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Chapter 1 - Chapter 1 – Konoha’s ANBU, the Arc of the Moon

Konoha Village.

A masked ANBU operative wearing a fox mask hid among the trees at the corner of the street, secretly watching a distant tavern.

What terrible luck.

He had transmigrated into this world as a civilian ninja named Yorimitsu, now just a low-ranking ANBU.

According to intel, there might be an Iwa-nin spy inside that tavern.

As midnight came, the ANBU squad captain suddenly appeared behind Yorimitsu.

"Fox," the captain called him by the code name of his mask. "It's late; there aren't many people left in the tavern. Take off your mask and vest, disguise yourself as a civilian, and go inside to gather intel."

Yorimitsu removed his mask, took off his flak vest, and unstrapped his ninja tool pouch, keeping only a single kunai hidden on him.

If he managed to gather intel, that would be ideal.

If he died inside, that would be even better.

His death would serve as the proof — there must be a spy in the tavern.

Yorimitsu reached out his hand to the captain.

The captain looked puzzled. "Huh? What's that for?"

"I don't have money for drinks. You'll cover my expenses, right? To get information, I need to order the most expensive sake — gotta catch the spy's attention, after all."

The captain reluctantly pulled out his wallet and handed him a wad of bills.

Yorimitsu pocketed it, then extended his hand again.

The captain sighed and gave him another wad. "Don't push it. This mission isn't even supposed to be suicidal."

Not supposed to be suicidal? So there's still a chance I'll die?

With heavy steps, Yorimitsu entered the tavern.

A pungent mix of liquor, perfume, and sweat filled the air.

Dodging the reek of booze and following the scent of perfume, he sat down at a table in the corner.

"Bring me your most expensive sake!"

The tavern owner, a voluptuous and beautiful woman, perked up at the sound of such an order.

Carrying the sake with seductive eyes, she approached Yorimitsu.

As she bent over to place the cup before him, her generous curves nearly spilled out of her robe.

Full, yet firm — soft flesh covering what must be trained muscle beneath.

Yorimitsu stayed tense, seeing danger in everything.

The woman's voice was soft and sweet.

"Ninja-sama, have you just returned victorious from the front lines? Allow me to recommend some… relaxing entertainment to ease your fatigue."

Yorimitsu downed an entire bottle of sake in one go.

The alcohol in this world wasn't very strong, like watered-down spirits. Pretending to be drunk, he slurred, "Entertainment? Do you even know what I've been through on the front lines? What could possibly relax me?"

"Private room!" she said eagerly. "There's one upstairs!"

"Private room, huh? This place is old. You sure those wooden floors can handle some… shaking? Wouldn't want everyone downstairs eating dust, right?"

"Hehehe." She covered her mouth with a playful smile. "Then shall we head to the backyard instead? We have private rooms there too — shaking won't be a problem."

"The backyard, perfect. I prefer that. The second-floor stuff's too… ordinary for my tastes."

The woman placed his hand on her slender waist, her chest pressing against his ribs as she led him away.

Pulling back the curtain, they entered the backyard where the light grew dim.

Her body pressed even closer.

That soft, full sensation — not bad at all.

If only I weren't ANBU, Yorimitsu thought. I'd spend every payday relaxing here.

Once inside the small room, the woman shut the door hard.

"Ninja-sama," she whispered, "do you prefer Yin Style or Yang Style?"

"The academy didn't teach me that. What's the difference between Yin and Yang Style?"

"Depends on who's on top. Do you understand?"

"Who's on top, huh? I see."

Aside from the five elemental natures, some clans also possessed Yin and Yang Release. Above those, at the pinnacle, were the Six Paths' Yin-Yang techniques.

Clearly, this woman's "Yin-Yang Style" wasn't the normal kind.

Yorimitsu nearly drooled, though deep inside, his instincts screamed danger.

But instincts were useless.

Weak as he was, constant vigilance couldn't save him.

A kunai stabbed into his lower back!

In the darkness, an enemy had somehow sneaked behind him and struck.

He tried to shout — but his lips were sealed by the woman's kiss.

Dead.

The transmigrator died just like that… ironically, in a rather pleasant way.

As her soft lips pressed against his, his world faded into darkness.

Yorimitsu's pupils dilated.

Then, in an instant, he awoke again.

The system had arrived.

[Arc of the Moon activated!]

Between two full moons, the host may revive once. Upon death, revival occurs on the night of the last full moon.

Reward: One lottery draw.

Earth Release: Underground Fish Projection Technique (Beginner)

Chūnin-level Chakra capacity (Stackable)

Kunai Thrust (Mastered)

Warning: If killed twice by the same person, the host will die permanently!

He had returned to the night of the last full moon — five days ago, the fifteenth.

In the half-underground ANBU quarters, Yorimitsu looked through the narrow window at the full moon outside.

The Arc of the Moon — his golden cheat.

Once per month, one chance at revival.

Each death granted him a spin of the lottery, rewards tied to how he died.

He studied the options carefully.

Kunai Thrust (Mastered): His killer had used a kunai with uncanny precision — quick and forceful. Useful, but not ideal.

Chūnin-level Chakra (Stackable): Not what he needed most right now.

Earth Release: Underground Fish Projection Technique (Beginner): That one sounded perfect — infiltration, evasion, assassination, theft.

He chose the Earth Release technique. Conveniently, his chakra nature was Earth.

Once you enter ANBU, the sea runs deep — if you don't act or hide, you die fast.

He wasn't fit to be a rogue ninja either; the ANBU would have all of Konoha and beyond hunting him.

In an instant, the knowledge of the technique filled his mind.

After forming three hand seals, Yorimitsu pressed his palm to the wall — his hand slowly sank into it.

The surface rippled like water under the flow of chakra.

He pulled his hand out, and the wall returned to normal.

He could now move freely through earth without leaving a trace.

Not bad. Finally, a proper jutsu.

[Host Status]

Chakra Capacity: Chūnin-level

Chakra Nature: Earth

Jutsu: Basic Three Techniques, Earth Release: Underground Fish Projection

Taijutsu: Basic Taijutsu (Chūnin-level), Basic Kunai Throwing (Chūnin-level)

Others: None

A true disposable pawn — a shadow among shadows.

Taijutsu required little chakra, and his reserves weren't much. He was a mid-level ninja who had honed only the basics.

ANBU primarily handled assassinations, missions where identity must remain secret.

The Hokage didn't want anyone knowing who he wanted dead.

Thus, advanced ninjutsu and clan techniques were off-limits — basic taijutsu and kunai were the true essentials. Even Nara Clan members in ANBU relied mostly on those.

At this time, Root hadn't been formed yet. Danzo, still Hiruzen Sarutobi's most trusted subordinate, was managing ANBU in his stead.

A month earlier, Danzo had led ANBU against the Third Raikage in the Land of Hot Springs — a disastrous mission. Most of ANBU was wiped out; only Danzo made it back alive.

In the aftermath, ANBU began a mass recruitment — which was how Yorimitsu had joined.

A knock sounded at the door.

The squad captain entered.

"Fox, come with me. We're tailing a tavern tonight."

The captain had no idea Yorimitsu had already heard those exact same words once before.

Silently, Yorimitsu gathered his gear.

He had already used this month's death. He couldn't afford another — even the system couldn't save him again.

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(They deleted half my chapters without even telling me… sigh.)

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