Naruto : I Got "Return by Death" Kind Of Cheat

In the Anbu locker room, Yako waited for the first batch of Anbu graduates from Root.

Three new recruits.

Each of them chose a mask Yako knew well—Antelope, Purple Cat, Black Ox.

Yako adjusted his own Fox mask.

One day, his too would return to that locker after his death, ready for the next Anbu to wear.

"Captain Fox!" the three saluted in unison.

Yako nodded and said,

"Team Fox's current top priority is to follow Captain Black Ape's orders and protect the Uzumaki Princess."

"She can die behind us. But never in front of us."

The three immediately shouted, "Yes, sir!"

At dawn, Captain Black Ape's squad left the Forest of Death and headed for the outskirts of the Senju compound, changing shifts with another squad.

Anbu weren't allowed inside the Senju compound. While Uzumaki Kushina remained within its boundaries, her safety was the Senju Clan's responsibility.

Once she left, Anbu would take over.

That morning, a group of children left the compound—laughing, playing, backpacks bouncing as they ran toward the Ninja Academy.

Among them was Uzumaki Kushina.

Her striking red hair shimmered in the morning light, but there was no trace of childish innocence on her face—only sorrow and weight, born of surviving the destruction of her clan.

Three young Senju girls surrounded her, showing kindness.

Kushina entered the Academy.

Yako hid behind the classroom building's rooftop, scanning the interior with binoculars.

The teacher was explaining the parabolic curve of a thrown kunai.

But Yako wasn't watching Kushina in the front row—he was focused on a blond boy in the back.

Namikaze Minato, the brightest genius Konoha would see in the next fifteen years.

Minato kept glancing toward the front—at the new red-haired transfer student.

Yako watched for a while, then descended from the treetops and circled the school, checking every possible hiding spot.

He passed a few teachers, who barely reacted—they were used to Anbu monitoring the Uzumaki Princess.

After Nawaki, the young heir of the Senju, the Academy now had a second key student: the Uzumaki Princess.

That afternoon was sparring practice.

Yako was stunned.

Minato's reflexes were terrifying.

Having once enhanced his own reaction speed, Yako could see it clearly.

The moment his opponent's shoulder twitched, Minato was already blocking.

He moved as if he could predict attacks before they came.

His taijutsu defense was seamless. And when an opening appeared in the opponent's guard, he landed a simple jab that dropped them flat.

The whole sequence was effortless. Smooth. Beautiful.

During a break, Kushina was surrounded by some kids, whispering, pointing.

Standard bullying for the new transfer. The teacher quickly stepped in and sent them away.

At 4 PM, Anbu changed shifts—Captain Black Ape's unit clocked out.

Yako headed to Tsurugetsu Tavern.

He ordered a flask of sake and some braised meat, passing time alone.

Meat was building his body fast.

Konoha's meat was absurdly expensive.

A single dinner full of meat cost ten thousand ryō.

Even someone like Sarutobi Asuma couldn't afford to eat like this every day.

But the benefits were obvious.

After just over a month back in the village, Yako's chakra reserves had increased noticeably.

He swallowed a mouthful of beef and thought—he'd have to find some side hustle. He couldn't afford this diet otherwise.

No meat, no strength.

Qiao Yi, the tavern's owner, frequently came by to ask if he needed anything.

She adored Yako—he stayed often, always ordered the best drinks, the best food, and spent loads of money.

If she weren't a spy, just a simple tavern girl, she'd probably fall for him even harder.

Yako poured all his earnings into food and drink.

He teased her about dieting, said her chest had thinned out lately.

Qiao Yi argued it was just her bra being tight today—definitely not weight loss.

After she went back to work, Yako's pupils narrowed slightly.

The tavern crowd was mixed.

A newly arrived man dragged out a chair—smooth motion—but something was wrong.

Shoulder, elbow, wrist... too coordinated.

When the chair scraped back, its legs floated exactly one centimeter above the ground—never once bumping or dragging.

Cloud-Style Kenjutsu.

Yako didn't mistake it. That unique way of joint movement—only years of training in Kumogakure's sword techniques produced that.

Even without a blade in hand, the body would move differently.

And Yako knew Cloud-Style. That's how he saw it.

He shielded part of his face with his sake cup, eyes narrowing.

In the original timeline, Kumo spies once tried to abduct Kushina.

Could they already be targeting her?

This likely happened before Kushina became a jinchūriki.

The defenses around a jinchūriki were far stronger than those around the so-called "Uzumaki Princess."

The suspected spy chatted for about an hour, then left.

Yako stuffed the remaining meat into his mouth and rose.

If he could prove himself by protecting Kushina, maybe he could get this upgraded to an A-rank mission.

That would cover next month's meat bill.

No meat, no power.

Qiao Yi rushed over.

"Hey! Not staying to work on Yin Release with me tonight?"

"Need a break. Even the Hokage's back can't handle nightly Yin Release study."

She pouted as he left.

But Yako didn't pursue the spy.

He pulled out his fox mask and headed straight for Uzumaki Kushina.

He found her in a small park near the Senju compound.

And he wasn't alone—another Anbu squad was stationed nearby.

Eight-hour shifts. Three shifts total. Black Ape's squad clocked out at 4 PM; the next wouldn't change until midnight.

Yako didn't approach the other Anbu—he stayed at a distance.

Nor did they try to make Kushina return to the compound.

This was her adjustment period. It was better to let her move freely.

In the park were Senju children and some of Kushina's classmates.

From afar, Yako spotted Minato there too.

Late into the night, most of the kids went home. Even Minato walked off to the west.

The park grew quiet.

Yako yawned. Where do these brats get all this energy? Why aren't they in bed?

Suddenly, his expression turned grim.

They were here.

At the park's edge—five figures.

One of them—Yako recognized.

The man from the tavern.

Any spy who could enter Konoha wasn't likely to be high-ranking.

Named jōnin from Kumogakure were always under tight surveillance. But a chūnin—or at most an elite chūnin—could slip through the cracks.

For Kushina, Kumo had likely mobilized their entire spy network.

Yako slipped into the park.

Ten seconds passed.

He frowned, staring up at the sky.

Why hasn't a signal flare gone up?

An attack on the Uzumaki Princess required an immediate distress signal—Anbu protocol.

Unless…

Some of the new Anbu were Kumo spies too?