The Jōnin Platoon meeting room was utterly silent.
The Jōnin in the back rows didn't even turn their heads, afraid of making noise by rubbing their collars, and only scanned the village's powerful shinobi in the front rows with their eyes.
Before the Jōnin Platoon meeting, they had already heard many rumors.
At first, it was said Orochimaru would become the advisor, then later that the Anbu Chief would become the advisor.
No one would have questioned either of these two becoming the advisor.
But for some reason, neither candidate succeeded; otherwise, the village wouldn't have brought this matter to the Jōnin Platoon meeting.
The External Affairs Advisor was too dangerous, often traveling to various countries, even to the other four great hidden villages.
If one's strength was insufficient, they could easily be assassinated along the way.
Advisor Mitokado Homura, an experienced, veteran Kage-level ninja, had actually died.
If an ordinary Jōnin faced a Rogue Ninja like Uchiha Madara, they would probably be instantly killed.
The various clan leaders observed their own noses and hearts, not making eye contact with the higher-ups on the podium.
The Senju clan leader, Senju Hanaki, rarely expressed his stance in the Jōnin Platoon.
Tsunade had no interest in being the External Affairs Advisor.
Uchiha Kane looked serious, showed no interest in participating, and watched the others in the front row from the corner of his eye.
The leaders of the Hyūga, Akimichi, Yamanaka, and other clans did not express their stance.
Amid the silence, Hatake Sakumo stood up.
It was within reason and also within expectations.
Hatake Sakumo said, "I often carry out missions in countries like the Land of Grass and the Land of Rivers, so I am quite familiar with these two nations.
The village has been suffering from Rogue Ninja troubles recently. I am willing to serve as the External Affairs Advisor to alleviate the village's pressure."
Yōkō thought to himself, He has finally forced Sarutobi Hiruzen into a position where he has no one else to use.
After all these years, it hasn't been easy for me.
Now that Hatake Sakumo had volunteered, he wondered how the higher-ups would arrange things.
To put it simply, it was either Yellow Dog or Hatake Sakumo. If Yōkō didn't agree, no one could sit in the External Affairs Advisor's chair.
Nara Rokaku said, "Alright, Sakumo. The Jōnin Platoon will recommend you to the Hokage. The Hokage will consider it as he sees fit.
Are there any others who wish to become the External Affairs Advisor?"
Everyone else looked at the Anbu Chief, Yellow Dog, on the podium.
Yellow Dog said nothing.
As for Orochimaru, he was completely unmoved.
Seeing that no one else stepped forward, Nara Rokaku finally said:
"Shinobi going on missions to the Land of Grass, Land of Rain, and Land of Rivers must be careful. You might encounter Uchiha Madara and his subordinates at any time."
Some Jōnin thought to themselves, What good does being careful do? It's not like being careful means you'll survive.
If running away was useful, Advisor Mitokado Homura wouldn't have died.
The Jōnin Platoon meeting concluded.
Yōkō followed Yellow Dog out of the Jōnin Platoon meeting room.
Orochimaru, who had been a cold observer throughout the entire meeting, suddenly approached Yellow Dog and Yōkō.
Yōkō was startled. Would Orochimaru say something reckless?
Orochimaru said in a hoarse voice, "Yellow Dog, even I gave up competing for the advisor position. Why did you back down at the last moment?"
Yellow Dog's steps faltered for a moment, then he said, pretending it didn't matter, "Everyone's responsibilities are different. I have my own duties and cannot act recklessly."
Orochimaru waited a moment. Seeing that Yellow Dog had no intention of asking for the Five Elements Unrivalled Attack back, he ignored Yellow Dog and left the Hokage Building.
Yōkō breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't think Orochimaru would be that bored.
Two days later, an additional Jōnin Platoon meeting was convened.
The Jōnin weren't annoyed by the extra meeting; instead, they were very expectant.
Sure enough, Hatake Sakumo, wearing an advisor's robe, entered the meeting room last, following the other higher-ups.
The Third Hokage said to the Jōnin filling the meeting room:
"The Rogue Ninja Uchiha Madara and his subordinates have thrown Konoha Village into disarray and panic.
We have suffered tremendous losses.
To resolve the trouble posed by the Rogue Ninja, I have decided to appoint Hatake Sakumo as Konoha Village's External Affairs Advisor.
Hatake Sakumo will be stationed in rotation among the Land of Fire's four vassal states, including the Land of Grass and Land of Rivers, to deter the Rogue Ninja and maintain Konoha's intimidation."
Yōkō understood the Third Hokage's implied meaning.
Making Hatake Sakumo the advisor was truly a move of last resort, having no one else.
But he didn't like Hatake Sakumo. Unless absolutely necessary, Hatake Sakumo was not to return to the village, instead being sent on missions and stationed in various countries.
Out of sight, out of mind. Just like the order Danzo had previously given Yōkō, sending him to the Land of Rain to investigate an Uchiha Madara who could never be found.
The Jōnin were all smart people; they also understood the Hokage's meaning.
They looked at each other and whispered with nearby Jōnin they were on good terms with.
If Hatake Sakumo was sent on rotating missions to various countries and stationed there, he would have to face the danger of the Rogue Ninja constantly.
Yōkō thought, As long as I don't act recklessly, Hatake Sakumo can stabilize his position as advisor.
What troubled him was whether to stage a mock battle?
While Hatake Sakumo was stationed in some country's capital, should he use his alt, Sarutobi Kanenosuke, or his mini-alt, Tobi, to provoke Hatake Sakumo?
If he were to provoke him, how should he fight to make it look realistic?
If Uchiha Madara and his subordinates immediately quieted down as soon as Hatake Sakumo took office, wouldn't that be a bit fake?
The scale of this mock battle was hard to grasp.
With Hatake Sakumo becoming the External Affairs Advisor, the gloom over Konoha didn't exactly vanish, but it at least became less oppressive.
Everyone trusted the White Fang's combat prowess.
One night, while Yōkō was handling reports in the Anbu, he suddenly felt contract chakra.
After performing the summoning, he saw the ninken, Pak.
Pak said, "Fox, Sakumo says he wants to see you."
Yōkō opened the Konoha Village Defense Scroll and said:
"At Watchtower 21 on the perimeter wall, there are no Hyūga ninja tonight.
There's a park about 1.2 kilometers from the base of Watchtower 21. I'll wait for Lord Sakumo in that park."
The ninken Pak said, "Being the Anbu Vice-Chief is so convenient. You have a clear grasp of Konoha's defense status.."
"I worked hard for a long time to become the Anbu Vice-Chief, just like Lord Sakumo worked hard for a long time to become an advisor."
"He didn't work that hard, did he?" The ninken Pak said:
"I thought Sakumo's self-recommendation would be rejected like before. Even Sakumo himself was very surprised; he hasn't processed it yet."
Yōkō smiled. If Hatake Sakumo hadn't worked that hard, then someone was carrying the weight for him in the background, putting in the effort for both of them.
Half an hour later, two figures appeared in the depths of the late-night park: Hatake Sakumo and Yōkō.
"Sorry, Fox," Hatake Sakumo said:
"Contacting you is dangerous, but I'm not prepared to be the External Affairs Advisor and have no choice but to ask for your help.
I heard the Anbu have been searching for the Rogue Ninja Uchiha Madara and his subordinates. I obtained some intelligence from Lord Third, but I feel like something is missing."
Yōkō was prepared. He took out a scroll and said:
"This is the intelligence I compiled on Uchiha Madara and his subordinates.
Uchiha Madara is very dangerous, possessing the Sharingan and Wood Release. His weapons are the Uchiha War Fan and a long-handled scythe.
He has many subordinates. The most numerous are the White Zetsu, who possess the silent reconnaissance secret technique, the Ephemeral Technique.
Tobi, whose form is a hollow Wood Release spiral armor shell.
He sometimes wears it over a White Zetsu. That White Zetsu possesses the Mangekyō Sharingan, with the Dōjutsu Ameno Mihashira and Yono Shima.
Other times, he wears it over Sarutobi Kanenosuke, who is skilled in Fire Release and the Five Elements Unrivalled Attack.
Both Sarutobi Kanenosuke and the White Zetsu require Tobi's powerful Wood Release, so the two rarely appear at the same time."
Yōkō thought, They absolutely cannot appear at the same time, because Yōkō can't be in two places at once.
After receiving the scroll, Hatake Sakumo felt a bit more settled.
"I will study this intelligence carefully," Hatake Sakumo said:
"Although I have become an advisor, my authority is not as great as one might think.
For example, I am not qualified to access the Scroll of Seals and cannot learn about the powerful forbidden techniques of the Rogue Ninja.
I also cannot command Konoha's intelligence system. I need to notify the Anbu Chief, Yellow Dog, first to obtain the latest intelligence."
The Third Hokage wanted to use Hatake Sakumo but didn't give him real power. It was more about giving him the title of advisor and sending Hatake Sakumo to deal with those terrifying Rogue Ninja.
Holding the scroll, Hatake Sakumo said, "I am very fortunate to have met you during the Land of Rivers War, and fortunate that you can provide me with some intelligence support.
I will leave the village tomorrow for the Land of Rivers capital. Lord Third says the situation is very urgent.
You notified me a few days in advance that I could compete for the External Affairs Advisor position, giving me those extra days to prepare, so I'm not as clueless as I might have been.
You are no longer the Anbu Squadron Leader I first met in the Land of Rivers. I want to know your thoughts.
Fox, I don't mean to doubt you, but I want to ask, since you are already the Anbu Vice-Chief, why are you still helping me?"
Yōkō looked through the gaps in the tree canopy towards the distant Hokage Rock and slowly said:
"Lord Sakumo, I am a Konoha Anbu, executing missions for the Hokage in the darkness, a black glove protecting the village.
I have carried out many missions that violate shinobi morals. I have performed many tasks that go against humanity.
I am a blade for the Hokage in the darkness.
Not to be humble, I am the sharpest blade in the Anbu.
I have killed my own teammates to protect intelligence.
I have coldly waited for my comrades to die tragically for the sake of an Anbu mission.
However, I wasn't born this extreme and cruel.
Some darkness is too dark, so dark that even I feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Lord Sakumo, I believe Konoha is sick. If this continues, Konoha will grow weaker and weaker.
Until one day, enemies fight their way onto the Hokage Rock, and the entire village, save for the Konoha perimeter wall, turns to ruins.
I hope Konoha can change.
However, I am merely a blade in the darkness for Konoha Village and the Hokage. I don't know which direction Konoha should develop.
I know I am too extreme. Even among murderous shinobi, my killing is excessive. I am neither suited for, nor capable of, stepping into the spotlight to change Konoha.
Lord Sakumo, to be honest, I don't know if your approach is right either. I just hope to see some change.
Perhaps in the future, under your influence, Konoha's sickness will lessen.
That is my thought, Lord Sakumo.
Konoha needs sharp blades in the darkness; that is determined by the unique nature of shinobi.
But Konoha also needs a future that is not so dark, isn't that right?"
Hatake Sakumo nodded repeatedly. He understood Fox's confusion and struggle.
Fox's identity made it such that ordinary people wouldn't dare trust him.
Just as Fox said, Fox wasn't born a cruel and extreme Anbu agent.
Fox, situated in the darkness, had a deeper understanding of it and hoped even more that the village would not fall into darkness.
Hatake Sakumo said, "Fox, please believe me. I will definitely make Konoha better. I will become Hokage and change Konoha."
Just like in the original story, Hatake Sakumo was aiming for the title of Hokage and acting with determination.
"Lord Sakumo, your presence in the Land of Rivers will surely deter the Rogue Ninja. For a short time, the Rogue Ninja won't dare to move against you."
"I appreciate your well-wishes. I hope so too. Goodbye, Fox."
Watching the direction where Hatake Sakumo disappeared, Yōkō thought, If I say the Rogue Ninja won't dare move against you for a short time, then the Rogue Ninja definitely won't dare move against you.
***
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(End of Chapter)