Konoha Village.
A masked ANBU with a fox mask crouched in the trees at the corner of the street, watching a tavern in the distance.
What rotten luck, he thought. I crossed into this world only to become an ANBU chunin, a civilian ninja named Yen.
According to intel, there might be an Iwa spy inside that tavern.
Late into the night, the ANBU squad leader suddenly appeared behind Yen.
"Fox, it's quieter in the tavern at this hour. Take off your mask and vest, disguise yourself as a civilian, and get inside to gather intel."
The leader addressed him by the codename tied to his chosen mask.
Yen removed the mask, stripped off the ANBU vest, unfastened his gear pouch, and kept only a single kunai hidden on him.
If he managed to uncover intel, that was best.
If he died inside, that was even better.
His death would serve as confirmation that there was indeed a spy.
Yen held out his hand toward the squad leader.
The captain frowned. "Hm? What do you mean?"
"I don't have money for drinks. Surely you'll cover the tab? To draw attention from a spy, I'll have to order the most expensive sake."
Grumbling, the leader pulled out his wallet and handed him a stack of bills.
Yen pocketed it, then stretched his hand out again.
The captain slapped another stack of money into it. "Don't push it. This isn't a suicide mission."
Not a suicide mission? So there was still a chance of death?
With heavy steps, Yen walked into the tavern. The mix of liquor, perfume, and sweat hit him all at once.
Avoiding the stench of alcohol and following the scent of perfume, he sat down at a corner table.
"Bring me your most expensive sake."
The tavern owner was a voluptuous, beautiful woman. Hearing someone order the finest sake lit her up instantly.
Carrying the drink, eyes filled with allure, she approached Yen.
As she bent down to place the glass on his table, her dress dipped dangerously low.
Plump, but firm, with muscle hidden beneath soft curves. Signs of training.
Yen's nerves tightened. He saw danger in everything.
Her voice was sweet and delicate.
"Ninja-sama, did you just return victorious from the frontlines? I could suggest some diversions to ease your fatigue."
Yen tilted back the entire bottle in one gulp.
The sake in this world wasn't strong, like watered-down liquor back on Earth. He feigned drunkenness.
"Diversions? Do you know what I've been through on the frontlines? What could possibly make me relax?"
"Private rooms," she said eagerly. "We have them upstairs."
"Private rooms? This place is old. Are those wooden floors stable? If we shake things upstairs, won't everyone below be showered in dust?"
She laughed behind her hand. "Then let's go to the back. There are private rooms in the courtyard, no need to worry about shaking."
"Perfect. I like the courtyard. The second floor sounds too plain to satisfy me."
The woman guided his hand to her slim waist, pressing her chest against his ribs as she led him away.
Pulling aside the curtain, they stepped into the courtyard, where the light dimmed.
She pressed closer, her body soft and warm.
If only I weren't ANBU, Yen thought. With mission pay, I'd come here often.
Inside a side room, she shut the door firmly.
"Ninja-sama, do you prefer yin release or yang release?"
"They didn't teach that at the Academy. What do you mean?"
"Here, yin or yang depends on who's on top. Do you understand?"
"Who's on top? I get it now."
In this world, beyond the five chakra natures, some clans practiced yin and yang release. At the highest levels, even six paths yin-yang release existed.
This woman's yin-yang release clearly wasn't the usual kind.
Yen nearly drooled, but deep down, his wariness sharpened.
But vigilance was useless.
With such weak strength, constant awareness couldn't save him.
A kunai pierced into his lower back.
In the darkness, someone appeared behind him with methods he couldn't comprehend. An ambush.
When he tried to cry out, her lips silenced him.
Dead. The transmigrator died just like that, though at least in the arms of red lips, darkness swallowed him gently.
His pupils dilated.
And in the next instant, he opened his eyes again.
The system had arrived.
[Arc of the Moon activated!]
Between two full moons, the host has only one chance at resurrection. Upon death, you will revive on the night of the previous full moon.
Reward: one lottery draw.
1. Earth Release: Fish in the Earth (basic level).
4. Chunin-level chakra reserves (stackable).
3. Kunai Thrust (mastery).
Warning: If killed twice by the same person, the host will die permanently.
Yen returned to the night of the last full moon, five days ago on the 15th.
In the ANBU underground chamber, he stared at the pale moonlight through a high window.
The Arc of the Moon. His golden finger.
Once a month, he could revive by going back to the last full moon.
Each death also came with a lottery, the prizes tied to how he died.
Faced with three choices, he weighed them carefully.
Kunai Thrust (mastery) reflected the killer's technique. A refined stabbing skill. Useful, but not much.
The extra chakra wasn't urgent either.
So Yen chose Earth Release: Fish in the Earth.
Luckily, his chakra affinity was earth.
The jutsu sounded perfect for infiltration, escape, and assassination.
Once you enter ANBU, you can't slack off. Play smart or die fast.
Defection wasn't an option. ANBU deserters were hunted across the shinobi world.
In an instant, he mastered the jutsu.
Forming three seals, Yen pressed his hand against the wall. His fingers sank in, disappearing into it.
The wall rippled like water under chakra's influence.
When he pulled his hand out, it looked unchanged.
He could now swim through the earth without leaving a trace.
Not bad. Finally, a real jutsu.
[Host Status:
Chakra: chunin-level.
Chakra nature: earth.
Jutsu: basic three techniques, Earth Release: Fish in the Earth.
Taijutsu: basic taijutsu (chunin-level), basic kunai throwing (chunin-level).
Other: none.]
Now that's real cannon fodder.
His taijutsu needed less chakra, which fit his low reserves. He had trained his fundamentals to survive as a taijutsu-based chunin.
ANBU's work was assassination, and in assassination, you couldn't reveal anything about yourself.
The Hokage wouldn't want others knowing who he was targeting.
Secret jutsu or big techniques weren't suitable. Taijutsu and kunai were key. Even Nara clan ANBU relied mostly on them.
At this time, Root hadn't been founded yet. Danzo, still Sarutobi Hiruzen's most trusted subordinate, was managing ANBU in his stead.
Just a month ago, Danzo led ANBU against the Third Raikage in the Land of Hot Water. The battle was disastrous. Most of ANBU was wiped out, and Danzo alone escaped back to Konoha.
ANBU urgently expanded, and that's how Yen's body ended up here.
A sudden knock came at the door.
The squad leader stepped inside.
"Fox, come with me. We're tailing a tavern."
The captain had no idea this was the second time Yen had heard the exact same words.
In silence, Yen packed his gear.
He had already used up this month's one resurrection. He couldn't afford to die again. Even the system wouldn't be able to save him.
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