Thick water mist obscured visibility.
Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique! This jutsu is great, if there's a chance later, it must be learned. With it, one could survive more easily.
Yoru grinned inwardly: in the mist, no one could see him. This is the perfect chance to "slack off."
Rush forward? Only a fool would charge headlong in front of hundreds of Mist ninjas.
After forming hand seals, Yoru created a shadow clone while his real body sank into the rocks.
He transmitted orders to the clone: dodge only, do not counterattack, just survive.
The shadow clone held out for several minutes before being overwhelmed by the wide-ranging Water Release.
Taking advantage of the clone drawing attention, Yoru emerged from the rocks and killed two Mist ninjas.
Having met his quota, he created another shadow clone and hid back in the rocks.
The Water Release kept washing over the rocks, and a new problem arose: the Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique continually consumed chakra, and sooner or later he couldn't remain hidden.
Yoru kept an eye on the center of the battlefield.
On the sea surface, Captain Yellow Dog fought five Jonin from the Hidden Mist Village.
Yellow Dog was strong, but the Mist ninjas had home advantage, and Water Release consumed minimal chakra.
Finally, Yoru got good news.
Seeing the Uzumaki ninjas retreat, Captain Yellow Dog, fearing the princess might encounter other ambushes, ordered everyone to fight while retreating.
The Konoha Anbu dropped smoke bombs, mixed with the water mist, making visibility nearly zero.
Yoru spotted a direction and leapt toward the rear.
He didn't need to outrun the Mist ninjas, just the last Anbu units.
Once off the beach, the Mist ninjas' pressure diminished significantly.
On land, Water Release consumed more chakra.
Not far away, another Anbu squad began retreating to avoid being slowed by the Cloud ninjas.
The beach was littered with corpses, Anbu, Uzumaki, Cloud, and Mist alike.
Orders came from Captain Yellow Dog.
The four squads fell back one by one.
Black Bull Squad was first to hold the rear.
The Black Bull Anbu stopped without hesitation.
They raised kunai or formed seals, awaiting the Mist ninjas, or rather, awaiting death.
Yoru, untainted by the Will of Fire, could not be so resolute.
Half a minute later, the sound of Water Release washing over rocks came from the rear.
As expected, the Black Bull Squad had been annihilated.
"Brown Bear! Your squad covers the rear!"
It was Yoru's squad's turn.
Led by Captain Brown Bear, everyone stopped.
Yoru's momentum carried him slightly further back as he dragged his feet to the rear.
Damn it.
The Uzumaki clan's catastrophe drew closer, and battles became more frequent.
It was only the 22nd of the second half of the month. If he died here, he'd have to wait over twenty days for the next full moon.
Yoru drew his ninja sword, watching the rear carefully, uncertain what to do.
This time, death was certain. Since he was going to die, he needed to draw a better ability.
The Mist ninjas were strong, but not suited to the current Yoru. If he drew all water-type chakra, it would be wasted.
His gaze swept to Captain Brown Bear's back.
Since he was going to die anyway…
The water mist pushed forward like a high wall.
Mist ninjas pursued from behind, Cloud ninjas flanked ahead.
Captain Brown Bear showed no signs of retreat, ready to sacrifice himself for Konoha.
The water mist enveloped the entire squad.
Visibility dropped, and Yoru slowly approached Captain Brown Bear.
The captain suddenly disappeared, startling Yoru.
He quickly rolled to the side.
A powerful water column surged forward, shattering coconut trees behind him.
As Yoru rolled on the ground, he saw a shadow rapidly descend, it was Captain Brown Bear, who had just leapt.
The captain's Body Flicker Technique was formidable.
"For Konoha! Do not retreat!"
Captain Brown Bear charged, using Fire Release against three Mist ninjas.
Flame projectiles evaporated nearby mist.
The three Mist ninjas combined Water Wall formations, blocking the flames and creating more mist.
A faint rushing sound came from behind. Yoru crouched.
A kunai flew over his head.
A Mist ninja silently appeared behind him. Yoru braced himself and kicked diagonally upward, sending the ninja flying.
There were too many Mist ninjas; one down, three more appeared.
To the side, Captain Brown Bear was suddenly blown backward by a Water Release attack.
Yoru quickly moved to catch him.
Brown Bear spat blood, saw Yoru, and breathed a sigh of relief.
Then his eyes widened in horror.
A ninja sword stabbed into his back, piercing his organs.
"Spy?"
Captain Brown Bear never imagined he would be killed by his own Anbu subordinate.
"You're from which village, "
Before he could finish, a massive sword slashed down.
Yoru saw the Seven Ninja Swordsmen!
Holding a decapitating blade: Bizan Jūzō!
Each of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen was at least an elite Jonin.
Chasing the Uzumaki princess were the Seven Ninja Swordsmen.
They were the Third Mizukage's elite bodyguards, equivalent to seven elite Jonin.
Apparently, the Uzumaki squad's mission to seal the tailed beast at sea had enraged the Mist Village, and now it was an all-out war.
The huge, stiff sword swung down; Yoru and Captain Brown Bear's heads were both cut off.
It is said consciousness remains for a few seconds after decapitation.
The surrounding scenery spun rapidly. Yoru's head hit the ground, and he shared one last furious gaze with Brown Bear before both pupils dilated.
Yoru's vision blurred; he was reborn.
He revived on the night after capturing the Cloud ninja squad leader.
The Cloud ninja was already disabled, tossed roughly to the ground, groaning in pain.
He looked up at Yoru but saw him staring blankly, eyes vacant.
Yoru felt unease. Sent by Anbu to cover the rear, death was certain.
A single encounter with a Mist ninja would mean death.
Even escaping the battlefield would lead to being hunted by patrolling Cloud ninjas.
At best, he might dodge the Cloud ninja's sword but still be pursued as a traitor.
Both paths were dead ends.
No way out.
What to do? According to the previous timeline, he would definitely die.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen alone, Bizan Jūzō by himself, could instantly kill him and Captain Brown Bear. No chance of survival.
What to do? Where was the solution?
The system announced:
Forget it, first choose a reward to strengthen yourself.
[Arc of the Full Moon Activated!
The host has one resurrection per month, reviving on the previous full moon night after death.
Reward: One lottery draw:
1, Fire-natured chakra;
2, Chakra of a Chunin (stackable);
3, Taijutsu: Body Flicker Technique (Beginner).]
Not bad, not bad at all. This reward was very satisfactory.