Dawn gradually broke.
Yorimitsu stood by the window on the second floor of the Tsukizuki Tavern, watching as the full moon in the sky was slowly swallowed by sunlight.
If he died this month, this was probably where he would revive.
After being discharged from Konoha Hospital, he didn't return to the ANBU quarters. Instead, he stayed at the tavern.
Earn some, spend some — better to use it than let his captain take it later.
Turning around, Yorimitsu looked toward the bed.
Kyo'i was sound asleep, her smooth legs exposed outside the blanket.
They had "exchanged information" all night long, but he still hadn't found any evidence that Kyo'i was a spy.
Maybe his investigation wasn't thorough enough.
Maybe his investigation wasn't intense enough.
Or maybe she really wasn't a spy at all.
Even if she was, she'd probably be the kind that relied on brains rather than strength — not much of a threat.
Without a word, Yorimitsu pulled up his pants and slipped out the window, heading toward the Forest of Death before dawn when few people were around.
His ANBU squad had been ordered to head to the Land of Waves. The other division was sent to the Land of Whirlpools.
Captain Antelope's team met a group of Uzumaki ninja in a fishing village in the Land of Waves — their mission was to escort them back to Uzushio Village.
Yorimitsu followed at the rear, observing the three Uzumaki.
The original story never depicted Uzushio Village clearly; by the time Naruto's tale began, it had long been destroyed.
There was one woman and two men, all with red hair.
The woman in front had the deepest crimson hue — Yorimitsu wondered if hair color represented the strength of Uzumaki bloodline purity.
All three were wounded — cuts consistent with ninja blades.
Kumogakure taught sword techniques in their academy, so Cloud ninja favored blade combat.
After leaving the Land of Waves and entering the Fire Country's forests, the three Uzumaki finally relaxed.
Uzushio lay on a peninsula southeast of the Fire Country; passing through Fire Country was the safest route.
Trying to stall for time, Yorimitsu pointed at the woman's leg wound. "I've got medicine — how about treating your wound before we continue?"
Captain Antelope was about to scold him for being meddlesome when the red-haired kunoichi, Uzumaki Yuuka, nodded. "Yes, if I don't treat this, it might leave a permanent injury."
Because Uzushio was allied with the Senju clan, Captain Antelope held his tongue.
Yorimitsu handed over his medical kit.
Without hesitation, Yuuka lifted the slit of her skirt, revealing her wounded thigh. She undid the old makeshift bandage and scraped off the darkened medicine with a kunai.
The blade touched raw flesh, and Yuuka clenched her teeth in pain.
Her right hand was also injured, so she worked clumsily with her left.
"I'll help," Yorimitsu said, squatting down.
"Thank you."
Watching the masked ANBU treat her wound, Yuuka smiled faintly. "You're different from the others. Thank you for your kindness."
Yorimitsu said nothing.
He was only doing it to delay their progress, even if it earned him his captain's scolding.
Seven days to reach the Land of Waves, one more to cross into Fire Country — relatively safe now, with no Cloud ninja nearby.
The longer they lingered here, the better.
If he could die just one day before the next full moon, that would be perfect. Everything that happened before then, he would already know — almost like having the power of foresight.
Yuuka spoke while he worked:
"Tsunade-sama once wrote to the Uzumaki clan, suggesting each team should have a medical ninja.
Unfortunately, Uzushio couldn't manage it. Our medical ninjutsu came from the Senju, and if even they struggled, so do we."
Yorimitsu didn't respond. Beneath his mask, his eyes glanced upward, evaluating the kunoichi's strength.
Then his gaze drifted toward her chest — restrained tightly under her combat attire, round and full. He couldn't help but think: As expected of Tsunade's cousin.
When the bandaging was done, Yorimitsu stood and stepped back in silence.
Yuuka looked slightly disappointed — the ANBU of Konoha truly were all quiet and cold.
They resumed their march, and after three more days, entered the Land of Whirlpools — a long, narrow peninsula nation.
Yorimitsu gazed at the rippling wheat fields, as if he could see the shape of the wind.
If every mission could be this peaceful — walking, resting, enjoying the view…
BOOM!
An explosion tore through the fields beside them — a paper bomb trap!
The blast targeted the three red-haired Uzumaki in the middle.
From the wheat fields, two Cloud squads suddenly burst out.
The glint of their swords made Yorimitsu's scalp go numb.
Yuuka was blown into a field, her body carving a pit into the ground.
Even midair, she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
Two Cloud ninja charged toward her — but suddenly froze in place.
Sealing marks crawled up their legs like snakes, paralyzing them completely.
Yorimitsu's eyes widened. That's the Curse Sealing Jutsu — one of Danzo's techniques!
Captain Antelope shouted, "Complete the mission!"
Then he moved to intercept the Cloud captain.
Purple Cat rushed to a fallen Uzumaki male, checked his pulse, and determined there was no saving him.
Her blade flashed — she killed him on the spot.
The primary objective was to ensure Cloud didn't obtain Uzumaki sealing techniques. Escorting them home was merely secondary.
During the Second Shinobi War, all villages suffered heavy losses. Everyone desperately wanted sealing jutsu to control their jinchūriki better.
The sealing arts must never fall into enemy hands.
Yorimitsu reached Yuuka's side.
She lay among the wheat stalks, chest crushed, lungs punctured — a fatal wound.
Without medical ninjutsu, there was no saving her.
Her vision obscured by the wheat, she hadn't seen Purple Cat's betrayal. Seeing Yorimitsu, her eyes flickered with gratitude.
The two Cloud ninja she sealed were helpless — if they were slain, she might yet live.
Yorimitsu raised his kunai — but instead of finishing the Cloud ninja, he drove it straight into Yuuka's skull.
That way, Cloud would never obtain her sealing techniques.
The light in Yuuka's eyes instantly faded.
"Konoha… so you wanted it too…" she murmured, before dying.
Ninjas were tools.
ANBU were tools among tools.
Yuuka's injuries were fatal — using two sealing jutsu was merely her final flare of life.
With the captain nearby, Yorimitsu could only play his role and finish the mission flawlessly.
Using the lingering effects of her seal, he killed one of the immobilized Cloud ninja.
The other broke free and thrust his blade into Yorimitsu's side.
Yorimitsu rolled forward, barely dodging.
As he moved, he tried to weave hand signs for Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole, but his legs suddenly went numb.
Lightning Release traps!
Lightning countered Earth — his one lifesaving jutsu was useless.
After a brief struggle, Yorimitsu was cut down.
Before losing consciousness, he saw Captain Antelope fleeing alone — Purple Cat and Horned Bull already dead in the field.
Damn it…
To keep sealing secrets safe, even Uzumaki shinobi could be sacrificed.
In the end, he realized — he was just as expendable.
[Arc of the Moon – Activated!]
Host has one resurrection per month.
Upon death, revival occurs on the previous full moon night.
Reward: One spin of the lottery!