Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic

Chapter 65 Training Courses for the Shadow Guard

Kakashi took the money and paused for a moment.

He had actually forgotten that he had lent Qingwu money.

Nodding, Kakashi vanished in an instant.

Qingwu felt a sense of relief. It turned out that Kakashi had come today to tell his subordinates that he would no longer be stationed outside the territory.

If all the secret agents were to be withdrawn in order to conceal their flight capabilities, that would be even better.

Kakashi may feel that he is now capable of protecting himself, but it is unknown whether the Third Hokage will agree.

When Qingwu recalled Pegasus and was about to go to the cabin to sleep, he suddenly noticed that Tianzang, who had been silent all along, had fallen asleep leaning against the Tree of Life.

"..."

"Forgot about this guy."

"never mind!"

After standing still for a moment, Qingwu ignored him and jumped onto the wooden house.

Silent all night.

The next morning, the first face Qingwu saw when she woke up was still Iruka.

Iruka had gotten used to bringing breakfast to Qingwu.

Seeing Qingwu eating a steaming hot pancake, Iruka asked, "Who's that guy under the tree?"

"Oh!" Qingwu patted his forehead. "I almost forgot."

He poked his head out of the cabin window and called out, "Hey, come up and get something to eat."

...Iruka looked at Tenzo with a strange expression as he devoured the pancakes he had brought, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping himself.

He originally brought a portion for two, as he and Qingwu had been eating breakfast together every day for a long time.

But this brat not only ate his portion, but also drank Qingwu's milk.

Qingwu, however, seemed unconcerned, saying, "Let him eat it. This kid... had an even harder childhood than we did."

Upon hearing this, the kind-hearted Iruka had no objections and kept telling Tenzo, "Eat slowly, eat slowly."

However, after finishing breakfast, Tianzang didn't even thank Iruka, but simply uttered two words to Qingwu: "Training!"

"Alright!" Qingwu turned to Iruka and said, "I've joined the Dark Division just like Xiyan."

Iruka was stunned: "So fast?"

Qingwu changed into his ANBU combat uniform, without wearing a mask, and said to Iruka, "And I won't be participating in the Chunin Exams in two days either."

Iruka was even more confused: "Why?"

"It was the Hokage's arrangement!" Qingwu put on his mask, nodded to Iruka, and jumped out of the wooden house.

Tianzang followed closely behind, and the two quickly disappeared into the territory.

Iruka: "..."

He remained in the wooden house for a long time, looking lost and dejected.

Good friends... inevitably drift apart eventually.

"Coo coo—"

Strange noises came from below.

Iruka poked his head out and discovered that the noise was coming from the much taller, withered tree guardian.

The dead tree guardian is "working".

It moved near the wall and began clearing (collecting) the wood.

Iruka smiled as he watched; he was no longer afraid of the withered tree guardians.

only……

His good friend was busy with something, but he felt a little... lost.

He was originally supposed to train Qingwu for the Chunin Exams, but now he's all alone.

It's like going back to your own home.

She had been lonely for a long time after her parents died on the night of the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Until he teamed up with Qingwu and Xiyan.

Then Yugao joined the Dark Division.

Now... even Qingwu can no longer train with me.

After jumping down from the wooden house, Iruka looked up at the treetops of the ancient tree, and his mood gradually calmed down.

This place has long been his second home.

They even spend just as much time there as they do at home.

"Hey!"

Iruka assumed a stance under the ancient tree and began his training.

He wants to work hard!

Try your best to pass the Chunin Exams.

In that case, even if there is still a significant difference in talent.

But at least... I can get closer to Qingwu...

……

With four Pegasus, Qingwu left the withered wood guards within the territory to watch over them.

Instead of going to the training ground immediately, he brought Tenzo to the Hokage Building.

Being able to see the Hokage at any time is one of the privileges of the Shadow Guard.

"I would like to ask the Hokage for a favor."

Upon seeing Hiruzen Sarutobi, Seigo went straight to the point.

The Third Hokage glanced at Tenzo following behind Qingwu and said with a smile, "It seems you two get along quite well."

He guessed right. The boy, formerly known as "Jia," only became slightly more normal when mentioning another Wood Release user, Qingwu.

"What is it, Qingwu? Just tell me," the Third Generation said generously.

"About my friend." Qingwu gave a brief account of Iruka's parents, and then said that Iruka would become lonely after he and Xiyan joined the Anbu.

The Third Hokage said compassionately, "He is a good child who has inherited the Will of Fire, but Qingwu, how do you want me to help him?"

"Iruka's personality is too kind; he is not suited to be a ninja who fights on the front lines."

Qingwu said, "I want the Hokage to transfer him to the logistics department. Hmm... he was very patient when he was instructing me in taijutsu, and I think the school would be a good fit for him."

"Is that so?" The Third Hokage lit his pipe and pondered.

"There are many children there, so Iruka won't be lonely, that's what I think."

"Qingwu, I'm glad you thought of these things for your good friend." The Third Generation Leader smiled. "I'll talk to him myself and then decide where he should go."

"Thank you, Hokage."

Qingwu was not surprised by the third generation's agreement.

This was a minor matter for him.

For Iruka, who is not suited for combat, this is a step that is completely different from his previous life!

……

On the way to the seventh training ground of the Dark Division base.

Tianzang followed silently behind Qingwu.

Meanwhile, Qingwu was pondering matters concerning the territory.

Unlike before, when the upgrade quest for the Ancient Tree of Life was triggered after building Tier 1 and Tier 2 barracks, the upgrade quest for the Ancient Tree of Life was not triggered after building Tier 4 barracks last night.

He guessed that there might be some conditions that had not been met.

But I couldn't think of why for a moment.

Logically, all the unlocked buildings should have been completed, and there's even a strange new [Magic Tower].

After some thought, they soon arrived at the training base.

Kakashi and Yugao have arrived.

"You're late," Kakashi said.

"Well, I went to report some things to the Hokage," Qingwu explained casually.

"..." Kakashi stared at the two of them for a long time before uttering a few words: "This is the last time!"

Qingwu nodded: "Let's begin!"

Yesterday they said they would be conducting training for the Dark Division, and Qingwu was very curious about what that training would entail.

Tianzang remained silent, simply following half a step behind Qingwu.

Kakashi said, "Today's training will be on—stealth!"

After saying that, he seemed unwilling to say more and gave up his seat.

Xi Yan stepped forward: "Stealth is an essential course for newcomers to the Dark Division. I have already trained you, mainly for the two of you."

Qingwu blinked; he and Tianzang were indeed "newcomers".

"Stealth is not invisibility!"

Yugao's voice came through the mask, "It's 'presence elimination.' You need to make the enemy 'not feel' you, even if you're standing right behind them..."