Naruto Shadow Mage

"Boom! Boom!"

With two heavy thuds, the six Mist Jonin fell lifeless, leaving Koshino's Sharp Blade Squad with only one remaining enemy to face—Juzo Biwa!

The situation had shifted to a complete advantage!

After the six Mist Jonin were eliminated, Koshino's squad had turned the tables, gaining the upper hand in the battle.

Even though Koshino and Shisui Uchiha were still within the range of the Bloody Mist Technique, Juzo Biwa was also restrained by the Shadow Realm Descent, unable to fight as effectively as usual.

Moreover, despite the presence of the Bloody Mist Technique, Koshino and Shisui could completely ignore its effects thanks to the Shadow Communication Technique. It seemed that if Shisui used his Body Flicker Technique just one more time, Juzo Biwa, the wielder of the Executioner's Blade, would be defeated, and the Sharp Blade Squad would emerge victorious.

However, even with Juzo Biwa still alive, Koshino's expression remained serious.

He knew that every member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist was a formidable opponent, and it was crucial to respect their strength.

Take the battle with Fuguki Suikazan, for example. Was Fuguki weak?

Definitely not!

If it weren't for Koshino's sudden surge in power, with his mental energy reaching a half-step "quantum leap," and his deep knowledge of the original storyline, including the secrets of the wielder of Samehada, Fuguki Suikazan, Koshino would have undoubtedly met a tragic end.

In the end, all of those "what-ifs" were crucial—missing even one would have resulted in Koshino's defeat at the hands of Fuguki Suikazan and his death at the hands of the powerful Mist Swordsman.

However, taking down Juzo Biwa didn't seem as daunting to Koshino.

Juzo would struggle to unleash his full power even without the Shadow Realm Descent's restraint. With Koshino and Shisui working together, there was a 50%, maybe even a 60%, chance of defeating Juzo Biwa without losing any members of the squad.

But that 50% or 60% chance was based on the condition that Koshino could still fight!

That's why Koshino's expression grew even more serious as he assessed his remaining chakra. he began to analyze the situation in his mind:

"The first drawback of using Shadow Realm Descent seems to be showing itself."

"Because I've never used Shadow Realm Descent before, I got a bit too excited when I first comprehended how to use it. I think I expended too much chakra expanding the range of the technique!"

"I only needed to cover a hundred meters around me, but in my excitement, I expanded the range to two hundred meters. Even though the technique doesn't consume much chakra, I'm now facing a chakra shortage!"

"At most… I can maintain the Shadow Communication Technique and Wind Perception for another three minutes!"

"No, I need to discuss this with Shisui! Otherwise, all the hard work I put into creating this advantage could be undone!"

As he analyzed the situation, Koshino maintained the Shadow Realm Descent and used the mental communication method to speak to Shisui: "Shisui, I can only hold on for three more minutes. Can you manage?"

"Three minutes? That's more than enough!"

With the support of Koshino's Shadow Realm Descent, Shisui had swiftly eliminated the six Mist Jonin, and now he was brimming with confidence.

Especially when he looked at Juzo Biwa, who was also restrained by the Shadow Realm Descent, a slight smile appeared on Shisui's lips. He replied through mental communication: "Koshino, as long as you can maintain this technique and keep Juzo restrained, I don't even need three minutes—just half a minute, and I'll finish this fight!"

"Alright then, let's not waste any more time—the battle isn't over yet. Just wait for the show to start!"

"Whoosh!"

As soon as Shisui finished speaking, he disappeared in a flash.

Clearly, after communicating with Koshino, Shisui was full of confidence.

Because if he couldn't defeat Juzo Biwa while Shadow Realm Descent restrained Juzo, then Shisui would feel too ashamed to face Koshino or even call himself the captain of the Sharp Blade Squad!

Seeing Shisui so confident, Koshino couldn't help but feel a bit relieved.

To be honest, even though Koshino was still in a heightened state of power, with his mental energy at a half-step "quantum leap," he herself didn't know how long he could maintain this state. As long as Juzo's Bloody Mist Technique was active, Koshino felt immense pressure.

So when Shisui said he could finish the battle in half a minute, Koshino felt a significant weight lift off his shoulders as he maintained the Shadow Realm Descent.

But in the next second, something happened that made Koshino's heart skip a beat—a scene that nearly made his heart leap out of his chest.

Because just as Shisui confidently used his Body Flicker Technique to appear in front of Juzo Biwa, ready to slice Juzo's throat with his short sword, Juzo suddenly counterattacked!

"Boom!"

It was the Executioner's Blade!

In that critical moment, just as Shisui appeared and thought that Juzo, being restrained, couldn't retaliate, Juzo swung the Executioner's Blade in a powerful strike, forcing Shisui back!

Both Shisui and Koshino were left stunned.

In that moment, only one question echoed in Koshino's mind.

How was Juzo able to move even while under the restraint of Shadow Realm Descent?

Meanwhile, Juzo, seemingly unfazed by his earlier counterattack, continued to stare contemptuously at Koshino and Shisui. As the two of them puzzled over how Juzo managed to counter while restrained, his calm voice echoed in their ears:

"So, you're a member of the Nara Clan from Konoha's ANBU, little one."

"To be so young and able to modify your clan's secret techniques, you truly are gifted. No wonder our village sees your Sharp Blade Squad as such a priority, insisting that we bring back your heads. I used to wonder why, but after seeing how you use your secret techniques, it's clear to me now."

"It turns out, my mission was to eliminate you prodigies before you could fully bloom!"

"But, unfortunately for you, prodigies of the new generation will always be just that—prodigies."

"I bet if Shikaku Nara from your Ino-Shika-Cho trio were to get his hands on your technique, he'd take the time to thoroughly understand its weaknesses before using it in battle, wouldn't he?"

"Kid, haven't you noticed? As your technique's range expands, the binding power of your clan's technique weakens. Those 'fools' you killed earlier? They could have fought back, but they were too panicked by their inability to move their legs, so they didn't realize their upper bodies were still mobile."

"But I, Juzo Biwa, am not as foolish as they were!"

"Moreover…"

As he spoke, Juzo slowly raised the Executioner's Blade, holding it horizontally in front of him, and a flash of killing intent sparked in his eyes.

"Kid, the weaknesses in your technique are far more numerous than you realize! Let me show you just how flawed it is!"