Chapter 160: The Pain of a Severed Arm
"Kuriarare Kushimaru's self-created secret technique, only usable when wielding the Longsword: Nuibari?"
Suddenly, what seemed like a perfect opportunity for Koshino to slay Kuriarare Kushimaru turned into a chance for Kushimaru to turn the tables. How could Koshino not be shocked?
Based on his understanding of the original storyline, Koshino was well aware that the longsword technique Kushimaru was using was a secret art he developed after mastering the Longsword: Nuibari.
Moreover, this technique, known as the Longsword Ninja Art, was what later established Kuriarare Kushimaru's reputation as the most formidable wielder of the Longsword: Nuibari!
So, given that the Longsword Ninja Art could build Kushimaru's fame, Koshino could imagine its terrifying nature even without experiencing it firsthand.
Especially now, as Kushimaru used the first secret technique of the Longsword Ninja Art against Koshino, revealing that the technique was indeed the Longsword Ninja Art, Koshino focused intently, using his Wind Perception to sense the surroundings, his pupils slightly narrowing.
And what a perception it was!
When Koshino used his Wind Perception, comparable to Namikaze Minato's, to carefully sense the surroundings, the astonishment in his eyes deepened!
What a masterful setup!
And what a hidden killing move!
It turned out that just as Koshino was forming seals, preparing to use a mutated version of Shadow Sewing, enhanced by semi-transformed spiritual energy for a more unpredictable effect, Kushimaru, holding the Longsword: Nuibari, had already prepared the Longsword Ninja Art!
In an instant, using the unique properties of the Longsword: Nuibari, Kushimaru had laid a trap of steel wires around Koshino, resembling a spider's web.
And as Koshino found himself surrounded by these transparent and sharp steel wires, resembling a spider's web, Kushimaru didn't just use the web-like defense to restrict Koshino's movements.
In that moment, if Kushimaru moved the Longsword: Nuibari even slightly, Koshino's body could be attacked by the sharp, transparent wires, facing a gruesome fate of being torn apart!
Longsword Ninja Art: Demon Spider!
Truly worthy of being Kushimaru's self-created secret technique, and deserving of the Demon Spider's name, it was indeed impossible to guard against!
And with Koshino trapped by the Longsword Ninja Art: Demon Spider, his life was essentially in Kushimaru's hands. Would Kushimaru show any mercy?
Arrogant, cold laughter echoed from Kushimaru's direction, reaching Koshino's ears once more.
As the arrogant, cold laughter resonated around him, Koshino bit his lower lip, thinking of a way to escape in the moments when Kushimaru hadn't yet unleashed his killing move.
Meanwhile, Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu, who had suffered severe injuries at Kushimaru's hands and were now effectively powerless, were stunned with shock in their eyes, witnessing Koshino's dire situation!
"What do we do? Koshino's in a bad spot! Genma, think of something!"
"What can we do? We're no match for Kushimaru. How can we help Koshino? Damn it, we shouldn't have come after Kushimaru. We've really put Koshino in a tough spot!"
"Genma, don't blame yourself! Even if we're not Kushimaru's match, we must try to create an escape opportunity for Koshino!"
"Yeah, Ebisu, you're right! We might die here, but we have to ensure Koshino gets away!"
"Alright, watch me!"
It's quite understandable why Koshino came to rescue Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu.
Even though under Kushimaru's terrifying strength, Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu had no chance to counterattack, they couldn't just watch Koshino risk his life to save them and fall into danger.
This shows that Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu are truly worth befriending!
Moreover, when Koshino was trapped in Kushimaru's Longsword Ninja Art: Demon Spider, on the brink of death, even Kushimaru overlooked the trio of Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu, who indeed created a chance for Koshino to survive!
"Leaf Hurricane!"
"Shadow Senbon!"
"Whoosh!"
"Whoosh!"
It was Might Guy and Genma Shiranui, creating an opportunity for Koshino.
Originally, Kuriarare Kushimaru thought that Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and the others were merely low-level Chunin from the Leaf Village. As long as he heavily injured them, there was no need to concern himself with their lives or deaths.
However, just as Kuriarare Kushimaru was about to unleash his Longsword Ninjutsu: Demon Spider, Might Guy's Leaf Hurricane came charging in, eliciting a cold snort from Kuriarare Kushimaru!
In the next moment, to avoid Might Guy's Leaf Hurricane, Kuriarare Kushimaru shifted his footing slightly, then delivered a fierce palm strike to Might Guy's chest and abdomen.
Undoubtedly, Might Guy was in no position to confront Kuriarare Kushimaru head-on, especially while using the Leaf Hurricane. He had no chance to dodge. Immediately, as Kuriarare Kushimaru's palm struck Might Guy's chest, Might Guy spewed a mouthful of blood and collapsed to the ground, his injuries threatening his very life.
As for Genma Shiranui.
Seeing Might Guy severely injured and fallen, he didn't hesitate for a moment to launch the senbon in his hand towards Kuriarare Kushimaru!
Unfortunately, like Might Guy, Genma Shiranui also stood no chance against Kuriarare Kushimaru.
So, as several senbon flew towards him, Kuriarare Kushimaru used his Longsword Ninjutsu: Demon Spider to deflect Genma Shiranui's incoming senbon to the ground. The rebounding senbon even pierced deeply into Genma Shiranui's body!
Thus, Might Guy and Genma Shiranui, in their attempt to rescue Koshino, were once again defeated by Kuriarare Kushimaru, left gravely injured and on the brink of death!
But were Might Guy and Genma Shiranui's efforts truly in vain?
Not entirely!
Then, just as Might Guy and Genma Shiranui were once again defeated, Kuriarare Kushimaru sensed a looming danger. He suddenly unleashed his Longsword technique: Demon Spider. Immediately, with a series of "crack" sounds, under the tightening web, Koshino's figure appeared in Kuriarare Kushimaru's sight, only to be severed into several pieces!
"Koshino!"
Watching helplessly as Koshino's body was severed into pieces, instinctively believing Koshino to be dead, Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu's eyes reddened. With a cry of anguish, they prepared to risk their lives for revenge.
However, before Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu could drag their injured bodies for vengeance, the next scene unfolded before their eyes, filling Might Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu's eyes with joy, and even causing a hint of panic in Kuriarare Kushimaru's eyes!
What was that scene?
The scene was Koshino's severed body falling to the ground, turning into pieces of wood!
"NANI?!"
"Substitution Jutsu?"
Exactly!
It was the Substitution Jutsu!
Might Guy and Genma Shiranui's desperate, near-death attacks were not in vain but instead gave Koshino ample time to prepare and use the Substitution Jutsu!
So, Kuriarare Kushimaru's Longsword Ninjutsu: Demon Spider didn't actually kill Koshino but rather the wooden log Koshino used with the Substitution Jutsu!
However, what truly alarmed Kuriarare Kushimaru wasn't Koshino's use of the Substitution Jutsu, but the fact that Koshino's figure vanished after using it!
Immediately, panic flooded Kuriarare Kushimaru's mind. The more he failed to locate Koshino, the more his fear magnified!
And as the fear in Kuriarare Kushimaru's heart reached a point where he was ready to turn and flee!
Suddenly!
A dazzling wind blade appeared!
Koshino's figure suddenly emerged behind Kuriarare Kushimaru, and with a single slash of the Air Blade: Crescent Moon, severed Kuriarare Kushimaru's arm holding the Longsword!
"Kuriarare Kushimaru, I'm not just going to sever your arm!"
"I'm going to kill you and sever the arm of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!"
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