Naruto Shadow Mage

"Yes, Shikaku-ojisan!"

Cross Country had been planning to summarize his recent training progress, but Shikaku's sudden arrival immediately derailed those plans.

However, hearing from Shikaku that there was a new mission to undertake, Cross Country's summary plans were forgotten, and he couldn't help but feel excited!

There was even a hint of anticipation!

He was looking forward to the feeling of stepping onto the battlefield!

Indeed, Cross Country was not a war fanatic, nor was he a bloodthirsty maniac.

But in the previous difficult mission of breaking through the Mist ninja's defense line, experiencing the battlefield's atmosphere for the first time, Cross Country had perfectly integrated into it. Moreover, during the breakthroughs of life and death, Cross Country found himself somewhat enjoying the thrill of fighting on the battlefield and honing his skills against enemies.

So, almost the moment Shikaku instructed Cross Country to prepare, he quickly got up and made ready for the battlefield, having already completed his daily training.

He donned his ANBU uniform and packed his ninja tool pouch.

The blue pill Shikaku had given Cross Country was extremely precious, so he hadn't used it during his recovery period and now placed it at the bottom of his ninja tool pouch for emergencies.

Once everything was ready, Cross Country put on his ANBU mask and headed to the meeting point as instructed by Shikaku. Upon arriving, even though the other person was also masked, Cross Country immediately recognized the ANBU waiting there.

That person was none other than his old acquaintance, Kakashi!

"Kakashi is here. Could it be that Minato-sensei is planning our mission to rescue Rin?"

"If it's truly the mission to rescue Rin, that would be great!"

"At least my injury didn't delay that important mission!"

"Kakashi, if I can change the original storyline, you really need to thank me! After all, it would be I, Nara Cross Country, who changed the tragic fate of you, Obito Uchiha, and Rin!"

Fixing his gaze on Kakashi, Cross Country thought to himself as he walked over to greet him, "Kakashi-senpai, you're here early!"

"Shadow, my codename is 'Lightning' now. Don't forget ANBU's rules!"

Just as Cross Country greeted Kakashi, Kakashi doused him with cold water, making Cross Country feel like he had once again faced Kakashi's cold shoulder.

Given that his shoulder injury was caused by Kakashi, Cross Country naturally didn't show any warmth, replying with a cold smile, "No problem, Lightning. Thanks for making me stay in bed for more than half a month. Are you surprised to see me now? Shocked? Make sure not to hit me again during the mission; remember, I am your comrade!"

"..."

Hearing Cross Country's sarcasm, Kakashi's eyes twitched, but he had to endure it.

After all, he had made a mistake and had to acknowledge it, no matter what!

Kakashi remained silent, and Cross Country had no intention of engaging him further.

Soon, under the Fourth Hokage's summons, two more ANBU members swiftly arrived beside Cross Country and Kakashi. However, neither Cross Country nor Kakashi recognized the new ANBU members. During introductions, Cross Country only learned their codenames were "Shun" and "Mou," and nothing else.

Seeing four ANBU members assembled, forming a small squad, Cross Country glanced at "Shun" and "Mou," thinking, "Four people should make this an ANBU squad. Since Kakashi is here, he must be our captain. Serving under him again is really frustrating!"

"But for the mission to rescue Rin, I'll reluctantly follow Kakashi's lead!"

"After all, he's both a senior and the captain!"

Sighing silently, Cross Country, who had previously been a captain, was reluctant to work under someone else.

However, among the ANBU present, it wasn't just Kakashi; "Shun" and "Mou" also appeared to be veterans in the ANBU. Letting a newcomer like Cross Country be the captain would likely displease Kakashi, "Shun" and "Mou." So, Cross Country could only wait for the Fourth Hokage's arrival and hope that their mission was indeed to rescue Rin, thus changing the original storyline.

Soon, the Fourth Hokage appeared, and everyone perked up.

First, he looked at Kakashi, then glanced at Cross Country. With an unusually serious expression, the Fourth Hokage began explaining the mission: "The New Year is approaching. According to Lord Third Hokage's instructions, we must end the war with the Mist ninja before the New Year. Now, I plan to lead our forces in a direct confrontation with the Mist ninja. Your mission is to scout and disrupt the Mist ninja forces that have infiltrated the Land of Fire, while we engage them on the front lines."

Having said this, the Fourth Hokage didn't look at Kakashi. Instead, his gaze fell on "Shun," saying, "Shun, from now on, you will be the captain of this ANBU squad. Your squad will be known as 'Blade Squad.' Understand the meaning of 'Blade' and complete this mission perfectly. Don't let me down!"

"Yes, Lord Fourth Hokage!"

As soon as the Fourth Hokage finished speaking, "Shun" responded promptly.

Then, the Fourth Hokage's figure vanished from their sight. Only when Cross Country looked at "Shun" with surprise did "Shun" gravely say, "The Fourth Hokage informed me earlier that Shadow was seriously injured recently. So, during the mission, I hope everyone will assist Shadow and not let his condition worsen."

"If there are no questions, let's move out!"

"Yes, Captain!"

Following "Shun's" instructions, the Blade Squad, which Cross Country now belonged to, left the Konoha camp and headed towards the Land of Fire.

Cross Country, upon learning the mission from the Fourth Hokage, understood that this mission was undoubtedly the one to rescue Rin. Because the Mist ninja force infiltrating the Land of Fire aimed to transport Rin to Konoha to release the Three-Tails Isobu sealed within her.

So, as long as they caught up with that Mist ninja force, Cross Country felt there was at least an eighty percent chance of preventing the tragedy in the original storyline.

But before the mission, Cross Country hadn't expected that the Blade Squad's captain would be "Shun" instead of Kakashi.

Especially since the identities of the new members "Shun" and "Mou" were very mysterious, and with "Shun" as the captain, even Kakashi had no objections, which made Cross Country very curious about "Shun's" identity. So, while leaving the Konoha camp and speeding towards the Land of Fire to meet up with the ANBU squad monitoring the Mist ninja, Cross Country quietly approached Kakashi and asked, "Kakashi, who is Shun? You must know, right?"

Expecting Kakashi to refuse to answer coldly, Cross Country was surprised when Kakashi didn't ignore him this time.

Instead, after Cross Country's question, the usually proud Kakashi looked at "Shun" with admiration and gave Cross Country an unexpected answer!

"Shun's identity is no secret in the ninja world. He is the one person I strive to surpass!"

"Shadow, his surname is Uchiha, and his name is Shisui. I'm sure you've heard of his name?"