"Yashiro Ao assisting the two elders…"
Hatake Kakashi and Kusunoki Naraku talked for a long time before finally ending their meal.
After reluctantly paying the bill, Kakashi was finally allowed to leave.
"…Wait a second."
Walking home, Kakashi suddenly realized something was off.
"He got promoted—so why was I the one who paid?"
"And I even helped him understand his new position."
He sighed.
"Whatever. I'll make Tenzo—Yamato—treat me next time."
After returning home and washing up, Kakashi lay on his bed, his thoughts drifting back to his conversation with Naraku.
"Naraku's too outstanding…"
"Those people couldn't wait any longer to snatch the Medical Emergency Unit from him."
As Naraku's contemporary, Kakashi knew his abilities better than most.
When they were young, people believed Kakashi held the upper hand between the two prodigies.
But as they grew older, Naraku steadily caught up—and then surpassed him.
The suicide of his father, Hatake Sakumo.
The deaths of his teammates, Obito Uchiha and Nohara Rin.
And the loss of his teacher Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki during the Nine-Tails Incident.
The weight of these blows dragged Kakashi down.
For years, his strength barely progressed.
Meanwhile, Naraku—Tsunade's direct disciple—rose rapidly, becoming one of Konoha's pillars.
After Tsunade left the village, Naraku became the only viable candidate to lead the Medical Emergency Unit.
Once in office, drawing on experience from his previous life running a hospital, Naraku radically expanded Konoha's emergency medical system.
New medicinal herbs.
Hospital reforms.
Breakthroughs in medical techniques.
In a short time, Konoha Hospital became famous throughout the shinobi world.
Eventually, not only Konoha's ninja and civilians—
Even the Fire Daimyō, nobles, wealthy merchants, and later foreign daimyō and aristocrats traveled to Konoha for treatment.
Although the Medical Emergency Unit was technically subordinate to the Medical Division, under Naraku's leadership the hierarchy was effectively reversed.
The division served him.
Before Naraku took over, Konoha poured massive funds into medical expenses every year.
After all, treatment for ninja and civilians was heavily subsidized by the village.
But once Naraku assumed control, outside patients brought enormous revenue.
The Medical Division shifted from deficit to profit, contributing vast sums directly to Konoha's treasury.
And that was the real reason Danzō and the two elders moved against him.
Homura and Koharu controlled Konoha's administration and finances—especially dealings with the Fire Daimyō.
Naraku's Medical Division had broken their monopoly.
That was unacceptable.
As for Danzō—
ROOT had once received funding openly from the village.
After its forced dissolution, that stream vanished.
Yet maintaining ROOT in secret required massive resources.
Not to mention Danzō's continued financial support of Orochimaru's experiments.
And above all—
Danzō had never abandoned his dream of becoming Hokage.
If the Medical Division could become a bridge to the daimyō, all the better.
Thus, the three joined forces to strip Naraku of his position.
Even the Third Hokage, Sarutobi Hiruzen, did not want Naraku to retain absolute control over the Medical Division for too long.
Too much money.
Too many connections.
At least until Hiruzen was ready to step down—
He didn't want Naraku's influence to grow unchecked.
The Next Day — ANBU Headquarters
"This place is even smaller than ROOT's base was…"
Naraku shook his head.
Just how much of ANBU's funding had Danzō siphoned off over the years?
"Hey, don't complain."
Kakashi walked up behind him, unusually alert today.
At least his dead-fish eyes weren't half-asleep.
"ANBU doesn't have the Medical Emergency Unit's financial muscle. This is already pretty decent."
"Sounds like the fault of ANBU's commander," Naraku smirked.
"No money? Go ask the Third Hokage. Where do you think all the funds my unit turned in every year went?"
"…Fine," Kakashi replied flatly.
"From now on, you handle funding requests."
Then his tone turned serious.
"Your appointment is official. The Hokage gave further instructions."
"Let's talk while walking."
As they entered ANBU headquarters, Kakashi briefly explained the facility layout before relaying Sarutobi's orders.
"Why does it feel so empty?" Naraku asked after greeting a few ninja.
"They're out on missions."
Kakashi led him to a prepared office.
"Your documents are on the desk."
"ANBU personnel should mostly be back by tomorrow. I'll formally introduce you then."
"Everyone already knows you—but procedure matters."
Naraku sat down, unconcerned with the office itself, and scanned the documents.
After only a few pages—
He slammed them down, lunged at Kakashi, and tried to throttle him.
"What the hell are you doing?!"
Kakashi dodged easily, as calm as ever.
"What is this list?" Naraku snarled.
"Why are so many former ROOT members under my command?!"
Kakashi sighed.
"You're stronger. I figured you could keep them under control."
Seeing Naraku still ready to explode, Kakashi spread his hands helplessly.
"Besides, not all ROOT members are loyal to Danzō. Some can still be won over."
"I believe in you."
Naraku glared.
"When you were half-dead after your last mission, I was the one who saved you."
"And now you pull this on me?"
"No choice. Hokage's orders."
Kakashi was just as unwilling, but the decision wasn't his.
Naraku reviewed the list again, then nodded.
"I'll take it."
But one name stood out.
"Yūgao stays under your command."
"Hm?"
"I personally requested Uzuki Yūgao be assigned to you."
"…Did something happen between you two?"
Naraku looked utterly speechless.
"Nothing. We're still dating."
"That's exactly why I'm leaving her with you."
He raised the file, thoughtful.
"Can't you see the Third Hokage's intention?"
"There are plenty of problems—but every one of these people is capable."
"There's only one reason Sarutobi did this."
He looked directly at Kakashi.
"He wants me handling the dangerous external missions, right?"
ANBU — Special Assassination and Tactical Squad.
Their missions were always high-risk.
Some assignments—like protecting the Hokage or surveillance—were relatively safe.
But assassinations.
Espionage.
Cross-border operations.
Those were ANBU's true duties.
By placing so many elite operatives under Naraku's command, Sarutobi's message was unmistakable.
"You could refuse," Kakashi said seriously.
"The Hokage might not force it."
"You're new to ANBU. It's reasonable to decline."
"I can talk to him for you."
"No need."
Naraku shook his head decisively.
"I'll take it."
Starting from ANBU—
Step by step, promotion by promotion—
That had always been his plan.
Danger didn't bother him.
On the contrary, it was the fastest way to establish authority.
And yes—
Naraku had already set his sights on the position Kakashi currently occupied.
ANBU Captain.