[Lunar Arc Activated!]
The host has one resurrection per lunar month. Upon death, the host revives on the night of the previous full moon.
Reward: One lottery draw.
1 - Fire Release Chakra
2 - Chūnin-level Chakra Capacity (stackable)
3 - Taijutsu Body Flicker (Beginner)
Fire Release Chakra—pointless filler. Unpopular. Instantly ignored.
But the second and third choices gave Yako pause.
Choosing Chūnin-level chakra would instantly solve his stamina problem—allowing him to use Earth Release: Subterranean Swimming Technique longer, faster, deeper.
Still… the last one was too tempting.
Taijutsu Body Flicker, the same high-speed movement used by Captain Brown Bear.
Comparing the two, Yako chose Taijutsu Body Flicker (Beginner). Chakra problems could be solved later.
First, get what he didn't have—then worry about quality.
In an instant, he learned the technique.
By concentrating chakra into his lower legs and ankles, he stimulated muscle fibers, causing both physical and chakra-powered explosive movement—launched forward with a grounded push.
The key was maintaining chakra flow through specific muscle-linked pathways in the legs.
He hoisted the Cloud-nin captain over his shoulder and set off again.
This time, he trained Body Flicker while moving.
The Cloud-nin groaned. Why had the Konoha ninja suddenly gotten so fast?
Captain Brown Bear still wore his stunned expression when Yako returned with the captive.
"I spotted a few Uzumaki with sealing scrolls on the way back," Yako said. "Requesting permission to go secure them."
He had to leave now. Once the interrogation revealed the Kumo-Kiri alliance, there'd be no slipping away.
"Go," said Brown Bear. "Secure the scrolls."
Once clear of the coastal base, Yako rocketed across terrain using Body Flicker.
It felt amazing.
One kick—chakra burst—he soared meters into the air.
Wind howled past his ears, shredded behind him in strips.
After checking several lakes, he found a juvenile Longspear Egret.
Fast. With a sharp, long beak like a javelin.
He followed it to another lake—where he saw a massive adult.
The Longspear Egret spotted him from the sky.
Its eyes sharpened. It dived—beak over a meter long, glinting like a bronze spear.
"Stop! Don't attack!"
Uzumaki Yuka's voice rang out.
The egret pulled up.
Yuka stood at a distance, hands on her hips, face brimming with smug pride.
"Fox! What do you think of my new summon?"
Yako eyed the bird's spear-beak with lingering fear.
This summon's speed outclassed a thrown kunai—and it could think, dodge, adjust in midair.
"You tamed it this fast?"
Jealousy stabbed.
"Not just this one—I've got the whole Longspear Egret clan."
Yuka waved, and five more mid-sized egrets burst from the trees.
Fast flight, beaks like kunai. Big ones for offense, small ones for harassment.
An excellent summon family—it'd level Yuka up massively.
Yako reined in his envy and got to the point.
"Yuka, I've learned something from ANBU."
"Princess Kushina went to seal the wild Three-Tails. The mission failed.
Now she's being pursued by Kumo and Kiri. Konoha's ANBU are en route, but two battalions won't be enough."
Yuka's expression changed completely.
"She went to seal the Three-Tails!? I had no idea. The village must've kept it from us to avoid leaks."
"That's why you—who just formed a contract with a flying summon—need to rally reinforcements. Kushina cannot fall."
With that, Yako Body Flickered away.
Yuka stood stunned. Fox had gotten stronger.
Was this what battle did to him?
The shadow of his departure lingered like a black streak. Way cooler now.
An hour later, a signal flare shot into the sky.
Crimson ANBU flare—Konoha's highest-level emergency call.
Captain Yellow Dog had finished interrogating the Cloud-nin captain.
Yako returned to the coastal base.
"Captain, I saw the flare mid-chase and came right back."
"Don't worry," said Brown Bear. "The intel we got from the Cloud-nin outweighs any sealing scrolls."
Yako hid his worry. Could Yuka rally enough backup?
The Land of Waves was far from both Konoha and Uzushio. They might not make it in time.
He followed the battalion to the beach, where they met up with Princess Kushina's group.
Now equipped with Body Flicker, he dodged and weaved through Mist-nin easier than ever.
Once the princess's party had escaped, the retreat order came.
Mist-nin pressed hard. Cloud-nin flanked from the sides.
The pressure was mounting.
Black Bull Squad was sent to cover the retreat.
In under 30 seconds, they were annihilated.
Then Yellow Dog ordered Brown Bear Squad—Yako's squad—to cover.
Captain Brown Bear turned calmly. Ready to face death.
Ready to sacrifice his squad too.
But the squad… wasn't ready.
This was death. No question.
Yako's eyes swept the field.
He channeled all chakra to his legs.
Using the battlefield's width, he found a less-dense Mist-nin spot.
A single Body Flicker carried him there—gaining three seconds of extra life.
The nearest Mist-nin would take three seconds to reach him.
Every second counted.
Yako's Body Flicker bought more time than anyone else.
Captain Brown Bear was overwhelmed, his body bristling like a porcupine—pinned with senbon needles.
Several had pierced his throat, heart, and vital organs.
In his final moment, his conscience stirred.
He turned… and saw Fox still alive.
His eyes—within the mask—filled with pity.
Yako flinched.
Why was he pitying me?!
Instinct kicked in.
He dove forward.
Behind him, Kuriarare Kushimaru's Executioner's Blade came crashing down—aimed straight at his waist.
A man's waist… must never be harmed.
Just before death struck, he heard it:
The rattle of chains!
Adamantine Sealing Chains—the Uzumaki clan's signature technique!
Two chains anchored into the ground beside him, blocking the blade.
Yako rolled away and looked up.
A ninja stood before him—wearing the emblem of the Daimyō's Guard of the Land of Waves.
More Uzumaki appeared behind him—every operative stationed in the country had arrived.
In the mist's veil, Yuka's graceful silhouette emerged.
She had brought reinforcements!