Traveling through Naruto with Heroes of Might and Magic.

Qingwu's right hand had completely transformed into a dense root-like shape, controlling this "hard bone" in mid-air.

At the same time, an arc of electric light, resembling a "magic arrow," emanated from his left hand.

"Leave him to me!"

Kakashi leaped out of the swamp, brushing past Qingwu, sizzling as he passed by—

"Raikiri!!"

"Ugh—" Suma Shi's heart was shredded into pieces by Raikiri, and a large amount of blood spilled from his mouth.

"Clap!"

Sumashi's corpse was thrown to the ground from the roots by Seigo.

Kakashi stood there, stunned, lost in thought.

Where is that guy?

Qingwu's words startled Kakashi from his reverie.

"That Explosion Release ninja 'Kari' has disappeared."

He was just knocked away by the rapidly diving Pegasus, but now he can't be found, which means that Gari has already escaped while he was killing Sumashi.

"He seems so impulsive and manic." Qingwu turned around and was about to mount his flying horse to find someone.

"No one who becomes a Jonin is easy to achieve."

Kakashi said something, then asked, "Can you make me fly?"

Qingwu's ability to fly has been exposed, so we must eliminate the escaped hunters.

"Captain, are you sure you can handle this? Be careful."

He summoned another winged horse, and Qingwu said worriedly, "Don't fall off, hold on to the knight in front."

"..." Kakashi glanced at the silent female elf knight in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and then focused his chakra on his legs to squeeze the horse's belly.

Sometimes he couldn't understand why Qingwu had "shaped" these things like this, whether it was the wood elves or the pegasus knights...

It made him have strange dreams at night after watching "Make-Out Paradise"...

call--

call--

Two winged horses soared into the sky, searching for the hunter's figure.

Qingwu gave Kakashi the order to fly at low altitudes.

Otherwise, if Kakashi, who has no flying experience, were to crash and die... that would be a laughing stock.

On the ground, the centaur leader and the great elf conducted a rapid, carpet-like search.

however……

Hunting seemed to have vanished into thin air; by the time darkness fell, no trace of him could be found.

"Go down."

Kakashi shouted into the wind, his body beginning to sway precariously.

Qingwu took a closer look and discovered the injury on Kakashi's thigh.

"Captain...you idiot! Are you out of your mind?"

After giving a light scolding, Qingwu landed the Pegasus and immediately used the water-based magic [Heal].

Kakashi's thigh wound was a complete penetrating wound, and it took three healing spells to fully recover.

"It's really resilient."

Qingwu couldn't help but praise him, saying that if he were injured that badly, he probably wouldn't have been able to hold on for so long.

"No matter how many times we've met, your abilities still surprise me," Kakashi said. "Let's go back; we probably can't catch up now."

Almost all Iwa ninja are skilled in Earth Release techniques, so if they haven't found it in this environment, there's only one possibility...

That Iwa ninja likely used earth-based stealth to evade Qingwu's senses from the beginning.

“Captain, you seem different,” Qingwu suddenly said.

He wasn't actually that worried about exposing himself during the flight.

Given Pegasus's speed, if he doesn't fight and only wants to escape, there probably aren't many people in the ninja world who can pose a threat to him right now.

"Huh? What's different?" Kakashi turned his head and asked.

"It's nothing." Qingwu looked ahead. "Let's go."

It shouldn't be a misperception. After killing Sumashi, I could clearly feel that Kakashi's tone of voice had lost a bit... as if it were a heavy burden weighing on his head.

"You saved me, I... I should say thank you," Kakashi said softly.

"You've helped me more, Captain!" Qingwu joked, looking straight ahead.

He already knew about Kakashi's "history," so there was no need to ask.

However, on the way back, Kakashi took the initiative to speak: "Don't you want to know why I killed that Iwa ninja with my own hands?"

"Hmm... I don't have the habit of prying into other people's secrets."

"...If you don't want to hear it, then forget it."

"Hey, no, Captain," Qingwu said with a grin, "I want to hear it, I want to hear it."

Kakashi was finally willing to open up, and this kind of "progress" was something he was happy to see.

"..." Kakashi was silent for a moment, "A few years ago, our team was besieged by Iwa ninja, including that Iwa ninja named Suma Shi."

“A few years ago… Captain, you didn’t have the strength you have now,” Qingwu said with emotion.

“Yes, the situation is critical. The teacher is late, and my teammate…” Kakashi’s tone was heavy: “He died in that battle.”

"The captain's teammates... must be some very remarkable ninjas?" Qingwu asked knowingly.

"Yes, he... is remarkable." Kakashi touched his eyelids.

'Obito…' he murmured to himself, 'It's a pity I can't see you for now, but I've sent an enemy down with me.'

"Qingwu, our flying ability can no longer be hidden. We'll go back and report to the Hokage, and ask for his decision."

"Captain, it doesn't really matter. If it weren't for your request, I wouldn't have bothered to hide it at all."

"You don't realize the importance of flight. If other ninja villages can't get it, they'll destroy you."

"With my current strength, even if I were to encounter Orochimaru again, I could still escape if I wanted to."

"..."

Kakashi stopped in his tracks, turned around, and stared at him intently:

"Qingwu, the fact that I'm calling you by your name signifies that this is not a conversation between superiors and subordinates. Do you know how many geniuses in the ninja world have died before they could realize their potential?"

"..." Qingwu stopped joking and answered seriously, "I understand, Kakashi-senpai."

He knew Kakashi was concerned about him.

Although I still had some reservations, I had to accept my teammates' kindness.

Moreover... if he asked himself honestly, Qingwu felt that he had indeed gotten a bit carried away lately.

In the ninja world, one still needs to be careful, otherwise... even someone like Madara Uchiha can have his downfall... Qingwu secretly warned himself.

【Ding! 】

[Battle Results: Experience +1600, Natural Energy +160, Gold +160]

Qingwu's heart stirred, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth behind the mask.

Although it's not as high as the reward for the battle against Orochimaru, it's still pretty good.

Over the past few months, the territory's barracks have accumulated a considerable number of troops.

160 gold coins aren't even enough to recruit a Tier 4 Pegasus, but it means you can recruit 16 Centaurs, 8 Dwarves, or 4 Wood Elves.

Even more gratifying is...

【Ding! 】

[Level +1, gain attribute points: Defense +1, Strength +1]

【Ding! 】

[Level 20 reached!]

[Level Reward: Protective Shield (Intermediate Air Magic)]

So there really is a level reward every 10 levels.

Qingwu opened the [Magic Book] to view the newly acquired skills.

【Protective Shield LV1】: (Intermediate Air Magic)

[Effect]: Grants a unit a damage reduction shield, reducing physical damage by 15% and magical damage by 15%.

Chapter 74 S-level mission

The air-based [Protective Shield] is a very powerful buff magic skill.

And this is only the level 1 effect.

If you upgrade to level 4, the damage reduction effect will be even more pronounced.

This spell is not very effective against fragile creatures like centaurs and wood elves.

However, if given to defensive units like dwarves or withered wood guards, the combined effect will be terrifying.

In particular—the 'Battle Dwarf', upgraded from a dwarf, has its magic resistance increased from 40% to 60%.

Combined with the protective shield... it's enough to make most ninjas despair!

"You seem very happy?" Kakashi suddenly turned his head.

Overjoyed, Qingwu coughed lightly, "Yes, I feel like you've been relieved of some burden, Captain. I'm so happy for you."