Konoha Village.
An Anbu wearing a fox mask hid in the trees at a street corner, watching a distant izakaya.
How unlucky, to have transmigrated into a civilian ninja named Yōkō, an Anbu Chunin.
According to intelligence, there might be an Iwa-nin spy in that izakaya.
As the night deepened past midnight, the Anbu squad leader appeared in a Body Flicker behind Yōkō.
"Fox, the izakaya is less crowded in the latter half of the night. Remove your mask and flak jacket, disguise yourself as an ordinary person, and go inside to gather information."
The captain addressed him by the codename based on the mask Yōkō had chosen.
Yōkō took off his mask, removed his Anbu flak jacket, and untied his tool pouch, hiding only a single kunai on his person.
If he managed to get the information, that would be best.
If he died inside, that would be even better.
His death would itself be information, confirming the presence of spies in the izakaya.
Yōkō stretched out his hand towards the squad leader.
The squad leader asked, puzzled, "Huh? What's the meaning of this?"
"I have no money to buy drinks. You have to reimburse me for the alcohol cost, right? To fish for information, shouldn't I order the most expensive sake? To attract the spy's attention?"
Reluctantly, the squad leader took out his wallet from his tool pouch and pulled out a stack of bills.
After Yōkō put the money away, his hand stretched out again.
The squad leader gave him another stack of money: "Don't push it. It's just a mission, not necessarily a suicide one."
Not necessarily suicide? So there's a possibility of death?
With heavy steps, Yōkō walked into the izakaya, hit by a wave of smell mixing strong alcohol, perfume, and sweat.
Following the scent of perfume and avoiding the smell of liquor, Yōkō made his way to a table in the corner.
"Give me your most expensive sake!"
The owner of this izakaya was a beautiful, voluptuous young woman. Hearing someone order the most expensive drink, she instantly perked up.
The proprietress brought the sake, her eyes full of allure, and came to Yōkō's side.
As she bent over, a glimpse of spring scenery was revealed, and she placed the cup on the table in front of Yōkō.
Voluptuous, but firm; beneath the soft, smooth fat, there might be muscle – a sign of training.
Yōkō was tense, seeing potential danger in everything.
The proprietress's voice was soft and sweet:
"Ninja-sama, have you returned victorious from the front lines? Let me recommend some forms of entertainment to help wash away the fatigue of your missions at the front."
Yōkō downed the entire bottle of sake in one gulp.
The sake in this world wasn't very strong, like Erguotou mixed with boiled water. Yōkō pretended to be intoxicated by the alcohol and... lust:
"Entertainment? Do you know what I've been through on the front lines? What kind of entertainment could possibly relax me?"
"A private room!" the proprietress said excitedly. "There are private rooms on the second floor!"
"A private room? This izakaya looks a bit old. Is the wooden floor shockproof? Would it be good for everyone downstairs to eat our dust while we... shake the upstairs?"
"Hehehe," the proprietress laughed, covering her mouth. "Ninja-sama, then shall we go directly to the backyard? There are rooms there too, and they don't mind shaking."
"The backyard is good, I like the backyard. The offerings on the second floor are a bit too ordinary, how could they possibly satisfy me?"
The proprietress actively placed Yōkō's hand on her slender waist, her chest pressed against Yōkō's side, and led him towards the back.
Lifting the curtain and entering the backyard, the surrounding light instantly dimmed.
The proprietress pressed even closer.
The feeling of being squeezed by her voluptuousness was really nice.
If only he weren't an Anbu, he could spend all the money he earned from missions on entertainment in this izakaya.
After entering the side room in the backyard, the proprietress forcefully closed the door.
"Ninja-sama, do you prefer Yin Release or Yang Release?"
"The ninja school doesn't teach anything. What's the difference between this Yin Release and Yang Release?"
"Here, Yin Release and Yang Release depend on who is on top, do you understand?"
"Who is on top? I see."
Besides the five basic nature transformations, some secret technique clans mastered Yin Release and Yang Release. Beyond ordinary Yin-Yang Release, there was even the Six Paths-level Yin-Yang Release.
The proprietress's Yin-Yang Release was clearly not the ordinary kind.
Yōkō nearly drooled, but deep in his eyes, he was exceptionally alert.
However, alertness was fucking useless.
With his low strength, constant vigilance couldn't detect anything.
A kunai stabbed into Yōkō's lower back!
In the darkness, an enemy, using methods Yōkō couldn't comprehend, had sneaked up behind him and launched a sneak attack.
He tried to cry out, but his mouth was blocked by the proprietress's lips.
He was dead. Just like that, a transmigrator dies... It was a rather fragrant death, sinking into darkness amidst the softness of red lips.
Yōkō's pupils dilated.
In an instant, Yōkō awoke again.
The system had arrived.
[Mochizuki's Arc activated!
Between two full moons, the host has only one chance to resurrect. Upon death, you will resurrect on the night of the previous full moon.
Reward: One lottery draw opportunity:
1 - B-Rank Earth Release: Fish in Earth Reflection Technique (Beginner);
2 - Chunin-level Chakra Reserve (Stackable);
3 - Kunai Thrust (Proficient).
Note: If killed twice by the same person, the host will die permanently!]
He had returned to the night of the full moon five days ago, the night of the 15th.
In the Anbu's semi-basement room, Yōkō looked out the high side window at the full moon.
Mochizuki's Arc, his golden finger.
One resurrection chance per month, allowing him to return to the previous full moon night.
There was also a lottery draw, and the contents seemed related to his death.
Facing the three options, Yōkō thought carefully.
Kunai Thrust (Proficient). The person who stabbed him was skilled with kunai, mastering certain tricks that made the thrust faster and more powerful. This ability was somewhat useful, but not greatly so.
The stackable Chunin-level Chakra Reserve wasn't the most urgently needed thing right now either.
Yōkō chose the Earth Release: Fish in Earth Reflection Technique (Beginner).
It just so happened that he had Earth nature chakra.
This technique sounded like the perfect companion for infiltration, escape, assassination, and smuggling.
Once you enter the Anbu, it's like plunging into the deep sea. If you don't act cautiously, you die quickly.
He wasn't cut out to be a missing-nin either; the Anbu wasn't just for show, they would hunt him down across the entire ninja world.
In an instant, Yōkō learned the Earth Release: Fish in Earth Reflection Technique.
After forming three hand seals, Yōkō pressed his hand against the wall. His hand slowly disappeared, sinking into the wall.
The wall rippled like water under the effect of his chakra.
After pulling his hand out, the wall returned to its original state.
He could move quickly through earth, leaving no trace on the ground.
Not bad, not bad. Finally learned a ninjutsu.
[Host Status:
Chakra Reserve: Chunin-level.
Chakra Nature: Earth.
Ninjutsu: Basic Three Techniques, Earth Release: Fish in Earth Reflection Technique.
Taijutsu: Basic Taijutsu (Chunin-level), Basic Kunai Throwing (Chunin-level).
Other: None]
This is what a real cannon fodder looks like, so fodder it's pitch black.
Taijutsu didn't require a high chakra reserve. His chakra wasn't abundant; he was a Chunin who had trained hard in the basics, a taijutsu type.
The Anbu primarily carried out assassination missions. During assassinations, the killer's information must not be exposed.
The Hokage wouldn't want others to know who he wanted dead.
Secret techniques, ninjutsu, etc., were often unsuitable for use. Instead, basic taijutsu and kunai were more critical. Even if a Nara clan ninja joined the Anbu, they would primarily use taijutsu and kunai.
At this time, the Root had not yet been established. Danzo, as Sarutobi Hiruzen's absolute confidant, managed the Anbu on Hiruzen's behalf.
A month ago, Danzo led the Anbu in a battle against the Third Raikage in the Land of Hot Water. They suffered heavy casualties, with nearly half the Anbu lost to the Third Raikage's hands. Danzo alone escaped back to Konoha.
The Anbu underwent emergency recruitment, which allowed the original owner of this body to join.
Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
The squad leader walked in.
"Fox, come with me. We're staking out an izakaya."
The captain didn't know that Yōkō was hearing these exact same words for the second time.
In silence, Yōkō gathered his gear.
He had already used this month's death count. He absolutely could not die again; another death and even the system wouldn't be able to save him.
(End of Chapter)