Naruto: The Hidden Shadow Style

"I know my limits. Don't worry, we're still in the theoretical stage of designing and refining ninjutsu. Practical implementation is far off... I can clearly distinguish priorities. My primary goal right now is mastering five types of elemental chakra affinities. Everything else belongs to future plans with lower priority," Haseo said to Katsuyu afterward, intending to reassure it.

As events would prove, Katsuyu simply hadn't lived long enough... It naively believed Haseo's promise. In reality, when someone says "Don't worry, I know my limits," more often than not, they actually have very little self-restraint.

Besides reading books and working on ninjutsu theory design within Shikkotsu Forest, Haseo had also turned Shikkotsu Forest into his new training ground. Here, no matter how much noise he created or how exaggerated his training became, nobody would come interrupt him.

However, enjoyable moments are always short-lived. Half a month later, the Hokage finally completed handling all Uchiha-related affairs, and Konoha once again became united and prospered. Therefore, Haseo and other guard members were soon summoned. Soon, the Third would head toward the Daimyo's castle in the Land of Fire to complete the Hokage succession ceremony and officially become the Third Hokage.

"Captain, we've barely seen you around lately—what've you been up to?" After Haseo's team regrouped, Renjiro couldn't help but ask.

In his eyes, since returning to Konoha, Haseo had maintained quite a mysterious presence.

"Me? Not much really—just reading, training, and... dating," Haseo half-joked.

His response suddenly froze the other three in place—beforehand, who could've possibly anticipated Haseo giving such an answer?

"I heard his residence is somewhat special..."

"Oh, you mean..."

Then, after regaining their senses and understanding the implication behind Haseo's words, they immediately began murmuring softly like this... The mood among them instantly shifted into one of gossip.

That Haseo resided in a luxury bachelor pad atop an upscale building in Hot Spring Town wasn't exactly a secret within the squad. However, clearly now, Haseo's living location intensified his teammates' curiosity even further.

Haseo realized he might've gone too far and quickly corrected himself: "Just kidding—it was only a joke. Recently, I've actually been busy developing my bond with my newly-contracted summoned beast."

Of course, the truth wasn't worth any gossip. Apparently, Haseo simultaneously heard three sharp clicks of their tongues.

"A summoned beast? Summoning Jutsu? For ninja like us, that's rather unusual, Captain... What kind of summoned beast is it?"

Seeing there was no juicy material to uncover, Renjiro's curiosity quickly shifted toward the summoned beast.

"Hmm, I'll let you see Katsuyu if there's a chance, though... hopefully that situation never happens," Haseo replied.

If circumstances reached the point where he needed to summon Katsuyu for battle, it would mean his squad had already fallen into crisis beforehand. So... better not witness Katsuyu at all if possible.

By not answering Renjiro's question truthfully, Haseo subtly reminded him—being overly curious was never a good trait for a ninja.

Soon, the group fell silent as they reached outside the Hokage's office building. The Uchiha and Hyuga squads were already waiting there.

After a while, the Third Hokage arrived with his three apprentices and an Anbu squad wearing animal masks, cloaked in black robes with their hoods pulled up.

Always mysterious, never speaking more than necessary, communicating only within the team or directly with the Hokage—that was how Anbu operated. They looked far from trustworthy, mostly doing deeds best kept in shadows. Haseo couldn't help but internally criticize Anbu's style at this moment, forgetting entirely that he himself bore the codename Shōtenme.

Strictly speaking, he was one of them—an Anbu agent.

"Everyone here? The mission is simple—we head to the Daimyo's Castle. Once we leave Konoha, the four squads will spread out in a cross-shaped formation for reconnaissance… understood?" The Third Hokage scanned the members of his escort group before speaking.

"Yes, Lord Hokage!" Everyone responded in unison.

"Hmm."

The Hokage nodded, then led the guard squad out of Konoha. They formed their formation: the Uchiha-Hyuga squad leading ahead, Haseo Squad and the Anbu squad flanking either side, and the Hokage's own squad bringing up the rear—proceeding carefully along the route with continuous scouting.

Judging by the straight-line distance between Hidden Leaf Village and the Fire Daimyo's Castle, if traveling at full speed, the journey would take just over half a day. However, since this trip carried political implications, appropriate reception preparations were required on the Daimyo's side; therefore, their movement schedule was planned accordingly.

Precisely because of that, the Hokage's supposedly secret movement had already leaked to some extent. Though the Third could control the people within Konoha, the situation at the Daimyo's castle remained beyond his reach.

Overall, even though the Hokage was operating within the heartland of the Land of Fire, it wasn't nearly as safe as Nagare had anticipated. Despite Konoha's strict surveillance along the borders during the Great Ninja World War, small enemy units might still slip through loosely guarded areas—and besides, who knows how many spies had already infiltrated the Land of Fire?

Thankfully, having Uchiha and Hyuga ninja around meant any potential crisis could be spotted long before it struck. Whether choosing battle or retreat, the Hokage's entourage could respond calmly. Anyone trying to lure them into a pre-set ambush might as well be dreaming in madness.

However, the current security unit accompanying the Hokage was only the visible part of the defense measures. It was safe to bet he'd prepared extra safeguards in case of emergencies. After all, this was within the territory of the Land of Fire—the domain of Konoha. The circumstances surrounding the Third Hokage were completely different from those faced by the previous delegation of the Second Hokage heading toward the Land of Lightning.

Their movements couldn't stay hidden for long, so the Hokage was surely well-prepared. Even so, there were still those who didn't buy into such superstitions.

Near the Daimyo's Castle, someone began to stir with restless ambition.

...

"Can we confirm the Third Hokage's exact location?" The leader of enemy ninjas, hiding within a patch of forest, asked his subordinates.

"Lord, judging from the reactions at the Fire Daimyo's Castle, we can only be certain that the Third Hokage will arrive in this area within these coming days... The city's already started preparing for his arrival. But as for the exact time, we cannot determine."

"Useless idiot!" The leader snapped coldly before continuing, "In that case, we'll have to strengthen our surveillance around here as much as possible during these days. Once we confirm the Third Hokage's movements, we strike immediately. Do you all understand?!"

"Yes, Lord," the subordinates replied nervously.

Their reaction caused the leader to nod in satisfaction. He then cast his sharp gaze toward the distant direction where Konoha lay...

It had been ten years since Hashirama's passing,

He had almost spent twenty years recuperating here.

So now, could the current Hokage of Konoha still stand against him—his senior?

What should have been a serious assassination mission ended up carrying an oddly comical air, all because of the peculiar characters involved.

PS:

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