"Mission complete," said Captain Black Ape.
"We've received intel from ANBU Headquarters. The remnants of the Uzumaki Clan have entered the Land of the Moon. Since it's within the jurisdiction of Kumogakure, their ANBU and spies will handle the pursuit. We're heading back to the village."
On the eastern coastline of the ninja continent, from south to north, lie the Land of Fire, the Land of Hot Water, the Land of the Moon, and the Land of Lightning.
If the Uzumaki survivors wanted to escape, they had to choose between the Land of Hot Water and the Land of the Moon.
One had to wonder if the Uzumaki felt bitter about that.
Even if the Land of the Moon was under the control of Kumogakure—one of those responsible for their downfall—they still chose that over entering Konoha's territory, the Land of Hot Water.
Kumogakure was one of the butchers behind the clan's destruction, yet in their eyes, Konoha was the greater monster.
Given the ANBU's strength and Konoha's protectiveness toward Princess Kushina, they might die without ever seeing her again. Uzumaki Kushina would never know the truth behind her clan's extermination.
Return to the village.
The Black Ape Unit departed from the Land of Waves and headed back to Konoha.
Upon re-entering Konoha, Yako felt disoriented.
This mission to the Land of Waves and Uzushio Village had taken over half a year.
As he entered the Forest of Death, Yako noticed things had changed.
Some trees were smaller, their positions shifted.
Observing more closely, he realized there were now many underground facilities in the forest.
Freshly turned soil and re-planted trees—everything hinted at transformation.
Descending from the ANBU's skylight, he confirmed that the division had indeed changed.
The Foundation had emerged.
Recently established, the Foundation was initially a straightforward ANBU training facility.
Danzo had set new rules for the ANBU.
Given the unit's frightening mortality rate, Danzo decreed that all new ANBU recruits must first undergo three months of Foundation training.
Previously, ANBU members were selected directly from ordinary shinobi—chūnin-level fighters who could be deployed immediately.
The Foundation's jutsu instructors were appointed by Danzo himself.
Eventually, the Foundation would begin to shift, turning into a kingdom within a kingdom—an independent faction within the ANBU, loyal only to Danzo.
Yako returned to his old team's locker room.
It was the same room he'd used before leaving the village—once belonging to Antelope's squad.
He opened the lockers one by one. The personal items of Captain Antelope, Purple Cat, and Black Oxhorn were all gone.
Only a single mask remained in each locker.
Those three had long since died in the Land of Whirlpools and the Land of Waves.
Yako's own locker still held all his belongings.
With a sigh, he began tidying up his things.
Captain Black Ape passed by and said, "Fox, we've got three days off. Report back to me after that."
"Got it, Captain."
Yako removed his fox mask, took off the ANBU vest, changed into his civilian clothes, and put on a face covering before leaving the division.
Walking once more through the streets of Konoha—it felt good.
The sun was warm, the wind gentle.
If only that enormous and oppressive Hokage monument weren't looming overhead.
Once he was far enough away, Yako removed his mask, blending in as an ordinary villager.
He had nowhere in particular to go, so he headed to the Tsurugetsu Tavern.
At midday, the tavern had few customers.
Inside, the beautiful proprietress Kyoi blinked in surprise when she saw him.
Was this the same boy from half a year ago?
Now, he carried a calm and mature air on his face.
As a spy, Kyoi immediately understood—this composure came from strength gained.
He had grown a lot over the past half-year.
Indeed, Yako's strength had increased substantially.
[Host Status]
Chakra Reserves: 3× Chūnin-level
Chakra Nature: Earth, Water
Ninjutsu: Clone, Substitution, Transformation, Hidden Fish in Earth Technique, Shadow Clone, Water Release: Water Formation Wall
Taijutsu: Basic Taijutsu, Basic Kunai Throwing, Introductory Kenjutsu, Introductory Body Flicker Technique, Cloud-Style Swordsmanship
Fūinjutsu: Self-Binding Curse Mark, Contract Seal, Summoning Technique (Longspear Egret)
Other: Reflex Boost (One-time Breakthrough)
Kyoi quickly came over. "Where've you been these past six months? Why didn't you ever come back to see me?"
"It was wartime. You think I could just stay in the village the whole time?"
Her eyes brightened a bit.
As a spy, the intel she'd gathered lately hadn't been very valuable.
But this boy had returned from a six-month-long mission, visibly stronger—definitely worth probing.
She placed a cup of sake before him and leaned in like a girl meeting her lover, listening to him boast about various thrilling missions in the Land of Hot Water, all while gently stroking the firm muscle of his arm.
Of course, Yako didn't mention the real missions in Uzushio Village and the Land of Waves. He was currently posing as an ordinary chūnin returning from a rotation in the Land of Hot Water.
"Oh dear ninja," Kyoi said playfully, "your right arm looks stronger than the left. Maybe try switching hands now and then?"
"I actually prefer not using my hands. How about you help me out—then I won't have to worry about it."
Two hours later.
Kyoi stepped out of her bedroom in the back, adjusting her clothes.
Ugh—two hours of effort and still not a single bit of intel extracted.
Konoha chūnin really are tough. She was walking with a limp, her thigh aching.
Half-asleep on her soft, fragrant bed, Yako still maintained baseline vigilance. After his nap, he felt fully refreshed.
As night fell, Yako ordered three bottles of sake and drank them slowly.
Around him were Konoha's shinobi and villagers.
Drunk men loved to brag.
"The Senju clan's young heir, Senju Nawaki, graduated this year. You know who his jōnin instructor is?"
"Nope, spill it!"
The braggart grinned. "I was at the photo studio and saw the young heir. His sensei is a real big shot."
"Of course his sensei's amazing. Stop stalling—tell us!"
"Orochimaru! Disciple of the Third Hokage, teammate of Princess Tsunade—Orochimaru himself!"
Everyone nearby sucked in a breath. Gasps and murmurs filled the tavern.
"If only I were the Senju heir… maybe I could've studied under Orochimaru too?"
"Dream on. It's Orochimaru-sensei who got the good deal. I heard Jiraiya, Kato Dan, and over a dozen other jōnin were all vying to be Nawaki's mentor. But the Third Hokage favored Orochimaru, so he chose him."
"Yeah… with Orochimaru guiding Nawaki, it's hard to say who's getting the better end of that deal."
Yako quietly sipped his sake, gathering intel.
Taverns were goldmines. Every visit gave both risks and rewards.
When most of the customers had cleared out, Yako approached the proprietress.
"Give me a room upstairs. I'll be staying here the next few nights."
Kyoi covered her mouth with a soft hand. "You already 'rested' both hands at noon. Still got energy for tonight?"
"Don't keep my hands waiting too long."
The full moon shone like a silver plate, its light pale as frost.
Life in Konoha was leisurely now—only light guard duties each day.
At last, the full moon had come again.
Inside the Tsurugetsu Tavern…
A full moon gleamed in the night sky outside the window.
Two "moons" nestled in his palms.
Three moons, glowing in harmony.