Konoha Village.
A man wearing a fox mask crouched in the trees at the corner of a street, covertly watching a distant izakaya.
'Just my luck—ending up in this world as an ANBU chunin named Yako, a civilian-born ninja.'
According to intel, there might be an Iwagakure spy inside that izakaya.
It was already past midnight when the ANBU squad captain silently appeared behind Yako in a body flicker.
"Fox. It's past midnight, the izakaya will be less crowded. Take off your mask and vest. Go in disguised as a civilian and gather intel."
The captain referred to him by the codename based on the mask Yako had chosen.
Yako removed his mask, took off the ANBU vest, and untied his ninja tool pouch, hiding only a single kunai on his body.
If he could get intel—great.
If he died inside—even better.
His death would be intel.
Yako held out his hand toward the captain.
The captain raised a brow. "Hm? What?"
"I don't have money for drinks. You're reimbursing, right? I've gotta order the most expensive sake if I want to lure out a spy."
Reluctantly, the captain fished out a wallet from his ninja pouch and handed him a wad of bills.
Yako pocketed the money, then held out his hand again.
The captain handed over another wad. "Don't push it. It's not a suicide mission—yet."
'Not a suicide mission? So there's still a chance I'll die?'
Yako trudged into the izakaya, immediately hit by a wave of sake, perfume, and sweat.
Dodging the reek of alcohol and following the trail of perfume, he made his way to a table in the corner.
"I'll have your finest sake!"
The izakaya owner—a voluptuous, alluring woman—perked up the moment she heard someone order the most expensive bottle.
She personally brought over the drink, eyes full of seductive charm, stopping at Yako's side.
As she bent forward to place the glass on the table, her cleavage spilled into view.
Voluptuous, but firm. That softness was hiding muscle—clearly someone who trained.
Yako's nerves were on high alert. Everything looked like a potential threat.
Her voice oozed sweetness.
"My dear shinobi, did you just return victorious from the frontlines? I can offer you a few ways to unwind—something to soothe the fatigue of battle."
Yako downed the entire bottle in one gulp.
This world's sake wasn't strong—more like watered-down erguotou. Yako faked a buzz.
"Unwind? Do you even know what I've been through out there? What the hell could possibly help me relax?"
"Private room!" the woman said with delight. "We have private rooms on the second floor!"
"Private room? This place looks ancient. Are those old floorboards even shockproof? If we get rough upstairs, won't the folks down here be choking on dust?"
"Hehehe~" She giggled behind her hand. "Then how about the backyard? We've got rooms there too, and no one minds if it gets a little… shaky."
"Now that's more like it. I love a good backyard. This rickety old place? No way the second floor can handle me."
The woman placed Yako's hand around her slim waist, pressing her chest into his ribs as she led him toward the back.
Pulling aside the curtain, they entered the backyard. The lighting dimmed all at once.
She leaned even closer.
That soft squeeze... felt amazing.
'If only I weren't ANBU. If this were just about spending money, I'd be here every week.'
Once they entered the side room, the woman shut the door behind them—firmly.
"My dear shinobi… do you prefer Yin Release… or Yang Release?"
"I didn't learn much at the Academy. What's the difference?"
"My Yin and Yang Release… depends on who's on top. You get me?"
"On top, huh? I get you."
In addition to the five elemental releases, certain clans also practiced Yin and Yang Release. Beyond the basics, there was even Six Paths–level Yin-Yang Release.
Clearly, her Yin-Yang Release wasn't that kind.
Yako nearly drooled, but his eyes stayed sharp.
Unfortunately, being alert didn't help.
His skills were weak. All the vigilance in the world couldn't save him from what he couldn't sense.
A kunai stabbed deep into his lower back!
From the shadows—using a method he couldn't comprehend—the enemy had slipped behind him and struck.
He tried to yell, but her lips sealed his mouth.
Dead.
The transmigrator died… just like that…
Darkness swallowed the world.
Yako's pupils dilated.
And in the next instant, he awoke.
The system had arrived.
[Arc of the Waning Moon: Activated!]
Host is granted one resurrection per month, reviving at the most recent full moon.
One reward draw available:
Earth Release: Hidden Fish in Earth Technique (Basic) [B-rank]
Chunin-level Chakra Capacity (stackable)
Kunai Thrust (Mastered)
⚠️ If killed by the same person twice, the host will permanently die.
He was back—five days earlier, on the 15th.
Inside the semi-underground ANBU quarters, Yako looked up at the full moon glowing through the high window.
Arc of the Waning Moon. His cheat ability.
One resurrection each month—resetting to the night of the previous full moon.
And a gacha reward, tied to the manner of his death.
Three options.
Kunai Thrust (Mastered): The one who killed him had used a kunai with deadly precision—some subtle technique to make it faster, sharper.
Useful, but not vital.
The Chunin-level Chakra Capacity was stackable—but not what he needed most right now.
Yako chose: Earth Release – Hidden Fish in Earth Technique (Basic).
He had Earth-nature chakra. This was the one he could use.
Judging by the name, it had to be perfect for stealth, escape, assassination, and looting.
'Joining ANBU is like diving into the deep sea. If you don't act, you die fast.'
Escape wasn't an option. ANBU weren't soft. If he fled, he'd be hunted as a missing-nin.
In a flash, he mastered the Earth Release technique.
After three hand seals, Yako pressed his palm to the wall. His hand slowly sank into it.
The surface rippled like water under his chakra.
When he pulled his hand back, the wall returned to normal.
He could now move swiftly through solid earth—without leaving a trace.
Not bad. He finally learned a real jutsu.
[Host Status]
Chakra Level: Chunin
Chakra Nature: Earth
Ninjutsu: Clone, Substitution, Transformation; Earth Release – Hidden Fish in Earth Technique
Taijutsu: Basic Taijutsu (Chunin), Basic Kunai Throwing Technique (Chunin)
Other: None
'Now this is cannon fodder…' he thought. 'So grey it's black.'
Taijutsu didn't demand much chakra. With limited reserves, he had clearly trained himself into a basic taijutsu-type chunin.
At this point, the Root division hadn't been established yet. Danzo was still Sarutobi Hiruzen's right-hand man and oversaw the ANBU in his place.
A month ago, Danzo had led the ANBU into battle in the Land of Hot Springs against the Third Raikage. The losses were catastrophic. Most of ANBU was wiped out, and Danzo barely made it back alive.
That's how he got recruited—part of an emergency enlistment push.
Suddenly, a knock came at the door.
The squad captain entered.
"Fox. With me. We're tailing an izakaya."
The captain didn't know Yako had already heard this line once before.
In silence, Yako packed his gear.
He had already used his one death for the month.
Dying again would mean game over—permanent.