Mission: Travel to the Land of Fire

The entrance to the secret base was silent, with only the wind sweeping through the forest.

Suddenly, a black shadow shot up from the cave entrance and circled several times in midair.

Its beating wings stirred up faint currents of air, accompanied by several hoarse, urgent caws.

The next instant, the black shadow abruptly folded its wings and dove like an arrow loosed from a bow, landing lightly on Shinji's shoulder and perching there steadily.

Smiling, Shinji reached out and gently stroked the Ninja Crow's head.

At that moment, the Ninja Crow's left eye had already been replaced with a Sharingan.

He touched his own left arm, where the original wound was wrapped in a thick layer of bandages.

He had successfully transplanted the spare Sharingan from his left arm into the Ninja Crow's left eye.

"Just like Kakashi, your left eye is a Sharingan. From now on, you're the Ninja Crow version of Kakashi."

From then on, it would be a special Ninja Crow capable of activating Izanagi.

The Ninja Crow tilted its head. Shinji's reflection appeared in its scarlet Sharingan, and it showed no sign of discomfort.

Shinji raised both hands and sent the Ninja Crow back into the sky.

"Stay in the Forest of Death. I'll summon you later."

As though it understood its master's command, the Ninja Crow beat its wings powerfully and flew toward the depths of the dense forest.

Shinji was not worried about the Sharingan being lost.

The Ninja Crow was bound to him by a blood contract and obeyed only his commands. It was also skilled at prolonged concealment and returning to its nest from great distances.

They possessed Chakra as well, and combined with their innate ability to fly, they had tremendous mobility within the Forest of Death. There was no way they could be easily captured.

Whenever he needed it, he only had to summon it.

Shinji sealed the secret base's entrance again and thoroughly disguised all traces around it. After confirming that there were no flaws, he gave a slight nod, turned, and quickly left the Forest of Death.

Two days later.

"Uchiha Shinji, report to the Hokage Building immediately!"

An Anbu wearing a Dog Mask stood at the door, his voice cold and clipped, without a trace of unnecessary emotion.

Shinji was slightly taken aback.

Going to the Hokage Building again?

Had he been exposed?

No. If he had truly been exposed, they would not have sent only one Anbu, but an entire extermination squad.

"Understood."

Shinji nodded and quickly returned to the living room to change into his usual clothes.

Standing before the half-length mirror on the first floor, he turned from side to side and chuckled.

"My own clothes are still more comfortable. The Chunin green vest issued by the village really doesn't suit my taste."

Once he was ready, he left for the building beneath the Hokage Rock.

As he neared the Hokage Building, he happened to see Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi waiting at the entrance.

Asuma raised a hand and waved. "You finally made it! We've been waiting forever!"

"Waiting for me?" Shinji asked in confusion.

Kurenai Yuhi nodded gently. "I just got here too. I happened to run into Asuma."

Asuma leaned closer and lowered his voice. "There's a mission, and they specifically requested our team!"

He grinned smugly. "Has my great reputation finally spread?"

"So it's a mission."

Shinji's heart stirred slightly.

With Asuma, the Hokage's son, around, they could always catch a little advance news.

Kurenai Yuhi rolled her eyes helplessly at Asuma, thinking to herself, When will this guy ever grow up?

Then she looked at Shinji, and the corners of her lips unconsciously curved into a smile.

Shinji was still the steadier, more dependable one.

"Let's head up quickly," Shinji called.

He walked between them. As he passed Kurenai Yuhi, his fingers discreetly gave her little hand a squeeze.

A faint blush instantly spread across Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks. She shot him a reproachful glance, then, while Asuma was not paying attention, quietly reached out and gave the soft flesh of his abdomen a light pinch.

"Hiss—"

"What's wrong, Shinji?" Asuma immediately noticed something was off.

"Nothing. Leg cramp."

Shinji calmly rubbed his stomach, forcing himself to remain composed.

The two had grown closer by the day, and every so often, they would secretly play little games like this.

Kurenai Yuhi pursed her lips, the corners of her eyes curving as she pretended nothing had happened. Yet inwardly, she quietly said, Serves you right. Who told you to be so bold?

Their little movements were extremely subtle, and Asuma noticed nothing at all.

The three then arrived outside the Hokage's Office. Just as Shinji was about to push the door open, an argument suddenly broke out inside.

Asuma hurriedly reached out to stop them, raising a finger to his lips. Then he crept up to the door with an eager look, ready to eavesdrop.

Shinji remained calm as he quietly pricked up his ears as well.

He also heard a familiar female voice.

It was Tsunade.

"Old man, what do you mean by this?!"

"Calm down, Tsunade. You're the most suitable person for this matter."

"I'm leaving! I've already fulfilled my promise to treat Kakashi. I've been delayed in the village long enough."

"Please. No one else would be reliable for this. Only you can handle it properly."

"Not doing it! Hurry up and give me the money you promised me. I'm going gambling right now."

"Then... more money?"

The room fell silent for several seconds.

Then Tsunade's voice rang out again, her tone noticeably more serious:

"What did you just say? I didn't hear you clearly. More money?"

"You three outside, come in first."

Hiruzen Sarutobi raised a hand and rubbed his brow, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness.

Tsunade sat across from him with her legs crossed. She had clearly noticed the presences outside long ago.

Shinji and the other two entered the room somewhat awkwardly and stood quietly to one side.

Hiruzen Sarutobi swept his gaze over the three of them and nodded in satisfaction. All three were promising talents and Konoha's future.

He pressed a fist against his lips and gave a light cough.

"Shinji, Asuma, Kurenai. Marushihiko, a nobleman from the Land of Fire, has commissioned us to escort him back to the capital."

"Originally, he specifically requested Minato, but Minato has another mission at the moment. So I've decided that your team will take over."

Asuma immediately interrupted, his face full of disbelief:

"Hey, old man, didn't you say our team was specifically requested?"

This was completely different from what he had heard before.

Hiruzen Sarutobi shot him a glare.

"You're still far from it. The one he specifically requested was Minato."

Kurenai Yuhi could not help covering her mouth as she laughed softly.

Asuma's cheeks reddened. After all that, he had misunderstood—he had thought he had finally become famous through his own ability.

Hiruzen Sarutobi continued:

"For this mission, Tsunade will be going with you."

"She has other arrangements for the time being, so your team will be temporarily placed under her command."

Tsunade suddenly slammed the table and rose to her feet.

"I never heard anything about having to bring three brats along! Taking Shizune is enough."

Ignoring her outburst, Hiruzen Sarutobi took out his pipe, lit it, and slowly drew in a puff.

"A few days ago, the Third Raikage died in battle. Iwagakure on Ōnoki's side also suffered heavy casualties."

"The Ninja World War is about to enter the negotiation stage."

"This war has severely drained Konoha. To protect Konoha's interests next year, we must secure the Land of Fire's funding and mission quota."

"Tsunade, you're the only one suited for this."

Tsunade clicked her tongue.

She was Hashirama Senju's granddaughter and already carried considerable weight among the Land of Fire's upper ranks. She was even close friends with Shijimi, the Daimyo's wife.

"Then why not let me go alone? Looking after brats is the biggest pain."

Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a ring of smoke and looked at her calmly.

"An additional two million ryo."

Tsunade instantly clasped her hands together, her eyes curving into crescents as she smiled.

"Deal!"

Shinji: "..."