Suna's frontline command tent.
Rasa stepped inside and was immediately met by Elder Ebizō, the overall commander.
Ebizō's face was grim. "So the assault on Sabaku Port led to heavy losses, didn't it?"
Rasa gave a short nod.
"Around seven Konoha units launched a surprise attack on Sabaku Port, using flying tools under the command of Nara Shikakaku.
I arrived and engaged the heads of the Ino-Shika-Chō clans. I only managed to disable the Akimichi clan leader by taking one of his arms.
But just when I was about to launch a full pursuit, one Konoha ANBU intercepted us."
"Just one?" Ebizō frowned. "Did they send in a full ANBU unit commander?"
Rasa shook his head.
"No, it wasn't Yellow Dog. This one wore a fox mask. He possessed an advanced defense technique—his skin turned red-bronze, completely immune to kunai, blades, and Wind Release.
It wasn't like Earth Release: Earth Spear. His jutsu triggered instantly without hand signs, making it nearly impossible to exploit any openings.
I tried capturing him with Magnet Release: Gold Dust, but he also wielded powerful Water Release techniques.
The ocean worked against me. I couldn't follow him deep into it.
No ordinary Suna shinobi can counter this kind of ability.
I suggest Command issue a directive specifically about him to avoid unnecessary casualties.
I'm calling this fox-masked ANBU, whose body turns red-bronze and is immune to physical attacks, by a codename:
Copper Fox."
"Copper Fox..." Ebizō turned to a nearby strategist.
"Relay Jōnin Rasa's assessment to all squads. Alert the troops: if they encounter Konoha's ANBU agent 'Copper Fox', do not waste efforts on direct attacks. Ninjutsu and tools are ineffective."
"Yes, sir!"
While Yako and Jenri hid in a cave along the seaside cliffs, news about Konoha's mysterious Copper Fox quickly spread along both sides of the River Country border.
Konoha ANBU, codename Copper Fox—immune to physical attacks.
Suna shinobi are advised to avoid direct confrontation. If encountered, prioritize capture over elimination.
The message soon reached Konoha's own frontline headquarters.
Konoha Command Tent
Nara Shikakaku summoned Battalion Commander Yellow Dog, handing him a scroll.
Yellow Dog only glanced at it. He already knew what was inside.
"That would be Fox, ANBU squad captain," he explained. "He joined the assault team on a covert mission under my orders.
Apologies, Commander, but I can't disclose the mission details."
Shikakaku nodded.
"I understand. ANBU has its own responsibilities.
When I faced Rasa, I had assigned a full unit to cover the retreat. I didn't expect the rearguard to succeed this spectacularly.
All thanks to Fox. Suna even publicly identified him as a high-priority enemy under the name Copper Fox.
Tell me—how strong is he, really? I need a full picture before I make any strategic adjustments."
Yellow Dog answered:
"This is the first I've heard of Fox using an absolute defense technique.
It's not listed in the Sealed Scrolls of the village. Based on the intel, I'd say it's superior to Iwagakure's Earth Release: Earth Spear.
Fox is extremely gifted with Earth and Water Release. It's possible this defense technique is his own original creation."
It wasn't uncommon. Once a shinobi reached a certain level, it wasn't rare for them to develop personal techniques.
He continued:
"It's been days since the operation ended. Judging by the response from Suna, it seems Fox managed to escape.
But I haven't received any intel since. It's possible something's happened to him during the retreat."
Fox is fine, thought Hatake Sakumo, watching quietly from the side.
He even sent back a report using Pakkun.
His gaze shifted to Shikakaku, then swept the tent at the other Nara present.
Sakumo's thoughts turned cold.
Some among the Nara had gone too far—using shadow techniques to control allies, turning them into shadow puppets mid-battle.
Unforgivable.
He had already launched a secret investigation targeting those responsible.
They would be rooted out—and executed.
In the corner, Akimichi Yamashiro glanced at his empty left sleeve and sighed.
If only I'd had an absolute defense like his… I wouldn't have lost an arm.
His father, Akimichi Tofukaze, once stood among the upper council alongside Danzo. But a battlefield injury forced his early retirement.
As the "hammer and shield" of the Ino-Shika-Chō trio, the Akimichi always suffered the highest injury rates.
If we didn't charge headfirst, the Nara and Yamanaka couldn't even perform their techniques.
Shikakaku offered his final thoughts:
"The name Copper Fox… we'll help spread it.
It'll boost morale. This ANBU risked his life to protect the retreat—he deserves the recognition."
Back in the seaside cave, Yako was still waiting for the Suna shinobi to withdraw.
After the strike on Sabaku Port, multiple Suna units had been deployed to establish new outposts and traps.
Yako would scout occasionally, noting down everything for later. More intel meant more credit.
He even traded a freshly caught fish in a nearby village for a new set of clothes—and some thread and needle.
Jenri used the materials to repair the paragliders damaged during their escape.
As she stitched, Yako chatted beside her.
"Jenri, how many years since you graduated the Academy?"
"I'm fifteen now. It's been four years."
"Fifteen?" Yako gave her a curious look.
Seeing his gaze drift to her height, she explained, "I grew up in a Konoha orphanage. The headmistress said we were dirt poor for a while when I was small. We barely had enough to eat. That's why I'm so short… only 150 centimeters."
"No village support for the orphanage?"
"No. The headmistress ran it herself, out of kindness. I send back half my mission pay—so the kids there can eat better than I did."
Yako thought Jenri was… both pitiful and strong.
"I'll teach you some jutsu then. You're too weak right now. If you want to keep earning mission pay, you've got to get stronger. Otherwise, every orphan that leaves there will be stuck at 150 cm."
Her chakra affinity was Earth, conveniently enough.
So Yako taught her both Earth Release: Hidden Fish in Earth Technique and Earth Longspear.
One for escape, one for attack—enough to handle mid-rank missions.
Jenri had solid talent. She picked them up quickly.
And these weren't just any Earth Release jutsu—these were Yako's signature techniques, refined over years of personal use.
With time, her own Earth Release would evolve too.
Once Yako had gathered enough intel on Suna's new defenses around Sabaku Port, he decided to head back to base.
He picked a quiet night.
Jenri manned the glider. Yako tied himself to her with a rope from the front.
Together, they lifted into the sky—heading for the River Country border.
As they approached the main camp, Jenri brought the glider down early to avoid detection.
The moment they landed, ANBU shinobi appeared.
"Captain Copper Fox! Battalion Commander Yellow Dog requests your immediate presence!"
Copper Fox?
Why the hell are they calling me that?