Yellow Dog had to admit it—Fox was becoming more and more reliable.
Recently, among the three squads under his command, Fox's had the lowest casualty rate.
Low casualties meant the ANBU operatives were growing stronger.
After all, in the ninja world, survival is strength.
A ninja who lives to see thirty can become an outstanding squad leader on experience alone.
Yako stood at attention, calmly reporting.
"Commander, while in the Land of Wind, I observed a large-scale gathering of puppet masters. Their movement seemed suspicious. I suspect they may set sail from Sabaku Port, attempting to circle around and strike Konoha's rear via the sea."
"Hmm?"
Commander Yellow Dog turned toward the wall map and muttered:
"If they take the sea route… they'll likely sail west from Sabaku Port, then ascend the Yoshimizu River into the Land of Rivers…"
"Fox, write up a full mission report. Then head to the command tent for briefing."
When Yako arrived, the atmosphere in the command tent was stifling.
Nara Shikakaku and Hatake Sakumo sat grim-faced.
"Fox, begin your report," Yellow Dog prompted.
"I was in the Land of Wind, and—"
"Not that," Yellow Dog interrupted. "Start with the other matter."
Yako blinked. What could be more urgent than an enemy army preparing a rear assault?
Shikakaku waved the aides and junior officers out of the tent.
Soon, only five remained: Shikakaku, Sakumo, Yellow Dog, Yako, and Nara Meika.
"Fox," Yellow Dog said, "report the elimination of the Nara rogue-nin."
Yako blinked again but quickly complied.
He explained the mission: four total targets. He took one. Three other squads each handled one. All were eliminated, disguised as Kirigakure shinobi.
Shikakaku asked coldly:
"Captain Copper Fox, did your squad encounter anything… unusual afterward?"
"No," Yako answered, without hesitation.
"We completed the eliminations, then immediately received the order to rescue Nara Meika-senpai.
I turned in the previous mission, then left camp without delay."
Shikakaku nodded slowly, though his face remained grim.
"Rumors have spread through camp," he said at last.
"Rumors that every Konoha shinobi should beware of Nara clan members—that we might use shadow techniques to send our teammates to their deaths.
These weren't started by your squad, were they?"
"Absolutely not!" Yako said firmly.
"Neither I nor anyone under me would ever spread such a thing."
His words were urgent, but his heart was calm.
This wasn't a trap for him.
He was just an unknown ANBU captain.
Sure, "Copper Fox" was getting some attention—but few even knew who he really was.
No, this wasn't about him.
Yako glanced at Sakumo, whose expression was like stone.
This rumor… isn't just about the Nara Clan—it's about Hatake Sakumo.
After all, it was Sakumo who led the initial investigation into the rogue Nara.
He had brought the evidence forward and forced Shikakaku to act.
Now that the traitors were gone, the scandal should've been over.
But with this rumor resurfacing, the Nara were humiliated again.
And which clan has never produced a traitor?
Uchiha Madara nearly destroyed the village.
Even the Senju had their black sheep.
Ninjas, when pushed to injustice, often used kunai to speak their minds—and many became rogue-nin that way.
Even among the Legendary Sannin, Orochimaru betrayed Konoha.
And yet no one dared to blame the Third Hokage.
So now that the Nara had eliminated their traitors and taken responsibility, why were they still being attacked?
To pursue it further now… was too much.
Yako's eyes flicked between Sakumo and Shikakaku.
How is this going to end?
Sakumo finally spoke.
"Lord Shikakaku, your swift action was commendable. The rogue-nin are dead.
These rumors… they took me completely by surprise."
Shikakaku's eyes flickered, but his voice was calm.
"Vice Commander Sakumo, the war is upon us. A few rumors are nothing.
Let's hear the Land of Wind report from Captain Copper Fox instead."
"Yes," Yellow Dog nodded. "Fox, proceed."
Yako internally sighed.
Sakumo wants to be Hokage.
But the Nara Clan, and by extension the Ino–Shika–Chō trio, wouldn't support him now.
At least not anytime soon.
Time to redirect the topic.
"Commander, Vice Commander, sir—" Yako began.
"In the Land of Wind, we discovered irregular fluctuations in the Golden Ironwood market.
Large quantities were being purchased and transported toward Sunagakure.
On the main road between Sunagakure and Sabaku Port, we encountered an elite puppet corps—at least 200 puppet masters, each with multiple puppets.
Judging by the market shift, this might be just one portion of their assembled force.
The final number at Sabaku Port could be far greater."
Shikakaku stared down at the map spread across the table.
"Konoha is waging war on three fronts. Every new genin, every supply chain is stretched thin—a bowstring pulled to its limit.
But Sunagakure… they're in even worse shape.
They've suffered repeated defeats. Their supply lines were destroyed at Sabaku Port.
They can't afford to wait any longer. This is a last desperate strike."
After a moment's thought, he declared:
"Then let's end this. One decisive battle—to crush the Sand once and for all.
Vice Commander Sakumo, I'll handle the frontline command.
You will lead the response to the elite puppet force.
This may be the final battle of the Land of Rivers War.
Together, we'll give Konoha the victory it deserves."
For a split second—
Sakumo's killing intent flared.
Yako's scalp tingled. His body nearly activated Copper Light Absolute Defense out of instinct.
The rumors weren't started by Sakumo—but now they were pinned on him.
Just a few whispers… and suddenly, Shikakaku and Sakumo were at odds.
Now Sakumo had to swallow that humiliation.
Which meant… the Sand would pay for it.
After Sakumo and the ANBU exited, Meika stepped forward.
"Clan Leader… the rumors didn't come from Fox's squad. But they didn't come from Sakumo either.
Should I organize an investigation?"
Shikakaku's expression was serene—none of the earlier rage in his eyes.
"I know," he said softly.
"The rumors didn't come from Fox. And they didn't come from Sakumo.
But someone wanted to turn us against him.
So we'll play our parts… for now.
Sooner or later, we'll return the favor—and no one will be able to say we acted unfairly."
Meika blinked.
Then slowly… she understood everything.