Chapter 94: Blood Mist (Part 1)
"Ever since we annihilated the first four squads of Mist Anbu, our Blade Squad hasn't faced any resistance from the Mist ninjas. We've completely wiped out every Mist Anbu and ninja we've encountered!"
"Is it that our Blade Squad is just too strong, or has the 'Blood Mist' weakened after the reforms?"
"Or... is our smooth progress all part of Lord Madara's scheme?"
During the three days of rapid advancement by the Blade Squad, Koshino, apart from following "Fierce's" instructions and acting as a support-type ninja to assist Uchiha Shisui,
Kakashi, and "Fierce," spent the rest of the time either resting or practicing the Uzumaki Clan's mental secret techniques.
He never had so much time to contemplate the current battle situation.
After all, the effects of practicing the Uzumaki Clan's mental secret techniques had already become apparent, with the Shadow Communication Technique being a prime example.
So, when the Blade Squad once again engaged in battle with six Mist Jonin, Koshino, who had been optimistic about completing the mission issued by the Fourth Hokage, suddenly had a seemingly unrealistic thought.
That is, the Blade Squad's success might all be based on Lord Madara's scheme! But Mist Jonin, as previously mentioned, are not just any radish or cabbage, nor are they easy prey!
Then, shaking his head vigorously to clear all distractions from his mind, Koshino maintained the Blade Squad's combat formation and formed the Nara Clan's secret seal, thinking to himself:
"Who cares if it's a scheme or not!"
"Our Blade Squad has such a luxurious setup; do we need to fear any schemes?"
"Moreover, with Minato-sensei on the front lines engaging in fierce battles with the Mist every day,
our Blade Squad just needs to showcase the might of the Leaf Village and eliminate any Mist ninja that appears before us!"
"One day, at most another day, and we'll be able to rendezvous with the Anbu squad ambushed within the Land of Fire!"
"So, rescuing Rin and disrupting Lord Madara's plans is what I should be focusing on now! And before rescuing Rin, the blood of these six Mist Jonin should be used to honor our fallen comrades from the Leaf Village!"
With this thought, Koshino's gaze suddenly turned sharp.
Especially with the Blade Squad maintaining a perfect formation, Koshino silently formed seals and used the core secret technique of the Blade Squad at this stage!
"Shadow Communication Technique!"
"Buzz!"
"Buzz!"
Almost the moment Koshino cast the technique, the shadow under his feet rapidly extended, quickly connecting with the shadows of "Fierce," Uchiha Shisui, and Kakashi.
Moreover, speaking of the Blade Squad's formation, it is both simple and fully capable of maximizing each member's abilities!
At the very back, crouching on the ground, is "Fierce," maintaining his seals.
Whenever someone encounters danger, "Fierce" can immediately use long-range Earth Release techniques to resolve it, effectively using Earth Release as a defensive line to protect the entire Blade Squad's safety.
And not far in front of "Fierce" is Koshino, using the Nara Clan's secret techniques to assist Uchiha Shisui and Kakashi with all his might!
Furthermore, although Koshino is a support-type ninja, even the proud Kakashi has to admit that Koshino is the core of the Blade Squad!
As soon as the six Mist Jonin appeared, Uchiha Shisui and Kakashi directly engaged them in close combat.
But without "Fierce's" protection, how could Uchiha Shisui and Kakashi unleash 200% of their offensive capabilities without worrying about defense when facing six Mist Jonin?
Without Koshino's dedicated support, even with "Fierce's" protection, freeing Uchiha Shisui and Kakashi's offensive capabilities wouldn't be possible.
Even with stronger and more defensive ninjas present, how could Uchiha Shisui and Kakashi swiftly deal with the battle as if they were slicing through vegetables when facing six Mist Jonin?
The moment the Shadow Communication Technique was used, it invisibly formed a small team out of the entire Blade Squad!
This is just one of the reasons why Koshino can be the core of the Blade Squad!
As for the second reason!
That will be explained in the battle between the Blade Squad and the six Mist Jonin ahead!
"Shadow Shuriken!"
"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
First, "Fierce" used an Earth Release defensive jutsu, forming a single-handed seal to cast Earth Release: Earth-Style Wall, shielding Uchiha Shisui, Kakashi, and Koshino, who were fighting at the front.
Immediately after, Koshino, while using the Shadow Communication Technique, swiftly unleashed Shadow Shuriken.
Three shadow shurikens traced graceful arcs through the air, rapidly heading towards the six Mist Jōnin. Initially, the six Mist Jōnin paid no heed.
However, when Koshino used the Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique, a barrage of shadow shurikens overwhelmed them, causing the eyes of the six Mist Jōnin to twitch violently.
Three of them were caught off guard, their shadows pinned by the shadow shurikens, immobilized by Koshino's binding technique!
With such a golden opportunity, would Shisui of the Body Flicker and Kakashi spare their lives?
Absolutely not!
A black streak of light and a white streak of light suddenly shot out!
In the blink of an eye, under Uchiha Shisui's Body Flicker Technique and Kakashi's Lightning Blade, the three Mist Jōnin trapped by the shadow shurikens were swiftly eliminated!
Moreover, the death of half the Mist Jōnin was just the beginning!
As the remaining three Mist Jōnin dodged the barrage of shadow shurikens, Koshino's shadow suddenly vanished, revealing that Koshino had used the Shadow Doppelganger!
The shadow disappeared silently, and as Shisui and Kakashi engaged the remaining three Mist Jōnin, the Shadow Sewing Technique was activated!
Like vines, shadow tendrils extended from the shadow Doppelganger positioned among the three Mist Jōnin, reaching beneath their feet.
When the binding effect of the Shadow Sewing Technique took hold, Shisui and Kakashi's black and white streaks of light appeared once more,
swiftly dispatching the remaining Mist Jōnin, resulting in all six being wiped out within three minutes of intense combat!
"Shadow, our teamwork is getting better and better!"
"It's hard to believe that the Mist Jōnin, who were so difficult to deal with before, are now so easily defeated!"
"Shadow, it's all thanks to you!"
As the fierce battle concluded, Uchiha Shisui returned to Koshino's side, giving him a firm pat on the shoulder, praising Koshino's support abilities.
Even Kakashi, after finishing the battle and helping "Fierce" clean up the traces, gave Koshino a deep look.
Clearly, Kakashi now increasingly acknowledged Koshino's core role, no longer dismissing or underestimating him as before.
However, while Uchiha Shisui, Kakashi, and "Fierce" were all celebrating their victory, Koshino's gaze fell on the corpses of the six Mist Jōnin ahead, and he couldn't help but frown slightly.
Yet, in the face of victory, Koshino's negative emotions were evidently overlooked.
Even the usually cautious Shisui and "Fierce," after dealing with the battle traces, didn't take a proper rest and were confidently preparing to set off,
eager to rendezvous with the Konoha Anbu team at the assembly point to complete the next phase of their mission.
As the "junior" in the Blade Squad, Koshino, seeing Shisui and "Fierce" without any warning, could only sigh deeply and follow their lead.
However, as Koshino and the others hurriedly disappeared, not even the slightly suspicious Koshino could have anticipated that shortly after they left,
the six "fallen" Mist Jōnin would all revive, their figures suddenly becoming blurred and transforming into the appearance of another six Mist Jōnin!
"Blade Squad, huh? Interesting!"
"Just one step away... and your blade would have become a broken one!"