Yakushi Nonoū was reviewing the orphanage's account books.
There were countless trivial matters to handle in the orphanage, and managing income and expenses was one of the most important.
She suddenly paused.
Someone had appeared through the window using the Body Flicker Technique.
Fox.
Yako wrapped his arms around Yakushi Nonoū from behind, pulling her close by the waist.
Feeling the strong hand resting against her lower abdomen, her eyes flickered slightly. She already understood what he was thinking.
"Fox, are you checking whether I'm pregnant?"
"Is it that obvious?"
"Why suddenly do this? Did you discover another woman is pregnant today?"
'Kyoi and Purple Cat are both so simple-minded…' Yako thought. Yakushi Nonoū, however, instantly grasped the source of his concern.
"I'm sorry, Fox. I won't have children. The children of this orphanage are already my own."
Yako sighed.
"Should I feel regret… or understanding?"
Yakushi Nonoū pushed him gently onto the narrow bed.
"I do feel a little sorry for you. Tonight… I'll make it up to you properly."
Yako thought, 'It's not that bad… honestly, I'm even a little relieved.'
One more attachment meant one more weakness.
He needed to rise to Deputy Director of ANBU as soon as possible. A mere squad captain still held too little authority.
Afterward, Yakushi Nonoū handed him a scroll.
Yako opened it.
…A contraception ninjutsu manual?
Oh. So this prevents pregnancy?
…Ninjutsu really covers everything.
Days passed one by one.
The New Year arrived.
Konoha Year 41.
War had become a memory from two years ago. The village felt peaceful and warm; people on the streets moved with relaxed ease.
Around the New Year, even Root had grown unusually quiet.
After five members were killed by Uchiha Madara, Root had temporarily stopped assigning codenames to new recruits, focusing instead on serious training.
Danzo being this well-behaved felt strange to Yako.
Why wasn't he stirring trouble?
Every night, Yako observed the Hokage Tower from different angles.
Night of the Thirteenth Day of the First Month.
Land of Rain.
Inside a hollow tree near an Uzumaki hideout, Yako stood up and dressed.
"If only I had Wood Release," he said casually. "Look at this bed—you shook it apart."
Yuka lay collapsed on the bed, one pale arm draped limply across his leg.
"Was I the only one shaking it?! Why didn't you go easier!"
Her endurance was astonishing.
The Uzumaki clan truly paired well with the Senju lineage—she could withstand the full extent of Yako's strength.
She admitted she had no idea what kind of sealing barrier the Second Hokage had set inside the Hokage Tower.
No matter how much he pressed her, she revealed nothing. Her lips stayed tightly sealed—perhaps she truly didn't know.
"Fox… your physique is getting stronger. Maybe you'll awaken Wood Release like Lord Hashirama."
"That would be perfect."
After kissing Yuka goodbye, Yako vanished using Reverse Summoning.
He returned to Konoha and used the Mayfly Technique to appear on a wooden balcony, gazing toward the distant Hokage Tower.
Tomorrow night… he would try.
To die for the Scroll of Seals—perhaps that was the most worthwhile death.
At midnight the next day, Yako stood atop the Hokage Rock, looking down at the Hokage Tower.
The tower was a circular three-story building.
The first floor was surrounded by wooden pillars, and a wooden eave ringed the junction between the first and second floors.
All of that wood was organic material.
He could use the Mayfly Technique to infiltrate directly into the second floor.
But from the second floor to the third-floor Hokage office, the technique would no longer work.
The Mayfly Technique was powerful—but it required organic material to traverse.
Yako stepped back, leaving the stone surface of Hokage Rock and entering the grass.
His figure vanished, sinking into the earth.
Seconds later, he appeared beneath the Hokage Tower.
He moved quickly along the pillars, slipping into the wooden eaves of the first floor.
Traveling through the circular structure, he circled toward the back of the tower.
Two ANBU squads hid within nearby trees—either the Black Ant Squad or the Golden Eagle Squad tonight.
He circled again, reaching the side of the tower.
From here, only one floor—just over three meters—separated him from the Hokage office.
The office lights were off.
The Third Hokage was not inside.
Yako emerged from the eaves.
The instant he appeared—
Barrier light flared across the Hokage Tower.
So this was the Second Hokage's detection barrier… its response was instantaneous.
Nearby ANBU were startled. Leaves exploded outward from the treetops as seven or eight figures leapt forward toward the tower.
Inside, ANBU emerged from hidden positions, rushing toward the third-floor Hokage office.
Yako smashed through the office window.
He landed faster than the falling shards, sprinting toward the side chamber.
The eastern chamber of the Hokage office—where confidential scrolls and the Scroll of Seals were kept.
He burst through the door.
There it was.
The massive scroll rested atop a pedestal.
He stepped forward, reaching out.
The Scroll of Seals… I'm here. Even just one glance…
'When I revive, the memory will come with me. Should I look at Flying Thunder God… or Impure World Reincarnation?'
'Could I be greedy… and see both?'
When he was only thirty centimeters away, sealing patterns suddenly flared around the pedestal.
A barrier resembling the Four Violet Flames Formation rose around the scroll.
His hand struck it.
Even though Absolute Defense: Bronze Light activated instantly, his hand was still burned black, smoke rising from his fingers.
The chakra volume sealing this barrier was monstrous.
The Third Hokage must personally maintain it regularly.
Switching hands, Yako formed a technique—Secret Technique: Spiral Serpent appeared in his palm.
Condensed Water Release chakra slammed into the barrier, grinding against its energy.
Mist filled the room instantly.
Yako's eyes darkened.
The Scroll of Seals barrier… was absurdly strong.
Then suddenly—
He couldn't move.
His shadow deepened beneath him.
He had been caught by Black Ant's shadow-binding technique.
As one of the Nara clan's finest, Black Ant's control held him fast.
Before he could react further—
An iron staff pierced through the broken window, striking his back with terrifying precision.
The Adamantine Staff.
Sarutobi Hiruzen himself had not yet arrived—but the endlessly extending staff had.
Driven forward by its force, Yako was slammed brutally against the Scroll of Seals barrier.
Failed…
He dismissed Absolute Defense: Bronze Light, allowing the barrier and staff to crush his chest from both sides.
The Third Hokage appeared instantly in the office using the Body Flicker Technique.
Even in middle age, Sarutobi Hiruzen's speed and taijutsu were overwhelming. One moment he had been at the Sarutobi compound—now he stood here.
The pinnacle of elemental mastery, wielding all five nature transformations with ease—and against large foes, the Adamantine Staff.
Now in his forties, he stood at his absolute peak.
Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the corpse beside the Scroll of Seals, fury rising.
What kind of thief dared attempt such a thing?
With a strike of the staff, he shattered the mask.
His eyes widened in shock.
"…Fox?"
[Host death detected. The Arc of the Waning Moon system is activating…]