Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 61 Dark Guard, Heavenly Treasury

"The idea for the Shadow Guard originated with you, but you are not the captain."

The Third Hokage stated bluntly, "The captain will be Jonin Kakashi!"

Qingwu met the Third Hokage's gaze calmly. "Kakashi-senpai's words are very appropriate!"

Joining the Dark Division was now inevitable, and he could no longer refuse. However, taking this opportunity, he still asked his question:

"Lord Hokage, my... power is already quite noticeable. Is it really suitable for work in the Anbu?"

"To be precise, it's the Shadow Guard!" The Third Hokage put down his pipe, his voice steady.

"The direct ANBU squad responsible for the Hokage's safety has two other members besides Captain Kakashi and you."

"Can I find out who my teammates are?"

"Hehe, you'll find out when you go to Kakashi's place later."

The third generation leader smiled and kept everyone in suspense for a moment, then added, "As for what you mean by conspicuous... it's precisely because it's conspicuous that it needs to be placed next to me."

Seeing that Qingwu still looked puzzled.

The Third Hokage stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the Hokage Rock outside:

"Qingwu, do you know how many eyes are watching you right now? Not to mention the small ninja villages, there's Kumogakure, Sunagakure, Iwagakure, Orochimaru..."

You didn't mention Danzo, that old man... Qingwu silently complained.

The Third Hokage turned around, his gaze turning serious: "If you continue to operate as an ordinary ninja, they can attack you at any time."

For example... an 'accident' might happen during the mission, or... you might encounter 'rogue ninja,' which is why I've always disagreed with you going to the battlefield.

Qingwu nodded, which was considered as "accepting" the third generation's "threat".

Anyway, the plan to go to the battlefield has been postponed, and leveling up is not the only development path.

The third generation changed the subject:

"But if you're a member of the Shadow Guard, it means you can represent me in a certain sense. To touch you is tantamount to declaring war on the Hokage and on Konoha!"

"This is protection," the Third Hokage said. "It's also a constraint. In the Shadow Guard, your actions will be monitored, but you also gain a protective shell, and—"

He paused, a profound meaning flashing in his eyes, "I'll say it again: Konoha needs you, I... I need you!"

Here we go again... Qingwu can't take it anymore.

The Will of Fire is terrifying; it feels like it can brainwash you at any moment.

Qingwu disliked the feeling of always being led by others in conversation, so...

He chose to state his demand directly: "Lord Hokage, I need a large sum of money."

"Hmm?" The third generation was slightly surprised. Didn't they just give him 30 taels of silver not long ago?

"Yes!" Qingwu nodded vigorously. He didn't explain further, and even if the Third Generation thought he had a greedy problem, he accepted it.

"Hmm..." The Third Hokage pondered, "I think I promised you a reward for the 'A' you brought back last time, but then things got busy and it was delayed until now..."

"Besides, you do need funding to research ninjutsu on your own, so how about this..."

The Third Hokage, having piqued everyone's interest, finally said, "Gao is a Wood Release ninja; he's extremely important to the village. I'll pay you the equivalent of an S-rank mission reward!"

Qingwu was overjoyed: "Thank you so much, Hokage!"

"One million taels!" The third patriarch looked at the smiling boy before him and chuckled as well.

"In addition, I will officially designate the Death Forest area as your 'exclusive training ground,' nominally a 'special tactical training ground for the Dark Side,' but in reality, you will have full control over it. This is the greatest degree of freedom I can give you."

The conditions were undeniably generous... Qingwu thought to himself, it practically legalized his territory.

"Thank you, Lord Hokage!" Qingwu expressed his gratitude once again.

The third generation leader waved his hand, "The payment will be delivered to you later."

As he spoke, he took a scroll out of the drawer. "This is a storage scroll. Inside are your Shadow Guard uniform and mask. Go on, Kakashi and your teammates are waiting for you."

Qingwu accepted the scroll as a gift, then turned and left.

Just as they stepped outside, Kakashi's voice rang out: "Come with me!"

……

The Seventh Training Ground of the Dark Division Base.

Qingwu, who came with Kakashi, met his two teammates.

On the left is a purple-haired female ninja wearing a fox mask, tall and slender, carrying a long sword on her back.

Qingwu recognized her at a glance—his old teammate, Xiyan.

On the right is a short boy wearing a cat-face mask. Although the mask covers his face, you can still sense his restraint and nervousness.

Qingwu recognized him too; this was the kid he had handed over to the third generation.

Kakashi, wearing a dog-face mask, turned around and said, "Qingwu, put on your uniform."

"Bang!"

Entering chakra, the storage scroll opened, revealing a brand-new uniform and mask.

Qingwu first picked up the mask prepared for him. "This is..."

It looks somewhat like an elephant, which is quite unique.

After donning the standard black bodysuit of the Dark Division, covered by a gray vest, and then putting on an elephant-face mask, Qingwu's demeanor underwent a complete transformation.

Xi Yan couldn't help but take a second look.

Not long ago, the boy in front of her was her teammate, but now...

Judging from the information she had been following in recent months, Qingwu was already more valued in the village than she was. In fact, the fact that she was able to become a member of the Shadow Guard shortly after joining the Dark Division was also thanks to Qingwu!

Qingwu was clearly aware of this as well.

Yugao, Kou, and Kakashi are all his "acquaintances." The Third Hokage's arrangement was probably to establish his bonds and... sense of belonging in the village!

"From today onwards, the Shadow Guard is officially formed!"

Kakashi's voice came from behind the mask: "I am the captain, codename 'Hound,' this is 'Fox,' this is 'Tenzo,' and... 'Elephant.'"

Is this... my code name for the Dark Division?

Qingwu couldn't help but scratch his head, his cold and aloof demeanor instantly crumbling.

Kakashi scanned the three of them:

"The Shadow Guard's mission is both simple and complex—to protect the Hokage. Their specific duties include: daily escort, intelligence screening, crisis prediction, and... eliminating potential threats."

That's the basic situation. Any questions?

Xi Yan shook her head to indicate no, Tian Cang lowered his head and remained silent, while Qing Wu spoke up, "No."

"Very good!" Kakashi said. "Then, let's introduce ourselves, starting with 'Fox'."

Xi Yan stepped forward, her voice coming through the mask, still cool and calm:

"Yugao Uzuki, codename 'Fox,' skilled in swordsmanship, stealth, interrogation... Mission experience: B-rank 3 times, C-rank 22 times, D-rank... Complete!"

Concise, efficient, and without any unnecessary information.

"Next, Tenzo!" Kakashi's voice was devoid of emotion.

He knew Tianzang, who was also known as "Jia," but since the third generation had renamed him, "Jia" had become a thing of the past.

Tianzang stood still, neither moving nor speaking.

The mask was facing Qingwu, as if observing...