Naruto Shadow Mage

The Blade Squad, as the name implies, is the Fourth Hokage's sharp edge!

Led by the renowned Shisui of the Body Flicker, the team included Sharingan Kakashi, the mysterious ANBU member "Mou," and Cross Country, who could maintain Jonin-level strength as long as his chakra was sufficient. Even when faced with four Mist ninja squads, consisting of twelve Mist ninjas, they should have felt no panic and instead, a thrill of excitement!

After all, the Blade Squad was truly an elite team!

However, using the Fourth Hokage's secret Wind Perception technique to sense the surroundings, Cross Country realized that the Mist ninja squads they encountered this time must be elite squads of the Mist, possibly even ANBU!

Ordinary Mist Jonin were already far superior to ninjas of the same period due to their experience in the "Bloody Mist" era.

Moreover, elite Jonin and ANBU from the Mist, capable of handling several ordinary Jonin by themselves, were even more formidable.

Thus, the twelve Mist ninjas appearing before Cross Country and his team posed a significant threat to the Blade Squad. This realization made Cross Country's face turn grim, and he was clearly apprehensive about the combat capabilities of the four Mist ninja squads ahead.

As Cross Country shifted his gaze to Shisui Uchiha for guidance, he was surprised to see Shisui still maintaining a calm expression. Meeting Cross Country's gaze, Shisui even had a faint smile in his eyes!

Alright!

That subtle display of confidence really stung Cross Country a bit!

Who would have thought that in the face of the Mist ninja threat, Shisui Uchiha would remain so composed and indifferent?

Feeling slightly hurt by Shisui's nonchalance, Cross Country glanced at "Mou" and Kakashi to see if their attitudes were as detached as Shisui's.

Fortunately, after receiving the information about the Mist ninja squads from Cross Country, Kakashi also looked very serious, and even "Mou" appeared cautious, which somewhat comforted Cross Country. Then, before Cross Country could use Wind Perception further to investigate the strength of the Mist ninja squads, "Mou" glanced meaningfully at Cross Country and said:

"It seems Shadow's auxiliary abilities are not only outstanding but also his perception abilities are remarkable."

"Shun, the four Mist ninja squads ahead indeed consist of twelve Mist ninjas and should all be ANBU members."

"Among them, about six have Jonin-level strength. The remaining six are a mix of three combat-type Chunin, one sensory-type Chunin, one medical-type Chunin, and one auxiliary-type Chunin."

"What? So detailed?"

Hearing "Mou's" report, Cross Country was genuinely shocked.

Moreover, when Cross Country glanced at Kakashi again, he saw the same expression of astonishment on his face.

This situation clearly indicated that even Kakashi was surprised by "Mou's" perceptive abilities and was somewhat puzzled about "Mou's" true identity.

However, Shisui Uchiha, as if already aware of "Mou's" extraordinary perception skills, casually said, "The real test begins now. The four Mist ninja ANBU squads ahead are evidently the grindstone for our Blade Squad. During the battle with those four squads, I hope the Blade Squad will fully demonstrate 'teamwork.'"

"Of course, since the Mist ninja squads are not very strong, while emphasizing teamwork, we should also fully display our individual combat abilities."

"Six Chunin-level Mist ninja ANBU, I'll handle two, Mou will handle two."

"Lightning, you and Shadow will target the medical-type and auxiliary-type Mist ninja ANBU, respectively."

"As for the remaining Jonin-level Mist ninja ANBU, we'll deal with them together afterward!"

"Yes, Captain!"

With Shisui Uchiha's command, Cross Country and the others instantly prepared for battle.

However, after Shisui's order, Cross Country profoundly understood the Blade Squad!

Not only did "Mou's" perception abilities surpass Cross Country's Wind Perception in some aspects without even forming seals or generating any chakra fluctuations, allowing detailed sensing of the four Mist ninja ANBU squads ahead, but also Shisui's confidence in distributing tasks was impressive. This made Cross Country realize for the first time the terrifying prowess of the Blade Squad!

They were up against twelve Mist ninjas ANBU, not just ordinary Mist ninjas!

Shisui had executed a seemingly impromptu plan in seconds, clearly intending to rely on the Blade Squad's strength to confront the four Mist ninja ANBU squads head-on!

"What an impressive Shisui of the Body Flicker, what great resolve!"

"Facing twelve Mist ninja ANBU is like slicing through radishes and cabbages, showing no concern at all!"

"Alright, Shisui Uchiha, if you have such resolve, how can I, Nara Cross Country, fall short?"

"My target cannot be just one auxiliary-type Mist ninja ANBU; at least two Jonin-level Mist ninja ANBU must die by my hand!"

"Only then can I prove my strength before you! Right, Shisui of the Body Flicker!"

Thinking this, as Cross Country advanced towards the four Mist ninja ANBU squads ahead, his eyes burned with determination.

But, as Mist ninja ANBU, were the four Mist ninja ANBU squads ahead really like radishes and cabbages, waiting to be slaughtered?

The answer, of course, was no!

So, just as Cross Country and the others, using "Mou's" terrifying perception abilities, quickly approached within two hundred meters behind the four Mist ninja ANBU squads, the Mist ninjas detected the Blade Squad's movements and launched a counterattack towards them!

Seeing the twelve Mist ninja ANBU attacking simultaneously, including Cross Country's target, the auxiliary-type Mist ninja ANBU, Cross Country's pupils shrank slightly as he reached into his ninja tool pouch, preparing to use Shadow Shuriken to give the Mist ninja ANBU a sharp first strike with his superior throwing skills.

However, before Cross Country could complete the Shadow Shuriken technique, "Mou," who had just demonstrated his extraordinary abilities, showcased his prowess!

In an instant, as the twelve Mist ninja ANBU launched a ferocious counterattack, seemingly about to surround and kill the Blade Squad, "Mou" formed a single seal. Using just a C-rank Earth Release jutsu, he forced all twelve Mist ninja ANBU to retreat!

"Earth Release: Headhunter Jutsu!"