The full moon hung like a silver platter, its light pouring down like pale frost. Another resurrection chance had arrived for Yako.
On this full moon night, he entered the ANBU base, masked and silent, walking through the dim corridors.
Torchlight flickered against the painted masks of those passing by, making their designs look even more sinister.
Everyone's steps were brisk. After the devastating blow dealt to Iwagakure, the entire ANBU was riding high on pride.
Officially, the ANBU reported directly to the Hokage. The Third Hokage had appointed Danzō as Commander, giving him full authority over the division.
Danzō and the ANBU faithfully carried out the Third Hokage's will.
During Yako's time since transmigrating, Danzō hadn't made any radical moves—yet his ambition was already plain to see.
After the battle at Mount Ushika, Danzō was hailed as the greatest contributor. But the PR campaign around him had abruptly stopped.
It was rumored that the Third Hokage had directly ordered ANBU to cease the promotion.
The operation had been a shared effort—Uzumaki Mito, the Senju clan, Sarutobi Hiruzen, and others. But in the rumors, Danzō had become the sole mastermind.
Danzō had plotted from the shadows for half a year, using Mito's old age as bait, Uzumaki Princess as the lure, and crafted the perfect trap for Iwagakure.
And the Third hadn't even bothered to dispel the rumors.
Yako stepped into Captain Yellow Dog's office to report on Black Ape's recovery.
"A month and a half…" Yellow Dog frowned in thought.
He really wanted Yako to fully take over the squad. Losing a whole unit would cripple the division.
But Black Ape was an important figure in the Akimichi Clan. That made things sensitive.
"…Alright, I understand." Yellow Dog took out the scroll log of Black Ape Squad's missions, scanned it, and said:
"Guard duty for the Uzumaki Princess isn't urgent. I'll reassign it.
As for the Iwa spy network—it's been purged. Every single one is dead.
Until Black Ape returns, you'll handle training the new recruits."
"Yes, Captain."
Kyo'i was safe for now. Leaf Monkey Squad had been wiped out, and no one else knew her true situation.
Mei'i's body had been turned in. The number of spies matched, and ANBU hadn't noticed anything amiss.
Training rookies and doing low-risk patrol work meant Yako wouldn't be leaving the village anytime soon.
So—it was time to do something.
He left ANBU HQ and walked toward the Tsurugetsu Izakaya, thinking as he moved.
Head straight for the Hokage Tower? Assassinate the Third Hokage?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's main strength was his contract with the Monkey King, Enma. Otherwise, his upper limit wasn't too high.
But even if Yako summoned Enma, he'd never control him. That grumpy beast would probably punch him to death on the spot.
High-tier summon beasts were notoriously bad-tempered.
Maybe ambush Danzō?
Danzō's jutsu focused on Wind Release. Yako didn't have wind affinity—he wouldn't learn Wind Release in a month.
He had a hunch—he'd eventually fall out with Danzō.
And in a fight against Danzō, two lives might not be enough.
[Lunar Arc Warning: Being killed twice by the same person results in permanent death!]
The system had triggered from his thought—clearly, it considered Danzō a real threat.
No. He couldn't throw away his resurrection like that. It was a precious trump card.
What if Danzō came for him someday?
How about sneak-attacking Captain Yellow Dog?
Forget it. That guy knew everything about Yako. The death would be humiliating.
Yako leapt onto a streetlamp, looking out at the Hidden Leaf's nighttime skyline.
The Uchiha District?
What if he pulled a Sharingan?
That would be game-changing.
He was tempted.
He'd be cautious. With a mask on, it'd be hard to ID him. Anyone who saw his Sharingan… would die.
Risky, but manageable.
He looked over toward the Senju District.
The Uchiha massacre was still years away. No rush. The Senju clan, though… they were fading now.
Better to start there. The Senju were strong—large chakra pools, tough bodies.
He needed to pick a target—on the 14th, he'd take on the most powerful Senju he could find.
Either Clan Head Senju Rinkoku… or Tsunade.
Back at the izakaya, Yako applied ANBU's best medical ointment to Kyo'i's wounds.
She needed to heal quickly. Long nights were boring.
Before transmigrating, Yako had been a workhorse. In this world, he deserved some enjoyment.
The next day, deep in the Forest of Death, Yako stood atop a stone platform, looking down at his new recruits.
"I'm acting squad captain for Black Ape Squad. While he recovers, I'll be in charge.
I'm also Captain of Fox Squad. You can call me Fox.
Black Ape Squad currently has three squads.
Captain White Ram is also recovering—he'll return in two weeks.
Leaf Monkey Squad is all new—fresh team leader, fresh members.
We'll begin with coordinated basic kunai-throwing drills…"
The masked man wearing the Leaf Monkey mask suddenly stepped forward.
"Fox, I may be new to ANBU, but as a standard shinobi I've completed several A-rank missions.
Isn't basic kunai coordination a little beneath us? I think I'm qualified to—"
Purple Cat frowned inside her mask. Root had just formed, and these brats were already causing trouble?
How was Root training these rookies? Why were they so unruly?
"And what exactly do you think you're qualified for?"
Yako appeared before Leaf Monkey with a Body Flicker, and slashed at his shoulder.
Leaf Monkey was indeed skilled—he ducked the blade and reached for Fox's wrist, trying to deescalate.
"Fox! I didn't mean anything by it, I just—"
But his hand closed on mud.
Earth Style: Earth Substitution?
Too late. He couldn't get up fast enough.
He spun on the ground, guarding against an attack from behind.
But… there was no one there.
From the mud behind him, Yako emerged, perfectly predicting the turn.
He reversed his grip on his sword and slammed the hilt into Leaf Monkey's forehead.
Leaf Monkey flew back, knocked out cold mid-air.
"Captain!"
One of his squad members called out, only to freeze when Fox looked his way.
They all lowered their heads, saying nothing.
Yako leapt back to the stone platform and shook his head.
"ANBU just keeps getting worse. You're the most pathetic crop of shinobi I've ever seen."
He paused—why did that sound so familiar?
Back in school, he'd heard that line from teachers all the time.
Those same teachers never appreciated their students.
Which meant… this generation might just be the best one in years.
Yako shook the thought away.
"Leaf Monkey has been removed from Black Ape Squad. He'll face punishment from both ANBU and the village.
The Root shinobi who trained him will also be disciplined.
A shinobi in ANBU has one mission—to complete it at all costs, even your life!
Obedience! Obedience! And more fucking obedience!"
Training began in earnest. The rookies finally realized what the ANBU was really like.
When it ended, Leaf Monkey was still unconscious.
Yako slung him over his shoulder and returned him to Root HQ.
Root wasn't large—just ten agents, coded from A to J.
Hearing that Leaf Monkey had disrespected a squad leader in public, all eyes turned to Agent D.
Breathing heavily, Agent D accepted the unconscious body.
"Rest assured, I'll assess whether he can be reforged. If not, I'll handle it according to ANBU protocol."
From his tone, it was clear—Leaf Monkey wasn't coming back.
Konoha had no shortage of simple-minded shinobi who genuinely believed in the upper brass's propaganda—mutual care, camaraderie, the Will of Fire.
They were adorably naive.
And one day, that same naivety… would get them killed.