The three team members reported their findings to Yako.
"Captain Fox, the target's bedding was too neat. He didn't unroll the blanket at all last night, just lay on top of it. Judging by the impressions on the stacked bedding, he didn't even turn over. He seemed to have stared at the ceiling the whole time."
"Captain Fox, the target didn't enter the bathroom last night. The bathroom's completely dry."
Yako frowned, puzzled, then said:
"After spending the night entangled with a female ninja with that kind of body… shouldn't he have done something when he got home?"
"No use of the bathroom, just lying stiffly on the bed? That's way too strange. Highly suspicious."
Behind the Purple Cat mask, her face flushed again. What does he mean by 'should've done something'…? Do men really all get like that after a night like that?
Antelope added, "Captain, the target used a calligraphy brush last night."
Yako narrowed his eyes. "Even stranger. He turned off the lights and drew the curtains early. Why would he be using a brush?"
The squad left the room.
Back at the ANBU headquarters, Purple Cat saw Captain Black Ape pulling Fox aside—probably giving him a new assignment.
Some time later, Captain Fox returned and said to Purple Cat:
"Purple Cat, your next task is to observe that Senju kunoichi's daily habits, especially when she's around the target."
"Understood."
Purple Cat was a member of the Yamanaka clan—an ability type ANBU prized highly.
For a full week, the Fox Squad had only one mission: observe the target ninja and the Senju kunoichi every night.
By the lake, beneath the trees, behind buildings—they met every evening and made out for over thirty minutes.
They were both young, burning with passion. Every meeting ended in breathless kissing, hands roving without restraint.
At first, Purple Cat had been embarrassed. But after two days, she adapted and memorized all their patterns—down to their bodily reactions.
A week later, Yako dismissed Antelope and Ironstag, then turned to Purple Cat:
"Use the Mind Body Switch Technique to possess the Senju kunoichi. Deliver one piece of intel to the target: on the 5th of next month, the Senju clan will hold a funeral for Uzumaki Mito."
"Understood! …Huh?"
Purple Cat had instinctively accepted the order but then froze.
A funeral for Uzumaki Mito?
But just last night, while monitoring the Senju compound, didn't Mito-sama walk into the yard to look at the moon?
Is she… dying?
Yako's voice turned cold. "Don't think about it. Just do your job."
Purple Cat nodded with difficulty.
The last elder of the founding generation—Mito-sama's end was near.
That night, the Fox Squad waited near the Senju compound.
The Senju kunoichi had just gotten off duty from Konoha Hospital when she was intercepted by a masked ANBU.
"Please come with us."
She assumed it was an emergency mission—maybe an injured ANBU operative requiring secret treatment.
She'd done this before.
Too bad her boyfriend would have to wait. No time to explain. ANBU missions came first.
She followed them into a nearby alley—and found herself face to face with the masked Purple Cat.
"Mind Body Switch Technique!"
The Senju kunoichi's body froze for a moment.
Purple Cat collapsed into Yako's arms.
The kunoichi's expression changed—subtle movements of her facial muscles revealed Purple Cat adjusting to her body.
"Go. Make him believe you completely. You know what to do."
Purple Cat, now in control of the Senju kunoichi's body, walked into the familiar alley where they often shared private moments.
Soon, the target appeared.
Despite her awkwardness, Purple Cat imitated the kunoichi's pounce, wrapping her arms around his neck.
The discomfort crawling across her body made it hard to continue.
To maintain the illusion, one thought occurred to her—
What if… I imagined him as Captain Fox instead? Then maybe I could get through it…
She closed her eyes.
"Darling, I need to head home early tonight. We've only got about ten minutes."
Their embrace deepened.
Even though it wasn't her body, the Senju kunoichi's senses transmitted clearly into Purple Cat's mind.
The target's hands were already climbing mountains and crossing valleys.
To lower his guard, Purple Cat had to mimic a trembling reaction.
"Darling… for the next few days… there… I won't be able to come out at all…"
"Huh?" the target panted. "Why not?"
Purple Cat answered, "Grandma Mito's funeral is approaching. The clan's suppressing the news—nobody knows she's passed yet. We'll hold the funeral on the 5th of next month."
Mentioning this sorrowful topic seemed to dampen her mood.
The target's hands slowed. "Then… get back to the compound. I'll miss you—but this is more important. Once the funeral's done, we'll meet again."
"Okay. I'll miss you too."
Purple Cat fled the alley, running lightly toward the Senju compound.
After entering, she guided the kunoichi's body out again through a side gate.
Yako was waiting and helped Purple Cat—still limp—return to the other side.
She released the jutsu and returned the Senju kunoichi's consciousness.
Yako said, "Sorry, but until the 5th of next month, you'll have to stay in ANBU custody."
The kunoichi staggered, holding her head. "Why? Why are you doing this?"
"ANBU mission. Don't ask questions—I'm just following orders."
She was terrified, but didn't dare protest.
They returned to ANBU HQ, where she was settled in with food and comfort.
Back in their locker room, Captain Fox dismissed the others.
Yako sat in the center of the room, contemplating the bigger picture.
Why was ANBU spreading news about Uzumaki Mito's funeral?
Not just his squad—other teams were spreading the intel through different channels too.
Could this be a move against the Senju?
The Uzumaki clan was already gone—Konoha had lost one powerhouse.
If the Senju were next… the village would grow even weaker.
Forget it. I'm just an ANBU ninja. Why think so much?
I came to this world with one mission—survive. Survive. And survive again, damn it.
He turned and noticed Purple Cat leaning against the locker.
Antelope and Ironstag were gone. Only she remained.
"Purple Cat, why are your ears and neck so red? Side effects of the Mind Body Switch?"
He couldn't see her face—only the flush along her neck.
Her voice was on the verge of tears. "I don't like doing shameful missions like that!"
Yako blinked, startled. "Sorry. I didn't know you'd react so strongly. I'll assign a male Yamanaka next time."
"No!" Purple Cat quickly objected. "I'm not disobeying orders, I just… I had to imagine the target as you to make it through… and that made me…"
Her face turned scarlet. She'd said too much.
Yako stood still for a second.
Had his charisma… subtly conquered this Yamanaka girl during their time together?
He stepped forward, gently brushing his hand along her slender, pale neck.
"You don't need to imagine him anymore. I'm right here in front of you."
As his fingertips grazed her skin, Purple Cat trembled.
A soft whimper escaped her lips as she collapsed into his arms.
She had seen lovers caress each other countless times.
But this—this was the first time she'd been truly touched by Fox.
Her emotions surged. Her movements grew more and more eager.
Inside the secluded locker room, they both stifled their breaths.
Purple Cat's skin was pale like fresh snow.
And her blushing cheeks—flushed with red and white—blended into a tender, captivating pink.