Chapter 148: The Return of the Blade (Part 2)
The countdown to the final battle has begun!
As Koshino followed Might Duy for intense training to unlock the Eight Gates, the Konoha forces, thanks to Shikaku's strategic planning, managed to break through the second line of defense of the Mist Village, pushing straight towards the enemy's main base.
If they can overcome the third line of defense, the last remaining barrier of the Mist Village, the war within the Land of Fire would be nearing its end.
However, Konoha's forces faced fierce resistance from the Mist's elite ninja at this third line of defense.
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist!
Yes, it was the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist again!
A few days ago, when Shikaku was preparing to take down the third line of defense in one decisive strike, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen appeared, turning the tide and causing significant losses to Konoha's forces.
This is why Shikaku hoped that Koshino and Uchiha Shisui could reform the Blade Squad to assist the ninja troops in the Land of Fire with their final preparations for the decisive battle.
Koshino was well aware of the importance of this battle.
If they could break through the third line of defense and penetrate the Mist's main base, Koshino, with Uchiha Shisui's help, might be able to rescue Rin, the Three-Tails Jinchuriki, ahead of time.
This would not only fulfill the Blade Squad's mission but also resolve the issues between Kakashi, Obito Uchiha, and Rin, achieving two goals with one action.
Therefore, to exceed the mission's expectations, Koshino, who had successfully unlocked the Eight Gates, planned to use the remaining time to train diligently, aiming to face the upcoming battle in the best possible condition.
Unexpectedly, the next day, when Koshino went to Might Duy hoping for further guidance on unlocking the Eight Gates, Might Duy sighed deeply and said:
"Koshino, training to unlock the Eight Gates must be done in a quiet environment."
"You're about to rejoin the Blade Squad for a highly challenging mission. Training in such circumstances will only lower your combat effectiveness rather than improve it. Further unlocking the Eight Gates is extremely demanding, and even if you succeed, do you have enough time to recover from the fatigue?"
"So, Koshino, take these next few days to rest well. Adjusting your state is the right choice."
"Don't forget, Lord Shikaku's hopes rest on your Blade Squad!"
Hearing Might Duy's response, Koshino couldn't help but feel disappointed, thinking that indeed, one cannot have both fish and bear's paw.
Training to unlock the Eight Gates could enhance strength, but it wouldn't necessarily lead to better performance on the battlefield.
If he didn't undergo the Eight Gates training, Koshino feared his strength might be insufficient to exceed his planned objectives.
After much deliberation, Koshino decided to follow Might Duy's advice and focus on maintaining his current state. After all, Might Duy was right; Koshino had spent an entire day recovering from the fatigue of unlocking the Eight Gates previously, and with the battle looming, there wasn't enough time for recovery.
In the following days, aside from chakra training and practicing the Uzumaki Clan's mental techniques, Koshino only engaged in some consolidation training.
On the day the battle commenced, when Shikaku sent someone to inform Koshino to assemble, he donned his Anbu mask, wore his Anbu attire, and carried the specially crafted Anbu katana. After bidding farewell to Might Duy, Guy, and others, he headed to Shikaku's tent to prepare for battle.
"Shadow, long time no see!"
As soon as Koshino arrived at Shikaku's tent, Uchiha Shisui appeared beside him, smiling and greeting Koshino.
Standing next to Uchiha Shisui, Koshino noticed that Shisui's injuries had healed quite well.
Just as Koshino was about to inquire about their Blade Squad's mission, Shikaku appeared before Koshino and Uchiha Shisui, assigning them their task: "Shadow, Swift, you are elite Anbu under the Fourth Hokage, but this battle is crucial. Your Blade Squad must complete the mission I assign!"
"In about half an hour, our forces will be fully assembled."
"Your mission, Blade Squad, is to break through the Mist Ninja's third line of defense before our forces finish gathering!"
"Any problems?"
"No problem!"
Listening to Shikaku's briefing, Koshino and Uchiha Shisui felt a chill run through them. In a flash, they disappeared from Shikaku's sight.
After leaving Shikaku's tent, Koshino and Uchiha Shisui had no time to rest and immediately departed from the Konoha camp.
Especially on their way to the former Mist Ninja's second line of defense, now a Konoha base, Uchiha Shisui looked at Koshino with a serious expression and instructed,
"Shadow, according to my clan's intelligence, members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist are within the third line of defense. To complete Lord Shikaku's mission, we must solve the problems at the third line of defense before they appear."
"In other words, in just a few minutes, we need to take down at least twenty Mist Ninjas."
"So, as we head to our base, let's use the Shadow Communication Technique to coordinate and catch the Mist Ninjas off guard!"
"Understood!"
Uchiha Shisui didn't have a detailed plan, mainly because of the high difficulty of the task assigned by Shikaku.
The more detailed the plan, the harder it is to execute in high-difficulty operations.
Especially for the mission Koshino and Uchiha Shisui were about to undertake, it was practically using the power of Blade Squad to withstand the full force of the Mist Ninja's third line of defense—a mission with a slim chance of survival!
But there was no choice!
To quickly end the battle at the front, even if Koshino was Shikaku's nephew, Shikaku had to take the risk to complete this strategy.
On the contrary, the more challenging the task felt, the more excited Koshino became.
In less than ten minutes, Koshino and Uchiha Shisui arrived at the former Mist Ninja's second line of defense, now a Konoha base. Shortly after their arrival, Uchiha Shisui noticed the Konoha forces starting to assemble, and he and Koshino quietly left the base.
The next time they appeared, the reformed Blade Squad of Koshino and Uchiha Shisui had already penetrated the front of the Mist Ninja's third line of defense!
And just as the Mist Ninja's sensory-type ninjas detected Konoha's preparations for a decisive battle, the ghostly figures of Koshino and Uchiha Shisui suddenly dashed near the Mist Ninja's third line of defense!
"Enemy attack!"
"Enemy attack!"
Clearly, with only one line of defense left, the Mist Ninjas were on high alert.
Koshino and Uchiha Shisui used their stealth abilities to quietly approach the front of the Mist Ninja's third line of defense. Yet, even so, as they neared the line, the Mist Ninjas detected their presence, and countless Mist Ninjas launched an assault, surrounding Koshino and Uchiha Shisui in mere seconds.
However, faced with the encirclement of over twenty Mist Ninjas, Koshino's face only bore a faint smile.
Then, in the next second!
As a Mist Ninja Chunin prepared to probe Koshino and Uchiha Shisui's capabilities, forming hand seals to unleash a Water Release jutsu, Koshino vanished with a "whoosh" from his spot!
Following that, the Wind Instantaneous Body Technique was used!
As Koshino's figure reappeared in front of the Mist Ninja Chunin, the glow of blade-like energy enveloped Koshino's hands!
With just one strike, Koshino displayed the sharpness of the Blade Squad, first taking down a Mist Ninja Chunin!
"Mist Ninja!"
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