The Sealing Technique: Item Storage Seal was a jutsu that allowed tools like kunai to be sealed within a scroll.
For Yorimitsu, whose current combat ability was still limited, carrying triple the weapons wouldn't change much, so he ruled out that sealing technique.
The Kunai Thrust wasn't needed either. It seemed that the Uzumaki ninja who had killed him specialized in that move.
There were plenty of ninja who excelled with kunai — he'd surely have more chances to draw that reward later.
The Chūnin-level Chakra Capacity (Stackable), however, was exactly what Yorimitsu needed right now.
Especially after mastering the Shadow Clone Technique, his demand for chakra had skyrocketed.
Once he selected that option, Yorimitsu's chakra doubled, reaching twice the normal chūnin level.
If he could accumulate five times that amount, he'd reach the chakra capacity of an elite chūnin.
"The original owner of this body really had terrible talent… such pitiful chakra reserves," he muttered.
After hearing Commander Brown Bear's orders, Captain Antelope returned and took Fox with him.
"Captain, what's our next mission?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't know."
"Got it," Yorimitsu replied internally. Too bad, Captain Antelope, you missed your second chance.
Antelope still had to die — otherwise, Yorimitsu couldn't explain how he had learned the Shadow Clone Technique. Dead men tell no tales.
The new Green Wolf Squad also had to go. If they lived, he'd never get promoted to squad captain.
Following behind Antelope, Yorimitsu was deep in thought, calculating how to achieve his goals.
They rendezvoused with Uzumaki Yuka's team and set up an ambush by the lakeside.
As before, Captain Antelope ordered him to stay close to Yuka, ready to strike her down at any moment.
Lying in the bushes beside Uzumaki Yuka, Yorimitsu thought it through carefully — this woman couldn't die. She was the key to wiping out the Green Wolf Squad.
Just like last time, a spear-like white heron flew from afar, exploding with wire traps. Uzumaki Yuka charged forward first.
At the critical moment of the sealing, two Cloud ninja squads suddenly appeared.
Yorimitsu wounded Uzumaki Yuka, then poisoned and killed Captain Antelope.
This time, when he returned to find Yuka, the killing intent in his eyes was gone.
"Fox! You came back!"
Hearing the delight in her voice, Yorimitsu carefully treated the wound on her abdomen.
He cut open the tight fabric around the injury, revealing her toned stomach — firm, smooth, with faintly visible abs.
Such a beautiful body… it'd be a shame if she's left with a scar, he thought.
After healing her, he helped Yuka up.
"Thank you, Fox."
Seizing the moment, Yorimitsu quickly said, "Yuka, you know my position is… special. I collect intelligence for a certain lord from the Senju clan.
I took a huge risk coming back to save you — it's only because my captain was fatally wounded that I had the chance."
Yuka replied, "You held back during the fight. You even coated your kunai with hemostatic medicine, and the wound wasn't deep. Which Senju lord do you work for?"
How would I know that? Yorimitsu thought, but said aloud, "My identity is confidential. Don't speculate.
The lord suspects that the ANBU have changed — they're nothing like they were under Lord Tobirama's rule. That's why I infiltrated them, to investigate secretly.
This mission to the Land of Waves confirmed it — the ANBU are acting suspiciously, even seizing scrolls from the Uzumaki Clan. Unthinkable in the past.
Yuka, please keep this secret. You must never let anyone know."
"I understand. I'll keep silent," Yuka promised.
"I only report directly to that lord. Even if you meet another Senju ninja, don't mention me."
"I get it. Life in the ANBU is too dangerous; I won't tell anyone — not even my clan."
Yorimitsu nodded. What a gullible woman, he thought with satisfaction.
It helped that he'd skillfully used the Uzumaki's own Binding Seal Curse Mark technique earlier — Yuka had no reason to doubt him.
It was just like how, if Yorimitsu had Sharingan, the Uchiha clan would probably think he was a lost Uchiha heir.
After a brief rest, Yuka motioned for him to help her over to the white heron spear.
To Yorimitsu's surprise, the fierce weapon spirit had broken its own bones while struggling — it still hadn't flown away.
Yuka, pale-faced, gathered her remaining chakra, opened the sealing scroll, and used a Contract Seal to seal away the white heron.
"To heal it and slowly wear down its wild nature — only then can it become a true summoning beast," she explained.
Yorimitsu was amazed. Too bad I can't use sealing techniques myself.
Her gaze dimmed, as though recalling something painful.
After a long silence, she said, "Fox, I know why Konoha's ANBU suddenly changed their attitude."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because… our clan head refused Advisor Danzō's request." Yuka sighed.
"It's no secret in our clan.
Our clan leader's granddaughter, Uzumaki Kushina, shows sealing talent unseen in decades.
Danzō came to negotiate, hoping to make Kushina the next Nine-Tails jinchūriki.
But the clan head refused, saying Uzushiogakure had already located the wild Three-Tails and intended for Kushina to become its jinchūriki instead.
With our sealing arts, controlling a tailed beast is already possible.
After Lord Tobirama's death, our clan's situation worsened. Konoha no longer offers full support, and we've had to rely on ourselves.
Danzō didn't press further but made another demand — to share our advanced sealing techniques.
The clan head refused again.
Those arts are the foundation of our clan's survival. Even when the First Hokage married Lady Mito, he never asked us to hand over our secrets.
Refusing Danzō twice, the clan head has been anxious ever since… but he must hold to our path."
Yorimitsu nodded inwardly. Saving Uzumaki Yuka was the right move.
So Danzō's visit to Uzushiogakure had been to discuss the next jinchūriki — and to demand sealing secrets.
Kushina's talent was extraordinary — even as a child, she'd been chosen by both villages as a potential jinchūriki.
Now both sides wanted her for themselves.
The ANBU mission to seize the Diamond Chains Scroll was clearly to uncover the secrets of the Uzumaki sealing arts.
Ninja physiology truly was incredible — within five days, Yuka's wounds had nearly healed.
Her stomach was smooth again, leaving only a faint pink mark.
One late night, she found a spring in the wilderness.
"Let me wash your clothes," she offered.
By the spring, Yuka helped Yorimitsu remove his ANBU vest — and, in doing so, slipped off his mask.
"Wow… your eyes are actually quite handsome. Too bad you hide behind that mask — so cautious," she teased.
"Just my vest? What about the rest?" he joked.
"Should I wash your shorts too?"
Bit by bit, the pile of clothes grew — and the clothes on their bodies shrank.
The moonlight shone upon Yuka's fair, flawless skin, making Yorimitsu catch his breath.
When restrained by her tight netting, her chest had seemed firm — now freed, it was soft, bountiful, and dazzling.
They bathed and washed over and over — wet, dry, and wet again — until their garments were clean. Then they leaned against each other, taking turns to rest and stand watch through the night.
The next morning, Yorimitsu said, "Yuka, my next mission is to investigate a certain town. I'll give you the location — there might be many Uzumaki ninja there."
If I plant an insider among the Uzumaki… maybe this time, I won't die again.