The three team members reported their findings to Yako.
"Captain Fox," said Black Ox, "the bed was too tidy. The blankets weren't unrolled. He only lay on top for a short time. Judging from the shallow indentations, he didn't even turn over. It's like he just stared at the ceiling all night."
"Captain Fox," said Antelope, "he didn't use the bathroom at all. Not a single splash of water."
Yako frowned, muttering, "After getting that physical with a kunoichi with such a great figure, it'd be normal for him to do… something after getting home, wouldn't it?
No use of the bathroom, lying stiffly on the bed—it's suspicious as hell."
Beneath her mask, Purple Cat blushed again. What does he mean "do something"? Did men really lose control after getting intimate with a woman?
Antelope added, "Captain, he used a calligraphy brush last night."
"That's even weirder," Yako replied. "He closed the curtains and turned off the lights early. Why use a brush in the dark?"
The squad vacated the house.
Back at the Anbu HQ, Purple Cat saw Captain Black Ape call Fox away, likely to assign a new mission.
When he returned, Yako walked up to her and said:
"Purple Cat, from today, your job is to monitor that Senju kunoichi from last night. Focus on her behavior—especially when she's with the male target."
"Understood."
Purple Cat was a Yamanaka, and Anbu loved Yamanaka ninjas. Their skillset was too valuable.
For a full week, Fox's squad did nothing else.
Every night, they watched the couple meet—by the lake, beneath trees, behind houses. They spent at least half an hour locked in intimacy.
They were young, full of fire, each kiss gasping for breath, each touch burning with urgency.
Purple Cat had gone from embarrassed and awkward the first few days, to fully desensitized. She knew their entire rhythm and every involuntary reaction.
After one week, Yako dismissed Antelope and Black Ox, then said to Purple Cat:
"Use Mind Body Switch Technique to control the Senju kunoichi. Tell the male target this: On the 5th of next month, the Senju Clan will hold a funeral for Uzumaki Mito."
"Understood! ...Huh?"
She agreed on instinct but then froze.
A funeral for Lady Mito?
But hadn't she just seen Mito last night, standing in the courtyard beneath the moonlight?
Was she… really about to die?
"Purple Cat, don't think about things that don't concern you. Complete the mission."
She nodded stiffly.
The last elder of the Founding Generation—Lady Uzumaki Mito—was approaching the end of her life.
That night, Fox's squad waited near the Senju compound.
The Senju kunoichi, just returning from the hospital, was surprised to be intercepted by an Anbu wearing a fox mask.
"Please come with us."
She thought there must've been a wounded ninja in need of secret treatment—she'd done such missions before.
Too bad her boyfriend would be waiting a long time tonight. Anbu tasks couldn't be delayed. She had no time to notify him.
She followed them into the alley, where another Anbu with a Purple Cat mask stood waiting.
"Mind Body Switch Technique."
The Senju girl froze.
Purple Cat's body collapsed softly into Yako's arms.
The kunoichi's gaze shifted, her facial muscles flexed—Purple Cat was adjusting to the new body.
"Go," said Yako. "He must believe it's her without a single doubt. You know what to do."
Controlling the kunoichi's body, Purple Cat moved to a familiar alley outside the compound—the couple's usual spot.
Soon, the target arrived.
Suppressing her embarrassment, she threw herself into his arms, arms wrapping tightly around his neck.
It was unbearable. Every movement made her want to crawl out of her skin.
To keep the target from noticing anything strange, a thought suddenly rose in her mind—
What if I just pretend… he's Captain Fox? That way I can keep up the act…
She closed her eyes slightly and imagined the man in front of her as Fox.
"Darling," she whispered, "I have to go home soon tonight. We only have about ten minutes."
Their interaction grew more intimate.
Though it wasn't her own body, every touch on the Senju girl's skin flowed clearly into Purple Cat's mind.
The target's hands wandered farther and farther. Bolder. Deeper.
To maintain the illusion, Purple Cat began faking slight trembles.
"D-Darling… no… for the next few days… I won't be able to leave the compound…"
"What?" the target gasped between breaths. "Why not?"
Purple Cat said, "Granny Mito's funeral is near. The clan's been keeping it quiet—no one knows she's passed. We're holding the funeral on the 5th of next month."
The girl seemed to remember something sad. Her passion faded.
The man's hands slowed too.
"I'll miss you," he said. "But go back for now. The funeral is more important. After Lady Mito's service… we'll see each other again."
"Mm. I'll miss you too."
Purple Cat pulled away quickly and jogged back toward the compound.
Once inside, she guided the girl's body out through a side exit.
Yako was waiting, cradling Purple Cat's real body in his arms.
They switched back.
Yako told the Senju kunoichi, "Sorry, but from now until the 5th, you'll be staying with Anbu."
The girl clutched her head, nearly collapsing. "Why? Why are you doing this?"
"Anbu mission. Don't ask why. I follow orders just like you."
She was frightened, but didn't resist.
They brought her back and provided comfortable food and rest.
Back in their own changing room, Yako told his squad to go home and rest.
He sat alone in the center chair, pondering the Anbu's greater plans.
Why were they spreading rumors about Uzumaki Mito's death?
Not just his team—other units were discreetly leaking the same intel in various ways.
Was this a tactical move against the Senju?
With the Uzumaki clan gone, Konoha had already lost a powerful ally.
If the Senju were next, the village would be even weaker.
Then again, why should he care?
He wasn't here to change the world.
He came here for only three reasons: survive, survive, and fucking survive.
He glanced to the side—and saw Purple Cat leaning against a locker.
Antelope and Black Ox had already left. Only she remained.
"Purple Cat," he said. "Why are your ears and neck so red? Side effect of the Mind Body Switch?"
He couldn't see her face—only the red crawling down her neck.
Her voice trembled. "I don't like those shameful missions!"
Yako blinked. "Sorry, I didn't know it would affect you this much. I'll assign a male Yamanaka next time."
"No!" she blurted, then stammered, "I-I wasn't disobeying orders. It's just… just that I had to picture him as you to get through it… and that made me…"
Her face burned even hotter. She'd said too much.
Yako froze.
Over a month of working together… had he unknowingly conquered this Yamanaka girl's heart?
He stepped forward and gently stroked her long, pale-red neck with his fingertips.
"No need to imagine me," he whispered, voice low. "I'm right in front of you now."
His touch trailed along her skin. Purple Cat trembled violently.
A faint whimper escaped her lips as she collapsed into his arms.
After watching so many lovers tangle in shadow, this was her first time feeling his hands.
She grew more breathless, more eager.
In that hidden changing room, they both muffled their gasps.
Her skin, cold and white as snow.
The blush of a girl, intoxicating.
Red and white mixing—melting into a dreamlike pink.