The Shadow Realm

The mountain wind scattered the lingering smoke, and the cleanup at Mount Tenmoku Base was complete.

Mimura Hamaki checked everything one last time. Every potential hazard had been eliminated, all experimental materials had been sealed away, and the Konoha Ninja had taken the researchers knocked unconscious by the Shadow Ninja back with them. Once he was certain nothing had been overlooked, he gave the order to return.

"Pack your gear! Break camp at once and head back to the border camp!"

The two hundred Ninja assembled in a flash. Moving as one, they turned toward Konoha and set off.

Asuma and Obito walked at the front, still riding the excitement of the S-Rank Mission. Asuma teased Obito now and then, and Obito huffed and argued back. Their bickering continued all along the road.

Kakashi trailed along with his hands in his pockets, as listless as ever. Tsukimi had been wondering whether to give him Icha Icha Paradise early. That closet pervert would love it!

Rin and Kurenai walked side by side, whispering to each other.

Only Tsukimi lagged behind the group, seemingly ambling along without a care. Beneath his lazy, mild expression, however, his attention had already sunk inward to examine what he had gained lately.

Since his first C-Rank Mission, he had survived an ambush, gone undercover, and fought in the Battle of Mount Tenmoku. He had gone from first using the Shadowkhan to infiltrate and scout to wiping out Rasa's entire base in one stroke.

Less than a month had passed, but the relentless missions and sustained fighting had sent his progress in unlocking the Shadowkhan soaring.

[Blade Squad (50%)

Mantis Squad (50%)

Crab Shadow Squad (50%)]

Looking inward, he saw that all three squads in the second batch were more than halfway unlocked.

Before, activating