Chapter 1: Mizunotsuki Yoru

"Yoru, this is a top-secret mission issued personally by the Mizukage. You're to lead the operation."

Inside the Hidden Mist Village's ANBU underground base, a shinobi wearing an ANBU mask and sporting spiky blond hair walked in.

As he spoke, he pulled out a pitch-black scroll from his robes and tossed it over.

This special scroll was etched with sealing runes. Without the proper method to unseal it, it would self-destruct upon opening—preventing any classified information from leaking.

The boy named Yoru caught the scroll in one hand and used an ANBU-specific technique to unlock it. The moment he did, his brows furrowed beneath his mask.

[Mission Order: Mizunotsuki Yoru, Captain of ANBU First Squad. Infiltrate the Konohagakure base, create chaos, sabotage supply lines and armories, and divert the attention of Konoha's main forces. Provide full support to the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist during their assassination operation. Signed: Third Mizukage. Mission Class: Top Secret.]

It was an exceptionally dangerous task—tantamount to a death sentence.

Yoru's role was to infiltrate the enemy's central base and wreak havoc. Even if the mission succeeded, the enraged Konoha forces would undoubtedly try to tear every intruder to pieces.

"Understood."

Yoru rolled up the scroll and nodded calmly, his tone unwavering despite the mission's difficulty.

"Your abilities are perfect for this kind of operation, which is why the Mizukage chose you to lead it."

The spiky-haired ANBU added, his voice steady:"I believe in you. Once this war is over, you should be able to take my place."

"Your blade doesn't suit me, Kurisame-sama."

That's right.

This masked man, his neck wrapped in bandages and hair styled in an explosive afro, was none other than Kurisame Kushimaru, wielder of Nuibari, the Longsword: Sewing Needle—one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.

He was also Yoru's superior officer—the ANBU deputy squad commander.

Several of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen served in ANBU. For example, Suikazan Fuguki, wielder of Samehada, was another ANBU deputy—responsible for intelligence. Kurisame, in contrast, led the assassination corps.

"Tch, brat. I said you'd take my position, not my sword!"

Kurisame scoffed beneath his mask, his gaze lingering on the blade at Yoru's hip."That sword of yours… is it the so-called 'spirit-born blade' that's said to belong to you alone?"

"Just a regular weapon," Yoru replied calmly, drawing the asauchi-style long katana from his hip."Unless… you want to test it against yours, Kurisame-sama?"

"You really don't act like one of the Yuki Clan. You're more like one of those Kaguya lunatics."

Kurisame clicked his tongue.Whoever tried to spar with this kid was a damn fool.

Even though Yoru hadn't awakened the Yuki Clan's bloodline limit, he wielded bizarre and deadly techniques. Almost no one who had fought him ever wanted a second round.

"Yagura's advance at the front lines isn't going smoothly. So this assassination mission cannot fail."

"The Seven Swordsmen will move in three days. You're to begin immediately—reach the front ahead of them and begin your sabotage."

With that, Kurisame vanished via Shunshin, leaving the damp and dimly lit room with only Yoru inside.

Gazing down at the mission scroll in his hand, a complex expression formed behind Yoru's white mask.

"It was bound to happen eventually."

This year marked Yoru's fourteenth year since arriving in this world—the 49th year of Konoha's calendar.

The Third Great Ninja War was nearing its conclusion, sparked by the disappearance of the Third Kazekage.