The three team members reported their inspection results to Yagami.
"Captain Fox, the target's bedding is too tidy. He didn't unroll the blanket last night — just lay on top of it for a while. Judging from the dents in the futon layers, he didn't turn over even once. It seems he just stared at the ceiling the whole night."
"Captain Fox, the target never entered the bathroom. There's no trace of water anywhere inside."
Yagami frowned slightly.
"The target spent the night tangled up with that gorgeous kunoichi, and when he got home… he didn't do anything? Didn't use the bathroom, didn't relax, just lay there stiff on his bed? That's way too abnormal. Very suspicious."
Under the Purple Cat mask, the kunoichi's face flushed bright red.
What did he mean by "not doing anything after getting home"? Did men really… always get restless after being with a woman?
The last member, Antelope, said, "Captain, the target used a brush last night."
"That's even stranger," Yagami replied. "He turned off the lights early and closed his curtains… why would he suddenly use a brush?"
The squad left the room.
Back at the ANBU headquarters, Purple Cat noticed that Captain Black Ape called Yagami over. She had no idea what new orders were being given this time.
After quite a while, Yagami returned and said to her,
"Purple Cat, your next assignment is to observe the habits of that Senju kunoichi from last night — especially how she acts when she's with the target."
"Understood."
As a member of the Yamanaka Clan, Purple Cat's abilities were highly valued in ANBU.
For an entire week, Yagami's squad did only one thing, each night, they monitored the meetings between the target shinobi and the Senju woman.
The two met by the lake, under trees, behind houses — every night, they would spend over half an hour tangled together.
They were young, passionate, and every meeting was full of kisses that left them breathless, and caresses that blurred the lines between restraint and desire.
At first, Purple Cat was embarrassed, but after two days she became used to it. By the end of the week, she could predict every one of their reactions and patterns.
After that week, Yagami sent away Antelope and Black Ox, then said to her,
"Purple Cat, use your Mind Body Switch Technique to take control of the Senju kunoichi. Tell the target this message:
On the fifth of next month, the Senju Clan will hold a funeral for Uzumaki Mito."
"Understood! …Wait—"
Purple Cat agreed instantly but then froze.
A funeral for Uzumaki Mito?
But last night, during surveillance at the Senju compound, hadn't Lady Mito stepped outside to look at the moon?
Was Lady Mito… about to die?
"Purple Cat, don't think about what you shouldn't. Just carry out the mission."
She nodded stiffly.
The last elder of Hidden Leaf's founding generation — Uzumaki Mito — was about to reach the end of her life.
That night, Yagami's squad waited near the Senju compound.
The Senju kunoichi had just returned from her shift at Hospital when an ANBU wearing a fox mask blocked her path.
"Please come with me."
She thought there must be an injured operative in need of secret treatment — missions like that weren't new to her.
Unfortunately, her boyfriend would have to wait a long time tonight. ANBU missions couldn't be delayed, and she didn't have time to let him know.
She followed the ANBU into a narrow alley and saw another masked operative — this one wearing a Purple Cat mask.
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
The Senju woman froze for a second.
Purple Cat collapsed softly into Yagami's arms.
The Senju woman's eyes flickered, her expression shifting as Purple Cat adapted to the new body.
"Go," Yagami said. "Make sure the target completely believes you. You know what to do."
Controlling the Senju woman's body, Purple Cat walked toward a familiar alley outside the Senju compound — a place where the woman often met her lover.
Before long, the target arrived.
Forcing down her embarrassment, Purple Cat imitated the woman's actions, throwing herself into his arms and wrapping her hands around his neck.
Her whole body stiffened with awkwardness.
To avoid arousing suspicion, a reckless thought rose in her mind —
Maybe if she imagined the man as Captain Yagami, she could keep going…
She closed her eyes slightly, picturing Yagami's face in front of her, and whispered,
"Darling… I need to go home early tonight. We only have about ten minutes."
Even though it wasn't her body, every sensation the Senju woman's body experienced was transmitted clearly to Purple Cat.
The man's hands wandered restlessly.
To make him drop his guard, she forced herself to tremble as though in pleasure.
"Darling… for the next few days… I won't be able to go out…"
"What?" he asked between heavy breaths. "Why not?"
Purple Cat replied softly, "Grandma Mito's funeral is coming soon. The clan's been suppressing the news — no one outside knows she's already passed. On the fifth of next month, we'll hold her funeral."
As if reminded of something sad, the Senju woman's tone grew faint and subdued.
The man slowed down and sighed.
"Then you'd better go back now. I'll miss you, but this comes first. We can meet again after Lady Mito's funeral."
"…Alright. I'll miss you too."
Purple Cat fled the alley like a startled deer, running toward the Senju compound.
Once inside, she maneuvered the woman's body out a side gate.
On the other side, Yagami was waiting. He helped the limp Purple Cat back into her own body.
The Senju woman's eyes blinked open weakly.
Yagami told her, "I'm sorry, but until the fifth of next month, you'll need to stay inside ANBU headquarters."
Holding her head, the woman nearly collapsed. "Why? Why are you doing this?"
"ANBU orders," Yagami said flatly. "I only follow commands."
Terrified but obedient, the woman said nothing more.
They brought her back to ANBU, treating her well and providing food and rest.
Back in the locker room, Yagami dismissed his subordinates.
He sat in the center chair, lost in thought.
Why was ANBU spreading rumors of Uzumaki Mito's funeral? It wasn't just his team — other squads were secretly leaking similar information.
Was this part of a larger plan… aimed at the Senju Clan?
The Uzumaki Clan was already destroyed — Leaf had lost one of its strongest allies.
If the Senju fell too, the village would be left even weaker.
Whatever. He was just an ANBU operative. Thinking too much wouldn't help.
He'd been reincarnated here with one purpose — survive, survive, and survive again.
When he turned his head, Yagami noticed Purple Cat leaning against the locker.
Antelope and Black Ox had already gone home. Only she remained.
"Purple Cat, why are your ears and neck so red? Side effect of the Mind Body Switch Technique?"
He couldn't see her face, only the blush spreading down her neck.
Her voice trembled, on the verge of tears. "I don't like those shameful missions…"
Yagami paused, then said, "Sorry. I didn't realize it would affect you that much. Next time, I'll have a male Yamanaka handle it."
"No!" she said quickly. "I'm not disobeying orders, it's just… I… had to imagine that man as you, Captain, just to get through it, and that made me…"
Her words trailed off, her face burning even redder.
Yagami blinked.
After more than a month together, had he unknowingly charmed this Yamanaka girl?
He stepped closer, fingers brushing the pale skin of her neck. "You don't have to imagine anymore. I'm right here."
The warmth of his touch made her shiver violently.
With a soft sound, she collapsed into his arms.
Purple Cat had watched countless intimate scenes between lovers — but now, being touched by Yagami himself, her body trembled with excitement, growing bolder, more eager.
In the quiet locker room, both tried to suppress their ragged breathing.
Her skin was white as snow.
The blush on her face was intoxicating — a delicate mix of red and white that melted into a beautiful, rosy hue.