Sealing Jutsu: Sealing Mark of Objects was a technique used to seal ninja tools like kunai into scrolls.
But with Yako's current combat strength, carrying three times as many weapons was meaningless. He discarded this option.
Kunai Thrust Technique—he didn't need that either. Clearly, the Uzumaki ninja who killed him last time had mastered it.
Plenty of ninja specialized in kunai. He'd have many more chances to draw that reward in the future.
Chūnin-level Chakra Capacity (Stackable)—that, Yako desperately needed.
Especially now that he'd mastered the Shadow Clone Jutsu. His demand for chakra was increasing exponentially.
He chose it. His chakra capacity doubled—now at 2x Chūnin-level.
If he could reach 5x, he'd have the reserves of an elite Chūnin.
The body he was born into really had awful talent. His chakra pool was pitifully small.
Captain Antelope returned after meeting with Mid-squad Leader Brown Bear, taking Fox with him again.
"Captain, what's our next mission?"
"Don't ask what you shouldn't ask."
Right. Still the same, Captain Antelope. You missed your second chance.
Antelope had to die again—otherwise, Yako couldn't explain how he knew Shadow Clone Jutsu. Dead men told no tales.
And the new Blue Wolf squad had to be eliminated too. Otherwise, he'd never rise to captain.
Yako followed behind Antelope, calculating with every step—how to achieve his goals.
Once again, they rendezvoused with Uzumaki Yuka's squad, setting up an ambush by the lakeside.
Just like before, Antelope ordered Yako to stay close to Yuka, ready to strike her down at a moment's notice.
Lying together in the bushes with her, Yako considered carefully. This woman couldn't die—she was the key to eliminating Blue Wolf's team.
As before, the Lance Heron flew in from the distance. The explosive tags detonated, launching iron net traps. Yuka was the first to charge.
When the sealing reached its crucial moment, two Kumo squads ambushed.
Yako wounded Yuka first, then used poison to kill Captain Antelope.
But this time, when Yako returned to find Yuka again, the killing intent in his eyes was gone.
"Fox! You're back!"
Hearing her excited voice, Yako carefully treated the wound in her abdomen.
He sliced open the tight-fitting mesh over her stomach, revealing defined abs with a perfect V-line.
Such a beautiful body… he wondered if it would scar.
After finishing treatment, Yako supported her.
"Thank you, Fox."
Hearing Yuka's sincere gratitude, Yako struck while the iron was hot.
"Yuka… you know my status is special. I gather intel for a certain elder of the Senju clan. I took a huge risk saving you. If my captain hadn't died from his injuries, I wouldn't have had the chance to return."
Yuka said, "You already went easy on me. Not only did you coat your kunai in a coagulant, but the wound was shallow. Who exactly do you gather intel for in the Senju?"
Yako thought: How would I know? He said aloud:
"My identity is classified. Don't make assumptions. That elder suspects ANBU's gone rotten—not like when Lord Tobirama was Hokage. That's why I was embedded—to investigate in secret."
He leaned closer.
"This mission in the Land of Waves… ANBU's behavior confirmed everything. Attempting to steal Uzumaki sealing scrolls? That would've been unthinkable before."
"Yuka, please… you must keep my secret."
"I understand. I won't tell a soul."
"I only report to that one elder. Even if you run into other Senju, don't mention me."
"I won't. Infiltrating ANBU is extremely dangerous. I won't tell anyone—not even my village."
Yako nodded rapidly. This woman really was easy to fool.
More importantly, he'd fluently used the Uzumaki clan's Forbidden Sealing: Self-Curse Binding Seal—that alone gave him credibility.
If he somehow awakened a Sharingan, the Uchiha would probably assume he was some long-lost bloodline orphan.
After catching her breath, Yuka gestured for Yako to help her to the Lance Heron.
The beast had fought so hard it broke its own bones—still grounded, wings twitching.
Pale-faced, Yuka poured all her chakra into unsealing the scroll and used a Contract Seal—sealing the Lance Heron away.
"Once it's healed, I'll tame its wild nature and forge a bond. Only then will it be a proper summoning beast."
Yako found it fascinating. Shame he didn't know any sealing techniques himself.
Yuka's gaze dimmed, as if recalling something unpleasant.
After a while, she said, "Fox… I know why Konoha's ANBU has changed."
"Oh? Why?"
"Because… the clan head refused Counselor Danzō's request."
She continued:
"It's not a secret within the clan. The clan head's granddaughter—Uzumaki Kushina—has shown a once-in-decades talent in sealing.
Danzō came to negotiate. He wanted Kushina to become the next Jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails.
But the clan head refused. Uzushio had tracked a wild Three-Tails and wanted Kushina to be its Jinchūriki instead.
With Uzumaki sealing techniques, controlling a tailed beast is already within reach.
Since Lord Tobirama passed, Uzushio's situation worsens every year. Konoha no longer supports us wholeheartedly.
We have to look out for ourselves.
Danzō didn't argue—he made a new proposal.
He demanded the Uzumaki clan share their advanced sealing arts with Konoha.
The clan head refused again.
Sealing techniques are the foundation of our clan. Even the First Hokage, Lord Hashirama, only married Lady Mito—he never asked us to give up our secrets.
Refusing Danzō twice… the clan head is worried. But he has no choice."
Yako inwardly smirked. Good—saving Yuka was clearly the right move.
So Danzō came to Uzushio to discuss the next Jinchūriki and steal sealing secrets.
Kushina's talent was outrageous—even at a young age, two villages wanted her as a Jinchūriki.
And now both were fighting over her.
ANBU's real mission—stealing Adamantine Sealing Chains scrolls—was all about uncovering Uzumaki sealing secrets.
The shinobi body really was absurd. After just five days, Yuka's injury was nearly healed.
Her lower belly was flat again, the scar barely a soft pink smudge.
One night, deep after midnight, Yuka found a wild hot spring.
"I'll wash your uniform," she said.
By the water, she stripped off Yako's ANBU vest, removing his mask along with it.
"Wow… you're actually quite handsome. What a shame you hide behind a mask."
"You're only washing the vest?"
"Want me to wash your shorts too?"
One article of clothing after another, they peeled layer by layer.
Under the moonlight, Yuka's body glowed pale and flawless.
When constrained by her mesh armor, her chest had looked impressively full. Now, freed—it spilled and bounced, soft and irresistible.
Suiton soaked and dried, soaked and dried, again and again. At last they were clean. They leaned against each other, taking turns sleeping, taking turns on watch.
The next morning, Yako said:
"Yuka, my next mission is to investigate a certain town. I'll give you the location. There might be quite a few Uzumaki there."
Planting a mole inside the enemy… maybe, this time, he wouldn't die.