By day, Yoru trained the new Anbu recruits; by night, he scouted Senju Rinmu's movements.
Rinmu always traveled with six bodyguards, either deeply within the Senju estate or heading toward the Hokage Tower.
Since the Battle of Ushigaki, Uzumaki Mito's death had become a mystery. The transfer of the Nine-Tails' seal was no longer urgent, but the Senju clan remained tense.
Yoru hadn't located Tsunade either. After operating on Black Ape, she disappeared without a trace.
In the afternoon, Yoru left Anbu early and went to the Crane Moon Tavern.
"Shokyo, lend me your property registration for a moment."
"What do you need my registration for?"
"You've recovered pretty well. Come, let's go to the backyard for some training."
An hour later, Shokyo crawled weakly from the bed, found the registration in the drawer.
"You really are relentless… should I also write you a power of attorney?"
With the property registration and authorization, Yoru headed to Konoha's only bank, the Daimyo Bank. The bloody Anbu earnings had gone into the tavern. Using its registration as collateral for a loan seemed fair.
If he died on the night of the 14th, everything would reset to the previous full moon, any debts erased.
Yoru's "Arc of Full Moon system essentially created parallel universes each month. In one, he had the property registration; in the next, the cycle restarted.
He asked the manager:
"How much can I borrow with this?"
"Depends on term length. Longer terms, higher interest, larger loan. Your age?"
"18, I want a 60-year loan."
"Ha! Average lifespan in Konoha is 45, so maximum is 26 years."
"26 years works, give me that."
"Wait… are you a ninja?"
"Yes."
"Then only 15 years. Average lifespan of a ninja is 31."
"Fine, 15 years it is."
Yoru thought: I wasn't planning to repay anyway.
The manager continued:
"The bank's data shows male ninja average 27 years, female 35. Medical ninja can get 15 years, combat ninja 11."
Yoru snapped: "11 years! Fine, calculate my loan."
After calculations:
"You can borrow 8 million ryo, repay over 11 years. Train hard; if you die next month, the bank will seize the property."
Yoru thought: Then I better make the most of it. I may not exist in this parallel universe next month.
He then visited the ninja equipment shop. Explosive tags cost 10,000 ryo each. Buying too many at once would trigger village scrutiny. Yoru bought 40 per day, gradually stockpiling. 800 tags, enough to play with.
Back at the tavern, Shokyo didn't ask about the registration.
Late at night, a familiar sound came: footsteps with a cane. Senju Bai entered. He didn't head to the bar but sat on a high sofa, pale-faced and hollow-eyed.
Soon, Yachi arrived carrying a long cloth bundle. Unwrapping it revealed a prosthetic limb.
Bai realized:
"My son didn't die at the hands of spies! You know something!"
He shakily rose, shaking Yachi, bloodshot eyes wide.
Yoru remembered an Anbu mission report from that morning: a young Senju had indeed died at the hands of spies. Hai's contact with Uzumaki remnants had triggered an extermination mission, the executing team unknown.
"Shh!" Yachi quieted Bai.
Fortunately, the tavern was noisy; most patrons didn't notice.
Bai calmed, silently fitted the prosthetic, hands initially shaking but then steady. After finishing, the two raised their glasses in resolute silence and left.
Yoru quickly followed.
Bai and Yachi slowly approached the Senju estate.
"Are you really going to confront them?" Yachi asked.
"Otherwise my son died in vain? I can accept death in battle, but not in Konoha's dark alleys."
"If you make it explicit, the Senju and the village may clash violently."
"So what? My son is dead. I have no concerns left. If you're afraid, go back. I'll confront the clan head myself."
Yachi's expression softened with reminiscence:
"Honestly… I liked your sister. Who doesn't like youth? Your sister couldn't marry; I pursued her out of pity."
"You son of, !"
The two quickened their pace.
At a corner, Yoru appeared in an instant, blocking them.
Bai and Yachi tensed. This teenager, a regular tavern patron… had he seen through them?
Yoru said directly:
"You intend to confront Senju Rinmu, accusing Danzō and Anbu of pushing the Uzumaki clan to extinction?"
Instantly, kunai appeared in their hands as they lunged. Yachi moved quickly, Bai too slow.
Yoru formed hand seals:
"Summoning!"
White smoke burst, and a long-beaked heron appeared on Yoru's shoulder.
Bai and Yachi froze. Uzumaki Yuka was the Uzumaki remnants' leader; they would recognize this summoning beast.
Yoru scanned the distance:
"Not safe to talk here."
In a secluded forest:
"On the 14th next month, we'll approach Lady Uzumaki Mito together. I'm your insider; the heron proves it."
"Why wait until the 14th?"
"Secrecy. Revealing this could split Konoha or even trigger the Senju clan's downfall. Trust me."
Yachi relayed the details to Bai. Hai had mentioned Uzumaki remnants in the Land of Grass; the heron matched.
Bai stepped forward:
"We trust you. We'll act on the 14th."
Yoru had secured two powerful allies. With Bai as an insider, locating Senju Rinmu would become much simpler.