Yagami's vision plunged into darkness, the world shifting and warping until he found himself back on the night of the previous full moon.
He awoke in the Land of Rivers, lying upon the large, soft bed in Chisa's private chambers. Chisa was already fast asleep, exhausted from the night's activities. Yagami reached over and picked up her glasses, gently sliding them onto her face. He took a moment to admire her mature, sophisticated features in the moonlight. Sensing him stir, Chisa woke up. Realizing he had put her glasses on, she gave a soft, knowing smile and nestled deeper into his embrace.
"Come here..." she whispered, her voice thick with sleep. "No matter where you go when you wake, tonight, at least, you belong to me."
Yagami pulled back the curtains, allowing the silver moonlight to wash over Chisa's pale, elegant form.
Half an hour later, Chisa drifted back into a deep slumber. Only then did Yagami turn his attention to his system interface.
[ Arc of Moon Activated!]
[The host has only one resurrection opportunity per month. Upon death, the host is resurrected on the night of the previous full moon.]
[Reward Selection:]
1. [Hiramekarei Swordsmanship]
2. [Jonin-level Chakra Reserve (Stackable)]
3. [Secret Technique: Water Pistol Jutsu]
The Hiramekarei Swordsmanship was the specific combat style designed for the Twinsword, one of the Seven Ninja Swords. Yagami had no intention of actually wielding one of those blades long-term; with the exception of Samehada, their potential was limited. Carrying one would make him a permanent target for the Hidden Mist, which simply wasn't cost-effective.
As for the Jonin-level chakra reserve, Yagami didn't feel a pressing need for it. Thanks to his unique constitution, his chakra had already naturally grown to 3.9 times the level of a standard Jonin, placing him within striking distance of the Elite Jonin class.
It was the third option that caught his eye.
[Secret Technique: Water Pistol Jutsu]. An instantaneous ninjutsu. In the world of shinobi, speed was the ultimate arbiter of life and death. A jutsu that required no signs was inherently superior to a one-sign jutsu, which was infinitely better than a three-sign jutsu. As for that certain Water Style jutsu requiring forty-four signs? In Yagami's eyes, it was garbage; he'd rather just throw a brick.
Upon selecting the reward, the knowledge of the [Water Style: Water Pistol Jutsu] flooded his mind.
A small jet of water appeared at his fingertip. At the point where the water met his skin, his chakra generated immense pressure, propelling the droplets forward with the velocity of a bullet. The key to the technique lay in the hardness of the water. As the name suggested, the [Water Pistol] concentrated massive amounts of chakra into the droplets, giving them the density of iron balls. Only with that level of hardness could the shot achieve its devastating piercing power.
At dawn, Yagami prepared to depart.
"Fox," Chisa said softly, watching him. "Will it be a long time before I see you again?"
"I'll try to take missions in the Land of Rivers whenever I can," Yagami replied.
Chisa watched as he vanished in a flash of Body Flicker, a hollow feeling settling in her chest.
Yagami tracked down Commander Yellow Dog and, as expected, was recommended for promotion to Jonin once again. He navigated the process smoothly. Most importantly, he secured his private office in the Anbu base. Now, when he wanted to admire Purple Cat's blushing face or the fair curve of her neck, he could do so without fear of being interrupted.
This time, however, he spent his preparation period specifically planning for the Land of Whirlpools. He needed a way to counter Mangetsu Hozuki. In their previous life, they had fought to a stalemate, and his advantage had been marginal. Now that he had first-hand intelligence on Mangetsu's habits and abilities, he wouldn't be so passive.
Before departing, he headed to the Anbu Logistics Department. This department handled the distribution of ninja tools, flak jackets, and disguise kits for infiltrating other villages.
Seeing the newly promoted Jonin, the logistics ninja stood up quickly. "Jonin Fox, do you require specific equipment?"
"I'm looking for sealing scrolls," Yagami said. "Specifically, scrolls that contain Lightning Style ninjutsu."
The logistics ninja shook his head. "Jonin Fox, before the Uzumaki clan was wiped out, Their Village would regularly send various sealing scrolls to the Anbu. Since their fall, we've lost access to those high-level products. The Anbu's mission load is heavy; our existing stockpile was exhausted long ago."
He scribbled an address on a piece of paper. "I'll give you this location. It's a specialized scroll shop in the village. They might still have some old stock."
"If you don't have the scrolls, I'll take a piece of obsidian," Yagami decided.
Obsidian was the premier material for stone axes and knives, making it the best non-metallic alternative to iron kunai. In battles requiring insulation or specific elemental resistances, such material was invaluable.
Yagami left the Anbu base, changed into civilian clothes, and followed the directions to the shop. It was located near the Senju compound. The sign above the door bore the crests of both the Senju and Uzumaki clans. A shop bearing both marks clearly had deep ties to the Whirlpool legacy.
Looking at the spiral crest of the Uzumaki, Yagami felt a pang of melancholy. One of the greatest clans in history had been reduced to ash. Aside from Uzumaki Kushina and the few dozen survivors led by Uzumaki Yuka, there was little left. He wondered if they could ever truly find restoration.
Inside, rows of glass counters displayed various scrolls, with dozens more hanging on the walls behind.
"Hello," Yagami said to the young woman behind the counter. "Do you have any scrolls that can store and release Lightning Style ninjutsu?"
The girl had striking hair—half white and half red. "I'm sorry," she said. "We don't have anything like that. A scroll capable of containing Lightning Style requires a very powerful seal."
Just as Yagami felt his disappointment rising, a young girl ran into the shop.
"Sister Chiaki! School is out! I'm here to help with the shop!"
It was the red-haired Uzumaki Kushina. In this timeline, with the Senju clan still active, she wasn't nearly as lonely as her original counterpart.
Seeing Yagami, Kushina asked brightly, "Hello! What kind of scroll are you looking for? I can help!"
Yagami spoke before Chiaki could answer. "I'm looking for a Lightning Style sealing scroll—one that releases the jutsu immediately upon opening."
"A Lightning Style storage scroll?" Kushina pondered. "That would require the [Lightning Sealing Method]. We don't have any ready-made, but I can make a custom one for you."
Chiaki looked surprised. "Kushina, have you mastered the [Lightning Sealing Method] already?"
"I just mastered the [Fire Sealing Method] the other day," Kushina said confidently. "The lightning version shouldn't be much harder."
Yagami was intrigued by her confidence. "You're going to make it? You haven't even graduated from the Academy yet. Will the power be sufficient?"
Kushina huffed. "I can ask one of the Lightning Style ninja in the compound to help. They provide the jutsu, and I perform the seal. Don't underestimate me—Sister Tsunade says I'm a sealing genius!"
"Alright, I believe you, sealing genius. How much, and when can I pick it up?"
"How much?" Kushina turned to Chiaki. "Sister Chiaki, what should we charge?"
"It's not cheap for a custom job," Chiaki said. "It will be 200,000 Ryo."
It was a steep price. Yagami had over five million Ryo in his personal funds, but 200,000 still stung.
Stepping out of the shop, Yagami glanced around casually. He quickly identified three Anbu squads—an entire platoon—stationed nearby. Even within the village, the surveillance on the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki was absolute.
The next day, Yagami returned for the scroll. Kushina handed it over, explaining that the stored jutsu was equivalent to one cast by a Special Jonin.
'That should be enough to catch Mangetsu Hozuki off guard.'Yagami thought.
Soon after, Yagami followed Commander Yellow Dog back to the front lines of the Land of Whirlpools.
***
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