Yoru's vision shifted. He was back at the previous full moon night.
Perched atop a towering tree, he had been monitoring the Senju territory.
Damn it… the ANBU are too dangerous. I died before even witnessing the Nine-Tails transfer.
Every month, he had carefully survived until the full moon, never once making it through safely. This time, he hadn't even used his resurrection yet.
[Arc of the Full Moon Activated!]
The host has one resurrection per month, reviving at the last full moon.
Reward Lottery:
1 – B-Rank Earth Release: Earth Spear (basic)
2 – Constitution: Colossal Rock Body (strength boost)
3 – A-Rank Earth Release: Earth Clone (basic)
His chakra nature was Earth. All three rewards were perfect matches. How to choose?
B-Rank Earth Spear—launching hardened stone spikes at enemies. Yoru already had a basic escape jutsu, Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique, but lacked an offensive technique. Earth Spear would fill that gap, allowing mid-range attacks to complete his combat repertoire.
The second option, Colossal Rock Body, promised immense physical enhancement—perfect for brute-force confrontations.
The third, A-Rank Earth Clone… recalling his previous death, he remembered that leap toward the Stone jōnin. The dense Earth Spears had been maintained by the real enemy—not a clone. The subtle use of Earth Clone had thrown him off, a near-undetectable move.
Yoru hesitated only briefly. He chose the third option.
Survival comes first. Defense is the best offense. Enhancing survivability is critical.
So far, he had always died before the full moon. His desire to choose his own death on the fourteenth remained strong. If he survived the month, he could challenge a target, drawing powerful abilities.
Whether the Senju clan leader, the Uchiha head, or the Third Hokage, all were fair game. Unfortunately, missions had always claimed him before then.
A-Rank Earth Clone, the pinnacle of clone techniques.
Eyes heavy, Yoru absorbed the information.
Jackpot.
Earth Clone was devastating. Chakra infused into the ground would allow him to swap places with earth beneath him at a moment's notice, avoiding attacks seamlessly.
In D-Rank clones, one needed distractions and stealth to replace oneself with a tree stump. Not so with Earth Clone, it was instant, like flipping a coin, activated with a single hand and half a hand seal.
Concealed, fast, unpredictable, and low-cost. Paired with Earth Release: Underground Projection Fish Technique, Yoru could easily execute an entire lure–ambush–flank routine.
Meanwhile, the Fox Squad relayed the Uzumaki funeral date using Senju female ninja couriers.
Purple Cat, silently smitten with Yoru, blushed whenever he admired her shy demeanor.
These days, Yoru rarely visited the Crane Moon Tavern, where the proprietress Shokyo worked.
The Fox Squad, meanwhile, tracked the rogue Yamanaka shinobi. Yoru used Earth techniques to infiltrate silently, killing four unclothed Yamanaka shinobi, his preparation complete, Black Bull survived. Resurrection once per month made life easier, and increased the survival rate of teammates.
On the night of the fourth, Uzumaki Mito and Kushina rode away in their carriage.
The Black Ape Squad was dispatched to scout.
The difference this time? Yoru already knew much of what would happen.
The stone dragon lunged. Black Ape Squad was split: Fox and White Ram on one side, Captain and Leaf-Monkey on the other.
White Ram executed Rotation three times, using an ANBU's life to buy Fox one attack window.
Yoru struck with Cloud-Style Swordplay, severing the throat of the Stone jōnin.
The jōnin dissolved into mud, Earth Clone in action.
Everything went perfectly, just as planned.
Yoru bent low, pivoting with superhuman reflexes to evade incoming kunai.
The Stone jōnin frowned, this Konoha ANBU's skill was impressive.
Yet a stone spear burst from behind, piercing Yoru's lower back. Two more ANBU charged the enemy.
The Stone jōnin spun to defend.
Then, the previously "dead" Fox reemerged from the soil behind the jōnin, plunging his blade into the enemy's back mid-seal.
Shock registered on the jōnin's face.
What…?
He saw mud on the spears, and the Fox-masked Konoha ANBU wielding an A-Rank Earth Clone.
When did Konoha's Earth Release get this strong? Even in the Hidden Stone Village, this technique is rare, difficult to master and acquire.
Yoru landed a blow, planning to expand the advantage, but the enemy completed seals.
Spears erupted from the ground in every direction.
Delay a second, and Yoru would be impaled.
Without hesitation, he formed a half-hand seal, swapped with the earth beneath, and vanished underground.
Mission accomplished, he had gravely injured the Stone jōnin.
When he emerged, only White Ram and Purple Cat remained, supporting each other. The rest lay impaled amidst a forest of stone spikes.
Five spears converged on the remaining two.
Their eyes behind masks reflected sheer terror. White Ram's Byakugan, pale and ghastly, now bristled with panic.
Purple Cat's heart sank, she was certain death awaited.
Years of ANBU attrition were brutal; parents mourned children who had entered the shadows.
The eldest of the Yamanaka siblings, Riri, had volunteered herself, following the family tradition. Tears of a mother, a father's sacrifice, the survival of her sister, everything pushed her forward.
Now, after only half a year, the mission had nearly claimed her.
The Stone jōnin's limitless techniques threatened annihilation, anyone pierced by a single blade could die instantly.
At Purple Cat's most desperate moment, Fox arrived, timely. His presence brought a sliver of hope.
I don't have to die yet.
Yoru's mind raced. White Ram's Byakugan was vital for reconnaissance, increasing their survival odds dramatically.
"Water Release: Water Array Wall!"
A crystalline barrier erupted, deflecting the incoming stone spears.
Yoru lifted a brow, strength of the Earth Spears had diminished. The Stone jōnin had been weakened by his blade.