Naruto: Shadow Master of Nara Clan

Chapter 131: The Name of the Elite (Part 2)

"As expected of Koshino, a member of the elite Blade Squad. Just that calm demeanor in the face of danger is something we need to learn!"

The dense fog spread around, and it's quite normal to feel a bit flustered when you lose the ability to see your surroundings.

However, after multiple encounters with the Mist Ninja, Koshino had long understood how they could unleash their full potential in such an environment. 

So, almost the moment the fog began to spread, Koshino had a hunch about the Mist Ninja's plan, suspecting they might launch an ambush in an environment favorable to them.

Taking advantage of the slight panic among the Leaf Ninja due to the visual obstruction, the Mist Ninja's chances of a successful ambush increased significantly.

Thus, Koshino's ability to remain calm in the fog and remind Guy and the others was purely due to his extensive combat experience. 

Guy and the others, upon receiving Koshino's reminder, took a deep breath, steadied themselves, and prepared to face the imminent ambush from the Mist Ninja.

Unfortunately, just as Koshino had anticipated, the Mist Ninja indeed planned to use the fog as cover for their ambush.

Given this, the Mist Ninja must have been confident in their plan to execute such an ambush.

As a result, the team led by the experienced Koshino, including Guy and the others, was somewhat prepared for the Mist Ninja's ambush. 

In contrast, the other Leaf Ninja weren't as lucky as Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu.

The Mist Ninja squad launched their ambush, followed by screams echoing through the dense forest.

Seeing this, Shikaku, who was leading the Leaf Ninja, allowed a faint, cold smile to appear on his lips.

Clearly, Shikaku had anticipated the Mist Ninja's fog ambush plan and had prepared a counter-strategy!

Soon, several Leaf Ninja skilled in Wind Release rushed to Shikaku's side.

They combined their Wind Release techniques to blow away the surrounding fog, preventing the Leaf Ninja from being at a disadvantage.

"The real battle begins now!"

"From here on, it's a test of our combat skills!"

"The outcome..."

"Will soon be revealed!"

"Wind Release: Infinite Breakthrough!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Taking a deep breath and feeling the power of the combined Wind Release technique, Shikaku, as the commander of the Leaf forces, calmed himself and silently observed the unfolding battle.

As Shikaku had said, this close-quarters combat was the true test of the combat abilities of both the Leaf and Mist Ninja! 

On the battlefield, schemes and tricks can indeed achieve surprising results, but they are never the true key to war! 

The true key to war, like individual combat, ultimately relies on strength! 

If the Leaf Ninja's quality truly fell short of the Mist Ninja, no matter how brilliant the strategy, the Leaf would inevitably fall to the Mist Ninja, and vice versa!

Although the Leaf had lost a few ninjas in the initial skirmish, Shikaku remained confident that the Leaf would ultimately emerge victorious in this conflict!

As for Koshino!

When the ninjas from both sides engaged in hand-to-hand combat, he had no time to spare!

Leading a squad in battle is no less challenging than facing an elite Jonin-level ninja!

Because Koshino not only had to ensure his own safety but also the safety of Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu!

In the Blade Squad, every member was an elite among elites, with even the weakest, Koshino, possessing Jonin-level strength. As the captain, Uchiha Shisui was incredibly reliable.

But now, things were different for Koshino. Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu's individual combat abilities, to be honest, weren't very strong.

The only fortunate thing for Koshino was that the Mist Ninja clearly underestimated his squad, sending only a four-man Mist Ninja team without a single Jonin!

"Heh, trying to take down my squad without even sending a Jonin?"

"Fine!"

"Let me, Nara Koshino, show you the cost of underestimating our squad!"

"Guy, three o'clock direction!"

"Hmm? Koshino, what do you mean?"

Suddenly, Guy heard Koshino's orders through their mental communication. Unlike the well-coordinated members of the Blade Squad, Guy hesitated for a moment upon hearing Koshino's command.

However, during the battle, Guy froze, and the four Mist Ninja fighting against Koshino's squad seized the opportunity.

Their figures flickered simultaneously to Guy's side, clearly intending to exploit Guy's weakness to annihilate Koshino's squad.

Just as the four Mist Ninja were about to cruelly stab Guy with their kunai, there was a sudden "buzz" sound! Before their kunai could strike, as they closed in on Guy, shadows extended from beneath Guy's feet. 

It was Koshino's Shadow Sewing Technique, instantly immobilizing the four Mist Ninja!

"Genma, it's your turn!"

"Got it!"

Learning from Guy's earlier mistake, Genma Shiranui responded with a sharp focus, unleashing his trump card!

"Senbon Lightning!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

With deadly precision, Genma Shiranui spat out senbon from his mouth, piercing the immobilized Mist Ninja.

Throat, heart, abdomen!

Genma Shiranui's use of senbon was truly exceptional! The senbon shot out, and the four Mist Ninja met a gruesome end beside Guy.

Yet, after killing the four Mist Ninja, there was no trace of joy in Genma Shiranui's eyes. Instead, he cast a deep glance at Koshino.

Genma Shiranui understood that without Koshino, even a single Mist Ninja would have been a formidable challenge!

"Amazing!"

"The captain is amazing, and so is Genma!"

"Four Chunin-level Mist Ninja, just like that?"

On the other side, watching the coordination between Koshino and Genma Shiranui, Ebisu's eyes were filled with admiration.

Clearly, the death of those four Mist Ninja made Ebisu momentarily forget the harshness of battle, his heart brimming with enthusiasm as he awaited Koshino's next command.

On the real battlefield, enemies were countless. Even though Koshino and his team had dealt with the surrounding Mist Ninja, there was no time for rest.

So, while Ebisu and the previously faltering Guy were filled with fiery determination, Koshino issued command after command, allowing the once "incompetent" squad to shine brilliantly on this battlefield!

"Guy, ten o'clock direction!"

"Osu! Leaf Hurricane!"

"Boom!"

Using the Shadow Shuriken Technique, Koshino immobilized a Mist Ninja Genin and quickly instructed Guy to finish him off.

In the next second, another Shadow Sewing Technique was deployed.

The shadow beneath a Mist Ninja suddenly surged, and Ebisu, who had been lying in wait, received Koshino's command. With a flash of his kunai, he took down another Chunin-level Mist Ninja!

In the fierce battle between Konoha and the Mist Ninja, everyone fought tenaciously. The squads from both sides were locked in a stalemate.

Only Guy, Genma Shiranui, and Ebisu, under Koshino's command, were able to claim the lives of one Mist Ninja after another.

Thus, after just three minutes of intense combat, the exceptional performance of Koshino's squad caught the attention of all the Konoha and Mist Ninja around them.

Especially the Mist Ninja's commander, who, upon realizing the formidable combat prowess of Koshino's squad and the heavy losses they inflicted, 

acknowledged their "elite" status and immediately dispatched two Mist Ninja Jonin to destroy Koshino's "elite" squad!

"Who could have imagined that Konoha's true elite squad would be a team of youngsters!"

"Nara Shikaku, your surprise troops are truly impressive!"

"What a pity!"