His vision suddenly shifted.
Yorimitsu gasped for breath as he woke up on the bed, the innkeeper Chōi sleeping soundly beside him.
Her back was smooth and beautiful.
It feels good to be alive again.
[Arc of the Moon activated!
The host has one resurrection opportunity per month. Upon death, they will revive on the previous full moon night.
Reward: One lottery draw.
1 – A-Rank Sealing Technique: Curse Sealing Mark of Retribution (Beginner)
2 – Chūnin-level Chakra Capacity (Stackable)
3 – Ninja Blade Technique (Beginner)]
As Yorimitsu traced Chōi's slender waist and soft back, savoring the feeling of rebirth, he pondered his options.
Ninja Blade Technique (Beginner)—quite practical.
In the coming mission to escort the Uzumaki team, the enemy would be Cloud shinobi—experts with blades.
If he could wield a sword himself, he could anticipate their movements and gain an edge in close combat, avoiding the same death by blade as before.
The Chūnin-level Chakra Capacity, especially since it could stack, was also tempting.
Right now, his chakra reserves were at an average chūnin's level. Without any special bloodline, his growth wasn't as fast as a genius's.
If Kakashi's chakra amount were the standard unit, his was only about 0.1 "Kaka."
In the end, Yorimitsu chose the first reward.
Who could refuse an A-rank sealing technique?
After all, a jutsu's rank represented difficulty, not power.
The Uzumaki clan's Curse Sealing Mark of Retribution was an excellent technique.
Even when mortally wounded, Uzumaki Yuuka had used it to completely immobilize two Cloud shinobi.
After studying it briefly, Yorimitsu understood its principle:
By physical contact—or through a pre-laid mark beneath one's feet—the seal could bind the enemy, freezing every joint in their body.
As a beginner-level version, his seal covered a radius of about two meters around him.
A strong, concealed control-type trap—perfect.
Finally, my second ninjutsu.
Yorimitsu moved to the window, glanced back at Chōi's bare back and legs, then jumped out, vanishing into the dawn of Konoha.
In the ANBU locker room, while gearing up, Captain Antelope found something odd.
Why did "Fox" glance at him more than once today?
Yorimitsu clenched his teeth in silent fury.
In the last life, when he died, that captain hadn't even tried to save anyone—he just turned and ran.
If not for his resurrection, he'd have been nothing more than another dead weed in a wheat field.
This time, Yorimitsu vowed to save the three Uzumaki ninjas—only by keeping them alive could he and the squad survive against two enemy teams.
Everything felt familiar. Once again, their squad found the Uzumaki team in the Land of Waves.
But this time, Yorimitsu had brought better medicine and carefully bandaged Uzumaki Yuuka's wounds.
Yuuka was deeply moved.
To have allies like the Senju and Konoha—what luck.
Though the ANBU ninja wore a mask, she could feel his sincerity.
To ensure the bandage held, Yorimitsu had to wrap it deep around her thigh, forcing Yuuka to spread her legs wider, blushing slightly.
Her long legs were shapely and firm. Yorimitsu had a flicker of impure thought—but quickly brushed it off.
These three Uzumaki ninjas had to stand strong.
If they died too easily, he'd die too.
After bandaging her leg, he treated the wound on her hand as well.
Through his mask, Yuuka saw his calm eyes and whispered, "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
"I heard your captain call you 'Fox.' What's your real name?"
"Classified."
Yuuka looked a little disappointed. Such a diligent ANBU, yet he wouldn't even share his name.
If she ever went to Konoha, she wouldn't even know where to find him.
Once they entered the Land of Whirlpools, Yorimitsu was the most alert of them all—
especially while walking along the narrow paths between wheat fields.
Recalling scenes from his previous life, he pinpointed the same location—and found the trap.
The enemy was well-hidden; Cloud ninjas must have set it days in advance.
He pulled three shuriken from his pouch and hurled them toward the thick wheat nearby.
The others stared at him, confused.
A moment later—Boom!
Explosive tags detonated!
He'd discovered the trap!
Captain Antelope glanced over, impressed. Fox's observation skills were sharper than his own—he hadn't even noticed it.
"Ambush!"
Eight Cloud shinobi leapt out from the fields, kunai and shuriken flying in every direction.
Yorimitsu moved with Yuuka, charging into the wheat.
One Cloud ninja swung his sword hard at Yuuka.
Yuuka formed three quick hand seals, then raised her kunai to block.
Clang!
The Cloud ninja froze mid-swing.
Curse marks crawled up his body—the Curse Sealing Mark of Retribution!
Yorimitsu watched in awe.
So this was how practical the sealing technique truly was.
The immobilized Cloud ninja was quickly finished off by Yuuka's kunai.
Another Cloud ninja rushed Yorimitsu.
He parried while luring the enemy closer to Yuuka.
Once Yuuka joined in, Yorimitsu stabbed the foe cleanly.
Wise decision. Saving Yuuka had indeed increased his survival odds.
But then, the Cloud squad leader set his sights on Yuuka.
Seeing that dangerous gleam in the man's eyes, Yorimitsu feigned helping Purple Cat—then quickly retreated.
Battles between captains were not his problem.
He'd already killed one ninja—KPI achieved. Time to play dead and "look busy."
He darted around Purple Cat, shouting threats and feints, doing little more than moral support.
Even so, Purple Cat's pressure eased, gaining the upper hand in close combat.
When Purple Cat injured his opponent, Yorimitsu jumped in—
both attacking from left and right, finishing the enemy together.
They shared a brief glance—almost like teamwork.
Then, a woman's scream cut through the air.
Uzumaki Yuuka was kicked flying by the Cloud leader, two deep gashes marking her body.
Damn it! Yorimitsu cursed internally.
I helped you so much, and you still can't keep yourself alive?
If you die now, my efforts were for nothing!
The Cloud captain, wounded but relentless, lunged again to finish Yuuka.
Yuuka formed hand seals desperately and unleashed another Curse Sealing Mark of Retribution.
The Cloud captain's sword was only thirty centimeters from her wrist when the marks froze him in place.
He trembled violently, trying to force his blade down to sever her hand.
Purple Cat, seeing Yuuka's injuries, judged her beyond saving.
He dashed forward, kunai aimed straight for Yuuka's throat—intent to kill.
No! Yorimitsu thought in panic.
Yuuka's still useful! If she dies, I'm done for too!
He and Purple Cat together couldn't take on the Cloud captain—
and now, everything was about to collapse again…