The Sealing Technique: Object Sealing Method was a jutsu that allowed one to seal ninja tools such as kunai into scrolls.
But for Yoru's current combat ability, carrying triple the amount of tools wasn't of much use, so he eliminated this option.
Kunai Thrust wasn't necessary either. It seemed that the Uzumaki ninja who killed him specialized in the kunai.
There were many kunai specialists—he'd surely have more chances to draw that reward later.
The Chūnin-level chakra reserves (stackable), however, were exactly what Yoru urgently needed.
Especially after learning the Shadow Clone Technique, his demand for chakra had only grown.
He chose this option, and his chakra doubled—becoming twice the amount of a chūnin-level ninja.
If he could stockpile up to five times the chūnin-level reserves, that would equal an elite chūnin's chakra.
What a pitifully poor talent his original body had—such a meager amount of chakra.
After listening to Captain Brown Bear's orders, Captain Antelope led Fox away.
"Captain, what's our next mission?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
Alright then, Captain Antelope—you didn't seize your second chance after all.
Antelope would have to die, otherwise Yoru couldn't explain why he knew the Shadow Clone Technique. Dead men told no tales.
The new Blue Wolf Squad also had to be eliminated, or he'd never become captain himself.
Following behind Captain Antelope, Yoru kept calculating—how could he achieve his goal?
They rendezvoused with Uzumaki Yuka's squad and lay in ambush by the lake together.
As before, Captain Antelope insisted that Yoru stay near Yuka, ready to strike at her at any moment.
Crouched in the bushes beside Uzumaki Yuka, Yoru thought it over again and again—this woman could not die. She was the key to eliminating Blue Wolf's squad.
Just like before, a spear-bird flew in from the distance. When its explosive tags detonated into a steel-wire net, Yuka was the first to charge forward.
At the critical moment of sealing, two squads of Cloud ninja appeared.
Yoru stabbed Yuka, then poisoned Captain Antelope, killing him.
But this time, when he returned to Yuka, his eyes no longer carried killing intent.
"Fox! You came back!"
Hearing Yuka's delighted tone, Yoru carefully tended to the wound in her abdomen.
He cut open the fabric of her tight clothing, exposing a firm stomach with clearly defined abs.
Such a beautiful midsection—what a pity if it scarred.
After healing Yuka, Yoru helped her up.
"Thank you, Fox."
Hearing her heartfelt gratitude, Yoru struck while the iron was hot:
"Yuka, you know my identity is special. I'm gathering intelligence for a certain noble of the Senju clan.
Saving you this time was a huge risk for me—thankfully my captain was fatally wounded, or I'd never have had the chance to come back for you."
Yuka replied: "You already held back—your kunai was coated with a hemostatic agent, and the wound wasn't deep. For which Senju noble are you gathering information?"
Yoru thought, How should I know? He said instead:
"Classified. Don't try to guess.
That lord suspects the Anbu has changed, no longer like it was under Lord Tobirama's leadership. That's why I was sent to infiltrate Anbu and investigate in secret.
Coming here to the Land of Waves, the Anbu really have been acting strange—trying to steal the Uzumaki clan's scrolls. Such a thing would've been unthinkable before.
Yuka, you must keep this secret for me. I can't afford to be exposed."
"I understand. I won't tell a soul."
"I only report directly to that noble. Even if you meet another Senju, you can't mention me."
"Yes. I know. Infiltrating the Anbu is extremely dangerous. I won't tell any Senju, not even my own village."
Yoru nodded quickly. This woman was surprisingly easy to deceive.
The key was that he had skillfully used the Uzumaki secret jutsu Self-Curse Binding Seal. Naturally, Yuka didn't suspect him.
If Yoru had a Sharingan right now, the Uchiha would probably assume he was some lost orphan of their clan.
After a brief rest, Yuka signaled for him to help her over to the spear-bird.
Yoru looked and saw that the creature, so fierce in temperament, had broken its own bones while thrashing about, unable to fly away.
Pale-faced, Yuka mustered all her chakra, opened the sealing scroll, and used a Contract Seal to bind the spear-bird.
"Give it care while it heals. Slowly wear away its wild nature and build a bond of trust. Only then can this beast become a proper summoning partner."
Yoru found it remarkable—though unfortunately, he himself knew no sealing techniques.
Yuka's eyes dimmed, as if recalling unpleasant memories.
After a long silence, she finally said: "Fox, I know why Konoha's Anbu has changed its attitude."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because… the clan head rejected Advisor Danzō's demands."
"This isn't a secret within the clan.
The clan head's granddaughter, Uzumaki Kushina, has shown a once-in-decades talent for sealing techniques.
Konoha's Shimura Danzō came to negotiate—he wanted Lady Kushina to become the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
But the clan head declared that Uzushio had found signs of the wild Three-Tails. The village wanted Lady Kushina to be that beast's jinchūriki.
With the Uzumaki clan's sealing arts, we could've controlled a tailed beast long ago.
Since Lord Tobirama's death, the Uzumaki's situation has worsened. Konoha no longer fully supports us. We've had to fend for ourselves.
Danzō didn't press further on the jinchūriki matter—but then he demanded something else.
He said the Uzumaki must share our advanced sealing secrets with Konoha.
The clan head refused again.
Sealing techniques are the very foundation of the Uzumaki clan. Even the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama, when he married Lady Mito Uzumaki, never demanded that we hand them over.
Rejecting Danzō twice in a row left the clan head deeply worried, but he had no choice but to stand firm."
Yoru thought to himself: Saving Yuka had indeed been the right choice.
So Danzō had come to Uzumaki Village to demand both the next jinchūriki and the clan's sealing secrets.
Uzumaki Kushina's talent was extraordinary—even at such a young age, both villages were vying for her.
The dispute was clear: both villages wanted her as their jinchūriki.
The Anbu's mission to steal the Adamantine Sealing Chains scroll was meant to probe the secrets of Uzumaki sealing techniques.
Ninja bodies were truly remarkable—after only five days, Yuka's injuries had mostly healed.
Her abdomen was flat, and even the scar had faded to a faint pink mark.
One night, in the second half of the evening, Yuka found a spring in the wild.
"Let me wash your clothes for you."
By the water, she removed Yoru's Anbu vest, and in the process took off his mask.
"Wow… your eyes are actually quite handsome. Such a pity you hide them behind a mask. So cautious."
"Just my vest you'll wash?"
"Shall I wash your shorts too?"
The pile of clothing to wash grew larger, while the amount on their bodies grew smaller.
Moonlight shone on Yuka's fair, bare body, leaving Yoru breathless in wonder.
When bound in mesh undergarments, her chest had seemed merely full. But freed, it swelled, soft and enticing.
The Water Release rinsed and soaked, dried and wet again, over and over, until at last their washing was done. The two leaned together, taking turns resting and keeping watch.
The next morning, Yoru said:
"Yuka, my next mission is to investigate a certain town. I'll tell you the location—there may be many Uzumaki ninja there."
If he planted an insider among the Uzumaki, surely he wouldn't die so easily again.