Jōnin Commander Meeting.
The last Jōnin Commander meeting had ended anticlimactically after Orochimaru's statement, failing to complete the important Jōnin recommendations.
Nara Rokaku announced the progress of several important matters.
Regarding the Ninja Academy Team Leader assignments, Hatake Sakumo unusually took the initiative to speak, saying he planned to become a Team Leader next year and had already made preliminary contact with a student he had his eye on.
He was actively responding to the village's Team Leader plan, intervening early, making contact early, to increase the training time.
Yōkō looked towards the podium. Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others did not object, he breathed a sigh of relief internally.
Sarutobi Hiruzen and the others knew that Namikaze Minato was a civilian genius from the Ninja Academy, but they had no accurate understanding of just how talented he was.
The Ninja Academy produced several geniuses every year; not all geniuses could become Elite Jōnin.
Konoha's White Fang wanting to take a civilian youth as a disciple wasn't something worth the village higher-ups making a huge fuss to oppose.
They couldn't oppose the White Fang on everything, after all. He was, at worst, the village's third most powerful fighter.
Another important topic was the list of Guardian Ninja for the Daimyō.
The Daimyō had sent word to Konoha, stating that Konoha could send 8 Guardian Ninja, 4 of whom would be Guardian Ninja Jōnin.
Of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, the Daimyō would personally appoint 4 individuals.
The Daimyō had trained some samurai, Fire Temple ninja monks, and rogue ninjas.
It seemed the Daimyō also knew not to put all his eggs in one basket.
The 8 Guardian Ninja for the Daimyō of the Land of Fire were primarily composed of Sarutobi clan ninja, paired with one Hyūga clan Tokubetsu Jōnin.
Monopolizing the Daimyō's Guardian Ninja meant monopolizing the important S-rank missions issued by the state of the Land of Fire.
The final topic, and the most crucial one of this Jōnin Commander meeting, was the assessment list for the promotion of Tokubetsu Jōnin to Jōnin.
It was similar to the last time.
Sarutobi clan: 5 people.
Ino–Shika–Chō trio clans: 4 people.
Shimura clan: 2 people.
Uchiha clan and Hyūga clan: 1 person each.
Senju clan: 2 people.
The remaining 8 were civilian Jōnin.
The only difference was the addition of Senju Mie, recommended by Tsunade, and two more people recommended by Orochimaru.
Tsunade, Hatake Sakumo, and Uchiha Kane did not object again.
The village elders had privately spoken with all three of them, breaking their unity.
The candidates recommended by Hatake Sakumo, Shinma and Hayama, did not make it onto the review list. He gained nothing.
Seeing Hatake Sakumo's silent demeanor, Yōkō thought, Well, Hatake Sakumo, you're still too soft-hearted.
It's time for the 'New Shadow of the Ninja' to make a move.
He memorized all the names of the Tokubetsu Jōnin from the Five Noble Clans.
Your greed is just too obvious.
The New Shadow of the Ninja can't stand by and watch; he must make you spit something out.
Nara Rokaku announced: "Starting now, the Jōnin assessments will be conducted in batches, expected to conclude next month."
That night, Yōkō went deep into the forest above the Hokage Monument. After carefully scouting with an Earth Vibration Barrier, he summoned Hakuji and Hakuyū.
The two Stone Pandas knew it was time for a reverse summoning again.
Yōkō appeared at the Uzumaki hideout in the Land of Rain.
Yuka noticed the aura around Fox was very cold, carrying a trace of killing intent.
"Yuka, I believe the time is ripe. It's time to begin our revenge."
Yuka asked: "Revenge? You mean..."
Yōkō said: "The situation within Konoha is changing. After the war, the Sarutobi clan, Shimura clan, and other ninja clans have monopolized too many benefits, already stirring public resentment."
"I believe we can start revenge on a small scale, killing some Sarutobi and Shimura clan ninja. Test the reactions of the various factions."
Yuka's trembling hand was grasped by Fox. Could they finally begin their revenge?
"Yuka, don't be afraid. Listen to me, we'll take it slow."
After instructing Yuka on many matters, Yōkō returned to his ANBU office, silently repeating several names in his mind.
In the Jōnin assessment, the 8 civilian ninja would be assessed first.
Those assessed earlier were at a disadvantage, as both Nara Rokaku and the 10 reviewing Jōnin were enthusiastic and full of energy initially.
Those assessed later benefited, as after a month of continuous assessments, many would be fatigued.
Not everyone necessarily passes the Jōnin assessment; those clearly lacking in ability would be filtered out.
The 11 Tokubetsu Jōnin from the Five Noble Clans would begin their assessments next month.
Perfect. It gave Yōkō one month of preparation time.
To move against members of the Five Noble Clans, he had to be fully prepared, without a single mistake.
Otherwise, he would face utter ruin. Everything around him – his hard-won position as ANBU Squad Captain, Kyōi, Purple Cat, everything since his transmigration – would be destroyed if he became a rogue ninja.
The first issue to resolve was reconnaissance ability.
His current reconnaissance ability was severely lacking. He had considered obtaining some reconnaissance ninjutsu, but now it seemed that wouldn't be sufficient.
He had to obtain the top-tier reconnaissance ability before daring to act against the Five Noble Clan ninja.
Yōkō looked towards his front left.
A few walls away was Squad Captain Golden Eagle's office.
Squad Captain Golden Eagle was a Hyūga clan Jōnin, powerful, with strong Byakugan abilities.
This month's 'draw' would start with Squad Captain Golden Eagle.
He could both obtain the top-tier reconnaissance ability of the Byakugan and simultaneously gather intelligence on Golden Eagle, making it easier to deal with the ANBU leadership in the future.
With the Byakugan, everything would be convenient. He wouldn't fear surveillance, could detect enemies early, and avoid being tracked.
Purple Cat entered the office.
Yōkō's aura instantly transformed, the coldness disappearing. He asked: "Purple Cat, is Squad Captain Golden Eagle in the ANBU?"
"Yes, I just saw his assistant busy delivering scrolls."
After Yōkō knocked and entered Golden Eagle's office, he said to Golden Eagle's assistant:
"I have some secret matters to discuss with Squad Captain Golden Eagle. Please give us some space for a private conversation."
Golden Eagle quickly waved his hand, signaling his assistant to leave first.
"Please sit, Fox."
Yōkō and Golden Eagle sat opposite each other across the desk.
Golden Eagle looked curiously at Fox, unsure what he wanted to say.
Yōkō said: "Squad Captain Golden Eagle, regarding the Hyūga clan having only one person entering the Jōnin assessment after the war, what are your thoughts?"
Behind his mask, Golden Eagle's expression instantly tensed.
He couldn't help but speculate: Was the ANBU investigating the Hyūga clan?
The Hyūga clan, in all of Konoha's wars, had dutifully served as reconnaissance ninja, often becoming the primary targets for enemy villages to eliminate.
After the war, they were even more the core force for the village's daily guard duties and as Guardian Ninja for the various Daimyō.
Beside every Daimyō, there was at least one Hyūga ninja.
These tedious guard duties consumed much of the Hyūga clan's energy, leaving the Hyūga ninja exhausted.
Of course, there were complaints within the clan.
However, everything was suppressed by the Main Family.
The Main Family didn't have to perform the tedious guard duties. All the achievements of the Hyūga Branch Family became the political capital of the Main Family.
Yet, he couldn't say any of this to the ANBU.
Golden Eagle was a Branch Family Hyūga; he could not betray his clan.
Facing the probe, Golden Eagle said: "Squad Captain Fox, I have no opinion whatsoever."
"The Hyūga clan fully complies with the village's decisions. The Hyūga clan excels in reconnaissance. In combat, we focus on the Hyūga's Gentle Fist taijutsu, which is not particularly outstanding."
"Our main ability is support. We lack the capability to independently command a battalion or larger-scale battles."
"The Hyūga clan is self-aware. Having one more Jōnin is already very satisfactory for us."
Yōkō nodded. He had expected this answer; the Hyūga clan would not openly oppose the village's decisions.
He asked again: "Squad Captain Golden Eagle, I've heard that some Hyūga ninja have been secretly executed for seeing the secrets of the higher-ups. What are your thoughts on this?"
***
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(Chapter End)