performed well, he didn't mind letting the Uchiha gain access to something they had long yearned for.
What the Uchiha faction desired most was, in truth, involvement in governance.
But for their clan, that possibility had all but been cut off.
The Police Force, while still an important institution within Konoha, had long since been mishandled under their control.
Its influence was steadily declining, gradually being replaced.
After all, Konoha had the Hyuga, the Inuzuka, and the Aburame clans—when it came to reconnaissance, they were no weaker than the Uchiha.
Even if their combat ability wasn't quite on the same level, against ordinary civilians they were overwhelmingly dominant.
Under such circumstances, the Police Force's voice within the village naturally weakened.
On top of that, the Uchiha had effectively turned it into a clan-controlled department, which only made other divisions even more reluctant to accept their members.
Over time, they had drifted further and further from the center of decision-making.
Though the administrative branch within the ANBU couldn't compare to Konoha's true governing bodies, it still granted access to vast amounts of intelligence and information.
And that alone was already something the Uchiha had long dreamed of.
...
"So, you want me to assess Uchiha Sora?"
Inside the ANBU Commander's office, Renge frowned slightly as she looked at Natsuhiko seated behind his desk.
"You're certain you want an Uchiha involved in this kind of work?"
"I'm certain," Natsuhiko replied lazily, resting his head against one hand. "And I'm fully aware of what I'm doing."
He spoke calmly, yet there was an unmistakable pressure hidden beneath that calm.
"The fact that you're willing to question my decisions is a good sign. After all, nothing I do can be guaranteed to be absolutely correct.
"But I suggest you keep your emotions out of your work. I'm well aware of the relationship between the Uchiha and the Senju—but that shouldn't influence ANBU policy."
Natsuhiko wasn't someone devoid of personal bias—he was perfectly capable of using his position for his own ends—but he was far from being ruled by emotion.
Even when he harbored strong hostility toward certain individuals, he could still cooperate with them if it served his interests.
Take, for example, the matter of extorting the Daimyo—he had willingly worked alongside Hiruzen Sarutobi to get it done.
Besides, he had never truly internalized the hatred between the Senju and the Uchiha.
And right now, he needed manpower.
Meanwhile, the Uchiha, isolated as they were, were eager to reintegrate into Konoha and reclaim what they believed was rightfully theirs.
Their cooperation was, in many ways, only natural.
"I understand," Senju Renge said softly, lowering her head slightly.
Her expression remained cool and distant, but her tone carried unmistakable resolve.
"I'll keep my attitude in check. I'll take responsibility for Uchiha Sora's assessment—and I'll make sure to learn everything I need to."
"Good. The position you're in now is extremely important—understand that."
Natsuhiko nodded in satisfaction and slowly rose to his feet, his gaze settling on the girl before him.
"To be honest, I'm not entirely sure whether placing you in charge of this was the right decision. But I hope you won't disappoint me."
"I won't, Commander," Renge replied, still with her head bowed, her voice firm and unwavering.
After leaving the dango shop yesterday, she still had no clear idea of what exactly her duties would entail.
But she had already made up her mind.
Whatever awaited her—she was ready.
But when she learned what she would actually be responsible for today, Renge couldn't help but feel an immense weight settle onto her shoulders.
Only now did she truly understand just how important her role was—and just how complicated her task would be.
It could even be said that within the entire ANBU, the person most capable of grasping what Natsuhiko intended to do… was someone in her position.
At the same time, she would also have access to a vast amount of the ANBU's most confidential and sensitive intelligence.
No wonder Natsuhiko had warned her in advance, making it very clear that if she failed, the consequences would be severe.
In a position like this, failure wouldn't just be a simple mistake—it would be disastrous.
Because once you had come into contact with information you were never meant to see in your lifetime, there was no turning back.
If even a fraction of that information leaked, it could bring unimaginable trouble to Konoha.
And yet, despite the pressure, Renge still had confidence in herself.
The weight bore down on her, yes—but pressure could also become motivation.
She had longed for an opportunity like this. Now that one she had never even dared to dream of stood before her, she had no choice but to seize it and do it well.
"By the way, Commander," she said.
Though countless thoughts swirled through her mind, none of them showed on her face. She simply looked at Natsuhiko with quiet seriousness.
"If Uchiha Sora passes the assessment, will she be assigned directly to the administrative division?"
"That will depend on the situation," Natsuhiko replied after a brief moment of thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"If she performs well, having her assist you wouldn't be a bad idea either.
"Power is like a cake—I've already taken the largest slice, so I don't mind sharing the rest. Only when everyone gets a taste will they be more willing to put in their full effort to help you."
"I understand," Senju Renge said, her thoughts turning quickly as she grasped his meaning—and even began to see further implications.
"In that case… if more capable members from other clans enter in the future and pass their assessments, should we also allow them into this system?"
"That depends on whether they're worthy of trust. Uchiha Sora's situation is a bit complicated, but overall, I'm willing to try trusting her."
Natsuhiko was quite satisfied with Renge's sharp thinking. What she raised was not just a present concern—it was a problem that would inevitably arise in the future.
Even if any policy they set now might not perfectly suit what lay ahead, it was still far better than being completely unprepared when the time came.
"Let's do this," he continued after a pause. "Our budget is sufficient now, and we won't have to worry about funding anytime soon.
"So we'll establish an internal office—a Secretariat."
He leaned back slightly as he spoke, his tone steady, already shaping the structure in his mind.
"I'll need a personal secretary, someone dedicated solely to me. Under them, there can be four subordinates.
"The personal secretary will liaise with the administrative division—convey my directives to them, and submit both the completed documents and those they cannot resolve.
"At the same level, but also reporting directly to me, we'll have an Executive Secretary.
"The administrative secretaries can then have multiple subordinate secretary positions. They'll be responsible for coordinating with the ANBU's division conmander and captains.
"They'll relay my orders and assist in carrying out the work of the administrative division.
"And, if possible…" He paused briefly, his gaze sharpening. "I'll also need them to handle ideological and political work. After all, what I need are people who are obedient—"
"—especially those who obey me."
The moment the words left his mouth, even Natsuhiko himself froze slightly.
Only then did he realize he might have just created something… rather troublesome.
With the establishment of a personal secretary, he suddenly became aware of just how much authority that role would wield.
The personal secretary would serve as the bridge between him and the administrative division. No matter how much he trusted the person in that position, there had to be checks and balances.
And since communication with division commanders and captains was equally essential, he had devised the role of Executive Secretary to handle that side of things.
To further ensure the loyalty of the ANBU's shinobi, he even intended for the Executive Secretary to take on ideological work.
In truth, this wasn't entirely unprecedented—Hiruzen Sarutobi had done similar things before.
But Natsuhiko's approach was far more direct… even blunt.
With this structure in place, the Executive Secretary system would, in terms of political influence, stand nearly on equal footing with the personal secretary.
But at the same time, the entire framework was beginning to expand rapidly.
And that expansion would likely force him to further refine the personal secretary system.
Perhaps even… extend its reach into every department of the administrative division.
At first, Natsuhiko hadn't fully realized it.
But now, as he reflected on it, a strange thought surfaced—
Had he just taken the secretarial system of a certain high-ranking Commander, made a few adjustments… and copied it wholesale?
"…This wouldn't end up becoming some massive, unwieldy bureaucratic machine, would it?"
The thought lingered quietly in his mind.
Though, if he was being honest, he still believed that under his control… things wouldn't spiral that far out of hand.
There was one thing Natsuhiko had to admit—
That particular "noble lord" had left an indelible impression on him.
It was the first time he had truly realized that civil servants—people who, in theory, held no real decision-making power—could, through various subtle means, guide those in power toward the outcomes they desired.
Still, he quickly shook his head.
This wasn't that so-called "free and democratic" meddling empire, and those kinds of tricks didn't hold much weight here.
And even if someone did believe in that approach… Natsuhiko had no problem using his own iron fist to make them "wake up."
Turning his head slightly, he glanced at Renge, who was diligently taking notes, and gave a faint nod of approval.
He couldn't yet judge her full capabilities, but at the very least, her attitude toward work was more than satisfactory.
Meanwhile, Renge's mind was filled with astonishment.
Of course, she understood that Natsuhiko had devised this entire structure primarily to lighten his own workload.
But a single system wielding too much power required checks and balances—that was why the two parallel secretarial systems had come into existence.
The truly shocking part, however, was how he had managed to think through all of this in such a short amount of time, constructing two complementary systems that revolved entirely around serving him.
It was an ability that left her in quiet awe… though she could still see certain flaws.
For instance, if the two secretarial branches ever colluded, could they potentially sideline the Commander himself?
"Ah, right," Natsuhiko spoke again just as Renge was lost in thought. "There's one more squad that needs to be established. They'll be responsible for protecting the secretarial staff, and I'll personally select all its members."
Renge's hand paused mid-writing before she looked up, her expression turning solemn.
"A necessary measure of control and oversight," she said thoughtfully. "To ensure neither side infiltrates the other and causes a leakage of authority… as expected of you, Commander. I understand."
"This squad will eventually fall under the Internal Affairs Division," Natsuhiko added after a brief pause, a hint of mischief flickering in his tone. "Though for now, we don't have enough personnel, so that department will have to wait."
Of course, that last remark was mostly for his own amusement—no one else here would fully grasp the implications behind it.
Seeing that Renge had nearly finished recording everything, he continued, "That's all for now. I still have other matters to attend to."
"Yes, Commander. The preparations in the prison have already been completed," Renge replied with a slight bow. "Also, Sora should be arriving soon—I'll need to begin her assessment."
"Don't be overly strict, but don't go too easy on her either," Natsuhiko said with a small smile. "The Uchiha need a bit of hope, and I don't mind giving it to them. But if they want more, they'll have to prove their worth. I trust you can strike the right balance."
"Yes, sir," Renge nodded seriously. After a moment, she added, "Afterward, I suggest we bring in more members from the Nara clan as well."
"I was thinking the same," Natsuhiko replied as he stepped forward and lightly patted her shoulder, his expression as gentle as ever. "But we should also leave room for others. After all… if one person tries to eat the entire cake, they're bound to suffer indigestion."
With that, he turned and walked straight toward the door, while Renge remained in place, maintaining her respectful posture.
Once outside the office, Natsuhiko headed directly toward the prison.
Since Renge had already taken care of the preparations, it saved him a considerable amount of effort.
At moments like this, the value of a competent secretary became abundantly clear—once you gave them instructions, they could handle the rest seamlessly.
By the time he arrived, the guards stationed at the entrance immediately stepped aside. Before long, Natsuhiko made his way to the cell where Yamato was being held.
At that moment, Yamato had already had his sensory seals removed. He sat inside the cell, looking around with a mixture of confusion and curiosity.
Under normal circumstances, his five senses would have remained sealed, preventing him from interacting with anything or anyone around him.
But today was different.
Several hours ago, the seals had been lifted—and since then, no one had paid him any attention.
If not for the fact that his chakra was still suppressed, he might have even started considering the possibility of escape.
But that thought had barely formed before he dismissed it outright.
This was the ANBU—security here rivaled that of Root itself.
Trying to escape from a place like this was nothing more than a fool's dream.
Even so, while he was filled with curiosity about what awaited him—perhaps something similar to last time—he also began carefully observing every detail of his surroundings.
Just in case… there might still be a chance to leave this place.
At that moment, a series of approaching footsteps echoed down the corridor, causing him to turn his head.
There was no surprise.
It was the same man as before—the Commander of the ANBU.
Senju Natsuhiko.
It seemed that this encounter would unfold much like the last…
"Long time no see, kid."
Natsuhiko stepped forward slowly, a warm, almost gentle smile appearing on his face as he looked at the boy.
A friendly demeanor could win people over—this was something he had consistently practiced over the years.
The moment Natsuhiko noticed the wariness creeping into Yamato's eyes, he couldn't help but let out a faint sigh.
As expected… a child was still a child. Putting on such a mild and approachable demeanor in front of someone like him was probably meaningless—he simply couldn't understand it.
Still, Natsuhiko had no interest in dwelling on that. He cast the boy a calm glance before speaking slowly, his tone unhurried.
"You've had so many days to think things over. You should have reached a conclusion by now, shouldn't you?"
The faint smile remained on his face as he looked at Yamato, his gaze steady and composed.
"As a member of Root, you should already know that ANBU and Root are quite similar in many ways. The reason we haven't taken action against you yet isn't because we can't—it's because we have patience."
His voice softened slightly, but the pressure behind it only deepened.
"But don't mistake that patience—or that goodwill—as leverage for your silence. If you do, your end won't be pleasant."
"What… do you want me to say?" Yamato asked, forcing the words out through clenched teeth. Though fear flickered in his eyes, he still managed to meet Natsuhiko's gaze.
"You already know, don't you?" Natsuhiko shook his head lightly. "I want to know how you obtained your Wood Release, your relationship with Danzō, and what all of this has to do with him… and with Orochimaru."
Truthfully, Natsuhiko had already given enough hints last time.
Yamato's goal was to protect Danzō—and Natsuhiko didn't mind that in the slightest. In fact, that was exactly what he wanted.
After all, dealing with a single person to achieve only one outcome was far less efficient than turning that same person into the trigger for a chain of consequences.
Still, there was a trace of concern lingering in his mind.
Yamato was simply too young.
If the boy failed to understand his earlier hints and stubbornly chose to say nothing at all, then things would become rather awkward.
The reason Natsuhiko hadn't resorted to torture was precisely because he didn't want Yamato blurting out Danzō's involvement outright.
That might benefit him in the short term—but what he was aiming for was something far more enduring.
"It was Lord Orochimaru!"
Just as Natsuhiko's thoughts drifted in that direction, Yamato suddenly spoke.
"I was one of Lord Orochimaru's test subjects. I nearly died because of those experiments… If not for Lord Danzō saving me, I would have ended up like the others. I'm the only one who survived.
"My Wood Release… is also related to that experiment. As for anything else, I don't know."
Yamato spoke with a serious, almost resolute expression.
But Natsuhiko couldn't help the faint smile that appeared on his lips.
This kid really wasn't good at lying.
Even as he spoke, Natsuhiko could clearly sense the subtle changes in his body—his temperature rising slightly, his heartbeat quickening.
They were unmistakable signs of deception.
He simply couldn't compare to someone like Natsuhiko, who could lie without the slightest emotional or physiological fluctuation.
Still, none of that mattered.
What mattered was that Yamato had said exactly what Natsuhiko wanted to hear.
Orochimaru.
Every word the boy had spoken pointed directly at him.
A lone surviving test subject. Human experimentation conducted by Orochimaru. The acquisition of Wood Release through those experiments.
Taken together, the implications were clear—
Orochimaru had been conducting human experiments… and not even children were spared.
Worse still, the number of victims was unknown, but surely not small. And among all those test subjects, only one had survived.
And then there was Wood Release.
A kekkei genkai belonging to the Senju clan—more specifically, a power once wielded by the First Hokage himself.
Which meant…
Orochimaru had likely stolen the First Hokage's remains and used his cells for experimentation.
At that point, the conclusion became inevitable.
With evidence like this, Orochimaru could be pushed straight into a dead end—with no chance of escape.
Orochimaru was, after all, the Third Hokage's disciple.
If this matter were to come to light, the blow dealt to Hiruzen Sarutobi—and even to the entire faction tied to his interests—would be beyond imagination.
Of course, Natsuhiko's goal went far beyond just that. What he wanted was something deeper.
If he were only aiming for a single outcome, then forcing Yamato to directly accuse Danzō would have been enough.
With a light clap of his hands, an ANBU operative instantly appeared beside him, dropping to one knee.
"Did you hear everything clearly, Snowhawk?" Natsuhiko asked calmly.
"Yes, sir," replied Senju Akira—code-named Snowhawk—with utmost seriousness.
"Good. Go make the arrangements. Make sure Orochimaru is thoroughly pinned down—understood?" Natsuhiko said with a faint smile. "And take the other three with you. The four of you will have more important responsibilities in the future. I trust that's clear?"
"Yes, Commander!" Senju Akira answered immediately, his voice filled with respect.
With a casual wave of his hand, Natsuhiko dismissed him. In the next instant, Akira vanished without a trace.
Not just him—the other three hidden operatives disappeared as well.
After all, Natsuhiko had never intended to conceal his earlier conversation with Senju Renge from them. The four of them had heard everything, loud and clear.
And they understood exactly what it meant.
In the future, each of them would shoulder crucial responsibilities—and with that, they would wield immense power.
It was an irresistible temptation.
One they simply could not refuse.
"Alright, kid," Natsuhiko said, turning back to Yamato. After a brief pause, he continued, "From now on, you belong to the ANBU. And your name… will be Yamato."
"In… the ANBU?" Yamato froze, staring at him in disbelief. "You mean—you're keeping me here?"
"Do you really think you can go back to Root?" Natsuhiko shook his head lightly, tilting his chin up as he looked down at the boy.
"Don't be naive. The fact that I didn't kill you is already me preserving talent for Konoha.
"And besides—now that I've taken you, do you think Danzō would even dare to ask for you back?"
As he spoke, Natsuhiko stepped forward and unlocked the iron door of the cell. He looked directly at Yamato, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"To put it simply… Danzō understands how serious this situation is. His silence is already an answer—he's leaving you to me in exchange for a reason to stay alive.
"So think carefully, kid. Stay here, serve the ANBU properly, and both you and he will live.
"But if you try to run…" His voice lowered slightly, though the threat in it became unmistakable. "Then I won't just kill you and Danzō—I'll make sure his reputation is utterly destroyed."
He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in.
"Have you made your choice?"
—
"Senju… Renge?"
Standing somewhat timidly in the middle of a plaza, Sora glanced at the bustling crowd around her before her eyes landed on the woman walking toward her. She murmured the name under her breath.
Everything that had happened yesterday still felt like a dream.
The revelation that Natsuhiko was the Commander of the ANBU had shaken her deeply.
And yet, at the same time, it had given her something precious—
An opportunity.
A chance to break free from the path her clan might have already chosen for her.
Just like that mysterious fiancée of Natsuhiko's, she had decided to prove her own worth—and join the ANBU through her own ability.
Of course, entering the ANBU was no small feat. Becoming one of its members required exceptional strength.
But Sora refused to back down.
If Senju Renge could do it, then why couldn't she?
That was why, just before Natsuhiko had left yesterday, she had gathered her courage and asked her question.
And fortune had been on her side—he had agreed, granting her a chance.
She didn't know what the assessment would involve, nor did she know what role she might take if she succeeded.
But no matter what, she couldn't afford to let this opportunity slip away.
She had woken up early that morning. Thankfully, her experience on the battlefield had kept her steady—otherwise, she might have been too excited to sleep at all.
If that had happened, she might not even have had the energy to face today's test.
In the end, she sought out Shisui and asked him to guide her here. After all, she wasn't an ANBU member—there was no way she could find her way there on her own.
Shisui had clearly received orders as well. Although he was somewhat surprised that another member of the clan was being allowed into the ANBU, he didn't ask too many questions.
After all, he was still only part of the reserve unit—there were many things he simply wasn't permitted to know.
Under Shisui's guidance, Sora arrived at a plaza near the Hokage building, a bustling and lively area.
But after everything that had happened yesterday, she no longer dared to trust appearances so easily.
Especially after speaking with her grandfather that night.
Uchiha Shin hadn't hidden anything from her—he told her how he had deduced Natsuhiko's identity, how he had deliberately waited for a chance to meet him, and everything that followed.
Through that story, Sora came to realize that her grandfather had experienced something similar before.
And that time, Natsuhiko had silently replaced every single guest without anyone noticing.
That kind of quiet manipulation… was far more terrifying than anything loud or obvious.
After Shisui left, Sora stood alone in the plaza, waiting silently for the person who would receive her.
She was patient—perfectly still—because in her eyes, this too was part of the test.
She had heard that ANBU shinobi sometimes had to remain in one place, lying in wait for long periods of time during missions.
Compared to that, simply standing here and waiting was nothing at all.
What she hadn't expected, however, was that she wouldn't have to wait long before a familiar figure approached her.
"Uchiha Sora," Renge called softly as she looked at her. "You're early."
"Yes," Sora replied, lifting her head to meet Renge's gaze. "But for something like this, it's better to arrive early."
She paused briefly before continuing, her tone firm.
"It's a matter of attitude. I have to show my best."
"I see." Renge studied her for a moment, then gave a slight nod. "Come with me. You have an assessment today, and I'll be in charge of it. Are you ready?"
"You're the one in charge?" Sora frowned faintly, though she quickly composed herself. "Understood. I'll do my best… because I won't disappoint Natsuhiko."
And I won't lose—especially not to you.
—
Meanwhile, Natsuhiko had already handed Yamato over to Kakashi before leaving the prison.
That kid would be Kakashi's responsibility now.
As for who would end up "tormenting" whom… that was hard to say.
After all, Natsuhiko had never taken part in the mission involving the Lost Tower. He had no way of knowing what kind of relationship the future Yamato had with Kakashi.
Still, regardless of what the future held, this was the arrangement he had chosen for now.
In his memory, Yamato's eventual return to something resembling a normal person owed a great deal to Kakashi.
So perhaps, placing him under Kakashi's guidance might lead to unexpected changes.
Of course, Natsuhiko wasn't without other options.
The matter concerning Orochimaru was not something he intended to hand off to anyone else.
After all, it was during a mission targeting Orochimaru that Yamato had first begun to change.
But that was a matter for later.
Right now, Natsuhiko had other things to deal with.
For instance… he planned to pay another visit to one of Danzō's laboratories.
He had been waiting for the arm taken from Obito to produce a "seed" for quite some time now, yet it showed no signs of doing so.
That made him begin to wonder—had his method been flawed? Or was that arm simply useless?
To avoid the possibility of failure, he needed to make additional preparations.
And so, his thoughts naturally turned once again to Danzō—that "kind old man" whose resources had played a significant role in Natsuhiko's initial rise.
This time, he intended to search again… to see if he could uncover more usable materials.
And perhaps, if fortune favored him, something even more valuable—
Like the experimental records he had failed to find last time.
If he could get his hands on those, it would be no different from seizing Danzō's lifeline. At that point, Natsuhiko could decide his fate whenever he pleased.
"Summoning Jutsu."
As Natsuhiko approached a laboratory where intelligence suggested both Orochimaru and Danzō had once operated, he swiftly formed hand seals and summoned two small lizards.
Picking one up, he placed it on his body. As his chakra pulsed, he quickly established a connection with it.
His gaze then shifted to the other lizard as he spoke in a low voice.
"I'll leave a mark on you. Your task is the same as before—search for materials, and try to find some of those tissue samples from last time.
"When you do, activate the mark with your chakra, and I'll come to you.
"And remember—only summon me when there's no one around. Understood?"
The small lizard flicked its tongue before scurrying off toward the laboratory.
Natsuhiko remained where he was, making no move to follow.
His sensory abilities were more than enough to maintain the connection.
He was no longer the same as before—and with his current status, he didn't need to act with the same level of caution as in the past. There was no need for him to personally trail behind like he once had.
With the chakra link activated, he could even hear the faint voices of animals in the surrounding area.
And yet, this place was eerily quiet.
It felt as though death itself hung in the air.
A sensation he found deeply unpleasant.
"…Hmm?"
Suddenly, Natsuhiko felt the mark being activated.
His eyes sharpened instantly.
But he didn't rush in blindly. To avoid unnecessary trouble, he decided to make a few preparations first.
He donned a mask, slipped on a pair of black gloves, and draped a dark cloak over his shoulders.
Only after everything was in place did he lightly touch the mask.
In the next instant, as his chakra surged—
He vanished without a trace.
...
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