Inside Konoha.
After careful consideration, Oto Uchiha finally accepted the position of ANBU Deputy Commander and officially joined the ANBU.
The news soon spread among the major ninja clans.
Before long, however, the clans took it as a sign that tensions between the Hokage and the Uchiha were beginning to ease.
Although she was only the Deputy Commander in charge of combat, the fact that she could hold that position spoke volumes in itself.
The major ninja clans also wondered what secrets lay behind the Third Hokage's various unusual moves.
Inside the Anbu Base, Zou Hyuga walked out of the armory looking disappointed.
After Oto became the ANBU Deputy Commander, he had also taken a cushy position in the ANBU. Returning to familiar surroundings had made Zou Hyuga want to pick up his old trade.
But in the weapons storeroom, he had encountered Kakashi, who was likewise slacking off and had firmly rejected his plan on perfectly righteous grounds.
Looking at Kakashi, who neglected his proper duties while holding the latest issue in his hands, Zou Hyuga silently cursed these parasites in the ANBU.
It was precisely because of these people who got in through connections that the ANBU's combat strength was so poor.
Kakashi, whose father had been the ANBU Commander, had failed to follow in his father's footsteps, but had still coasted into the position of Deputy Commander in charge of logistics. Perhaps he could coast into becoming Hokage someday, too.
After his failure, Zou Hyuga went to another office, found Oto likewise slacking off, and sat down on the sofa beside her.
It suddenly occurred to him that, aside from a certain newly appointed ANBU Commander named Jiraiya who never bothered with anything...
The current ANBU was already controlled by the former members of Team Kakashi. The