Facing the almost direct pressure from the Village's higher-ups, Senju Rinmu thought for a long time.
The higher-ups all stared at Senju Rinmu, waiting for his submission and concession.
Senju Rinmu thought it over and over, then said, "I will recall Tsunade, have Tsunade return from the front lines, and participate in Kushina's growth, nurturing Kushina."
Tsunade was the greatest common denominator for both sides; she was both Hiruzen Sarutobi's favored disciple and the Senju Clan's Princess.
"Tsunade..." Hiruzen Sarutobi understood Tsunade best; Tsunade's love for the Village was far purer than Senju Rinmu's.
For the Village, Tsunade was willing to do anything.
The Village was her grandfather's life's work, and Tsunade would never allow a Jinchuriki to threaten the Village.
Seeing Hiruzen's attitude visibly soften, Danzo and Homura Mitokado said nothing more.
A look of joy appeared on Kato Dan's face; he could finally see Tsunade.
The Third Hokage dismissed both groups.
He finally said, "Yellow Dog, get me a detailed report of tonight as soon as possible."
"I will deliver the report to you in ten minutes."
Late at night, the Third Hokage carefully read the report.
This report was free of any embellishment, meticulously documenting every detail the Yellow Dog Squad had seen and done.
The turning point of the situation was when Squad Leader Fox discovered a Cloud Ninja Spy.
Fox reported to Black Gorilla, who led his squad to pursue the Cloud Ninja Spy, coincidentally running into the Cloud Ninja Spy abducting the Whirlpool Princess.
Hiruzen Sarutobi thought to himself, 'So that's how it was.'
After the Uzumaki Clan's destruction, several outstanding newcomers appeared in the Anbu, and Fox was one of them.
Fox imitated the Cloud Ninja's swordplay during combat, and his swordplay became increasingly refined.
His growth in swordplay was traceable, a gradual progression, so it was impossible for him to be a Cloud Ninja's Spy.
Continuing to read, Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his eyebrows, greatly intrigued.
Minato Namikaze, Vortex Kushina's classmate, killed a Cloud Ninja Spy?
Black Gorilla gave Minato Namikaze an extremely high evaluation.
Fox, who was skilled in swordplay and reacted faster than others, was still slightly inferior to Minato Namikaze.
A 10-year-old child, stronger than an Anbu Squad Leader?
Minato Namikaze entered Hiruzen Sarutobi's field of vision for the first time.
This was a good seed.
He immediately issued an order for the Ninja School teachers to focus on observing and nurturing Minato Namikaze.
Minato Namikaze and Vortex Kushina were very likely to become friends because of this incident; through Minato Namikaze, he could also influence Vortex Kushina.
Whether in terms of strength or interpersonal relationships, Minato Namikaze was worth investing in.
-----------------
Time passed with daily surveillance missions.
Many days later.
The full moon was like a silver platter, and the moonlight was like white frost.
It was a full moon night again.
At 12 AM, after the shift change, Night Light hid in the tree canopy outside the Senju Clan Grounds, observing the Senju Clan Grounds with binoculars.
The Senju Clan Grounds were very large; one-tenth of the Konoha Village's central area was the Senju Clan Grounds.
This massive Ninja Clan was now at the end of its glory, with at least 12 Elite Jonin and over 30 Jonin within the Clan.
Whether it was Uzumaki Mito or Vortex Kushina, they were very safe within the Senju Clan Grounds.
Night Light looked towards the outskirts of the Senju Clan Grounds and saw a couple in a nearby alley.
Among that couple, the female Ninja was a Senju Ninja, and the male Ninja was a civilian Ninja from the Village.
Thanks to Senju Tobirama's policies, the Senju Clan was very willing to support civilians; after the Uzumaki Clan's destruction, many Senju Clan women began to consider civilian Ninja in the Village.
Purple Cat was beside Night Light; she also watched the couple with binoculars, and after a while, she put them down.
The male Ninja's hands were not well-behaved, constantly exploring up and down.
Senju female Ninja were famously curvaceous, and exploring required traversing mountains and ridges, quite a bumpy ride.
Purple Cat was a woman and felt a bit embarrassed.
She turned her head left and right, finding that the eyeholes of her three teammates' masks were all pressed tightly against their binoculars.
"Cough, cough!"
Purple Cat coughed lightly, signaling the male members of the Squad not to go too far.
Staring at the young couple's intimacy like this did not conform to the Fire Will.
Antelope and Black Bull both shamefully put down their binoculars.
That couple were fellow Konoha comrades; how could they pry into others' privacy?
Night Light, however, remained unmoved, instead sternly lecturing Purple Cat:
"Purple Cat, you've made several fatal mistakes. If this weren't in the Village, your actions could very well get our Squad killed.
First, you cannot make a sound.
As Anbu, how can you make noise during surveillance?
This is outside the Senju Clan Grounds. The Senju Clan knows we are gathering intelligence around the Whirlpool Princess, so exposing ourselves poses no real danger.
But if we were monitoring in another town and you exposed us, would you be willing to be the first to cover our retreat?
Second, you cannot assume things.
Because of some inappropriate scenes, you gave up on surveillance. What if that civilian Ninja was a Spy?
What if, the moment you put down your binoculars, that Ninja suddenly attacked and killed the Senju female Ninja?
Any stranger appearing in the Senju Clan Grounds could potentially threaten the Whirlpool Princess.
Third, you have no right to order Antelope and Black Bull.
Before I give an order, the three of you must strictly follow my commands.
Now, the three of you, pick up your binoculars and watch, watch carefully, and do not miss a single detail!"
Under her mask, Purple Cat's face was flushed, redder than when she had seen the intimate scenes earlier.
"I'm sorry! Squad Leader Fox! I was wrong!"
Antelope, Black Bull, and Purple Cat quickly picked up their binoculars and continued to scout those intimate scenes.
Antelope and Black Bull both felt that the Squad Leader was too understanding; it was good to watch, they loved to watch, and they could even stare intently under the guise of a mission.
Their movements became more intense, evolving into involuntary trembling.
The poor two, unaware of how closely the Senju Clan was being monitored at that moment.
Inside several large trees nearby, at least three squads were watching them.
After more than ten minutes of intimacy, the Senju female Ninja entered the Clan Grounds with a flushed face and weak legs.
This was the sour stench of love.
The male Ninja, meanwhile, stood in place for a long time and did not leave.
Through the gaps in the leaves of the adjacent tree canopy, Captain Black Ape made a few hand gestures.
Night Light responded with a few gestures, then waved his hand, signaling the Squad to leave.
Purple Cat felt even more remorseful; the communication between the Squad and the Squad Leader was conducted in silence, without any extra noise, which was the normal state for Anbu.
Squad Leader Fox was truly strict, but such a Squad Leader was even more trustworthy.
After they had gone some distance, Night Light finally told his three subordinates, "Follow that male Ninja and rule out the possibility of him being a Spy."
The Squad followed the male Ninja from a distance until he returned home.
The target went upstairs, turned off the lights, and drew the curtains.
Purple Cat saw that Squad Leader Fox wasn't moving, so she waited silently.
This wait lasted from midnight until dawn.
Only when the male Ninja left did Night Light lead the Squad to infiltrate that single-family house.
Night Light carefully observed everything inside the house.
The more he looked, the more something felt off.
"Purple Cat, check the bed.
Black Bull, check the bathroom.
Antelope, check the desk."