Chapter 15: The Handover and Konoha's Suspicions
The next morning, Dana and Dodai summoned Keiko Morita again. Now that the decision had been made, Dana explained parts of his plan to her.
"This is a very suitable position for you," he began. "Consider it a long-term post provided by the village. As long as there's no dereliction of duty, the job is yours. The pay is stable and comparable to what you would earn from C and D-rank missions."
That alone was enough to win Keiko over. This was a blessing from the heavens.
"And, if you don't mind," Dana added, "you can bring your daughter to live at the orphanage with you. That will save you from having to run back and forth. You'll just need to cover her food and lodging expenses."
Keiko was deeply moved by the offer. Her daughter wasn't old enough for the Academy yet, and Keiko was so busy trying to make a living that her daughter often had to play by herself at home. It wasn't good for her development and had made her withdrawn and friendless.
"That's the general situation," Dana said, crossing his arms like a little adult. "There will be a three-month probationary period. The pay will be the same, but you will be evaluated. Your performance during these three months will determine if you pass."
Next to him, Dodai just smiled and nodded, looking like a silent, supportive mascot. He had now fully accepted Dana's genius and had settled into the role of an assistant, which felt more appropriate for his position as a retainer to the Yotsuki clan.
"If there are no other questions, please sign here, and then we'll go take a look at the orphanage."
A fire of determination had been lit in Keiko. She decided she would secure this job, no matter what. She signed her name without hesitation.
Then, with his entourage of bodyguards in tow, Dana, Dodai, and Keiko headed to the orphanage.
A few days prior, Dana had already instructed Dodai to put a stop to the premature physical training. But the scrub-level Chunin who had been in charge clearly had no interest in the children's well-being. His philosophy was "if the village doesn't order it, I don't do it." For the past two days, he had done nothing but the bare minimum. When Dana arrived, the children were just loitering aimlessly in the courtyard. A few of the younger ones were squatting on the ground, digging in the dirt, but most were just staring into space, lost in their own thoughts.
"I'll leave the handover to you," Dana said to Keiko and Dodai. "I'm going to check out the backyard."
Dana had no intention of interfering with the transition. This would be a small test for Keiko. After all, managing thirty children required more than just a kind heart.
When he entered the backyard, all the children immediately noticed him—or more accurately, the team of bodyguards behind him. Many of the younger kids scurried away to a safe distance.
"You guys, stay back. Don't stand so close!" Dana ordered his guards.
"Young Master Dana, you know our orders are to not leave your side," one of the shinobi replied.
"But we're inside the village, and these are just a bunch of kids. You really think I'm in danger here?"
The bodyguard's silence was his answer. There was no room for negotiation.
"Fine," Dana sighed. "Then use the Transformation Jutsu and turn into trees. And please, try to look natural."
The bodyguards: "..."
When Dana approached the children again, he could feel they were much less wary. After all, he looked to be about their age, and their untrained eyes couldn't spot anything suspicious about the group of oddly shaped trees of varying heights and widths that had just appeared.
Next, Dana unleashed his secret weapon: the sugar-coated offensive. Its last victim had been Uzumaki Hiroto.
No child can resist colorful candy. None.
Money can't buy a child's happiness, but sugar can.
By the time Keiko finished with the handover and came looking for Dana, he was already in the middle of a game with a group of the children. It was hard to believe that the clumsy figure running around was the same person who had been directing affairs of state and masterminding the orphanage's reform just a short while ago.
Dana played a few rounds of a children's game native to the ninja world but couldn't seem to get the hang of it. He was quickly eliminated and trotted over to Keiko's side.
"You have one week to take over the orphanage and get to know each of the children," he said, instantly switching back to business mode. "After that, the missions we discussed will be posted at the Mission Assignment Desk. People may or may not come, but you need to be ready."
"I will not fail, Young Master Dana."
"You're not a member of the Yotsuki clan. You don't have to call me 'Young Master.' Just call me Dana," he said.
"No, Young Master Dana," Keiko replied with a smile. "The title suits you."
"...Whatever you like."
Konoha, Hokage Tower
"Hiruzen, the Uchiha are causing trouble again. What are you going to do?"
Danzo Shimura watched the Third Hokage from the corner of his eye, studying his expression.
Hiruzen Sarutobi took a long drag from his pipe and slowly exhaled the smoke. After a moment of silence, he said, "Tell them the body of Uchiha Sogen was too damaged to be recovered. If they want to find it, the village can give them the scroll detailing his last mission. They can go to the Land of Earth and look for it themselves."
Danzo got the answer he wanted and was satisfied.
This is the right move, Hiruzen, Danzo thought. We must understand them to guard against them. The Uchiha are a threat. That was our teacher's will.
Just as Danzo was about to leave to handle the matter, Hiruzen added, "You can study it, Danzo. But you will never let those eyes see the light of day."
Danzo considered this for a moment. "I understand," he said.
As Danzo left, Hiruzen Sarutobi turned his attention back to the document in his hand.
Unlike the usual intelligence reports, this was a formal request from the Daimyo of the Land of Fire, in his capacity as the ruler of the nation.
To put it simply, the Daimyo of the Land of Lightning had recently been assigned a full-time protection detail by the Hidden Cloud—nine elite Jonin guarding him day and night. It was a huge status symbol, and the Thunder Daimyo had been showing it off to everyone. The Fire Daimyo had seen this and was now wondering why he, as the ruler of the most powerful nation, didn't have the same treatment.
While the tone of the letter wasn't demanding, the implication was clear. Hiruzen was not being given the option to refuse.
Konoha, whose finances were also at the mercy of the Daimyo, didn't dare to say no. In truth, with their current strength, assigning a few Jonin to the Daimyo's long-term guard was not a major strain on their resources. As for the nine elite Jonin, Hiruzen didn't believe it for a second. It was most likely just propaganda spread by the Cloud.
This was actually a good opportunity. He had already discussed it with the council. Konoha's unit had to be bigger and better. After much consideration, they had decided on a team of twelve. They would all be Jonin—or be given emergency promotions to the rank—and, just like the Cloud, they would be touted as twelve elite Jonin.
Since the Cloud had named their unit the "Nine Samurai of the Thundercloud," Konoha needed a catchy name as well. Hiruzen had ultimately decided on the Twelve Guardian Ninja.
Although it would divert some of their manpower, the move would strengthen their ties with the Daimyo, which could only benefit the village. It was a small price to pay for a greater return. Hiruzen had agreed readily and was now drafting a cordial and effusive reply.
But what truly occupied Hiruzen's thoughts were the Hidden Cloud's recent activities. Stationing a permanent guard with the Daimyo was a brilliant political move. He had no doubt that the other major villages would soon follow suit. The Daimyo of the great nations were all related and interacted frequently, unlike the hidden villages, which were often at each other's throats.
What truly surprised Hiruzen was that the idea had come from the Cloud Village in the first place. He had accompanied the Second Hokage to the Hidden Cloud once. In his eyes, the Cloud was a village of warriors, not politicians. They lacked the administrative talent that he, Koharu, and the others provided for Konoha. Their Raikage had always ruled through sheer force of personality.
A clever political maneuver like the "Nine Samurai of the Thundercloud" was completely out of character for the warrior faction.