Chapter 157: Eager for Merit (Part 1)
Moreover, even within Konoha Village, figures like Sarutobi Hiruzen, Namikaze Minato, and even Koshino's clever uncle Nara Shikaku, without the intel that Madara is still alive, probably wouldn't be able to guess the hidden truth behind this war.
But Koshino, on the other hand, understood.
Being a transmigrator familiar with the original storyline, he had long known what was truly hidden behind this conflict between Konoha and the Mist.
To put it bluntly, the real key point of this war was just one person: Rin!
If Rin, who is now the Jinchuriki of Isobu, were to be escorted by the Mist into the heart of the Land of Fire, reaching near Konoha Village, then no matter how many advantages Konoha had, it would ultimately mean failure!
The same logic applies!
If Rin, the current Jinchuriki of Isobu, were to die tragically, just like in the original storyline, at the hands of Hatake Kakashi, causing Obito Uchiha to completely "turn dark," then even if Konoha defeated the Mist Village, the remaining hidden dangers would be equivalent to Konoha's defeat!
At this moment, discovering that among the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, just one Kuriarare Kushimaru possessed such terrifying combat power, how could Koshino not understand what his previous fierce encounters with Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan were all about?
He immediately guessed that the "tragically dead" Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan were merely clones created by Madara using special methods based on their original bodies. Koshino's mind was filled with nothing but ominous thoughts.
Because at this time, in the clash between Konoha and the Mist, aside from Kuriarare Kushimaru, the others who should have appeared on the battlefield, like Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan, were nowhere to be seen!
Therefore, guessing that the previously "dead" Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan might be clones, Koshino felt that the Mist's schemes had two possible directions!
The first! The supposedly dead members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan, might be planning a surprise attack, teaching Konoha's ninjas a lesson right at the Mist's stronghold!
The second, which Koshino least wanted to see! The supposedly dead members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan, might be using the strategy of "openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the river," sending Kuriarare Kushimaru to engage with Konoha's ninjas on the surface. In reality, Jūzō Biwa and the others had long prepared a strategy to secretly transfer the Isobu Jinchuriki, Rin!
"Total defeat! No matter which plan the Mist intends to execute, the final result could be total defeat!"
"But how should I convey the Mist's intel to Uncle Shikaku?"
"Do I have to directly tell Uncle Shikaku that I'm a transmigrator and know that the hidden force behind the Mist is the not-dead Madara?"
"No! I definitely can't say that!"
"Not to mention whether Uncle Shikaku would believe me, my secret of being a transmigrator must not be exposed!"
"In that case, there's only one way!"
Thinking silently to himself, Koshino, on one hand, used wind sensing to constantly perceive Kuriarare Kushimaru's combat style, searching for weaknesses. On the other hand, he directly said to Shikaku in front of him, "Lord Shikaku, based on the intel obtained by Shun and me earlier, it's very likely that Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan, who supposedly died at the hands of our Blade Squad, faked their deaths!"
"So, Lord Shikaku, even if we eliminate the threat of Kuriarare Kushimaru, it's best not to be too eager for merit, or we might fall into the Mist's trap!"
"Oh? So Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan aren't dead after all?"
Listening to Koshino's words, Shikaku didn't show a hint of surprise. Instead, he smiled and replied, "Kage, ever since you were training with Dai, it was already confirmed that Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan weren't dead, so there's no need for you to worry about us falling into the Mist's ambush."
"As for that Kuriarare Kushimaru..."
"His death is pretty much a certainty!"
As he spoke, Koshino suddenly noticed a cold glint flash in Shikaku's eyes, which eased his previously tense mood considerably.
However, while discussing Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan with Shikaku, Koshino had one very important piece of information that he hadn't shared with him. That was the fact that Jūzō Biwa and the other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist possessed a mysterious clone technique, capable of creating clones with the same strength as their original bodies!
As for Koshino, did he intentionally hide such crucial intelligence?
Of course not!
Koshino saw Shikaku's confidence and naturally assumed that Shikaku was already aware of this information! This situation was eerily similar to when Koshino reported the deaths of Jūzō Biwa and Fuguki Suikazan, leading to a misunderstanding that Koshino deeply regretted and still saw no hope of resolving.
Then, as Koshino focused intently on Kuriarare Kushimaru, analyzing his weaknesses, he inadvertently caught sight of Shikaku making a discreet hand signal towards the battlefield!
Immediately after, there was a loud "bang"!
Three Konoha Jōnin, in coordination with Akimichi Chōza, suddenly surrounded Kuriarare Kushimaru, who wielded the Longsword: Nuibari!
"Expansion Jutsu!"
"Bang!"
It was Koshino's first time witnessing Chōza using the Akimichi clan's secret technique!
Similarly, it was Koshino's first realization of the terrifying power contained within the Akimichi clan's secret techniques!
In an instant, the three Konoha Jōnin tightly encircled Kuriarare Kushimaru, preventing him from moving with his ghostly agility and further diminishing his ability to wield the Longsword: Nuibar.
When Koshino observed Kuriarare Kushimaru's combat style, using his wind perception and keen eyesight, he noticed that Kuriarare Kushimaru's fighting style was characterized by the word "trickery"!
Only through bizarre attacks could Kuriarare Kushimaru unleash the true power of the Longsword: Nuibari, slaughtering Konoha's ninja like cutting grass.
Now, with the suppression of the three Konoha Jōnin, Kuriarare Kushimaru couldn't even utilize forty percent of his peak strength!
Moreover, under the suppression of the three Konoha Jōnin, Chōza fully displayed the power of the Akimichi clan's secret techniques!
"Bang!"
In the next second, as Kuriarare Kushimaru continued to be weakened, Koshino saw Chōza's hand suddenly grow enormous, thanks to the Akimichi clan's Expansion Jutsu!
With the Expansion Jutsu, Chōza's hand seemed to cover the sky!
His hand came down directly, without any pretense.
With a heavy strike, Chōza used the Akimichi clan's Expansion Jutsu to severely injure Kuriarare Kushimaru!
Afterward, as Kuriarare Kushimaru fled the battlefield in a sorry state, Koshino noticed that Kuriarare Kushimaru was already severely injured. With just a little more effort, this member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist could be killed!
Unfortunately, during the "Bloody Mist" period, as Kuriarare Kushimaru fled in disgrace, the Mist ninja fully demonstrated the "Bloody Mist" spirit!
Kuriarare Kushimaru fled, and if it were any other ninja village's ninja, seeing their leader escape, they would surely collapse, right?
But not the Mist ninja!
Kuriarare Kushimaru's disgraceful retreat instead ignited the ferocity of these Mist ninja!
These Mist ninja were practically sacrificing their lives to protect Kuriarare Kushimaru, using their own lives to hinder Konoha's ninja from pursuing him.
What originally would have taken a long time to resolve, under the desperate protection of Kuriarare Kushimaru by the Mist ninja, actually gave Konoha's ninja the opportunity to slaughter the Mist ninja.
Just as the confrontation between Konoha and the Mist ninja was about to end, and the third line of defense of the Mist ninja was about to be breached, Koshino, who was constantly monitoring the battle's progress, suddenly noticed something unexpected!
Without even a moment to hesitate, Koshino's figure disappeared from Shikaku's side with a "whoosh"!
"Damn it, even if you're eager for merit, you shouldn't be so reckless!"
"Might Guy, Genma, Ebisu!"
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