On the front steps of his home, Uchiha Gogo was putting on his shoes.
Behind him, his wife called out, "Gogo, do you think you'll be promoted to Jōnin this time?"
"I will. Definitely."
Thud, thud, thud—
Their barefoot daughter came running up.
Gogo scooped her up, tickling her with his stubbly chin, making her giggle and struggle, leaning back in mock terror.
He grinned. "After the Uzushio campaign, Clan Head Kagen recommended four of us Tokubetsu Jōnin for promotion.
The Uchiha bled in Uzushio. We earned our merit.
The village wouldn't deny us just four Jōnin slots, would it?
I heard the Sarutobi clan recommended nine—more than any other clan."
His wife frowned. "Jōnin slots are few. The rank carries weight.
I'm afraid the village won't want the Uchiha gaining four more seats at the table."
"It's fine. Even if they want to filter us out, my record is the best among the Tokubetsu Jōnin."
Gogo strapped on his Konoha Military Police vest and left for work.
Uchiha shinobi fought on the frontlines during war—but in peacetime, they were mostly assigned to the police.
The work was tedious, the pay was low, and the village strictly limited the number of standard missions they could take.
Many of them were trapped in the department.
At the Interrogation Division, Gogo arrived just as the Sixth Patrol Unit brought in a suspect.
The man was accused of stealing compensation money meant for fallen shinobi—but refused to reveal where he'd hidden it.
Gogo's eyes narrowed.
'You steal death benefits meant for comrades who gave their lives on the front line?'
"I'll handle this one. Wake him up."
Two minutes later, Gogo exited the interrogation room with a strange look—uneasy and confused.
One of the guards peeked in.
"...He's dead?"
"He's dead," Gogo said flatly. "A thief who steals from the families of the fallen deserves no better.
Send word to ANBU. Have a Yamanaka retrieve what's left from his mind."
Ten minutes later, several ANBU operatives appeared outside the police department.
Deputy Chief Uchiha Tōka came hurrying down the stairs.
Upon seeing a familiar face, he exhaled in relief. "Fox Jōnin, you're here?"
'Forgive me,' Yako thought. His voice was cold.
"I'm here to bring Uchiha Gogo in for questioning. ANBU has received intel that a Konoha civilian died in interrogation under suspicious circumstances.
Where is Gogo? Bring him out."
Every shinobi in the room turned toward Tōka, hoping he'd send the ANBU away.
But Tōka could only swallow bitterness.
Fox wasn't just any ANBU. He was one of the Four Squad Captains—deeply trusted by the Hokage and Yellow Dog.
Even their clan head—
Uchiha Kagen descended from the upper floor.
"Fox Jōnin, there must be a misunderstanding. Gogo was interrogating a thief—someone who stole compensation from the families of fallen shinobi."
Hippo stepped forward.
"According to our intel, that 'thief' was himself the orphan of a fallen ninja. He and the bereaved family had long-standing disputes.
We've confirmed he didn't steal anything. He simply moved the funds as a prank.
What died in your interrogation room… wasn't a thief, but the orphan of a Konoha hero."
Yako added, "Clan Head Kagen, this is a tremendous matter. ANBU must take Uchiha Gogo in.
If he's innocent, he'll be released."
Gogo slowly stepped out from the crowd and stood before the ANBU.
He didn't know what punishment awaited him,
but one thing was certain—
It was the end of his Jōnin promotion.
Uchiha Fugaku arrived just in time to see Gogo being escorted away.
He hurried up to the top floor and found his father, Uchiha Kagen, and Tōka in the office.
After shutting the door, Tōka spoke bitterly.
"Clan Head, we have no one representing the Uchiha in the Hokage Tower. We're flying blind.
We've been targeted, and we didn't even see it coming."
Kagen shook his head.
"Ever since Kagami died, our connection to the Hokage Tower has been severed.
Which of the senior officials in that building do you think would side with us?
Even if we offered ourselves up, how much trust would it buy?
Danzo's Root handles ANBU recruitment. He's approached other clans—but not once has he come to us or the Senju.
After the Uzushio war, we had 21 new three-tomoe users. I only recommended four for Jōnin.
Even that, the village didn't accept."
Tōka asked, "So Gogo was taken… because he was up for promotion?"
Kagen didn't deny it. He'd understood the moment he heard.
Gogo didn't do anything wrong.
ANBU was simply targeting him.
Fugaku suddenly spoke up.
"Father, Teacher… what if we volunteered to join ANBU? Serve the Third Hokage directly?
Wouldn't that earn us trust from the top?
I'm willing to apply myself—personally—to join ANBU."
"Ridiculous!" Kagen snapped.
"You think ANBU is some noble calling?
Don't be fooled by the prestige of Copper Fox.
Look at the death rate.
Serving the Hokage isn't easy.
During the Uzushio war, Copper Fox fought alongside us. He even mentored you. Together you ambushed the Mist's blade-retreiving unit.
But after he returned to the village, did he treat us any differently than the rest?
The first step in ANBU training is emotional erasure.
You kill the self. Embrace the dark.
The Hokage's orders become your will.
Once you're inside… will you even still be you?"
"Then how else do we gain trust? How else do we survive?"
Kagen's tone softened.
"There's no need to rush.
I don't believe Fox has any intent to kill Gogo.
This was never about punishing him.
It was about sabotaging his promotion.
Check how the Senju are being treated.
If they're being pressured too, at least we're not alone."
Inside the ANBU base, Hippo brought Gogo to an interrogation chamber.
Yako dismissed the others. This one, he would handle personally.
"Uchiha Gogo. Intel says you're skilled in Fire Release?"
"...Yes."
Not a word more.
"Good. Fire Release is… excellent."
Suddenly—
CRASH!
From outside the door, Hippo heard fighting. He burst into the room—
—and froze in horror.
Did… Uchiha Gogo just kill an Anbu captain?!
Was that part of the plan to frame the Uchiha?
—
[Arc of the Waning Moon activated!
You may resurrect once per full moon cycle. Resurrection rewinds to the last full moon night.
You have earned a reward: One random draw…]
Yako awoke on the previous full moon night.
The system's reward: Fire Chakra Affinity.
Now that the war was over, he had time to strengthen his foundations.
Events followed the same path as last time—
Hippo used the spy setup to frame Uchiha Gogo.
Gogo was taken into Root.
Three days later, Uchiha Kagen visited the Hokage Tower and withdrew Gogo's Jōnin promotion recommendation.
Yellow Dog found Yako.
"Fox. Well done."
"Not at all," Yako deflected. "It was Hippo's plan from start to finish. He handled everything."
It was best to share the blame for such dirty business. No need to take all the credit.
After filing the report, Yako had Purple Cat bring him the squad's jutsu scrolls.
It was time to learn a Fire Release technique.