The scenery shifted abruptly—Yako found himself back at the ANBU base on the night of the previous full moon.
He was alone in the Fox Squad changing room.
Sitting on the bench in the center of the room, he tilted his head up, gazing through the high side window at the full moon.
This was the first time since arriving in this world that he'd lived to see the next full moon—and chosen how to die.
Luck had been on his side. He'd met Senju Kaba, an insider who brought him into Senju territory, where he encountered Senju Rinju.
Senju Rinju was overwhelmingly powerful—he had obliterated him in an instant.
Thankfully, he had killed him instantly. If he'd been left half-dead until the next full moon, it would've been a disaster.
He, an ANBU, had attempted to assassinate the Senju clan head. That was now set in stone. At this point, becoming a missing-nin was the only path left.
And if his luck ran out… he might not even get to be a missing-nin.
[Arc of the Waning Moon activated!
The host may resurrect once per month. Upon death, they will revive on the night of the previous full moon.
Reward: one spin of the prize wheel—
Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet (A-rank, Beginner)
Senju's Monster Strength Secret Art
Kekkei Genkai: Forest of the Senju (Normal, Purifiable)]
Too much. All three options were incredibly useful—he'd have to waste two.
Any of the three could become a core part of his abilities going forward, carrying him into jōnin-level power.
The first reward, Water Style: Water Dragon Bullet, was an improved version of the jutsu developed by Senju Tobirama, requiring only three hand signs to cast.
It was one of the strongest offensive Water Style jutsu. Both Second Hokage Senju Tobirama and Fifth Mizukage Mei used it.
Even against Uchiha Madara, this jutsu had enough bite to stand its ground.
Its area-of-effect and destructive power were excellent—learning it would make him virtually untouchable by Fire Style users.
The second reward: Tsunade's signature power—Monster Strength.
It maximized the use of chakra within the body.
In terms of raw taijutsu power, it ranked just below the Eight Gates.
Mastered to the limit, it could rip Susanoo apart barehanded.
Both were tempting, especially Monster Strength, with its higher ceiling.
But Yako's attention settled on the third reward:
Kekkei Genkai: Forest of the Senju (Normal, Purifiable)?
The Senju clan's inherited trait. Innate physical toughness. Massive chakra reserves. And purifiable?
If purified to a high enough level, he might awaken Wood Release.
His own chakra nature was Earth and Water. Like a monk already bald—no need to shave. It was perfect.
He wondered what Senju Rinju's purity level was. This body of his probably could only bear a normal Senju kekkei genkai.
The rewards the system granted were tied to both the power of the killer and the capacity of his body.
Forest of the Senju—this was very useful.
If he kept throwing himself at the Senju clan and dying, maybe he could draw it again.
Each purification would make the kekkei genkai stronger.
After long deliberation, Yako chose the reward with the highest ceiling:
Forest of the Senju Kekkei Genkai. Someday, it could evolve into the Six Paths Sage Body. Its potential was unmatched.
The moment he selected it, Yako's whole body flushed with heat. Steam rose from his scalp and collar.
His skin burned hot—clothes clung to his skin like glue, and even the smallest friction stung like fire.
He quickly stripped down.
Every cell in his body was groaning—his physique undergoing fundamental transformation.
Each cell became more active. His muscles denser. His tendons stronger.
He could hear his own heartbeat—his very organs were growing more powerful.
And his chakra… was visibly increasing.
All members of the Forest of the Senju clan possessed enormous chakra.
Half an hour later, Yako's body stabilized. He hurried to check his system panel.
[Host Status]Chakra Volume: 1.5x Elite Chūnin LevelChakra Nature: Earth, Water, YangKekkei Genkai: Forest of the Senju (Normal)Ninjutsu: Water Style: Water Formation Wall, Earth Style: Earth Substitution Technique, etc.Taijutsu: Beginner Body Flicker Technique, Beginner Cloud-Style Kenjutsu, etc.Fūinjutsu: Self-Binding Curse Mark, etc.Special Abilities: Reflex Triggering (2nd breakthrough), Natural Chakra Growth]
His previous chakra volume had been 3.9 times that of a standard chūnin.
An elite chūnin's chakra was 5x that of a standard chūnin.
Now, with just a normal Forest of the Senju kekkei genkai, he had skyrocketed to 1.5x elite chūnin level.
This chakra boost came from his enhanced body energy.
His muscles had tightened further. His taijutsu had grown stronger.
This feeling—of overflowing power—was glorious.
What shocked Yako even more were the changes to his chakra nature and special ability.
He had gained the Yang nature.
Yang nature wasn't much use in the early stages of a shinobi's career, but later on—it could influence Six Paths–level Yin-Yang Release.
And now… he had a new special ability:
Natural Chakra Growth!
Meaning Yako's chakra would continue to grow on its own, until it hit the limit of his bloodline.
He'd previously encountered chakra-boosting options—and thank goodness he hadn't chosen any.
Even three chakra boosts couldn't compare to this fundamental body transformation.
The Senju really were born with silver spoons in their mouths. Even a normal bloodline inheritance brought overwhelming power.
The changing room door suddenly opened.
Purple Cat walked in—and stopped, stunned at the nearly naked Yako.
With a teasing tone, she said, "Oh? Were you waiting for me? So impatient you stripped first?"
As she walked toward him, piece by piece her ANBU gear fell to the floor, revealing her bare feet at the end.
"Feels like your body's even better than before…"
Half an hour later, Purple Cat was begging for mercy.
"Not only are you in better shape… how is your stamina this insane too?"
An hour later.
Purple Cat's legs slipped weakly from around Yako's waist—she couldn't even stand.
If he hadn't held her slim waist, she would've collapsed.
"Captain, the new recruits are arriving soon… We won't be able to go wild like this anymore."
"No worries. With ANBU's fatality rate, they'll be gone soon."
Purple Cat silently cursed her captain's heart of stone.
Then again… she might die on a mission too.
Seeing the shadow in her eyes, Yako said, "Don't worry. I'm stronger now—I can protect you."
Before, he didn't have the power to look after those around him. But now, with his strength growing, he could do more.
"Thank you… Captain."
He had returned to a month ago. So much hadn't happened yet. The squad hadn't been rebuilt. Senju Kaba and the others were still alive.
Pulling his clothes back on and donning his mask, Yako strolled slowly through the ANBU base.
He arrived at the mission records room and began reading up on Captain Black Ape's assignments.
After joining ANBU, Black Ape had carried out numerous missions—but not one mention of Hashirama Cells.
Those were in Danzo's hands. No telling when he'd get access to them.
Now that he had the Forest of the Senju kekkei genkai, getting Hashirama Cells might grant him Wood Release.
With both the cells and the bloodline, the minimum result was another Yamato—but the upper limit? That was unknowable.
Yako suddenly thought of Orochimaru.
After Nawaki's death, Orochimaru had gone mad with experiments, obsessed with the secret of immortality.
Maybe only at that point would Danzo bring out the Hashirama Cells.