The full moon hung like a silver disc, and the moonlight spread like frost.
Yagami had earned another chance at life.
On that moonlit night, he entered the Hidden Leaf's Anbu base, masked, walking through its dim corridors.
Candlelight flickered, casting eerie reflections over the masks of the passing operatives. The painted patterns on those masks looked even more menacing under the swaying light.
Everyone's pace was brisk — after their devastating strike on the Hidden Stone Village, every member of the Anbu carried a sense of pride.
Officially, the Anbu answered directly to the Hokage. The Third Hokage had appointed Danzo as the Anbu's commanding officer, granting him full administrative authority.
Danzo and the Anbu carried out the Third's will with unwavering loyalty.
From what Yagami had observed since his arrival in this world, Danzo hadn't made any extreme moves yet.
However, his ambition was already becoming painfully obvious.
After the battle at Mount Ushigara, Danzo had practically become the hero of the hour. Yet, the efforts to boost his image were abruptly halted.
Rumor had it the Third Hokage himself ordered the Anbu to stop all such publicity.
The destruction of Hidden Stone's forces had been a major victory — the result of the combined efforts of Uzumaki Mito, the Senju clan, and Sarutobi Hiruzen.
But in the gossip circulating through the village, Danzo had become the protagonist of the story — the mastermind who laid the groundwork for half a year, executing a perfect plan.
The Third Hokage didn't bother to correct those rumors.
Yagami arrived at Captain Yellow Dog's office and reported the recovery status of Captain Black Ape.
"A month and a half…" Yellow Dog frowned, deep in thought.
He wanted Fox to fully assume the captain's duties — losing a squad leader was no small matter.
But after a moment's consideration, he sighed. Black Ape was an important member of the Akimichi clan, and their feelings had to be taken into account.
"Alright, I understand," Yellow Dog said, pulling out the mission scroll list for Black Ape's unit. After a quick glance, he continued:
"The task of guarding the Uzumaki Princess isn't urgent. I'll assign that to another squad.
All the Hidden Stone spies have been eliminated — every last one of them dead.
Until Black Ape returns, you're in charge of training the new recruits for his squad."
"Yes, Captain."
As for Qiaoyi, there were no immediate issues. Everyone in the Monkey squad was dead, and no one knew the truth of her situation.
Mei's body had been returned, and the total number of enemy spies matched up. The Anbu hadn't noticed anything unusual.
Training new recruits and handling light patrol and watch duties — it seemed he wouldn't have to leave the village for the next month and a half.
Which meant… Yagami might as well do something.
He left the Anbu base and walked toward the Tavern, thinking along the way.
Should he go straight to the Hokage Building and assassinate the Third Hokage?
Sarutobi Hiruzen's strength wasn't particularly high — aside from his Summoning Technique with the Monkey King, Enma.
But even if he somehow managed to draw Enma's ability… could he even use it?
If he summoned Enma, the old monkey would probably crush him with one punch.
High-level summons were notoriously ill-tempered.
What about setting a trap for Danzo?
Danzo specialized in Wind Release. Yagami didn't have that chakra nature, and even with a month's effort, he wouldn't develop it.
He had a feeling that one day, he and Danzo would be at odds.
And when that time came… two lives might not be enough to survive it.
[Arc of the Moon Reminder: If you are killed by the same person twice, the host will die permanently!]
The system chimed in, triggered by his stray thoughts.
No, Danzo was too dangerous. He couldn't waste a resurrection chance on that lunatic. He had to save it — for when Danzo came after him someday.
Then… maybe sneak-attack Captain Yellow Dog?
Forget it. Yellow Dog knew too much about him — he'd die in a humiliating way.
Yagami leaped onto a streetlight, gazing out at the Hidden Leaf's nighttime skyline.
The Uchiha compound?
If he managed to draw a Sharingan, he'd take off like a rocket.
Tempting.
As long as he stayed careful and kept his mask on, no one would realize.
Anyone who saw his Sharingan… would have to die.
Risky, yes — but manageable.
Then his gaze shifted toward the Senju compound.
The Uchiha massacre was still far off — no need to rush. The Senju clan's decline, though, was coming within a year or two.
The Senju had powerful abilities too — massive chakra reserves and extraordinary physical strength.
He decided on a plan: on the night of the 14th, he would challenge the strongest Senju in the clan.
The clan head, Senju Rinki… or perhaps Tsunade herself.
Back at the tavern, Yagami changed Qiaoyi's bandages, using the Anbu's best healing salve.
She needed to recover quickly — otherwise, these long nights would be far too boring.
In his previous life, Yagami had slaved away like a beast of burden. Now that he'd been reborn in another world, how could he not enjoy himself a little?
...
The next day, deep within the Forest of Death, Yagami stood atop a stone, looking down at the new recruits assembled below.
"I'm acting captain of Black Ape's squad while he's in treatment.
I'm also the leader of Fox Team — you may address me as Fox.
Currently, Black Ape's squad has three teams.
White Ram's team leader is also recovering and should return in about two weeks.
As for Monkey Team — they're all new, from the leader to the lowest member.
We'll begin with basic coordinated kunai-throwing drills…"
The ninja wearing the Monkey mask suddenly stepped forward.
"Fox, I may be new to the Anbu, but I've completed several A-Rank missions as a regular ninja.
This basic throwing drill seems beneath me. I believe I'm qualified to—"
Purple Cat frowned behind her mask. The Root division had just been established — and they already lacked discipline?
How did Root even train its recruits? Why was there such a mouthy idiot here?
"And what exactly are you qualified to do?"
Yagami appeared before the Monkey in a flash, slashing toward his shoulder.
The man was strong — he ducked just in time.
He reached for Fox's wrist, trying to de-escalate. "Fox! I didn't mean any disrespect, I just—"
But his hand grasped only a pile of mud.
Earth Substitution?!
The Leaf Monkey barely had time to react. He spun on the ground, guarding his back.
Yet the space behind him was empty.
The others watched as Fox emerged from the mud itself, having predicted the man's move perfectly.
He held his blade in a reverse grip and smashed the hilt into the Monkey's brow.
The blow sent him flying — unconscious before he even hit the ground.
"Captain!" one of the man's teammates cried out. But when Fox turned his gaze toward him, the recruit quickly lowered his head, silent.
Yagami leapt back onto the stone and shook his head.
"The Anbu really are getting worse by the generation. You're the weakest batch I've ever seen."
He paused. That line sounded… oddly familiar.
His teachers in his previous life used to say that all the time.
Those teachers never realized — if every generation was worse, then this one must be the best for years to come.
Yagami sighed and continued,
"Monkey has been expelled from Black Ape's squad.
He'll face punishment from both the Anbu and the village.
And the Root trainer who handled him will also be disciplined.
Remember this well — the only mission for an Anbu ninja is to complete the task with your life if necessary!
Obedience! Obedience! And more damn obedience!"
Training began in full, and the new recruits quickly learned the true harshness of the Anbu.
When it ended, Monkey was still unconscious.
Yagami carried him back to Root — to return defective goods.
There were only ten Root members, ranked from A to J.
When they heard that one of their recruits had directly challenged an acting squad captain, every gaze turned toward D.
Breathing heavily, D accepted the unconscious Monkey and said,
"Rest assured, I'll determine whether he can be retrained. If not, I'll handle him according to Anbu regulations."
Judging from his tone, there wasn't much hope for retraining.
Many simple-minded shinobi in the Leaf genuinely believed the village was exactly as the higher-ups claimed — caring for comrades, treasuring bonds, and living by the Will of Fire.
They were adorably naïve — brainwashed by the very ideals that would one day get them killed.
***
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