Naruto: The Anbu Path to Kage Chapter 44 44: All This Talk of Righteousness

Late at night, the lights in the Hokage Building blazed brightly.

The door to the Hokage's office opened. Yako followed behind Yellow Dog and Captain Black Ape, stepping into the room to see the situation inside.

The Third Hokage sat behind his desk, puffing on his pipe.

On one side of the couch sat Danzo and Mitokado Homura. On the opposite couch sat the head of the Senju clan, Senju Rinju.

Standing behind Rinju was Kato Dan.

Kato Dan had long silver hair and a stern, sharp face.

Three ANBU operatives entered the room and took their place behind Danzo.

Yako swept his gaze across the room. The expressions on both sides were stiff and grim—it looked like a major argunt had just ended.

Danzo turned and said, "Yellow Dog, give your report on tonight's situation."

"Yes, Lord Danzo!" Yellow Dog responded promptly.

"Tonight, all the spies from Kumogakure made their move. So caused chaos elsewhere to divert the ANBU's attention, while others directly targeted Princess Kushina.

The ANBU responded imdiately. Princess Kushina's escort unit was blocked by the Kumo-nin, but Captain Black Ape's unit arrived just in ti and rejoined the Princess."

Yako frowned inwardly. That wasn't quite right. Captain Black Ape's unit had been dispatched to pursue the Kumo-nin spies that Yako had discovered. But the way Yellow Dog described it, it sounded like ANBU had been fully prepared in advance.

That kind of report conveniently minimized ANBU's responsibility.

Yellow Dog continued:

"The Kumo-nin escaped through a concealed passage in Konoha's outer wall. One kiloter outside the village, they were intercepted by Captain Black Ape's squad.

All enemy spies were eliminated, and Princess Kushina was successfully rescued."

The Third Hokage nodded repeatedly. ANBU had done well this ti—they had mitigated the damage in ti.

Yellow Dog went on:

"There are two reasons why Princess Kushina was kidnapped.

First, she was wandering outside the Senju compound at 11 p.m., and no one went to bring her back.

Second, the Kumo spies were deeply embedded. There were at least five of them, and no traces had been discovered previously."

Captain Yellow Dog wasn't just powerful—he was a master at shifting bla.

He didn't deny ANBU's shortcomings, but frad it as an understandable failure: they simply hadn't noticed five extrely well-hidden Kumo spies.

That wasn't much of a cri. After all, Konoha welcod countless visitors daily—clients, travelers, rchants. It was impossible to screen them all for spies.

So yes, there were flaws in ANBU's vigilance, but nothing major—no accountability required.

But it was the first point that had clear implications.

Princess Kushina was kidnapped because she wasn't ho late at night—she had put herself in danger.

And as for why she wasn't ho, well, ANBU had no idea.

The Third Hokage turned to Senju Rinju.

Senju Rinju explained:

"Kushina hasn't fully adapted to life in Konoha yet. I told our clan to let her do as she wishes, and not to pressure her into anything.

She hasn't recovered emotionally from the destruction of her clan. She has nightmares every night and refuses to sleep indoors.

My approach was intended to help her adapt quickly and prepare to complete the Nine-Tails sealing."

The matter of the Nine-Tails jinchuriki transfer was no secret among those present.

Not the village leadership—and the fact that three ANBU were in the room proved they were trusted, involved in the village's classified operations.

Kato Dan, as a core figure in the Senju clan, wielded forbidden jutsu that allowed him to unleash Kage-level power in critical monts.

His Spirit Transformation Technique was a terrifying long-range assassination tool—its threat alone was formidable.

Danzo spoke up:

"Clan Head Rinju! If you're incapable of managing Princess Kushina, you should hand her over to the village!

The village has far better ways to guide her!

Letting her do whatever she wants? What kind of nonsense is that?

Lord Mito has served the village diligently for decades—never once has she allowed the Nine-Tails to be a concern.

But ever since the old Senju generation began fading, your clan has been a growing disappointnt.

Your handling of the jinchuriki transition is unacceptable.

If ANBU hadn't responded quickly tonight, Princess Kushina would've been abducted to Kumogakure!

Reports from the border say their infiltration unit is already within 60 kiloters of the village.

If they had just thirty more minutes, Konoha would've lost Princess Kushina—lost our next Nine-Tails jinchuriki!

I propose we revoke the Senju clan's guardianship of her and place her under direct village supervision.

In fact, I believe Sarutobi Biwako would be an ideal candidate. She's a powerful dical-nin and has raised several children. She's more than qualified to care for the Princess!"

Senju Rinju glanced at Danzo, then at Homura, before finally fixing his gaze on Sarutobi Hiruzen.

Hiruzen's hand froze midair, still holding his pipe. He didn't understand why Rinju was staring at him like that.

Rinju began speaking slowly:

"Brother Hiruzen… I still rember when I first t you at the gates of our clan compound, when I brought you to see my father.

Back then, you were the older brother who patiently taught ninjutsu.

I looked up to you so much. Even when Father and Uncle Tobirama treated you better than us cousins, I never complained.

But when did that begin to change? When did the rift between us grow so large—so unbearable?

You beca Hokage, and the Senju gave you their full support.

But now… why have you turned so sharply against us?

Brother Hiruzen… how long has it been since you visited the Senju compound—since you saw your sensei's wife… my mother?"

Hiruzen fell silent.

How long had it been since he last saw Lady Mito?

His wife, Biwako, visited frequently—after all, she was Uzumaki Mito's personal physician, constantly monitoring her condition.

But now… it seed like everyone was just waiting for Mito to die.

That was the cruel truth of old age: seeing the unspoken hope for your death reflected in others' eyes.

As if your passing would make everything simpler.

Hiruzen thought it over. Only Mito, with her serene heart, could endure that kind of treatnt. No ordinary elder could.

The destruction of the Uzumaki Clan must have devastated her spirit. She was likely suffering daily, just like Kushina.

The Nine-Tails jinchuriki transfer lood over them all.

Mitokado Homura finally spoke:

"Clan Head Rinju, the village has no intention of targeting the Senju. Nor do we target any other clan.

But the issue now is this: as the jinchuriki, Princess Kushina must always place the village first.

Let speak plainly—we're deeply concerned.

Raised by the Senju, she's clearly been taught… questionable values. She seems to prioritize the Senju's interests above all else.

That's dangerous.

The Nine-Tails jinchuriki is too important. If her growth is warped in any way, the consequences will be catastrophic.

In Iwagakure and Kumogakure, their jinchuriki have lost control due to resentnt against their own villages—leading to chaos and destruction.

Jinchuriki are far too susceptible to hatred.

There must not be any missteps in their training!"

Yako watched the last part unfold with great interest. The infighting among the upper ranks was simply too entertaining.

Everyone spoke of righteousness and duty—yet no one could convince the others.

Senju Rinju's face darkened. Homura had struck at the heart of the matter—the one thing neither side could truly resolve.

Was the Nine-Tails truly the Nine-Tails of Konoha…

Or was it still the Nine-Tails of the Senju?