Black Naruto: Shadow Moon

In the next few days, Hatake Sakumo got to know and observe his three new team members in depth.

As a new ninja team, understanding and cooperation between team members are extremely important, and as the guiding jonin, he has the responsibility to ensure that each team member can fully realize his or her potential and maintain efficient cooperation in future missions.

Hatake Sakumo first carefully observed Hinata Ayane and Yamanaka Chinatsu.

Although both of them are newly promoted Genin, their basic strength is already above average among students graduating from the same year, showing good potential.

Ayane's soft fists and Byakugan give her a great advantage in close combat. Her defensive capabilities and chakra control are also quite outstanding. Although Ayane is introverted and a little conservative in battle, her potential should not be underestimated. Hatake Sakumo believes that after more practical experience and psychological training, Ayane will be expected to become an outstanding combat ninja.

Chinatsu's mind-transfer technique is outstanding in tactical support and remote control. Although her ninjutsu is mainly auxiliary, it can play a huge role when cooperating with teammates. Chinatsu has agile tactical thinking and is good at using the environment and the enemy's psychology to formulate strategies. However, Chinatsu's strength in frontal combat is slightly insufficient, and her comprehensive combat capability needs to be further strengthened.

However, what Hatake Sakumo was most concerned about was naturally Uchiha Kagezuki.

Uchiha Kagezuki's strength is far beyond the level of ordinary Genin. During the training in the past few days, Hatake Sakumo has tested Kagezuki's abilities many times.

Whether it was physical skills, ninjutsu or combat strategies, Yingyue performed quite maturely and experienced. What surprised Sakumo the most was that the amount of chakra and control displayed by Yingyue far exceeded that of ordinary Genin or even Jonin.

Sakumo thought to himself, "Kagezuki's strength is much stronger than I expected. Not only has he demonstrated the talent of the Uchiha clan, he has also inherited the Wood Release of Hashirama Senju. I'm afraid there are few rivals for this kind of strength in the entire ninja world."

However, Hatake Sakumo was keenly aware that Shadow Moon did not seem to have fully demonstrated his full strength.

Sakumo could see that Yingyue was holding back on certain things, perhaps out of caution or perhaps to protect his true trump card.

"What is he hiding?" Hatake Sakumo thought to himself, "Even after performing so well, Yingyue still chooses to retain his strength... It seems that he has his own plans for the future."

Through the in-depth understanding over the past few days, Hatake Sakumo has a clear understanding of his team members.

He was satisfied that although Chinatsu and Ayane's strength could not yet be compared with Kagezuki's, they both had good potential. As long as they were given enough time and training, they would definitely grow into outstanding ninjas.

As for Yingyue, Shumao decided to give him more attention and guidance.

Yingyue's strength has surpassed the level of Genin, but Sakumo knows that relying solely on powerful strength is not enough to gain a foothold in the ninja world. Yingyue needs more practical experience and an understanding of teamwork.

The overall strength of the Shadow Moon team has far exceeded the level of ordinary Genin, especially Shadow Moon's own powerful potential, which makes Sakumo feel that it is no longer necessary to continue to carry out some low-intensity D-level tasks.

"Taking them to find cats, clean up the river, and other trivial D-rank tasks are meaningless to Yingyue and his team members." Hatake Sakumo thought in his heart, "They need more intense challenges to truly grow."

Therefore, Sakumo decided to let the Shadow Moon Team directly accept the C-level mission.

Such missions can not only expose them to more realistic combat, but also exercise their teamwork ability. He wants to further hone this team through actual combat and prepare them for more difficult missions in the future.

The next morning, Sakumo leads Kagezuki, Yamanaka Chinatsu, and Hinata Ayane to the Hokage Building.

In the corridor, Shadow Moon and his companions met several other ninja teams, some of which were receiving D-rank missions, while others were filling out mission completion reports.

Yingyue noticed that many team members were complaining about the monotony and boredom of the mission.

"Another cat-finding mission..." Shadow Moon heard a ninja complain, "When will we get a more challenging mission?"

Uchiha Kagezuki smiled. Although these D-rank missions were routine training for new Genin, they were indeed a bit boring for a team like theirs that already had strong combat capabilities.

Arriving at the mission entrustment office in the Hokage Building, Hatake Sakumo talked with the staff responsible for mission assignment for a while, then turned to look at the Shadow Moon team.

"Today we won't be doing the usual D-rank missions," Sakumo said. "We're going to take a C-rank mission. This is a commission to wipe out bandits. The target is a village in the Land of Fire."

When Yingyue, Chinatsu and Ayane heard this, excitement flashed in their eyes at the same time. A C-rank mission meant higher rewards and greater risks, but it was also the challenge they had been looking forward to for a long time.

Hatake Sakumo briefly introduced the background of the mission to the Shadow Moon team: a remote village in the Land of Fire had recently been occupied by a group of vicious bandits.

These bandits not only robbed the villagers of their property, but also brutally abused them. There were even rumors that they had begun robbing passing caravans.

This evil behavior has attracted the attention of the local lord, so he commissioned Konoha Village to send ninjas to eliminate it.

"This mission is quite dangerous. Although it is only a C-rank mission, we are facing a group of unscrupulous bandits." Hatake Sakumo said, "They may be numerous and very brutal, so you must remain highly vigilant."

Uchiha Yingyue nodded, his eyes showing a hint of determination: "This is our team's first real mission, we will do our best."

Chinatsu and Ayane also expressed their determination. Although they were a little nervous, they were more looking forward to the mission and confident in their own abilities.

After the mission was confirmed, the Shadow Moon team immediately packed up their equipment and prepared to set off. Before leaving, Sakumo reminded them again: "Remember, maintain teamwork and don't act alone. We must ensure that everyone can complete the mission safely."

Under the leadership of Sakumo, Kagezuki, Chinatsu and Ayane quickly left Konoha Village and headed towards the village where the mission target was located.

On the way to the target village, Team Shadow Moon traveled at a steady pace through the forests and mountains of the Fire Nation.

Shuomao led the way in front, and Yingyue followed closely behind, always keeping alert.

Yamanaka Chinatsu and Hinata Ayane stood on both sides, paying attention to the movements around them.

Along the way, Shuomao stopped from time to time to observe the surrounding terrain and imparted some experience and precautions on mission execution to Yingyue and the other two. Yingyue listened carefully and silently took note of Shuomao's suggestions in his heart.

Shuo Mao also specifically said to Yingyue: "Although each of you is very strong, remember that teamwork is the key to completing the task. Don't ignore the role of the team because of your own strength."

Uchiha Yingyue nodded solemnly, and his determination to work closely with his teammates became more resolute.

As they gradually approached the target village, Uchiha Yingyue felt the tension in the air gradually increasing. The real battle was about to begin, and this would be the first real test for their team.