The area around the secret base's entrance was silent, with only the sound of wind rustling through the forest.
Suddenly, a dark shadow shot up from the cave opening, circling several times in mid-air.
The flapping of wings stirred up faint air currents, accompanied by a few hoarse and urgent caws.
In the next moment, the shadow abruptly folded its wings and dove down like an arrow released from a bow, landing lightly and steadily on Shinji's shoulder.
Shinji smiled and reached out, gently stroking the Ninja Crow's head.
At this moment, the Ninja Crow's left eye had been replaced with a Sharingan.
He touched his 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 with a Sharingan in his left eye, from now on, you're the Ninja Crow version of Kakashi."
From this day forward, it would be a special Ninja Crow capable of activating Izanagi.
The Ninja Crow tilted its head, Shinji's figure reflected in its crimson Sharingan, showing no signs of discomfort.
Shinji raised his hands and sent the Ninja Crow back into the sky.
"Stay in the Forest of Death. I'll summon you later."
The Ninja Crow seemed to understand its master's command. With a powerful flap of its wings, it flew deep into the dense forest.
Shinji wasn't worried about losing the Sharingan.
The Ninja Crow was bound to him by a Blood Contract, obeying only his commands. It was naturally skilled at long-term concealment and long-distance homing.
It also possessed Chakra within its body, and coupled with its innate flying ability, it had exceptional mobility in the Forest of Death, making it nearly impossible to capture easily.
When needed, he could simply use the Summoning Technique.
Shinji resealed the entrance to the secret base, thoroughly disguising any traces around it. After confirming there were no flaws, he nodded slightly, turned, and quickly left the Forest of Death.
...
Two days later.
"Uchiha Shinji, report to the Hokage Building immediately!"
An Anbu member wearing a dog mask stood at the door, his voice cold, stiff, and devoid of any unnecessary tone.
Shinji was slightly taken aback.
The Hokage Building again?
Had he been exposed?
No, if he had truly been exposed, it wouldn't be just one Anbu member arriving, but an entire squad to surround him.
"Understood."
Shinji nodded in acknowledgment, quickly returned to the living room, and changed into his regular clothes.
Standing before the half-length mirror on the first floor, he turned left and right, chuckling softly.
"My own clothes are still more comfortable. The Chunin Green Flak Jacket issued by the village really doesn't suit my taste."
Once ready, he headed out toward the building beneath the Hokage Rock.
As he approached the Hokage Building, he happened to see Asuma and Kurenai Yuhi waiting at the entrance.
Asuma raised a hand and waved. "You're finally here! We've been waiting for you!"
"Waiting for me?" Shinji asked, puzzled.
Kurenai nodded gently. "I just arrived too and happened to run into Asuma."
Asuma leaned in closer, lowering his voice. "There's a mission, and it's specifically assigned to our team!"
He grinned proudly. "Has my reputation finally spread?"
"So it's a mission."
Shinji's heart stirred slightly.
With Asuma, the Hokage's son, on their team, they always managed to catch a bit of advance information.
Kurenai Yuhi helplessly rolled his eyes at Asuma, thinking to himself: When will this guy ever mature a little?
He then looked at Shinji, a smile unconsciously curling at the corner of his mouth.
Shinji was still more steady and reliable.
"Let's hurry up," Shinji called out.
He walked between the two, and as he passed by Kurenai Yuhi, his fingers subtly pinched her small hand.
Kurenai Yuhi's cheeks instantly flushed with a faint red, and she shot him a reproachful glance. Taking advantage of Asuma's inattention, she quietly reached out and gave his soft abdomen a gentle twist.
"Hiss—"
"What's wrong, Shinji?" Asuma immediately noticed something off.
"Nothing, just a leg cramp."
Shinji calmly rubbed his stomach, forcing himself to stay composed.
The relationship between the two had grown increasingly close, and occasionally they would play little games like this in secret.
Kurenai Yuhi pursed his lips, the corners of his eyes curving as he pretended nothing had happened, though he secretly thought: Serves you right, who told you to be so bold.
Their subtle movements were extremely discreet, and Asuma remained completely unaware.
The three then arrived at the door of the Hokage's office. Just as Shinji was about to push the door open, a sudden argument erupted from inside.
Asuma quickly reached out to stop the other two, gesturing for silence, then tiptoed to the door, leaning in with keen interest, ready to eavesdrop.
Shinji remained calm and also quietly pricked up his ears.
He also heard a familiar female voice.
It was Tsunade.
"Old man, what do you mean!"
"Calm down, Tsunade. Entrusting this matter to you is the most appropriate."
"I'm leaving! I've already fulfilled my promise to treat Kakashi, and I've stayed in the village long enough."
"Please, no one else is reliable for this. Only you can handle it properly."
"No way! Hurry up and give me the money we agreed on. I'm going to gamble now."
"How about more money?"
Silence fell in the room for a few seconds.
Then, Tsunade's voice rang out again, noticeably more serious:
"What did you just say? I didn't hear clearly. More money?"
...
"The three outside, come in first."
Hiruzen Sarutobi raised his hand to rub his temples, his tone tinged with helplessness.
Tsunade sat across from him with her legs crossed, clearly having sensed the presence outside long ago.
Shinji and the other two walked into the room somewhat awkwardly and stood quietly to the side.
Hiruzen Sarutobi's gaze swept over the three, and he nodded in satisfaction—they were all promising talents for the village's future.
He raised a fist to his lips and cleared his throat lightly.
"Shinji, Asuma, Kurenai. Lord Enichihiko, a noble of the Land of Fire, has entrusted us with escorting him back to the capital."
"Originally, Minato was designated for this task, but unfortunately, he has other duties at the moment. Therefore, I have decided that your team will take over."
Asuma immediately interrupted, looking stunned:
"Hey, old man, didn't you say our team was designated?"
This was completely different from what he had heard before.
Hiruzen Sarutobi glared at him:
"You still have a long way to go. The one designated was Minato."
Kurenai Yuhi couldn't help but cover his mouth and chuckle softly.
Asuma's cheeks flushed red. So, after all this, he had misunderstood and thought he had finally gained fame through his own abilities.
Hiruzen Sarutobi continued:
"For this mission, Tsunade will accompany you."
"She has other arrangements for now, so your team will temporarily be placed under her command."
Tsunade slammed the table and stood up abruptly:
"I never heard about having to take three kids along! I can manage just fine with Shizune."
Hiruzen Sarutobi ignored her outburst, took out his pipe from his robe, lit it, and slowly took a puff.
"A few days ago, the Third Raikage died in battle. Onoki's Hidden Stone Village also suffered heavy casualties."
"The Great Ninja War is almost entering the negotiation stage."
"This war has left Konohagakure severely weakened. To protect Konohagakure's interests next year, we must secure funding and mission quotas from the Land of Fire."
"Tsunade, you are the most suitable person for this task."
Tsunade clicked her tongue.
As the granddaughter of Senju Hashirama, she already held considerable influence among the high-ranking officials of the Land of Fire and even had a close personal friendship with the Daimyo's Wife Shijimi.
"Then can't I just go alone? Taking care of a brat is the most troublesome part."
Hiruzen Sarutobi blew out a ring of smoke and looked at her calmly:
"I'll add another two million ryo."
Tsunade instantly clasped her hands together, her eyes curving into a smile:
"Deal!"
Shinji: "..."