"Long Spear Egret!"
The young Long Spear Egret, still small and not much stronger than a regular egret, had come to help Yuka scout information.
Konoha knew the Uzumaki clan extremely well and had intelligence on the vast majority of its members.
Seeing Long Spear Egret now, Captain Black Chimp immediately exclaimed without needing Yoru's reminder: "It's Uzumaki Yuka! Uzumaki Yuka is nearby!"
Captain Black Chimp did not act recklessly but cautiously crawled closer to the Long Spear Egret.
The Long Spear Egret noticed nothing.
Just as Black Chimp and Yoru were about to capture the bird, it suddenly took off and flew into the trees behind them.
Black Chimp and Yoru immediately got up and followed.
The park's forest was dense, shrouded in a light mist, making it hard to see far ahead.
As they pursued, Yoru heard two egret cries.
Why was another egret flying in from the opposite direction?
"Danger! Run!"
Black Chimp shouted, abandoning stealth and leaping backward.
Another Long Spear Egret had brought Mist ninja!
Uzumaki Yuka had learned the "Misfortune Leads East" technique—luring the tiger to swallow the wolf.
Eight Mist ninja surrounded Black Chimp and Yoru.
The battle erupted instantly!
Captain Black Chimp's fists grew massive as he struck forward.
It turned out Captain Black Chimp was from the Akimichi clan.
His fist, like a small cart, smashed into the front Mist ninja, sending them flying backward.
The sound of bones breaking made one's scalp tingle.
Black Chimp stepped forward again but suddenly realized his feet wouldn't move.
The ground had become sticky with a strange substance, trapping Black Chimp's feet.
Seeing this, Yoru didn't dare advance, unsure what kind of unusual water jutsu this was.
Black Chimp was too heavy; despite several attempts to jump, he couldn't lift himself.
Yoru threw a steel wire around Black Chimp's waist, but no matter how hard he pulled, it wouldn't budge him.
Kunai flew from all directions.
Yoru had to draw his own kunai to block them. His taijutsu was strong; the clanging sounds of metal meeting metal filled the air as he deflected the incoming projectiles.
Captain Black Chimp wasn't as lucky. Immobilized, he had to enlarge one hand to block the kunai with his own flesh and blood.
When his palm returned to normal size, the kunai fell away, but his hand was already covered in blood.
"Fox! Go! Take the intel to Captain Hippo! I'll cover you!"
Captain Black Chimp decided to stay behind.
Upon hearing this, Yoru left without looking back.
Even if Black Chimp hadn't ordered it, Yoru would have left—the situation was too dangerous.
After a few steps, Yoru ran straight into another Mist ninja squad.
He prepared for combat, but suddenly a loud noise came from behind.
A jet of water pierced a tree behind him with terrifying force, aimed at Yoru's lower back.
Reacting instantly, he twisted and rolled to the side.
As soon as he landed, he sensed something wrong—there was sticky water jutsu beneath him as well.
His hands and right leg were stuck, unable to generate force.
Yoru quickly formed hand seals, attempting to use the "Fish in Mud" technique to dive underground.
With the sticky substance, his underground movement was painfully slow.
His chakra reserves were too low.
Puff! Puff!
Two consecutive kunai struck his head and throat.
——
Everything went black. His vision shifted, and moonlight reflected in Yoru's eyes.
His gaze changed—he was back at the previous full moon.
He appeared on the shores of the Land of Fire, about to enter the Land of Waves with Captain Hippo.
The Land of Waves was extremely dangerous; Mist ninja, like Konoha, were determined to seize the Uzumaki elder's scroll.
["Arc of the Full Moon" Activated!
The host has one resurrection opportunity per month; upon death, they will revive at the previous full moon night.
Reward for resurrection:
1 – Water-attribute chakra;
2 – Chūnin-level chakra reserves (stackable);
3 – Mastery in kunai throwing.]
Water-attribute chakra was temporarily useless, so he discarded it.
Mastery of kunai throwing was highly tempting—at a distance of thirty meters, he could precisely pierce enemies, eliminating the need for close combat and increasing his survival chances.
Chūnin-level chakra reserves were also very useful.
With abundant chakra, he could force his way through sticky water jutsu or dive underground.
After careful consideration, Yoru chose the Chūnin-level chakra reserves.
With this addition, plus his existing double Chūnin-level reserves, his chakra problem was finally relieved somewhat.
Exhaling deeply, Yoru found chakra extraction easier and his body filled with energy.
Crossing the waves of the Land of Waves' strait, he felt little fatigue.
Walking atop the rolling sea, chakra supported his feet and legs, unafraid of the waves and wind.
Last year's Chūnin exams had lowered standards, promoting 200 ninjas at once—Yoru now truly had the feel of a Chūnin.
Following the previous timeline, he spent a long time in the Land of Waves and finally entered the capital.
Upon entering Kyoto, Yoru found Captain Black Chimp, who had lost an arm and was severely weakened in combat.
Soon after, they spotted the Long Spear Egret by a lake.
The egret led them into the park's forest.
Inside the forest, Yoru whispered: "Captain, do you think this might be a trap?"
Captain Black Chimp nodded repeatedly, acknowledging the caution:
"Could be. Don't rush in or chase the egret recklessly. First, determine the general area, then notify Captain Hippo to bring reinforcements for reconnaissance."
The two slowed their pace.
Yoru leapt to the treetops to observe the Long Spear Egret from afar.
Black Chimp rested below.
He thought to himself, Fox is a reliable subordinate—cautious and careful, always completing tasks. Now that I've lost an arm, Fox even knows to let me rest more.
With one arm gone, his balance was compromised; standing atop a tree was strenuous.
Fox's abilities were solid; by focusing chakra into his feet, he could comfortably perch on the treetops.
Yoru jumped down and said to Black Chimp:
"Captain, I see another egret flying in. There are two in the forest. Should I send a shadow clone to scout?"
"Good," Black Chimp approved, impressed by Fox's caution.
The shadow clone disappeared into the forest.
Minutes later, Fox suddenly looked up:
"Captain! The shadow clone just saw Mist ninja! Mist ninja are in this forest too! We need to go!"
Black Chimp and Yoru hurried out of the forest.
They exited to the lakeside, where many Kyoto civilians were enjoying themselves.
Yoru said: "Captain, I'll stay here. Please go contact Captain Hippo."
"Good, but be extremely careful."
Black Chimp grew increasingly fond of Fox as a subordinate.
Once his squad was rebuilt, he intended to make full use of Fox.
After Black Chimp left, Yoru took out a small scroll.
With the Long Spear Egret here, Yuka was likely hiding somewhere in the forest.
He hoped Yuka would find him.
A few minutes later, rustling came from the bushes behind him.
"Yuka, is that you?"